The 2026 NFL trade deadline is just a week away and the Indianapolis Colts likely won’t be the only franchise shipping off talent to playoff contenders in the days to come. While we don’t expect the trade festivities to come close to matching the excitement sports fans see from Major League Baseball, there are still a few players who could be moved by Nov. 10.
Ahead of the 2026 NFL trade deadline, let’s take a stab at predicting where the top NFL trade candidates may land within the next week. For this exercise, we’re going to buy into the reporting that Saquon Barkley isn’t moving and assume several other big names (Tony Pollard, Derwin James and Breece Hall) stay put. In addition, there are no Tampa Bay Buccaneers players on this list with the team now back in contention.
Jonathan Taylor, Running Back: New York Giants
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Oct 25, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) dives for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings are the reported front-runners to acquire All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor. Ultimately, we think the Indianapolis Colts will receive a more aggressive offer from the New York Giants at the encouragement of John Harbaugh. While Cam Skattebo might be a fan-favorite, this new Giants coaching staff clearly doesn’t seem to be particularly fond of him. Why? Well, besides the fumbles, he ranks 29th in yards before contact per attempt (2.2), he’s 30th in true yards per carry, 47th in yards created per touch (240) and he even ranks 34th in stacked front carry rate (5.1 percent). All of this is to say, he just hasn’t been very good. New York clearly wants a running back it can put more of the weight on offensively, Taylor fits the bill and the team’s window to win the NFC East is wide open.
Brian Thomas Jr, Wide Receiver: Washington Commanders
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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) reacts to his reception during the first quarter of an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Just a few weeks ago we saw the Houston Texans trade a second-round pick to reunite Marvin Harrison Jr. with his college quarterback C.J. Stroud. Something similar could happen with Brian Thomas Jr. From the Jacksonville Jaguars’ perspective, trading him to the Washington Commanders moves him out of the AFC and the front office would rightfully prioritize draft picks from Washington because they will be higher than a team like the Kansas City Chiefs can offer. Why does Washington make a “buyer” move? Because it could just as easily trade Stefon Diggs within the next week, and given the injury that Terry McLaurin is recovering from, his long-term future with the franchise is also in doubt. Daniels and Thomas showed great chemistry in two seasons with the LSU Tigers, so this fresh start for the 24-year-old wide receiver would give him a genuine chance to get his career back on track. If it works out, Washington has a new No. 1 receiver for its QB.
Josh Sweat, EDGE: Dallas Cowboys
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Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Sweat (10) chases after Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Oct. 25, 2026.
Jerry Jones is 84 years old. He loves the Dallas Cowboys, a franchise that hasn’t been to the Super Bowl in over 30 years and is now in jeopardy of missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season. Desperate times call for matching actions. The Cowboys enter Week 9 ranked 31st in the NFL in ESPN pass-rush win rate (41 percent). They desperately need help at edge rusher. Josh Sweat is the most attainable option out there. He doesn’t want to play for the Arizona Cardinals anymore and if the right Day 2 pick is offered by Dallas, we think Sweat spends the rest of the season in Dallas.
Riq Woolen, Cornerback: Chicago Bears
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Nov 1, 2026; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White (1) runs against Philadelphia Eagles safety Andrew Mukuba (24) and cornerback Riq Woolen (2) during the second half at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
The Chicago Bears made their big splash before the NFL trade deadline, acquiring All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. As Monday Night Football demonstrated, however, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen still needs more help at cornerback. Riq Woolen would only be a half-season rental, but the 6-foot-4 cornerback offers the size and man coverage skills that Chicago needs. The Detroit Lions could get involved in this as well, but the Bears front office is clearly more aggressive and all-in on Super Bowl contention.
Jermaine Johnson, EDGE: San Francisco 49ers
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Oct 18, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive end Jermaine Johnson II (11) walks off the field after the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Relationships matter in the NFL. That’s why Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi traded Jeffery Simmons to Chicago. Robert Saleh has numerous ties to the San Francisco 49ers and with Tennessee clearly open for business, as long as it doesn’t take the surrounding talent away from Cam Ward, there could be an opportunity here for a trade. While the 49ers are about to get Nick Bosa back, Mykel Williams’ early career has been derailed by injuries and this front ranks 19th in pass-rush win rate. Jermaine Johnson, in a contract year, could be the perfect rotational edge rusher for Raheem Morris’ defense. Tennessee gets draft capital and Saleh gets to know he helped his former team out in a win-win trade.
Josh Downs, Wide Receiver: Los Angeles Rams
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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (2) drops a pass Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, during the game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Davante Adams might be returning sooner than expected, but the Los Angeles Rams could still use an additional receiving threat. Puka Nacua has had increasing trouble staying healthy and he’s only played 19.4 percent of his snaps out of the slot this season. Enter Josh Downs (50.9 percent slot rate), who could step into the No. 2 role until Adams returns and later thrive in 3WR sets as an underneath option with defenses focused on covering Adams and Nacua.
Jauan Jennings, Wide Receiver: Kansas City Chiefs
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NFL Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jauan Jennings. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Jauan Jennings obviously hasn’t played the role he was hoping to in the Minnesota Vikings offense and with the club set at wide receiver, it seems inevitable that he’s dealt. Jennings is a very willing blocker, something the Kansas City Chiefs could certainly use to make getting to the second level even easier for Kenneth Walker III. Jennings would also have a real opportunity to be the No. 2 receiver in this Chiefs’ offense rather quickly and, for Kansas City, it would probably only cost the front office a Day 3 pick to acquire him.
Jacoby Brissett, Quarterback: Baltimore Ravens
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Nov 1, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) passes the ball against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
The fact that Jacoby Brissett was not only benched but demoted to third-string quarterback, meaning he’ll be inactive on game day, suggests his time with the Arizona Cardinals is over. If that’s the case, some quarterback-needy team would be wise to acquire him. We just can’t imagine the Baltimore Ravens front office throwing in the towel entirely on this season, especially since first-year head coach Jesse Minter needs to set a new standard for a team that already had a history of second-half collapses. With Lamar Jackson out for the season and Snoop Huntley sidelined multiple weeks, Brissett is Baltimore’s best option.
Grover Stewart, Defensive Tackle: Green Bay Packers
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Oct 4, 2026; Tottenham, United Kingdom; Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) and defensive tackle Grover Stewart (90) react as Washington Commanders quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) watches in the second half during the 2026 NFL London Games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Green Bay Packers were one of the teams in the mix to acquire DeForest Buckner. With Javon Hargrave lost for the season and both Jonathan Ford and Warren Brinson on injured reserve, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst could call Indianapolis again. Stewart isn’t as big or as impactful as his former teammate, but he’d provide depth for an interior defensive line in Green Bay that needs it. Considering how much play-caller Jonathan Gannon likes to rotate his defensive tackles, an acquisition feels necessary.
Amik Robertson, Cornerback: Detroit Lions
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Oct 11, 2026; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders cornerback Amik Robertson (2) blocks a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Darnell Mooney (17) during overtime at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
A return to the Detroit Lions feels right for Amik Robertson. The 28-year-old cornerback signed with the Washington Commanders this offseason and he’s been a seven-game starter, holding up fairly well in coverage (7.8 yards per target allowed). It’s clear after two months, however, that Washington has no viable shot at playoff contention this year. Robertson knows the Lions’ system, making him an even better plug-and-play option for a cornerback room that needs someone reliable.