The trade market is already moving, and the next wave could be even louder before the Nov. 10 deadline at 4 p.m. ET.
Chicago jumped first with the biggest splash so far, landing All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from Tennessee for two first-round picks. Simmons wasted no time making his presence felt, recording a sack in his Bears debut during a 34-17 win over the Seahawks.
Seattle, meanwhile, made its own major move by sending third- and fifth-round picks to Indianapolis for six-time All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson. The Colts also dealt defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the 49ers for a 2027 fourth-round pick, sending Buckner back to San Francisco, where he played the first four years of his career.
And that may only be the start. League sources expect more action over the coming week, with several teams openly positioned to sell.
The Chargers’ 0-7 start has not changed the outlook on Justin Herbert. Even with a disastrous season for both player and team, a trade remains extremely unlikely.
Herbert is under contract through 2029 and has mostly played like a top-10 quarterback over his career. This year, though, he leads the league with 10 interceptions.
One front-office executive told our Gilberto Manzano that any Herbert deal would have to begin with at least three first-round picks, plus additional pieces such as lower selections and/or established players. The executive compared that kind of package to the Deshaun Watson trade and the Bears-Panthers deal that centered on the No. 1 pick in 2023 and became the Bryce Young selection.
Indianapolis has already been one of the league’s busiest teams, and more moves are expected. An AFC general manager described the Colts as a fire-sale situation, with the goal of clearing the books and building draft capital that would also make the general manager opening more attractive.
The Colts do not have a first-round pick because of last year’s Sauce Gardner trade, but they could get one back depending on the price for Jonathan Taylor. Through eight games, Taylor has rushed for 610 yards and eight touchdowns and is on pace for his fifth 1,000-yard season. Josh Downs is another player to watch; the 25-year-old receiver is scheduled for free agency after the season and has 30 catches for 330 yards and a touchdown.
Philadelphia is also expected to be active. The Eagles are 2-6 and without Jalen Hurts while he recovers from a blood clot issue.
They have already moved center Cam Jurgens and a 2027 seventh-rounder to Baltimore for a 2027 fifth-round pick and a 2028 second-rounder. The bigger names on the roster are DeVonta Smith and Saquon Barkley, both under contract through 2028, but either would require a major offer before Howie Roseman would seriously consider moving them. On the other end of the spectrum are expiring contracts such as Moro Ojomo and Riq Woolen, who could bring back mid-round picks from contenders.
The Jets are not viewed as quite as eager to deal, even though Garrett Wilson has come up in conversations. Darren Mougey stood firm on Breece Hall last year and extended him in the offseason, and Wilson’s situation carries similar intrigue. He signed a four-year, $130 million extension last July and is under contract through 2030, though there is no guaranteed money beyond next year.
One general manager said the Jets would not even entertain a Wilson trade unless the return included two first-round picks and a player. New York already has three first-rounders in the 2027 draft, so it is not in a hurry to pile up more capital. The alternative is keeping Wilson alongside rookie receiver Omar Cooper Jr. and Hall to give the future franchise quarterback a strong supporting cast.
If Wilson or Philadelphia’s Smith prove unavailable or too expensive, receiver-needy teams have other names to chase. Kansas City is one of them.
A source close to the situation said the Chiefs are willing to part with premium draft capital for the right player, and they do not see their limited cap space - less than $2 million - as a dealbreaker. A restructure or a better pick with salary coming back the other way could solve that issue.
The Chiefs are expected to be aggressive in their search for a receiver, with Downs viewed as a likely target or another option on the market. Stefon Diggs is another name to keep in mind. Kansas City monitored him this offseason before he signed a one-year deal with Washington, and if the Commanders decide to sell, Diggs, 33, would fit as a low-cost addition in both draft capital and money, with less than $3 million left to pay out and a Day 3 pick likely enough.
And while some teams may be tempted to hold onto picks in hopes of landing one of the top quarterbacks in the 2027 draft, that may not be the way the league plays it. An executive said only a handful of teams will truly be in position to chase quarterbacks that high, and those clubs are likely to be sellers anyway.
With the standings tight, especially in the NFC, the market could get even hotter. Teams believe they are a move or two from making a real January run, and by this time next week, most general managers should have their rosters set, aside from the occasional off-the-street addition.
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