Two weeks away from this year’s trade deadline, I decided to briefly outline six players I’d like to see dealt still – three on offense and defense each. There seem to be as many “sellers” at this point of the season as there have been in some time, and plenty of teams can talk themselves into one more move pushing them over the top, without any juggernauts across the NFL necessarily.

This is what I came up with:

 

 

 

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor to the Vikings

This isn’t a massive need for Minnesota, given the return of Jordan Mason, but considering how limited their offense feels like, why wouldn’t you try to add a true difference-maker in the run game, to support a defense that ranks number one in essentially every metric you look at? They just saw what JT is capable of. This would give them some much-needed balance, but also a much higher chance for explosive plays without needing to rely on a rather shaky Kyler Murray, who’d also benefit from a couple of opportunities to rip off chunks, pulling the ball from the RB’s belly, to get around the edge freely.

 

Expected cost: 3rd- and 5th-round picks in 2027

 

 

 

Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. to the 49ers

BTJ has been highly disappointing this season, where the Jags have continued to phase him out of the offense, following a regression sophomore year already. Still, the Niners have a bunch of guys to attack the middle of the field (where BTJ has struggled the most), and this could look similar to what Brock Purdy loved to do with Brandon Aiyuk, working these vertical and out-breaking routes on the backside of the formation. This way they can start to legitimately threaten a certain part of the field again, for a play-caller in Shanahan that is as good as anyone at commanding space with how routes are distributed.

 

Expected cost: 4th-round pick in 2028

 

 

 

Eagles TE Dallas Goedert to the Chiefs

There were multiple wide receivers I was considering for Kansas City, given how visible their lack of receiving talent was against a Seahawks defense that was largely able to shut down Kenneth Walker III, who has been the central focus of their offense. However, Goedert could be a quality addition as well, given that they use multi-TE sets even on pass plays. He’s immediately their best in-line blocker, to further support their superstar running back, has made a career of slicing across the formation off play-action and running after the catch, but can also present a threat up the seams – alongside Travis Kelce.

 

Expected cost: 5th-round pick in 2027

 

 

 

Chargers EDGE Khalil Mack to the Lions

Despite essentially turning the ball over four times themselves (if you include TOs on downs), Detroit just had their best defensive showing this season, with Brian Branch back in the lineup. They could still use reinforcements. They’ve gotten good pass-rush production along the interior, but they really need that presence off the edge across from Aidan Hutchinson. Mack being more of a power-based player, who can compress the pocket from one side and still be rock-solid at the point of attack in the run game, appears to be a great fit.

 

Expected cost: Juice Scruggs + 6th-round pick in 2027

 

 

 

Colts IDL Grover Stewart to the Bills

For as unstoppable as Buffalo’s offense has been, unless they do so themselves, by turning the ball over, their defense has been highly underwhelming. Deone Walker and even Gregory Rousseau (who did come in as a plus starter, at least) are having major breakout seasons, but their biggest issue still remains – a sturdy presence at the spine of this unit. The Bills wouldn’t need Stewart to be a three-down player, but his run-stopping prowess could allow them to arrive at more obvious dropback situations, which might also encourage DC Jim Leonhard to call up some exotic pressures, like we were envisioning.

 

Expected cost: 6th- and 7th-round picks in 2027

 

 

 

Commanders DB Mike Sainristil to the Ravens

Last but not least, I’m laying out one of the key players from that dominant 2023/24 Michigan national title defense reuniting with his former coordinator in Jesse Minter. Sainristil primarily lined up at the nickel position for the Wolverines, before being asked to shift mostly to outside corner as a second-round pick for Washington – and excelling as a rookie. He regressed with a more balanced split in his second pro season and is starting to lose playing time this year. Having experience in this system and offering Baltimore flexibility if Kyle Hamilton has to play more true safety again, could be valuable.

 

Expected cost: Nick Vannett + 5th-round pick in 2027

 

 

Ten more trades I was considering:

Eagles RB Saquon Barkley to the Bengals

Browns WR Jerry Jeudy to the Chiefs

Panthers TE Ja’Tavion Sanders to the Broncos

Chiefs OL Andrew Wylie to the Patriots

Jets EDGE Will McDonald IV to the Cowboys

Eagles IDL Moro Ojomo to the Browns

Titans LB Cody Barton to the Packers

Eagles CB Riq Woolen to the Panthers

Cardinals SAF Budda Baker to the Giants

Jets SAF Andre Cisco to the Jaguars