With the NFL trade deadline approaching on Nov. 10, teams across the league must decide whether to strengthen their rosters for a playoff push or trade valuable players to prepare for the future.
Several major deals have already taken place, including the Indianapolis Colts trading away Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner, and the Houston Texans acquiring Marvin Harrison Jr.
Here are four potential sellers and four buyers to watch as the deadline approaches.
Sellers:
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are one of the biggest stories heading into the deadline after trading guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers. Following a 2-5 start and the firing of general manager Chris Ballard, Indianapolis appears to be considering a large roster rebuild.
Wide receiver Josh Downs also requested a trade after recording 26 catches for 307 yards through seven games. Running back Jonathan Taylor has attracted interest from potential contenders as the Colts just announced they are open to trading him due to his potential value.
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona has already begun selling, sending Harrison Jr. to Houston, but more moves could be possible. The Cardinals have struggled this season and may benefit from collecting draft capital rather than holding onto veterans who could help other teams immediately.
Edge rusher Josh Sweat is a name to watch. After joining the Cardinals, his production has not matched expectations, and a contender looking to improve its pass rush could pursue him. A trade would depend on Arizona’s asking price and how it views Sweat’s role in its long-term plans.
Tennessee Titans
After finishing with one of the worst records last year and on pace to have a similar result this season, the Titans have several players who could attract interest if they decide to sell. Running back Tony Pollard has been mentioned as a potential trade candidate, while wide receiver Calvin Ridley could appeal to teams looking for receiving depth.
Pollard’s experience and ability to contribute on the ground could make him useful to a contender needing help in its backfield. Ridley could offer a veteran option for an offense looking to add another receiving threat. Tennessee must weigh the draft compensation it could receive against the value of keeping experienced players as it continues developing its roster.
Los Angeles Chargers
You might be surprised to see them here, but the Chargers’ horrific 0-6 start to the season has raised questions about whether they should consider moving veterans. Edge rusher Khalil Mack is one player who could draw interest from a team searching for pass-rushing help.
Mack remains an experienced defender capable of making an impact, even at this stage of his career. A contender could see him as a useful addition for the second half of the season. However, Los Angles has not indicated that it is committed to selling, so any move would depend on the direction the organization chooses to take.
Buyers:
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have already made a major move by bringing Buckner back to San Francisco from Indianapolis. The veteran defensive tackle gives the team another experienced presence along the defensive front as Nick Bosa is approaching a return to the field.
San Francisco could still explore additional help, particularly at edge rusher or receiver, depending on its health and needs. With a roster built to compete, the 49ers have reason to look for targeted additions that could strengthen their chances of making a deep playoff run.
Seattle Seahawks
Seattle has also been active, acquiring Nelson from the Colts. Adding an established offensive lineman could help protect Sam Darnold and improve the consistency of their run game.
It has been clear that the defending champions are missing the impact of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker who joined the Chiefs this past summer. Improving protection and maintaining offensive consistency could become particularly important with teams like the 49ers and Rams looking to gear up as the season progresses.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are another team worth watching. Nobody expected them to get off to a 6-0 start and if they believe their roster is ready to compete, adding help on offence could improve their chances of sustaining that success.
An offensive line upgrade or additional depth at a skill position could give the team more options for the remainder of the season. Minnesota will need to balance those needs against the cost of acquiring a player, particularly if the price includes valuable future draft picks.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills have the type of roster that could justify a deadline addition as they pursue another playoff run. While quarterback Josh Allen leads an established offence, improving the secondary could help address a potential weakness against teams with a strong passing game.
Adding a corner back or safety would give Buffalo another option in coverage and potentially strengthen its defence for the postseason. The Bills must decide whether an available player would make a meaningful difference without requiring them to sacrifice too much future flexibility.
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The trade deadline presents different opportunities for every team. Sellers such as the Colts, Cardinals, Titans and Chargers must decide which players fit their future, while buyers have a chance to address weaknesses before the postseason.
Not every team needs a blockbuster deal. The most effective moves will be those that address specific needs at a reasonable cost. By Nov. 10, the decisions made by these eight teams could help shape the rest of the NFL season.