The NFL trade deadline is right around the corner, and several teams could be looking to make a move to fill pressing needs ahead of a stretch run.
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Whether it's the Philadelphia Eagles shopping for secondary help, the Kansas City Chiefs aiming to further bolster one of the league's most underachieving receiving corps, or multiple teams scrounging for stability at quarterback, the expectation among multiple league sources is that this could be one of the more active trade deadlines in recent memory.
Here's a look at five possible deals that teams would be wise to make ahead of the 4 p.m. Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline, with insight from NFL executives and sources from around the league:
Kansas City Chiefs Trade for New England Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne
The Chiefs have a colossal problem on their hands, and have already begun to try to rectify it.
Wednesday, Kansas City re-acquired wide receiver Mecole Hardman, along with a 2025 seventh-round pick in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2025 draft. But, Hardman alone won't be enough to significantly boost a receiving corps that has been a going concern for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' offense.
Bourne, 6'1" and 205 pounds, could represent an additional meaningful red-zone target for Mahomes, alongside tight end Travis Kelce. Through the Patriots' first six games of the season, Bourne has caught 28 passes for 307 yards with a pair of touchdowns. Both of Bourne's touchdown receptions have come from inside the 20-yard line.
"He's an unrestricted free agent, so he's a short-term rental," an NFC Personnel Director told FanBuzz. "And, I doubt he's going to get a ton of money in the first-wave of free agency, so I don't think it would cost too much to trade for him, especially because of the comp-pick formula."
Likely Possible Deal: Chiefs trade 2024 sixth-round pick in exchange for Bourne
New York Jets Trade For Tennessee Titans QB Ryan Tannehill
Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images
Somehow, on the back of dominant play from the defense, the Jets have managed to fight their way back to .500, despite substandard play from quarterback Zach Wilson.
Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers is seemingly insisting that he will return at some point this season, despite rupturing his Achilles tendon on the fourth snap of New York's season-opener. Given that the Jets' remaining strength of schedule ranks just 16th in the league, there's a very real chance New York makes a move for a quarterback to make a legitimate push for an AFC Wild Card berth.
While Kirk Cousins offers more upside, the fact that he both has a n0-trade clause and is signed through the 2027 campaign, it might be more affordable — and less awkward, given Rodgers' plans, to make a deal with the Tennessee Titans for Ryan Tannehill.
The Titans could be looking to sell off at the deadline, and with Malik Willis and rookie Will Levis waiting in the wings, might jump at the opportunity to acquire an asset in exchange for Tannehill, who might be on the precipice of being benched, anyway.
Likely Possible Deal: Titans trade Ryan Tannehill for a 2024 fifth-round pick
Carolina Panthers Trade for Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton
The Panthers are reportedly shopping for a No. 1 wide receiver, especially to help hasten rookie quarterback Bryce Young's development, just as the Broncos appear to be shopping their two starters at the position.
Courtland Sutton has been the Broncos' most productive, and consistent, wide receiver so far this season. But, if Denver is intent on undertaking a full-fledged tear-down in order to get to the top of the draft board to come away with one of the top quarterbacks next spring, general manager George Paton may be inclined to listen to trade offers.
"He's not the best wide receiver on the market," An agent familiar with the wide receiver market told FanBuzz. "And, he has a decent contract. I don't think the Broncos get a first-rounder or anything crazy, but they'll get more than the late-round pick swaps we're seeing more of lately. My best guess is Denver's looking for a second or third-round pick, but teams won't give up much more than a fifth or sixth-rounder."
Sutton has caught 25 of 37 targets so far this season for 275 yards with four touchdowns, while averaging 11.0 yards per reception. If the Panthers are able to pull off a trade, the 28-year-old could not only vault to the top of the depth chart but be a solid veteran presence both for Young and rookie wideout Jonathan Mingo.
Likely Possible Deal: Broncos trade Courtland Sutton for a 2024 fourth-round pick.
Atlanta Falcons Trade for Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields
Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images
There might not be a path back for Justin Fields to be anything more than a bridge quarterback for the Bears in 2024, especially if Chicago not only cleans house with yet another new coaching staff and winds up securing either USC's Caleb Williams or North Carolina's Drake Maye next spring.
If the season ended today, Chicago would own both the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, and Fields hasn't shown nearly enough progress for the Bears to commit to him over either of the top incoming prospects.
However, in Atlanta, neither has Desmond Ridder.
Fields could perhaps benefit significantly from a change of scenery, especially landing in an offense that boasts legitimate star power in wide receiver Drake London, tight ends Kyle Pitts and Jonnu Smith as well as dynamic rookie running back Bijan Robinson, in head coach Arthur Smith's system that seems a better fit for Fields' best traits.
"There are a few teams where Fields could fit," an AFC South Scouting Director told FanBuzz. "Arizona, Seattle, Denver, New England, they all need a quarterback. But, the Falcons are the best fit out of that bunch. He's definitely worth a mid-round pick for teams who have a need at the position."
Likely Possible Deal: Bears trade Justin Fields for 2024 third-round pick.
Las Vegas Raiders Trade for Washington Commanders DE Chase Young
The Raiders have made no bones of their desire to trade for a pass-rusher, in the aftermath of releasing Chandler Jones earlier this season.
Suddenly, Vegas finds itself in the thick of the AFC Wild Card hunt, with a defense that's capable of playing spoiler against the likes of the Chiefs, Lions, and Jets, among the remaining contenders on the schedule. If general manager Dave Ziegler is looking to add a complementary piece opposite Maxx Crosby, he might be wise to look to the nation's capital.
"I think the Commanders would move Chase Young," a prominent agent familiar with the defensive end market told FanBuzz. "And they could probably get at least a second-round pick."
Young has battled through multiple injuries since being chosen No. 1 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft, but has still compiled 12 sacks with 86 total tackles through the first four seasons of his career. After Washington declined Young's fifth-year option, it could make some sense for the Commanders to shop him at the deadline. Young and Crosby would create a formidable pass-rush duo for the Raiders.
Likely Possible Deal: Commanders trade Chase Young for 2024 second-round pick, 2024 third-round pick.
