With four days left before the NFL trade deadline, Jonathan Taylor still sits at the center of the market - and Indianapolis is making teams pay up.
The asking price remains steep. The Colts are believed to want a first-round pick, or something close to the Christian McCaffrey package the 49ers sent to Carolina in October 2023: second-, third- and fourth-round picks in 2023, plus a 2024 fifth-rounder. So far, that kind of offer has not come through.
A few teams have already kicked the tires. The Giants, Broncos and Vikings have all inquired and talked it over, though Denver and Minnesota may be less eager now than they were earlier. New York, meanwhile, is still viewed as a serious suitor even though it is not believed to be offering what Indianapolis wants.
The Colts have also explored moving receiver Josh Downs and defensive tackle Grover Stewart.
Downs is part of a receiver market that has drawn real interest around the league. The Chiefs and Steelers are among the teams looking for help at the position, and the 49ers remain open to adding as well, though their health situation has improved enough that they are no longer as desperate as they were a couple of weeks ago.
Kansas City had interest in Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr., but Jacksonville has been less willing to move him. Even if the numbers have not popped, Thomas still gives the Jaguars a vertical element that matters in keeping defenses honest against the run and in opening space underneath for Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington. That has pushed Downs into the conversation for the Chiefs, with a fourth-round pick viewed as the likely range.
The defensive tackle market has been busy. DeForest Buckner and Jeffery Simmons are already gone, to the 49ers and Bears respectively, and teams like the Giants, Jaguars and Vikings are still searching for more help inside.
Washington’s Daron Payne had been drawing interest before he got hurt, and that is no longer in play. Stewart is still out there, along with the Saints’ Davon Godchaux and Nathan Shepherd, Patriots’ Christian Barmore and Panthers’ Bobby Brown III. The Eagles have turned away interest in Moro Ojomo, and the Dolphins have done the same with Zach Sieler.
One swing that would be expensive enough to qualify as a true stunner would be a move for Panthers star Derrick Brown. Carolina is not actively trying to deal him, but he has come up in the aftermath of the Simmons trade.
Tennessee, meanwhile, is not in the business of giving away its own pieces. The Titans like how their team has responded after trading its leader, and they also have to keep evaluating Cam Ward, who has started to come on in recent weeks. That makes it unlikely they’d move Tony Pollard or Calvin Ridley.
Still, both players have been discussed. Pollard has interest from teams that want backfield help but don’t want to pay Taylor-level prices, and the sense is that it would take at least a fourth-round pick to get him. Ridley, who is seeing less action now that Carnell Tate has emerged as the top target in a deep young receiver group, would likely cost less - maybe around a sixth-rounder.
The Chargers have told teams they like their core and are not moving players, which is why they have pushed back on calls about Khalil Mack. Whether that stance lasts through the week if they can’t beat the Texans on Sunday at home remains to be seen.
Washington is in a strange middle ground at 2-4-1, still only two games out in the NFC East. There is no fire sale there, but Dorance Armstrong and former second-round nickel Mike Sainristil have been mentioned as names to watch if the Commanders do decide to move someone.
Philadelphia’s six-game losing streak has opened the door to the possibility of selling some contract-year veterans. Hollywood Brown, Riq Woolen, Dallas Goedert, Michael Carter II and Tanner McKee are all viewed by other teams as available.
Ojomo is a different case. Howie Roseman has given other teams the impression he wants to sign Ojomo long term, even with Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis already on big second deals.
Josh Sweat’s name has continued to circulate around the Cardinals, even with Arizona hanging around the edge of the playoff race in Mike LaFleur’s first season. Young nickel Garrett Williams, a former third-round pick now in his fourth year, could also be had.
Atlanta is still in the NFC South race, but the Falcons are said to be looking mostly at adding picks rather than players. Veteran linebacker Christian Harris and nickel Mike Hughes are two names that could be available.
The Panthers are in a similar spot in terms of weighing their options, even while leading the NFC South. Derrick Brown and veteran guard Robert Hunt have both been considered in trade discussions.
There are also a few teams trying to buy and sell at the same time. New England has talked about moving Christian Barmore or Carlton Davis III - either would likely cost about a fourth-round pick - while also looking for edge help. The Steelers are still checking on receivers and could also deal veteran linebacker Cole Holcomb.
Cleveland has shifted into buyer mode, which is one of the more interesting developments on the board. The Browns have looked into adding a rotational edge rusher and a blocking tight end, which would give them more flexibility to move Harold Fannin Jr. around.
A few more names have surfaced as well. Pete Werner has come up in Saints trade chatter, alongside Godchaux and Shepherd.
J.K. Dobbins was raised in some talks after Broncos rookie RB Jonah Coleman broke out, but that looks less likely now that RJ Harvey is hurt.
And the Texans have at least checked in on available running backs and safeties.
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