Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs for a first down against Green Bay Packers linebacker Quay Walker (7) during their football game Sunday, September 15, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The NFL trade deadline will almost certainly never come close to rivaling the excitement we see during the summer from Major League Baseball’s trade deadline. With that said, the Jeffery Simmons trade and all the NFL rumors in early November do open the door to imagining huge moves that could be made if the NFL was more like MLB.
Let’s take a look at some NFL trades we’d love to see a few Super Bowl contenders make within the next week. For this exercise, we’re excluding two contenders that already made blockbuster trades (Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears) and not treating the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos as viable threats to hoist the Lombardi Trophy due to limitations at quarterback.
Green Bay Packers Bring Jonathan Taylor Back to Wisconsin
NFL Trades, Super Bowl Contenders, Green Bay Packers, Jonathan Taylor6
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs for a first down against Green Bay Packers linebacker Quay Walker (7) during their football game Sunday, September 15, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Heading into Week 9, the Green Bay Packers offense ranks last in rushing yards per game (60.6) and yards per carry (2.9). There always has to be a worst rushing offense in the NFL, but Green Bay is in its own special company at a time when the second-worst team (Las Vegas Raiders) averages nearly 18 rushing yards per game more and only six NFL teams average under 92 rush ypg. It’s absolutely an offensive line problem above all else, but with Josh Jacobs’ off-field issues, head coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst might as well swing big with Micah Parsons nearing a return.
Green Bay Packers trade: 2028 second-round pick, 2027 third-round pick, 2027 fifth-round pick
Indianapolis Colts trade: Jonathan Taylor
The Indianapolis Colts do have to sacrifice getting a second-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, but putting it a year further out does mean getting two Day 3 picks or Taylor. It’s close to the value the Carolina Panthers got for Christian McCaffrey a few years ago. Indianapolis gets much-needed draft capital ahead of a multi-year rebuild and the Packers get an all-purpose running back who ranks fifth in evaded tackles (32), yards created (522), eighth in breakaway runs (six) and who will get to return to the state where he starred in college.
Kansas City Chiefs Land WR1 with George Pickens Trade
NFL Trades, Super Bowl Contenders, George Pickens, Kansas City Chiefs6
Oct 26, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) attempts to leap over Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Jonathan Jones (31) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
It’s nice for Patrick Mahomes that Rashee Rice is back on the field and healthy, but that’s no longer a given with him moving forward. The Kansas City Chiefs front office has also made it pretty clear a long-term extension for Rice isn’t on the horizon, fitting for an organization that hasn’t necessarily prioritized spending big money at wide receiver. With that said, the Chiefs need to do a much better job putting a stronger supporting cast around an all-time great quarterback. If the offensive line is going to remain a problem, you have to acquire a No. 1 receiver who scares defenses.
Dallas Cowboys trade: George Pickens
Kansas City Chiefs trade: 2027 second-round pick
George Pickens is perfect for the Chiefs offense. Since he’s playing under the franchise tag, he’s also just a half-season rental and that means Kansas City could let him walk this upcoming offseason and receive a compensatory pick in the 2028 NFL Draft if he signs elsewhere. Why do the Dallas Cowboys do this? Because a 2027 second-round pick, even in the later half of the round, is far more valuable than a compensation they’ll get a year out. It’s also become pretty clear that this offense isn’t consistent enough anyway to overcome the defensive issues in Dallas. Both teams should view this deal as a win.
Buffalo Bills Address Secondary with Camryn Bynum Trade
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Indianapolis Colts safety Camryn Bynum (0) warms up before a game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
To the surprise of no one, firing head coach Sean McDermott and making Jim Leonhard the defensive coordinator didn’t fix the Buffalo Bills defense. Plenty of NFL analysts have suggested that Buffalo goes out and acquires an edge rusher. That makes some sense, but a defensive front with Greg Rousseau, Ed Oliver and Bradley Bishop is not this team’s biggest problem. It’s the fact that the safety tandem of Cole Bishop and C.J. Gardner-Johnson is probably the worst among Super Bowl contenders.
Indianapolis Colts trade: Camryn Bynum
Buffalo Bills trade: 2027 third-round pick, 2028 fifth-round pick
If the Colts are holding a fire sale ahead of the NFL trade deadline, Bills president of football operations Brandon Beane should make an aggressive push for safety Camryn Bynum. Derwin James Jr. (Los Angeles Chargers) would’ve been even better, but he just landed on injured reserve. Bynum, age 28, is still in his prime and has produced 20 passes defended and 8 interceptions in his last 42 starts. Under contract through 2028, Bynum is the deep safety Buffalo needs to address a secondary that has allowed 254.7 passing yards per game with a 96.3 passer rating to opponents.
Minnesota Vikings Acquire Breece Hall
NFL Trades, Super Bowl Contenders, Minnesota Vikings, Breece Hall6
Oct 6, 2024; London, United Kingdom; New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) carries the ball against Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) in the second half at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Since we have Jonathan Taylor landing with the Green Bay Packers, we’ll have the Minnesota Vikings pivot to another standout running back. Breece Hall, age 25, fits perfectly in the Vikings’ timeline and he’s signed to a very tradeable contract that carries cap hits of $11.486 million (2026), $14.5 million (2027) and $15.5 million (2028). Hall’s three-down skill set would fit nicely in Kevin O’Connell’s system and he would likely be slightly cheaper to acquire than Taylor.
New York Jets trade: Breece Hall
Minnesota Vikings trade: 2027 second-round pick, 2027 fifth-round pick
So why should the New York Jets trade Hall? Because during his five-game absence with a quad injury, Braelon Allen has come in and averaged 100.8 rushing yards per game and 5.4 yards per carry. He’s been one of the best running backs in the NFL in that five-week span and he’s under contract through the 2027 season with a cap hit under $1.5 million in each year of that rookie-scale deal. This would be the Jets trading from a position of luxury, turning Hall into a premium draft pick and allowing Allen to become their featured running back moving forward.
San Francisco 49ers Keep Khalil Mack in California
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Oct 4, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (52) is seen against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
It would be foolish of the Los Angeles Chargers front office to sit on their hands and not do anything at the NFL trade deadline when this team seems destined to be winless entering December. We know that head coach Jim Harbaugh stated his desire this week to keep Khalil Mack, but the only smart decision this organization can make is to trade the 35-year-old edge defender to a Super Bowl contender. Mack deserves a chance to close out his career in pursuit of a ring and the Chargers need draft capital.
Los Angeles Chargers trade: Khalil Mack, 2027 fifth-round pick
San Francisco 49ers trade: 2027 third-round pick
Even after acquiring DeForest Buckner, the San Francisco 49ers remain in the market for help along the defensive line. While Mack isn’t necessarily an elite pass rusher at this stage of his career, he’s arguably the best three-down defender who could potentially be acquired. San Francisco would have to give up a late Round 3 pick in this deal, but it gets Mack and that fifth-round selection from Los Angeles will basically be the equivalent of a late fourth given the depth of this year’s draft class.
Cincinnati Bengals Supercharge Offense with Saquon Barkley Trade
NFL Trades, Super Bowl Contenders, Cincinnati Bengals, Saquon Barkley6
Nov 1, 2026; Landover, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs against the Washington Commanders during the first half at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
In a perfect world, the Cincinnati Bengals could find a premium edge rusher and use their draft capital to acquire him. However, with the Las Vegas Raiders still in the playoff hunt, a Maxx Crosby trade is likely off the table. So, the Bengals front office should pivot to a move that would make this offense even stronger. Saquon Barkley (4.9 yards per carry in 2026) could come in and be this team’s early-down back with Chase Brown retaining his role on passing downs. It would keep Barkley fresh in a season that’s been marked by injuries and Brown would be best utilized in a role that takes advantage of his skills.
Philadelphia Eagles trade: Saquon Barkley
Cincinnati Benglas trade: 2027 third-round pick
From the Philadelphia Eagles’ perspective, this is simply making the best of a disastrous season. Barkley is almost 30 and given the heavy workload he’s already handled in his NFL career, injuries and ineffectiveness will become even bigger issues down the line. Now is the time to move him while he’s still worth a quality draft pick. With Cincinnati expected to get a compensatory third-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, it can afford to deal one to the Eagles to acquire Barkley.