The trade chatter around the AFC is starting to sharpen, and a few familiar names are suddenly in the middle of it.
In Indianapolis, teams looking for wide receiver help have been calling about Josh Downs, according to Jordan Schultz. Jeremy Fowler added that other clubs around the league aren’t convinced the Colts will part with Jonathan Taylor after his new extension, calling him a player they could still build around. Fowler also said multiple teams have checked in on Downs and believes the receiver might not be opposed to a fresh start.
Jacksonville is drawing plenty of attention too. Fowler said league executives believe the clock may be ticking for Brian Thomas Jr. after what they view as a two-season stretch of limited involvement in the offense.
The reaction around the league has been more confusion than anything else, with executives wondering why the Jaguars haven’t found a way to make it work. At the same time, Jacksonville has also popped up as a possible buyer, with people in league circles linking the Jaguars to Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne if Washington makes him available.
Dan Graziano also flagged the Jaguars as a team to watch on the buying side and said Thomas is the player he thinks is most likely to be traded before the deadline.
In Tennessee, edge rusher Jermaine Johnson is being mentioned as a possible trade piece, even though the Titans just acquired him this past offseason to bring him back together with head coach Robert Saleh. Fowler said teams in the market for pass-rush help believe Johnson is gettable if the price is right.
Tony Pollard has also surfaced in trade talk, though one AFC executive told Fowler, “I don’t think [the Titans] want to take weapons away from the quarterback right now.”
Another name to monitor is cornerback Alontae Taylor. He has been benched the last two games despite being one of the Titans’ key free-agent additions in March. His contract would make any deal complicated, but an NFC executive told Fowler that Taylor being in demand just a few months ago should help preserve his value.
In Other News...
Colts Fans Are About To See A New Jaguars Look In Person
The new NFL Rivalries uniforms are about to make their in-game debut, and Jacksonvilles version will be on display Sunday when the Jaguars host the Colts. The look leans into local identity, with a white jersey, black pants and a teal helmet that is meant to nod to Jacksonville references, giving fans a first real chance to see how the leagues latest alternate concept plays on the field.
It is part of a broader rollout with the Detroit Lions also unveiling their own Rivalries uniform at home this weekend, but the Jaguars matchup has a little extra edge because of the division setting. The league has mapped out other Rivalries releases throughout the 2026 season, so this is only the first stop in what figures to be a steady stream of new looks as the NFL keeps testing how far it can push uniform design. [Read more 🡒]
Brian Thomas Jr. Has A Jaguars Question He Cant Ignore
Brian Thomas Jr. has found himself in an awkward spot this season, with trade chatter following him while his role in the Jaguars offense has also looked smaller than expected. For a player whose talent made him one of the most closely watched young receivers in Jacksonville, that kind of noise can turn every week into a referendum on what comes next.
Jakobi Meyers has become one of the steadier voices around him since arriving in a 2025 trade and quickly taking on a leadership role as an offensive captain. Meyers has made it clear he believes Thomas is sharp and capable of being a difference-maker for Jacksonville, which only adds to the question hanging over the receiver now: whether the Jaguars are about to see Thomas settle back into that potential, or keep wondering what it all means for his future. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars May Have A New Contract Squeeze Fans Didnt See Coming
Early in the 2026 season, the Jaguars have gotten a welcome return on three modest investments. Ventrell Miller, Parker Washington and Bhayshul Tuten are all drawing notice from Pro Football Focus for playing well above their contracts, a useful development for a roster that is trying to balance performance with long-term payroll flexibility. Miller has stood out in a big way, while Washington and Tuten have each given Jacksonville steady production at positions where reliable contributors usually cost more.
The bigger takeaway for the Jaguars is what this kind of value can do over the course of a season. When young players on low cap hits are delivering at a high level, it can ease pressure elsewhere on the roster and make the front offices job a little cleaner down the road. For now, Jacksonvilles early financial picture looks healthy because three players have turned into much better bargains than anyone might have expected. [Read more 🡒]