Updated NFL trade deadline big board: The 20 most appealing trade chips
The NFL trade season ends Tuesday, Nov. 1, at 4 p.m. ET. Let's examine the 20 most appealing trade chips ahead of the deadline. (We've updated our big board to reflect the latest speculation about which players could be available.)
The big board| Rank | Player | Age | Signed through |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saints RB Alvin Kamara | 27 | 2025 |
| 2 | Bears LB Roquan Smith - X | 25 | 2022 |
| 3 | Steelers WR Chase Claypool | 24 | 2023 |
| 4 | Panthers DE Brian Burns | 24 | 2023 |
| 5 | Broncos LB Bradley Chubb | 26 | 2022 |
| 6 | Browns RB Kareem Hunt | 27 | 2022 |
| 7 | Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy | 23 | 2023 |
| 8 | Panthers WR D.J. Moore | 25 | 2025 |
| 9 | Jets WR Elijah Moore | 22 | 2024 |
| 10 | Jaguars DE Josh Allen | 25 | 2023 |
| 11 | Bears RB David Montgomery | 25 | 2022 |
| 12 | Commanders DT Daron Payne | 25 | 2022 |
| 13 | Texans WR Brandin Cooks | 29 | 2024 |
| 14 | Giants WR Kenny Golladay | 28 | 2024 |
| 15 | Bengals S Jessie Bates | 25 | 2022 |
| 16 | Patriots OT Isaiah Wynn | 26 | 2022 |
| 17 | Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne | 27 | 2023 |
| 18 | Commanders CB William Jackson | 30 | 2023 |
| 19 | Patriots WR Nelson Agholor | 29 | 2022 |
| 20 | Rams RB Cam Akers | 23 | 2023 |
X - player was traded after this article was published
The chipsAlvin Kamara
Christian McCaffrey may end up not being the only superstar running back traded this year. It's hard to imagine Kamara leaving New Orleans after he scored three touchdowns in a Week 8 win that kept the Saints just one game behind the NFC South lead - but where there's smoke, there's fire. The five-time Pro Bowler has been linked to trade rumors lately, and the Saints reportedly would require a McCaffrey-like package to trade Kamara, who's owed $575,000 for the remainder of the season and due base salaries of $9.4 million, $10.2 million, and $22.4 million over the next three years.
Potential landing spots: Bills, Rams
Roquan Smith
Editor's note: This article was published before the Ravens' reported trade to acquire Smith.
Kevin Sabitus / Getty Images Sport / GettySmith 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 led Chicago in tackles each year since entering the NFL.
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
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: Ravens, Titans
Kareem Hunt
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyAfter his previous trade request this summer didn't work, the Browns are now reportedly open to moving Hunt before the deadline. Cleveland wants to get compensation back for Hunt before the running back has a chance to walk for nothing as a free agent this offseason. The 27-year-old should draw a lot of attention as one of the league's most dynamic dual-threat backs.
Potential landing spots: Rams, Bills
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: Packers, Vikings
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
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
Josh Allen
Mike Carlson / Getty Images Sport / GettyAllen deserves special attention as the deadline nears. The 2019 No. 7 pick has reportedly generated interest from multiple teams, and the James Robinson trade to the Jets may be a sign that the Jaguars are selling. Yes, losing Allen, a team captain, would be a big blow to the defense. But it's not like Jacksonville doesn't roster other talented edge rushers; the team drafted Travon Walker first overall this year. Trading Allen, who still hasn't begun negotiating a long-term deal, would likely return a splashy haul of draft picks to the rebuilding Jaguars.
Potential landing spots: Rams, Buccaneers
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
Daron Payne
Even if the Commanders don't want to sell at the deadline, they should consider moving Payne for the right price. He'll be a free agent next year, and Washington doesn't have a lot of salary cap space after rewarding Terry McLaurin and Jonathan Allen with long-term deals. Plus, Chase Young's rookie deal is approaching its end. The Commanders could let Payne test free agency and receive a compensatory pick in 2024 if he signs elsewhere. Or they could potentially acquire a 2023 second- or third-round selection with a trade now. Payne would be an immediate starter for any team.
Potential landing spots: Jets, Raiders
Brandin Cooks
Cooks has been one of the NFL's best vertical threats for most of his career and topped 1,000 yards in all but one season from 2015-21 while playing for four different teams. His contract carries $18 million fully guaranteed in 2023, but Houston may be willing to assume some of that financial obligation in order to trade him.
Potential landing spots: Seahawks, Buccaneers
Kenny Golladay
Justin Ford / Getty Images Sport / GettyFew 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
Isaiah Wynn
Teams are reportedly sniffing around about Wynn's availability. A former first-round pick in 2018, Wynn isn't one of the league's premier offensive line stars, but it's not every season that a starting-caliber lineman might be on the move. A free agent at the end of the season, Wynn could boost a team that has major holes on its offensive line.
Potential landing spots: Rams, Bears
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 sixth 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: Raiders, Giants
William Jackson
Scott Taetsch / Getty Images Sport / GettyJackson 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
Nelson Agholor
The Pats bolstered their receiving corps in the offseason, and now multiple returning receivers from last year haven't had as much playing time. Agholor didn't do much with New England last year but is only two years removed from a 2020 campaign in which he averaged 18.7 yards per catch and scored eight touchdowns. That explains why teams have reportedly contacted the Patriots about trading for him. Agholor is owed around $9 million in 2022, so part of his salary would go with him in a potential trade.
Potential landing spots: Bengals, Seahawks
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
(Cap source: Spotrac)
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