NFL Stars Who Could Be Traded
NFL Stars Who Could Be Traded
The 2026 NFL trade deadline isn’t until November 11 at 4:00 p.m. ET, with every team around the league committed to its starters as the regular season kicks off. However, there are a few notable NFL players on teams projected to struggle this fall that could be flipped in a matter of months.
Let’s take a look at some NFL stars who could be traded by November.
Josh Sweat, EDGE, Arizona Cardinals
NFL Stars Who Could Be Traded, Josh Sweat, Arizona Cardinals5
Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Arizona Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat requested a trade this offseason, wanting to get off the rebuilding franchise. It quickly became evident and later publicly stated that the Cardinals front office had no interest in considering a deal. That is going to change. Arizona is going to be positioning itself for a top pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, and Sweat has no long-term future with a team that is likely two years away from contention. It feels like the Cardinals would push for a 2027 second-round pick in exchange for Sweat, but given how high teams are on the upcoming class, a 2027 third- and 2028 fourth-round pick might be the return.
Potential Landing Spots: Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, New England Patriots
Jessie Bates, FS, Atlanta Falcons
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Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
With James Pearce Jr. suspended for the first eight games of the 2026 NFL season and fellow standout defender Jalon Walker out for the year with an ACL tear, the Atlanta Falcons won’t have the defense to realistically contend. It’s also become apparent that Michael Penix Jr. isn’t the long-term answer at quarterback, so they will need to find someone next offseason. That creates a need for draft capital, and the number of teams in need of a high-end safety would generate plenty of suitors for All-Pro safety Jessie Bates. He is also in a contract year, and with the contract extensions already handed out at running back, wide receiver and tight end, the financial flexibility just isn’t there to extend a 29-year-old safety. A trade might be in everyone’s best interest.
Potential Landing Spots: Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings
Related: 10 Bold NFL Predictions for 2026, including Jessie Bates’ Trade
Kayvon Thiboeaux, EDGE, New York Giants
NFL Stars Who Could Be Traded, New York Giants, Kayvon Thibodeaux5
Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
A Kayvon Thibodeaux trade for the New York Giants would be all about dealing from a position of depth and potentially extracting more value from a looming departure in NFL free agency. Thibodeaux hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations with New York, but he is still a very effective edge defender who could start for a number of teams around the league. Rather than lose him next offseason and collect a compensatory pick in the 2028 NFL Draft, New York could flip him for a pick in the deeper 2027 class or potentially flip him to a team that is deep at cornerback to solve its own issues in the secondary.
Potential Landing Spots: Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens
Maxx Crosby, EDGE, Las Vegas Raiders
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Mandatory Credit: Christopher Trim-Imagn Images
The Las Vegas Raiders had a Maxx Crosby trade in place, and then it famously fell through. It does allow the All-Pro edge rusher to open the season with Las Vegas, proving to NFL teams that he is healthy and can still play at an extremely high level. While there is a case that could be made for the Raiders to keep him, it seems clear the team’s vision is a long-term build with a window for contention past Crosby’s prime. The return in a trade will be less than the original deal that was in place, but premium draft capital still means more young, cheap talent to put around Fernando Mendoza.
Stefon Diggs, WR, Washington Commanders
NFL Stars Who Could Be Traded, STefon Diggs5
Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
We are extremely pessimistic regarding the Washington Commanders‘ outlook for 2026. Not only is an in-season firing of Dan Quinn on the table, but it would not surprise us if general manager Adam Peters opted to sell off some veteran talent in early November. Terry McLaurin’s contract extension means he will not leave, but veteran wideout Stefon Diggs is playing on a one-year deal. If he can replicate what he did last season with the New England Patriots, that $8 million cap hit for a very effective WR2 will make him coveted around the league.