NFL Trade Rumors on Olave, Brian Thomas Jr. and More Predictions on Landing Spots

Wide receivers will be among the most coveted position players at Tuesday's NFL trade deadline approaches.

Contending teams missing a playmaker here or there are looking to make a splash and ensure their superstar quarterbacks have all the weapons they need to maximize their success and chase a Lombardi Trophy.

How many teams are actually willing to part with explosive receivers, regardless of their own win-loss record?

Find out in this collection of insider rumors, with predictions on landing spots for each.

Bills Pursuing Chris Olave

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The New Orleans Saints are a 1-8 football team going nowhere fast and with a few players that may be intriguing to contending teams looking for one or two pieces to put them over the top.

One such team is Buffalo, which The Athletic's Diana Russini reported inquired about Olave in recent weeks.

Russini added, however, "New Orleans is still expected to retain its top wideout."

It is not surprising that Buffalo would make a call about a wide receiver considering it is the most glaring weakness on the team. Josh Allen is an MVP-caliber player but every year, it feels as though his weapons become fewer and fewer.

Olave has 55 receptions for 560 yards and three touchdowns through nine weeks and while those numbers will not create much excitement, they are a reflection of the Saints' limited offense with quarterbacks Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough under center than the player himself.

At his best, Olave is a field-stretching receiver who can deliver the big play and help his team put points on the board quickly. He is also an exceptional route runner, something the Bills could use more of.

Unfortunately for the AFC North squad, it appears the team will have to look elsewhere to find a new target for Allen as the Saints look to hold onto Olave, likely expecting him to be a big part of Shough's growth and maturing at the QB position.

Prediction: Olave stays in New Orleans

Brian Thomas Jr. Would Command a Big Price Tag

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Russini also reported that the Jaguars have received "lots of interest in WR Brian Thomas Jr., but no substantial offers. Most around the league believe it would take a first-round pick and then some to land the 2024 Pro Bowler."

Thomas was one of the league's best receivers last season, catching 87 balls for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns. This season, he has struggled to recreate the same chemistry with quarterback Trevor Lawrence in head coach Liam Cohen's offense, but still has 30 catches for 420 yards.

He has just one touchdown through Week 9.

Thomas flashed his excellence a year ago and teams know what he is capable of, so as was the case with Olave, it makes sense that a contender would explore the possibility of bringing him into their locker room.

At the same time, the Jaguars are still fighting for playoff positioning and Cohen likely understands the importance a player of his caliber has on the team, as does the Jaguars front office. Trading him after just one full season would be an absurd move to make and not a move anyone is clearly comfortable executing.

Prediction: Thomas stays in Jacksonville

Las Vegas Fielding Calls on Jakobi Meyers

AP Photo/ David Becker

Jakobi Meyers has made his desire to be traded well known but to this point, the Raiders have not been willing to pull the proverbial trigger.

Russini reported that the team has "fielded calls from the Steelers and Bills on WR Jakobi Meyers, but Las Vegas has set a high price. Pittsburgh is looking at other wide receiver options, too."

The Raiders and head coach Pete Carroll would love to trade pieces away and compile draft picks that they could then turn into future stars, ala his approach to the Seattle Seahawks during his time with the organization, when he built a Super Bowl contender through the draft.

Unfortunately, Las Vegas has an extraordinarily bare cupboard to deal from and Meyers is one of the few assets available. The front office is naturally going to set a high asking price for him, if for no other reason than to try and replenish said cupboard.

Myers has seen his stats fall off amid a terrible season for the Raiders, who are 2-6 through nine weeks of play. He has amassed 33 catches for 352 yards and no touchdowns, numbers that have likely only fueled his frustration.

The Raiders need pieces and the easiest way to accumulate them is through trades. If that means letting a piece go for less than they hoped for, so be it.

Especially as he will be a free agent after this season, per Spotrac.

Meyers is the one wide receiver who could see his jersey change by the end of Tuesday.

Prediction: Meyers is traded before Tuesday's deadline