NFL Trade Rumors: Diontae Johnson, Christian Kirk Generating Interest amid Kupp Buzz

The Carolina Panthers' Diontae Johnson and Jacksonville Jaguars' Christian Kirk have generated the most trade interest among NFL wide receivers now that the Los Angeles Rams' Cooper Kupp is effectively off the market, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported.

Kupp was seen as a popular trade target until the Rams won two games in five days and head coach Sean McVay reiterated that the star wideout wouldn't be traded.

With Kupp reportedly likely to stay in Los Angeles and receivers DeAndre Hopkins, Davante Adams and Amari Cooper already traded, "it wouldn't be a surprise" to see either or both of Johnson and Kirk dealt to new teams before the Nov. 5 deadline, per Schefter.

Johnson was traded by the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Panthers in exchange for cornerback Donte Jackson and a late-round pick swap this offseason.

The sixth-year wideout has led the Panthers with 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns through seven games, while expressing some frustration with his team's lack of success on the field.

Johnson has already been ruled out for Carolina's Week 8 contest against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. When asked on Friday if that decision was made in order to keep Johnson healthy for a potential trade, head coach Dave Canales told reporters that question should be asked of general manager Dan Morgan and EVP of football operations Brandt Tillis.

Johnson is playing on an expiring contract which has $3.5 million remaining for the second half of the season.

The Panthers are looking for a "mid-round" pick in exchange for that contract, and more than one team has already expressed interest in a potential trade, according to Schefter.

Kirk, on the other hand, has one year remaining on his contract at a base salary of $15.5 million after this season. Playing behind Brian Thomas as a secondary target for Trevor Lawrence, he has made 25 catches for 320 yards and one touchdown through seven games.

The Jaguars head into Week 8 with a 2-5 record. They might be more likely to consider offers for Kirk if they fall to 2-6 this weekend, Schefter noted.

After the Kansas City Chiefs added Hopkins, the New York Jets acquired Adams and the Buffalo Bills traded for Cooper, one team still in need of a wideout is the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Athletic's Dianna Russini recently reported that she believes the team will make a move bolster a receiving room currently led by George Pickens, so general manager Omar Khan could decide to pursue one of these wideouts before the deadline.