The NFL trade deadline is creeping up on Nov. 10, and the loudest conversation is centered on the big names who might be on the move. But the ripple effect matters just as much. When a veteran gets shipped out, somebody else has to pick up the snaps, the touches and the targets.
That’s where a few younger players come in. Some of them are already on fantasy radars, while others are still waiting for a real chance to show what they can do. If the rumors turn into actual deals, these are the players who could be staring at a much bigger workload.
Seth McGowan is one of the clearest examples. Jonathan Taylor has surfaced as the top trade candidate as the Indianapolis Colts continue what’s being described as a fire sale.
If Taylor is moved, the rookie could suddenly be in line for a major role. McGowan, a seventh-round pick, has 163 rushing yards on 37 carries and is averaging 4.4 yards per attempt.
At 6-foot and 223 pounds, he has the frame to absorb more work. DJ Giddens would also be in the mix, but McGowan would have a real shot to become Indianapolis’ primary running back.
The Colts could create another opening in the passing game, too. Josh Downs recently requested a trade and is now one of the top receivers in trade rumors, while veteran Keenan Allen could also be moved.
If either one leaves, rookie Deion Burks would be positioned for more playing time. Burks has been stuck in a limited role behind the team’s established receivers, but his speed stands out - he ran a 4.30 40-yard dash at the NFL combine - and he brings big-play upside.
Alec Pierce would still be a major part of the offense, but Burks could get more chances as Indianapolis leans into its younger players.
Tennessee has a similar situation brewing with Tony Pollard. He has become a popular trade candidate as the Titans look ahead, and if he’s dealt, Tyjae Spears could slide into the lead-back job.
Spears has already shown burst and receiving ability, but injuries have kept him from staying on the field consistently and raised questions about whether he can handle a full workload. Even with those concerns, he’s still the kind of young player who could get a major boost from Pollard’s exit.
In Jacksonville, the focus is on Brian Thomas Jr. after a rough stretch following his standout rookie year. If the Jaguars decide to move him, Josh Cameron and Travis Hunter could both benefit.
Cameron flashed earlier this season, especially in the red zone, though his production has cooled and he hasn’t caught a pass in his last two games. Hunter’s two-way talent makes him a fascinating offensive piece.
With Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers also in the picture, a Thomas trade could open the door for both Cameron and Hunter to carve out larger roles.
Braelon Allen is in a different spot, because he’s already shown he can handle a bigger load. A Breece Hall trade looks unlikely, but Allen has made the most of Hall being sidelined.
Over his last four games, he has rushed for 445 yards and two touchdowns, including three 100-yard outings. The Jets have seen enough to know he can carry the offense if needed.
New York wants to keep Hall, but if a surprise trade somehow happens, Allen would immediately become the team’s top running back.
The deadline may end up moving stars more than prospects, but the fallout could be huge for these younger players. If their teams make a deal, each of them has a chance to step into a much bigger role.
In Other News...
Anthony Richardson Just Got One Last Chance To Change Everything
Anthony Richardson is back on the field this season after recovering from the orbital fracture that sidelined him, and the former No. 4 pick has made it clear how much the chance to play again has meant to him. Even with the uncertainty that followed the injury, Richardson has taken the field with a sense of gratitude, trying to make the most of an opportunity that once looked far from guaranteed.
For the Colts, though, the bigger picture still hangs over every snap. The team has not fully committed to Richardson as its long-term answer, which leaves his future as unsettled as ever even as he works to reestablish himself. After all the promise, the injury, and the questions that followed, this season feels like a crucial stretch for Richardson to show the organization it should keep building around him. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Face A Daniel Jones Deadline Decision They Can't Avoid
Daniel Jones has become one of the more complicated names on the Colts roster as the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 10 approaches. His 2026 season has been uneven, and the conversation around him now stretches beyond the box score into the bigger questions of how Indianapolis views its quarterback room, what it is willing to absorb financially, and whether another team would even be interested in taking on the rest of his deal.
The challenge for the Colts is that moving on is not as simple as shopping a struggling passer and waiting for offers to roll in. Jones contract makes any trade difficult, and the public backing he has received from the coach only adds another layer to the decision. Indianapolis has to weigh whether patience is still the best play or whether the deadline forces a harder choice than the franchise would prefer to make. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Fans May Not Get The Downs Family Matchup They Wanted
The injury reports for Indianapolis and Dallas added a layer to a matchup that already had some extra family intrigue, but it may not deliver the Downs-on-Downs moment some fans had circled. Both teams listed players who did not practice or were limited ahead of the game, and the Cowboys report included rookie safety Caleb Downs, whose availability is now in question.
On the Colts side, Josh Downs has been part of the conversation for a different reason after requesting a trade, even as he said he is ready to go for the upcoming game against Dallas. For Indianapolis fans, the appeal of this week was obvious: a chance to watch one Downs in blue and another in Cowboys colors, with the added wrinkle of a roster situation that could keep the matchup from fully materializing. [Read more 🡒]