Trade Probability Meter for NFL Players Who Could Be Moved Before 2026 Roster Cuts Deadline

Within the next two weeks, NFL teams will put the final touches on initial 53-man rosters. In addition to cuts before the August 30 deadline, we'll also see notable trades.

Due to offseason acquisitions and coaching staff changes, some veterans are no longer a fit with their current clubs.

With only a couple of preseason games left to showcase players on the roster bubble, coaches can either give them opportunities to play or hold them out to avoid an injury that could derail a potential trade.

Here's a short list of players to keep tabs on in exhibition games or in the rumor mill, with a probability meter on whether they will be traded before the roster cuts deadline.

Kayshon Boutte, WR, New England Patriots

AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte

In 2025, Kayshon Boutte showcased his explosive playmaking ability, hauling in 33 passes for 551 yards and six touchdowns while on the field for 67 percent of the offensive snaps. He's unlikely to top those numbers in New England this year.

The Patriots signed Romeo Doubs and then acquired A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles. So, at best, Boutte will be the No. 3 receiver, and that's not a guarantee. Mack Hollins saw 19 more targets than him last season (65-46), and DeMario Douglas saw the same number of targets. Also, keep in mind that tight end Hunter Henry finished second on the team with 87.

If Boutte wants to significantly raise his market value before a 2027 free-agency bid, he has a much better chance of doing so on another team. The Patriots' receiver acquisitions have pushed him further down the depth chart, making it difficult for him to shine in a defined role.

At 24 and coming off a solid campaign, Boutte should garner interest on the trade block. Former Patriots personnel executive and current Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio may explore the market for a receiver after losing Jayden Higgins for the season because of a torn ACL.

Trade probability meter: 9

Kristian Fulton, CB, Kansas City Chiefs

AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Kristian Fulton

This offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs turned over their cornerback group and brought back a familiar face. 

The Chiefs traded Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams, and Jaylen Watson signed with the same team in free agency. L'Jarius Sneed signed up for his second stint in Kansas City. The team traded up to the sixth spot in the draft for LSU product Mansoor Delane. 

If healthy, Delane is a lead cornerback. Nohl Williams started in five out of 17 contests last season and may have untapped potential as a third-rounder from the 2025 draft. Sneed has four years of experience in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's system. 

Because of injuries, Fulton missed nine outings last year. He didn't crack the starting lineup until the last two games of the campaign. With the changes at his position, the seventh-year pro is likely No. 4 on the depth chart among boundary defenders. 

The Chiefs should shop Fulton, who's entering his age-28 season. He could fetch late-round draft capital from a club in need of veteran insurance or a part-time starting cornerback. 

However, because of Fulton's limited action last year, teams may be patient to see if the Chiefs cut him by August 30.

Trade probability meter: 6

Marist Liufau, Edge, Dallas Cowboys

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Marist Liufau

A year after the Dallas Cowboys traded three-time first-team All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, they have a crowded room of outside linebackers.

Although no one on the roster compares to Parsons, the Cowboys may not have room for Marist Liufau, who's transitioned from inside linebacker to outside linebacker under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.

Initially, Liufau had a chance to hang on to a back-end roster spot as he learns a new position, but the Cowboys signed proven pass-rusher Von Miller, who led the Washington Commanders with nine sacks last year. 

Miller, Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, rookie first-rounder Malachi Lawrence, Sam Williams and James Houston are ahead of Marist on the depth chart. 

Unless Dallas parts ways with Houston or Williams, Liufau is a long shot to make the roster and could draw interest from teams intrigued by his versatile skill set. Otherwise, he's a prime cut candidate.

Trade probability meter: 9

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Minnesota Vikings

AP Photo/Peter Joneleit

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy

The Minnesota Vikings named Kyler Murray their starting quarterback before the team's preseason opener. Head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters that J.J. McCarthy has a future with the organization.

McCarthy's future in Minnesota may be cut short by a decent trade offer, though. 

The Vikings started McCarthy for only 10 games before they signed Murray. The young signal-caller struggled through his first year as a full-time starter, throwing for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a 57.6 percent completion rate, but he's only 23 and has a first-round pedigree. 

Typically, the league is generous to quarterbacks who were Day 1 draft picks, given they show some potential. Minnesota went 6-4 in McCarthy's starts, and he had an impressive fourth-quarter comeback and game-winning drive in his regular-season debut.

Given Murray's injury history, the Vikings need a capable backup. So, the front office isn't likely to give McCarthy away for a late-round pick. Teams would likely need to give up a middle-round pick for Minnesota to consider a deal, which is too high a price for a project player in his early stages of development.

Trade probability meter: 3

Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/CJ Gunther

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones didn't play in the team's preseason opener, but he's been a full participant at training camp practices. 

ESPN's Ben Solak attended camp and noted that Jones "looks good."

"I saw an unimpeded Daniel Jones," Solak wrote. "If you didn't tell me the QB was only 7½ months removed from Achilles surgery, I wouldn't have known."

Even though the Colts' QB1 is on track to play in Week 1, assistant general manager Ed Dodds wants to keep three capable signal-callers, which means Anthony Richardson may remain in Indianapolis for at least another year.

"We want to have three [quarterbacks] that can play," Dodds said via ESPN's Stephen Holder. "So, if [Richardson] is one of them, he's going to be here. ... Look at last year. You never know." 

In 2025, the Colts started three different quarterbacks: Jones, Riley Leonard and Philip Rivers. Richardson fell out of the rotation with an eye injury. 

Still, Rivers probably isn't going to answer the call to play again at 44 years old. Although Richardson has struggled mightily under center, throwing for 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions with a 50.6 percent completion rate in 17 games, he can fill in for short stretches if necessary.

Remember, Jones has an extensive injury history. Aside from 2022 and 2024, when the New York Giants benched him, he's missed multiple games in every other season since 2019. 

Also, the Colts may hold on to Richardson because they probably won't receive strong offers for a struggling player who's missed significant time with injuries and played just 14 offensive snaps last year.

Trade probability meter: 2

Josh Sweat, Edge, Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker

Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Josh Sweat

The Arizona Cardinals are in a weird spot with Josh Sweat. They placed him on the physically unable to perform list because of a knee injury after he skipped organized team activities and then attended mandatory minicamp without participation.

According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, Sweat told the team he's unhappy.

General manager Monti Ossenfort dodged a question about Sweat's rumored trade request and said the team isn't interested in moving him.

"There is always a lot of talk around that. We have no interest in trading Josh. Some of those discussions we will keep private," Ossenfort said via Darren Urban of the team's official website. "We are excited to have Josh here."

NFL analysts (including this one) expect the Cardinals to finish with one of the league's worst records this year. Journeyman Jacoby Brissett is the starting quarterback, and promising rookie first-round running back Jeremiyah Love is dealing with a high-ankle sprain.

In his age-28 season, Sweat logged a career-high 12 sacks, but the Cardinals are unlikely to contend this season. If Ossenfort doesn't trade him before Week 1, he's just delaying the inevitable.

Trade probability meter: 6

Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, New York Giants

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

New York Giants outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux

Back in April, The Athletic's Ian O'Connor reported that the New York Giants wanted a second-round pick for Kayvon Thibodeaux. 

Fellow scribe from The Athletic, Dan Duggan, heard that the New Orleans Saints were most interested in acquiring Thibodeaux, though general manager Joe Schoen denied those rumors.

Since then, a few teams that may have been interested in Thibodeaux have filled their pass-rushing needs. New Orleans has re-signed Cameron Jordan. The Atlanta Falcons signed Za'Darius Smith. The Chicago Bears added Marcus Davenport. 

Productive pass-rushers will always be in demand, but Thibodeaux has seen a significant drop-off in sacks and pressures since his standout 2023 campaign. Furthermore, over the last two seasons, he's missed 12 games because of injuries.

Last year, Big Blue selected edge-rusher Abdul Carter with the No. 3 overall pick. This offseason, with the No. 5 pick, they drafted Arvell Reese, who showed the ability to rush the passer in his last year at Ohio State, logging 6.5 sacks.

Even with the added pass-rushing talent on the roster, Thibodeaux will likely remain in New York past the roster cuts deadline. The Giants' reported asking price is way too high for a player whose production has declined over the past two seasons.

Trade probability meter: 3

Cedric Tillman, WR, Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman

In this year's draft, the Cleveland Browns selected wideouts KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston in the first and second rounds, respectively. Both have flashed this offseason.

Boston has earned reps with the first-team offense, and Concepcion made a strong first impression in his preseason debut, catching three passes for 27 yards, returning a punt for 31 yards and scoring on a 14-yard run.

While Boston lines up on the perimeter in the passing game, the Browns can use Concepcion in a variety of ways on offense and special teams. 

General manager Andrew Berry called Jerry Jeudy the "bell cow" of the Browns' receiving group. Second-year pro Isaiah Bond could carve out a role after he hauled in 18 passes for 338 yards last season.

Entering his fourth season, Cedric Tillman is expendable in Cleveland.

The Browns have a lead veteran receiver and high-upside young talent behind him on the depth chart, which leaves little room for Tillman to contribute on a week-to-week basis. While he's shown flashes here and there, the 26-year-old has missed 13 games because of injuries.

Perhaps former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski will make a call to reunite with Tillman in Atlanta. Underwhelming 2022 first-rounder Jahan Dotson is trying to lock down the Falcons' No. 2 receiver spot. 

Trade probability meter: 8

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.