As the NFL trade deadline looms on the horizon, the rumblings of the most impactful trades of the season have already been felt across the league.
In a surprising turn of events on Tuesday, two AFC East teams made waves with their acquisitions of top-tier wide receivers. The New York Jets pulled off a shocker by reuniting Aaron Rodgers with his former teammate Davante Adams, while the Buffalo Bills made a big move by bringing in Amari Cooper. With these high-profile additions, it seems that some of the biggest names rumored to be on the trade block have already found new homes.
“I think if anything you’re looking for really a role player,” commented Campbell on the trade market.
However, despite these early moves, there are still a number of players who could be on the move before the deadline. Here are 16 players who are potential trade candidates as we approach the deadline:
The Arizona Cardinals raised eyebrows when they drafted Trey Benson in the third round of the NFL draft, signaling a potential changing of the guard in their backfield. With the team sitting at 2-4 and James Conner set to become a free agent after the season, it might make sense for the Cardinals to make the transition sooner rather than later. While Conner, at 29, may not have a robust market, his physical running style and ability to handle a heavy workload could make him an attractive trade target.
In Jacksonville, owner Shad Khan’s recent vote of confidence in the coaching staff suggests that the Jaguars are unlikely to make drastic changes. This mindset extends to the field, where Travis Etienne has maintained his role as the lead running back despite underperforming compared to second-stringer Tank Bigsby. Although Etienne has been hampered by a hamstring injury, his value as a receiver and track record of 1,000-yard seasons make him an intriguing trade option for teams in need of backfield help.
As for the Carolina Panthers, the struggles of their passing game have not been attributed to receiver Joe Johnson, who has been a bright spot in recent weeks. Johnson’s solid contributions since Andy Dalton took over at quarterback suggest that the Panthers may be hesitant to part ways with him. Coach Dave Canales has downplayed trade rumors, but Johnson, at 27, could be a valuable rental for a playoff-bound team looking to bolster their receiving corps.
Meanwhile, the New York Giants could entertain offers for receiver Darius Slayton, especially with rookie Malik Nabers poised to return from injury. Slayton’s explosive playmaking skills have been underutilized in the Giants’ offense, and a trade could provide him with a fresh start and give the Giants a chance to add to their draft assets. Despite being a secondary option, Slayton’s downfield ability and relatively low salary make him an attractive trade chip for teams in need of a big-play threat.
With the trade deadline fast approaching, the NFL landscape is ripe for more surprises and game-changing deals as teams jockey for position in the playoff race. Stay tuned as the trade deadline drama unfolds in the coming weeks.
