NFL trade deadline big board: The 20 most appealing trade chips
The NFL trading season ends Tuesday, Nov. 1, at 4 p.m. ET. Let's examine the 20 most appealing trade chips ahead of the deadline.
The big board| Rank | Player | Age | Signed through |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bears LB Roquan Smith | 25 | 2022 |
| 2 | Steelers WR Chase Claypool | 24 | 2023 |
| 3 | Panthers DE Brian Burns | 24 | 2023 |
| 4 | Jets WR Elijah Moore | 22 | 2024 |
| 5 | Panthers WR D.J. Moore | 25 | 2025 |
| 6 | Broncos LB Bradley Chubb | 26 | 2022 |
| 7 | Bears RB David Montgomery | 25 | 2022 |
| 8 | Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy | 23 | 2023 |
| 9 | Texans WR Brandin Cooks | 29 | 2024 |
| 10 | Giants WR Kenny Golladay | 28 | 2024 |
| 11 | Bengals S Jessie Bates | 25 | 2022 |
| 12 | Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne | 27 | 2023 |
| 13 | Commanders CB William Jackson | 29 | 2023 |
| 14 | Dolphins TE Mike Gesicki | 27 | 2022 |
| 15 | Bears DE Robert Quinn* | 32 | 2024 |
| 16 | Rams RB Cam Akers | 23 | 2023 |
| 17 | Jets WR Denzel Mims | 25 | 2023 |
| 18 | Seahawks CB Sidney Jones | 26 | 2022 |
| 19 | Bengals OT Jackson Carman | 22 | 2024 |
| 20 | Steelers QB Mason Rudolph | 27 | 2022 |
* Quinn was reportedly traded to the Eagles on Wednesday for a fourth-round pick.
The chipsRoquan Smith
Smith pushed for an exit from Chicago in the offseason but ultimately decided to play out his contract despite not signing an extension. With the Bears seemingly unwilling to make Smith one of the league's highest-paid linebackers, trading him is the smartest move for a rebuilding team that could have a top-10 draft pick in 2023. Smith, a second-team All-Pro in each of the last two seasons, has racked up 78 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two interceptions this year.
Potential landing spots: Ravens, Chargers
Chase Claypool
The writing might already be on the wall for Claypool. The Steelers gave Diontae Johnson an extension in the offseason and added wideout George Pickens in the draft. Still, the franchise might be hesitant to move a 24-year-old receiver under contract for 2023. However, that might not stop some wide-receiver-needy teams from making the phones in Pittsburgh ring with inquiries. Gifted with a rare combination of size and athleticism, Claypool is the kind of physical specimen that clubs deeply value.
Potential landing spots: Giants, Titans
Brian Burns
The Panthers are this year's biggest sellers, and Burns is arguably their most talented young player. Granted, Carolina apparently won't deal the 2019 first-round pick unless it gets a massive haul in return. But Burns is a mouth-watering option for teams looking for a defender who will be one of the NFL's top edge rushers for years to come. He amassed 50-plus pressures and nine sacks in each of the last two campaigns.
Potential landing spots: Rams, Chiefs
Elijah Moore
Moore's one of the most surprising names on this year's trade deadline big board. The second-year wideout had a solid rookie campaign and entered 2022 as one of the Jets' main weapons, but he recently requested a trade following a zero-target outing in Week 6. Coach Robert Saleh said New York doesn't plan to move Moore, but things could change once it has offers on the table. Moore has caught only 16 passes in 2022, but he amassed 538 yards and five touchdowns in just 11 games last year.
Potential landing spots: Packers, Chargers
D.J. Moore
The Panthers appear to be holding a garage sale as they head for a top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Trading former franchise star Christian McCaffrey might signal that no one is off limits. However, Moore is reportedly considered a foundational piece of the roster and isn't for sale. Whether that's true remains to be seen, but Moore would likely fetch Carolina a large return. Despite some putrid quarterback play, the 25-year-old wideout has exceeded 1,100 receiving yards over the past three seasons.
Potential landing spots: Cowboys, Ravens
Bradley Chubb
Chubb is the most logical option if the Broncos are to move anyone. The pass-rusher is set to be a free agent at the end of the season and would recoup some draft capital for a franchise that appears destined for mediocrity in 2022. Chubb recorded 12 sacks in his rookie year but has compiled just 14 sacks in the four campaigns since. The 26-year-old would still be a great fit for a team looking to make a playoff run.
Potential landing spots: Eagles, Ravens
David Montgomery
The Bears would likely listen to trade calls regarding every player, and other teams should be reaching out about Montgomery. It's unclear if Chicago plans on giving the fourth-year veteran an extension, but it'd be smart to get draft compensation in return for the pending free agent ahead of the 2023 offseason. The Bears will lose one of their most consistent offensive players if they move Montgomery. But they roster emerging running back Khalil Herbert, who deserves a larger role.
Potential landing spots: Rams, Broncos
Jerry Jeudy
Jeudy has reportedly been the subject of trade calls amid the Broncos' disappointing 2022 campaign. The former No. 15 overall pick hasn't played up to expectations through his first three seasons, as he's yet to eclipse even 900 receiving yards in a campaign. However, the 23-year-old is an intriguing bounce-back candidate. Though Jeudy's value isn't what the Broncos imagined when they spent a top pick on him in 2020, it's hard to picture them parting with him for cheap.
Potential landing spots: Seahawks, Vikings
Brandin Cooks
Cooks is averaging a career-low 10 yards per catch this year, but it's hard to blame the receiver considering the Texans' limitations in the passing game. Cooks has been one of the NFL's best vertical threats for most of his career and topped 1,000 yards in each of the last two years. He should be an attractive trade chip for teams looking for a quality starter.
Potential landing spots: Packers, Buccaneers
Kenny Golladay
Few players need a change of scenery as much as Golladay. It's hard to imagine him being dealt by the Giants in the second season of a four-year, $72-million deal with guaranteed money going into 2023. Still, New York should cut its losses if a team makes an offer. The former Pro Bowler only has two catches in 2022, and he clearly isn't part of first-year coach Brian Daboll's plans. Golladay caught 1,190 yards and a league-high 11 touchdowns three years ago.
Potential landing spots: Bears, Raiders
Jessie Bates
It's not often that a team with a winning record ships off one of their best players, but it isn't too far-fetched to imagine the Bengals trading Bates. Friction between the two sides emerged over the offseason after they couldn't agree to an extension for the franchise-tagged safety. Drafting Daxton Hill in the first round might signal the club is grooming Bates' heir, leaving the trade deadline as the last opportunity for Cincinnati to receive anything in return for Bates.
Potential landing spots: Cowboys, Falcons
Kendrick Bourne
Bourne has found himself without a true role in the 2022 edition of the Patriots' offense. After putting up over 925 yards from scrimmage last year, Bourne's 156 receiving yards rank fifth on the team. New England reportedly wants to hang on to him despite receiving calls from interested suitors. Bill Belichick might be better off seeing what he can fetch for the 27-year-old as he's on the path to be a likely cut candidate in the offseason thanks to a $4.75-million base salary in 2023.
Potential landing spots: Giants, Raiders
William Jackson
Jackson has reportedly requested a trade, and it's easy to see why. A corner who has built his game on playing man-to-man, Jackson is an awkward fit for a zone-heavy Commanders defense. A potential trade to a team that utilizes a man-coverage philosophy is a move that makes sense for both sides, especially with Washington sitting at 3-4 with its No. 1 quarterback sidelined.
Potential landing spots: Lions, Chargers
Mike Gesicki
The Dolphins and Gesicki couldn't agree to a multi-year extension in the offseason, and Miami reportedly fielded trade calls for the franchise-tagged tight end before the regular season began. We usually don't see potential playoff teams selling at the deadline, but Gesicki, who's caught 50-plus yards in just one game this year, likely isn't part of Miami's long-term plans. Other clubs would surely be interested in bringing in a pass-catcher who topped 700 yards in each of the last two campaigns.
Potential landing spots: Buccaneers, Giants
Robert Quinn
Quinn's production this season (eight tackles and one sack) and his contract (signed a five-year, $70-million deal in 2020) aren't very appealing. But let's not forget that he's just a year removed from an 18.5-sack campaign. Quinn doesn't figure to be part of the Bears' long-term plans but could be a solid short-term option for a playoff contender with pass-rush issues.
Potential landing spots: Chiefs, Rams
Cam Akers
After two-plus years together, the Rams and Akers are headed for a divorce. Sean McVay has already openly discussed the likelihood of the running back finding a new home, meaning it shouldn't take much to make a deal happen. Akers flashed in his rookie year but has struggled to show the same juice since returning from a torn Achilles at the tail end of last season. The 23-year-old has only averaged more than three yards per carry in one game this campaign.
Potential landing spots: Broncos, Falcons
Denzel Mims
Similar to Elijah Moore, Mims is a former second-round wideout who's unhappy with the Jets due to his workload. Mims was one of the top prospects of a stacked wide receiver draft class in 2020, so there's still hope he has untapped upside. However, his first three NFL seasons are discouraging. He's played just 24 snaps in 2022, and he caught only 31 passes for 490 yards and no touchdowns over the previous two seasons combined.
Potential landing spots: Raiders, Bears
Sidney Jones
After drafting a pair of standout corners this year in Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant, the Seahawks have reportedly made Jones available. Jones, who posted one of the best years of his career and started 11 games in 2021, hasn't had many opportunities in 2022. He could definitely use a change of scenery and help a team with cornerback issues.
Potential landing spots: Steelers, Dolphins
Jackson Carman
After starting six games as a rookie last season, Carman has fallen mightily in the pecking order of Cincinnati's offensive line. A healthy scratch for most of the year, the Bengals seemingly don't appear thrilled with their second-round investment. While it's never a good sign to be left out on an offensive line that has allowed 25 sacks in 2022, perhaps a scenery change could do Carman some good.
Potential landing spots: Rams, Bears
Mason Rudolph
Rudolph has been the odd man out in a Steelers quarterback room featuring veteran Mitch Trubisky and first-round rookie Kenny Pickett. Pittsburgh has stuck by the Oklahoma State product since drafting him in 2018, but he hasn't even grabbed a jersey on game days this year. Equipped with starting experience, Rudolph could be a good bet for teams looking for a safe backup quarterback option.
Potential landing spots: 49ers, Texans
(Cap source: Spotrac)
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