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This year, the NFL trade deadline doesn’t arrive until Nov. 10, which is the Tuesday following Week 9. But that date is rapidly approaching as the NFL calendar turns to Week 7. Teams are getting a better idea of which ones are pretenders and which are contenders through six weeks, which means more organizations are getting ready to either buy or sell.
With the NFL trade deadline rapidly approaching, it’s time to look at five trades that could take place before another week of football kicks off. So, which players and teams could be involved in some fairly significant trades soon? Here are a few ideas.
At this point, there’s no reason for the Los Angeles Chargers to hold onto aged veterans and expiring contracts. The 35-year-old Khalil Mack fits that theme, and the Los Angeles Rams, despite trading for Myles Garrett and reuniting with Aaron Donald, are tied for the second-fewest sacks in football. With so much invested in Garrett, the Rams don’t need to go all out for a young star, but adding a proven pass-rusher/run stopper could be just what this defense needs.
Kyle Juszczyk is already all-in on this one, recruiting his former San Francisco 49ers teammate to “come home.” DeForest Buckner addressed the media following the Indianapolis Colts’ loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday by saying he’s “sick and tired of the same song and dance every year.” NFL insiders like Albert Breer think the First-Team All-Pro could be on the trade block. Meanwhile, the 49ers are already one of the best teams in the NFL, but they’ve dealt with several injuries, and Buckner would help reinforce a pass-rush that ranks in the middle of the pack thus far.
The Kansas City Chiefs are still looking for the right mix of receivers, but after Tyquan Thornton’s ankle fracture, they once again need some more help. One potential solution that could end up paying long-term dividends is Brian Thomas Jr. Would the Jacksonville Jaguars deal with a direct foe? Possibly not, but for the right price, the Chiefs just might be able to pry the 24-year-old former Pro Bowler away after he didn’t see any snaps in the second half of Sunday’s loss.
Jalen Hurts is not just dealing with a short-term injury ruling him out for four games. Now that he’s out for the season, the Philadelphia Eagles will finally see what fourth-year QB Tanner McKee can do. Though, Sunday’s effort wasn’t exactly the type that provides inspiration that he’ll lift this 2-4 team to the playoffs. Meanwhile, if the Eagles wanted to salvage their season, they could toss some draft compensation toward the Las Vegas Raiders for Kirk Cousins, with the team falling to 3-3 after Sunday’s loss. With 14 touchdowns and five interceptions, Cousins has performed very well this season, and the Raiders may be eager to turn to Fernando Mendoza if they feel like their chance to compete is slipping away.
The Minnesota Vikings are unexpectedly 5-0 coming out of their bye week, and Kevin O’Connell’s team is set to get healthier on offense with the return of Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and Jordan Mason. While they could look to add a blocking tight end, a speedy running back, or another playmaking receiver, those are all short-term solutions. GM Nolan Teasley may see more value in going for the moon by solving a long-term need with a trade for Antoine Winfield Jr., who spent some time growing up in Minnesota and starred for the Golden Gophers. This is definitely Harrison Smith’s final season, and while the Vikings like the depth behind him, it doesn’t look like an impact player will emerge from their group of vets. Yet, Winfield Jr. may be the ideal upgrade as a high-IQ blitzer whose athleticism and plus ball skills help him make plays in coverage too.