Who are the buyers? Who are the sellers? And which players could get moved by Tuesday afternoon? We’ve got it all covered here.

With Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET trade deadline rapidly approaching, it feels increasingly likely that a league-altering deal is right around the corner. 

We’re in an era where more and more NFL general managers are willing to deal their own players and acquire others midseason, so this time of year has an incredible amount of intrigue. Several major deals were already made before we even approached the deadline, with guard Quenton Nelson moving from the Colts to the Seahawks, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner being traded from Indianapolis to San Francisco, and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons getting dealt from Tennessee to Chicago.

But we know that the negotiations are still far from over. Here’s what you need to know about the current NFL trade market, from the buyers and the sellers to the players you should keep tabs on.

Denver Broncos, New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks: Buyers

I’m clustering three teams together as my presumed bidders in the Jonathan Taylor Sweepstakes. These teams all hope that the Colts’ Pro Bowl running back could breathe new life into their respective offenses—if they could just acquire him.

After the Broncos’ Week 8 win over the Chiefs (and Taylor’s limited participation in the Colts’ blowout loss to Jacksonville), it seemed like Denver was closing in on trading for Taylor—and they took a leap in the betting odds to land him. But a week later, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported that the asking price (a first-round pick or a Christian McCaffrey–trade level of value) might be a bit too steep for interested teams. 

While Indianapolis’s demands for Taylor are high, I don’t actually believe the Broncos are bailing on their pursuit of Taylor. This feels more like posturing and public negotiation, with the Broncos trying to manufacture desperation from their potential trade partners, and the Colts trying to do the same by taking these negotiations as close to the deadline as possible. I noted in last week’s Winners and Losers column that the Colts are trying to get everything they can out of a Taylor trade because of his immense talent and the draft capital they wasted in their disappointing acquisition of cornerback Sauce Gardner last season. Because this is the last big move they have on their proverbial chessboard, Indianapolis was always going to engage in a staring contest before moving Taylor.

But in the event that Denver and Indianapolis can’t make a deal, I’d keep an eye on the Giants and Seahawks. New York was shut out from the quietly kept trade negotiations around Simmons—to the chagrin of head coach John Harbaugh—but Taylor would be the next-best player they could reasonably acquire to address a need. 

Seattle, meanwhile, hasn’t found an offensive rhythm since losing running back Kenneth Walker III, and quarterback Sam Darnold has been out for several games this year due to injuries. Seattle needs a big-play threat in their backfield if they want to repeat as champions, and having Taylor help maximize their contending window might be worth a first-round pick. Seahawks GM John Schneider has been hesitant to deal first-rounders in the past—the last time he traded a pick that high for a player was in 2020 for safety Jamal Adams. But the NFC is too competitive for Seattle to sit on their hands and hope things break their way.

Indianapolis Colts: Sellers

We may as well address the Colts, since we just covered the topic of trading Taylor. Indianapolis is on the way to a full-blown roster teardown after a disastrous start to the season that resulted in the firing of GM Chris Ballard. And now the Colts are back in the same kind of non-competitive purgatory they were in between the Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck eras.

The Colts don’t necessarily have any incentive to tank this season (because they don’t have a first-round pick in the 2027 draft), but they also have no reason to continue rostering high-priced veterans or young players on expiring contracts. That means we’ll probably see players like receiver Josh Downs, safety Cam Bynum, and possibly quarterback Daniel Jones get dealt. Downs could probably be moved to a team like Kansas City or Pittsburgh, who are both dealing with injuries in their receiver rooms. If the Bills are looking for a veteran safety, Bynum could be brought in as a depth piece—though he isn’t nearly as effective at forcing turnovers as he was a couple seasons ago. As far as Jones is concerned, at this point, any GM trading for him is clearly not worried about increasing their own job security.

I don’t know if any of these players will net Indianapolis much more than some third-round or day-three picks, but if a Taylor trade brings them enough of a haul, the Colts can convince themselves that moving him, Nelson, Buckner, and others gives them the aggregate draft capital they need to at least get started on a rebuild.

Dallas Cowboys: Buyers

A team with the Cowboys’ level of offensive talent should not feel like their season is on the brink—especially given the state of the NFC East. But a 3-5 start cranked up the pressure and urgency in Dallas.

Trading for defensive tackle Quinnen Williams last year hasn’t solved their inability to stop the run, though Williams’s individual production suggests he’s playing the best football of his career. The team’s trade for cornerback Joey Porter Jr. in October is difficult to grade right now because of his injuries, but the Cowboys are still missing a desperately needed piece to their secondary. And because this defense has issues and personnel holes in multiple spots, every mistake made by first-round safety Caleb Downs is magnified. He was supposed to come in and quickly become a do-everything force in the mold of Cooper DeJean.

Dallas could use extra defensive help in a lot of places, but none more so than edge rusher. Dallas has the league’s fifth-lowest quarterback hit rate on non-blitzing snaps, and they blitz at the league’s sixth-lowest rate, meaning getting to the quarterback via their four-man rush is paramount. Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat is a name to watch here, as the 29-year-old could give the Cowboys’ pass rushing corps some instant production, and he’s familiar with their scheme—Sweat and Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker were both in Philadelphia during the Eagles’ 2024 championship run. 

Arizona’s asking price for Sweat is reportedly a second-round pick, which the Cowboys can provide in equivalent value by packaging up 2028 and 2029 picks. But because they don’t have much trade value to offer for this upcoming draft, the Cardinals may opt to deal Sweat somewhere else. If that’s the case, keep an eye on Buccaneers edge rusher Yaya Diaby as a second option for Dallas. Diaby is on an expiring contract, he’s younger than Sweat, and Dallas could potentially receive a compensatory draft pick if he doesn’t sign an extension with the Cowboys. 

For all of Dallas’s problems this year, they’re still in position to take control of their division and get back into the playoffs. Team owner Jerry Jones seems ready to improve this roster, and bringing in edge rushing help might help an awful defense get a little closer to league average—which should be more than good enough for Dallas to win games.

Detroit Lions: Buyers

The NFC North is the most competitive division in football right now, and the Lions need to add talent to their defense if they want to maximize their chances to make the postseason. I wouldn’t be shocked if they take multiple swings at addressing holes on their roster. 

Cornerback is an immediate area of need for Detroit, as this defense is currently allowing the fifth-highest explosive pass rate in the NFL. There are no sexy options clearly available on the trade market, but guys like Tariq Woolen or Nahshon Wright would give Detroit big-bodied defenders that fit their man-heavy scheme. With the potential return of safety Kerby Joseph (who’s dealing with a knee cartilage issue) and the addition of another competent cornerback opposite D.J. Reed, the Lions secondary might finally stop getting roasted by opposing receivers every week.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Detroit looks to add a linebacker as well, in the wake of Jack Campbell’s severe neck/spine injury suffered in Week 8. Miami linebacker Jordyn Brooks is a good fit for Detroit’s defense—and a player I’ve wanted to get away from the rebuilding Dolphins since last season. He’s an All-Pro and signed a $51 million extension this past offseason, which means Detroit might have to spend a third-round pick (or better) to bring him in. If the Chargers were posturing as sellers at all, I’d also consider linebacker Daiyan Henley, and he’d theoretically be an easier player to negotiate a trade for since his contract is expiring and he hasn’t yet turned his promise into Pro Bowl–level play—though he certainly has that potential.

San Francisco 49ers: Buyers

The 49ers have already made one big swing by bringing Buckner back to San Francisco for a fourth-round pick. But with San Francisco currently in the driver’s seat for the top seed in the NFC (and trying to hang onto that spot despite all their injuries), they should be looking at bringing in another veteran contributor—especially on offense. Their wide receiver room is being held together with toothpicks and glue, and running back Christian McCaffrey seems to be on a pitch count to manage his wear-and-tear. So one more supporting piece feels necessary to keep this surprise season on track.

Receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has been linked to the Chiefs for what feels like an entire year now, but I struggle to believe that Jacksonville would want to trade him to direct competition in the AFC—even if Thomas is barely a factor in Jacksonville’s offense. But trading away a 2027 day three pick and a 2028 day two pick might be enough for the 49ers to land a high-ceiling chance at an even more dynamic passing game. If San Francisco isn’t able to get Thomas, I would keep an eye on Titans receiver Calvin Ridley as a potential consolation prize. He might be available for as little as a day three pick, and while Ridley’s production suggests he’s closer to being out of the league than being a multi-week contributor, he would at least give the 49ers a replacement for veteran Christian Kirk, who recently went on injured reserve.

Other Players Possibly on the Move

Moro Ojomo

Eagles defensive tackle Moro Ojomo checks all the boxes of a player who could get moved at the deadline. He is in the final year of his rookie deal and plays behind two starters that have already been given long-term extensions. Plus, Philadelphia is 2-6 and already deploying its fourth quarterback this year. Multiple playoff-hopeful teams are in need of more juice from their defensive tackles, so the Eagles could turn the former seventh-round pick into draft capital and give themselves more depth in years to come.

Possible destination and trade value: Jacksonville Jaguars, third-round pick

After losing DaVon Hamilton for the season, the Jaguars will need more help on the interior to solidify themselves as an AFC front-runner. Ojomo’s current pass-rushing production isn’t all that impressive, but his six sacks in 2025 flashed his high ceiling.

Making a trade like this would be good business for the Jaguars, no matter the outcome for this season. Ojomo could be a less expensive long-term option than extending both Hamilton and Arik Armstead next spring, and they could gain a compensatory draft pick if Ojomo tests the open market and finds a long-term deal elsewhere.

Jerry Jeudy

Through eight weeks, receiver Jerry Jeudy was fourth on the Browns in targets and just one ahead of running back Quinshon Judkins. That’s a clear signal that he doesn’t factor much into Cleveland’s offense, especially with rookie receivers Denzel Boston and K.C. Concepcion quickly finding productive roles. The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero reported recently that Cleveland would need a “truly crazy offer” to move Jeudy, but it feels a bit wasteful not to seek draft capital for a player that doesn’t project to be a major contributor in the immediate or long-term future.

Possible destination and trade value: Kansas City Chiefs, fourth-rounder

Kansas City has a surplus of draft capital to add help at receiver, and they desperately need it given their injuries and lack of playmaking at the position. Jeudy can’t possibly be the downfield threat that Tyquan Thornton was, but having someone like Jeudy gives the Chiefs another chain-moving option on RPOs and third-down passes.

Jeudy was drafted by Denver in 2020 with the hope that his route running and versatility would make him a playmaker they could funnel an offense through, and that just never panned out. But if the Browns do decide to deal him, he’d be available at a major discount for a 27-year-old on a manageable contract. Teams with needs at receiver could take a low-risk chance at seeing whether he can be a functional piece of their offense.

Zach Sieler

Defensive tackle Zach Sieler signed a three-year extension before the start of last season, and is one of the last remnants of Miami’s non-rebuilding years. Moving on from the veteran will cost the Dolphins a bunch in dead cap ($35 million over the next two years), but Sieler’s ability to both disrupt the run game and pressure quarterbacks would make him a worthwhile addition for playoff hopefuls that need depth in their front seven.

Possible destination and trade value: New York Giants, fourth-rounder

New York traded away defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence in the offseason and lost edge rusher Brian Burns to a torn ACL early in the year. The Giants have enough big bodies to take on blocks in the run game, but they don’t have nearly enough pass-rushing juice on the interior. Sieler might be over 30 years old, but he’s under contract through 2029 at a manageable annual value ($21.3 million). And he’d be back playing for Harbaugh, as Baltimore was the team that drafted him in 2018.

Amani Hooker

At 1-7 and still a world away from being a competitive franchise again, the Titans need to compete with the Chargers, Saints, and Dolphins for the best possible draft position this spring. Safety Amani Hooker’s trade value has never been higher, with five interceptions and six passes broken up through the first eight games of the year. He’s still in his prime at 28 years old and he’s signed through 2028, too, so acquiring teams will presumably have him through the best years of his career.

Possible destination and trade value: Buffalo Bills, third-rounder

Hooker could probably be acquired for a day three draft pick, but a team like Buffalo would need to pay a premium to entice the Titans to help them out financially. The Bills have around $4 million in cap space, which is well below Hooker’s $8 million base salary. But they could ask the Titans to eat into their own cap space to facilitate the deal, and in exchange give Tennessee additional draft capital or a player that fills their long-term needs.

The Bills have struggled at safety for multiple seasons, and are still looking for answers after waiving C.J. Gardner-Johnson last week. Hooker’s versatility and ball skills are a good fit for this defense and would make me feel more confident that it won’t get picked apart by other contenders in the postseason.

Long Shot Trade Candidates

Khalil Mack

The Chargers have maintained for weeks that their winless start to the season will not result in a teardown, and I think head coach Jim Harbaugh actually believes he can turn this season around somehow. But if Los Angeles decides to stop falling victim to the sunk cost fallacy that’s led them to hold this core together, they could pick up good draft capital by moving edge rusher Khalil Mack.

Possible destination and trade value: New England Patriots, third-rounder

Prying Mack away would take an aggressive offer, but the Pats might just do it. New England hasn’t gotten all it hoped out of receivers A.J. Brown or Romeo Doubs through the first half of the year, but quarterback Drake Maye and the defense have generally been good enough to win games regardless. Mack could be in the final year of his career and shouldn’t have to anchor a pass rushing unit, and the Patriots have enough depth to keep him fresh and let him be an impact rusher when games matter most.

Breece Hall

New York’s been doing the same dance with running back Breece Hall for the last two years. The Jets aren’t actually competitive enough to justify having a $15 million back on their roster, but Hall is too good a player to trade away from a team that’s starved for impactful guys. 

The timing for a possible trade couldn’t be worse for New York. They just negotiated Hall’s $45 million extension last offseason, and his $29 million in guarantees means the Jets would basically be paying him two-thirds of his total contract value just to go away. But staring down another season that feels lost at the halfway point and with backup running back Braelon Allen looking more like a starting-quality player, I wonder whether the right offer of draft capital would make the Jets bite.

Possible destination and trade value: Minnesota Vikings, second-rounder

Ideally, the Vikings would be using their draft capital to address their needs at quarterback. But what feels more likely is that the Vikings will overpay to bring in a dynamic running back, in the hopes that someone like Hall takes the ball out of their quarterback’s hands and generates enough explosive-play potential to make this offense more viable.

Maxx Crosby

One day, predictions of a trade for Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby will come true—I’m just not certain it’s happening this week. First, he’s set to make half of his $30 million base salary across the rest of the season, which significantly constricts the amount of potential trade suitors. The Raiders know Crosby loves playing for Las Vegas—and owner Mark Davis reciprocates that appreciation, according to Pelissero’s reporting—so the only way a trade would work is if Crosby is 100 percent bought into the idea of playing elsewhere, and if he can convince Davis to take on the financial burden of paying most of his remaining salary while he competes for a championship. 

I’m sure there’ll be interest in Crosby, but this is one of those moves where the acquiring team better be sure he’s the difference between winning and losing a championship this season.

Possible destination and trade value: Detroit Lions, multiple first-round picks

We talked above about the Lions making some moves around the margins, but the biggest swing they can take would be adding an elite edge rusher to play opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Hutchinson would instantly be the best defensive teammate Crosby has ever had, and the pair would be Detroit’s best chance to compete against division rival quarterbacks like Caleb Williams and Jordan Love.

Crosby will be 30 years old at the start of next season and set to make over $28 million per year through his age-32 season, so I wonder whether teams will be more cautious about trading away multiple first-round picks for him after watching edge rusher Myles Garrett miss several games for the Rams this year due to injury. A move like this would be a total swing for the fences, and I’m rooting for a team to take that chance.