Best and Worst Landing Spots for WRs Potentially Available at 2026 NFL Trade Deadline

The NFL trade deadline looms, but we have already seen one major deal involving a big-name wide receiver—Marvin Harrison Jr., the No. 4 overall pick in 2024, will try to jump-start his career in Houston after the Arizona Cardinals dealt him to the Texans.

It's possible we aren't done at the position. There are a handful of prominent wideouts who have been mentioned of late in trade talks. Some, like Harrison, were once first-round picks. More than one has a 1,000-yard season on their professional resume. Others only recently signed with new teams, but those partnerships already appear to be poor fits.

Midseason deals for veteran receivers often involve contenders, although Houston's acquisition of Harrison shows that isn't always the case.

However, a team's need for a receiver doesn't necessarily make it the right fit. For each of those wideouts who could be on the move, there's an ideal potential landing spot.

And another that is not.

Brian Thomas Jr.

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

As a rookie in 2024, Brian Thomas Jr. was outstanding—he reeled in 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns. But he missed three games last year and saw his production drop considerably, and hopes for a rebound season in 2026 haven't come to pass.

In fact, Thomas has fallen behind both Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers in the wideout pecking order in Jacksonville, and he has played a 60 percent snap share just once in five games this season.

Best Landing Spot: San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers continue winning despite being hit by new injuries each and every week, and the wide receiver room hasn't been spared—Deebo Samuel Sr. suffered a hamstring injury last week that is expected to cost him multiple games. Mike Evans has also been battling a rib injury.

In San Francisco, Thomas wouldn't be expected to carry the wide receiver room. But with Evans and (eventually) Samuel drawing coverage away, he should also be able to get open with regularity.

Evans and Thomas outside and Samuel in the slot isn't a bad trio at all. Add tight end George Kittle to that mix, and Brock Purdy would have quite the array of weaponry at his disposal.

Worst Landing Spot: New England Patriots

Despite being without A.J. Brown for most of the season, the Patriots have shaken off a 1-2 start with back-to-back impressive wins. But the team could use an upgrade at the No. 2 wideout spot opposite Brown.

This just isn't an ideal landing spot for Thomas to command a large target share. Brown figures to draw a substantial portion of the targets once he returns. And while there aren't any other big names in the Patriots' passing game, Drake Maye has still been spreading the ball around.

Thomas could find himself in the same situation in Beantown as in Duval County—a secondary option who doesn't receive consistent targets.

Rashod Bateman

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

The Baltimore Ravens are a contender in their own right, so it might appear odd that the team would trade away their No. 2 wide receiver.

But per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Bateman's name continues to be mentioned in trade discussions ahead of the deadline:

"Another player I'm keeping an eye on is Baltimore's Rashod Bateman. Zay Flowers is the dominant wide receiver in the Ravens' offense, which means Bateman's production comes and goes. Bateman's contract is tradable—he is due $6.5 million this year and $8.25 million in 2027—and other teams have had interest in the past. The Ravens are in contention and might not want to move players, but Bateman is at least a name on my list."

Best Landing Spot: Los Angeles Rams

We know one thing: Rams general manager Les Snead isn't averse to making deals for veteran players. Despite a 2-3 start, the Rams remain committed to contending.

In Los Angeles, Bateman could slide even farther down the depth chart. But he could be highly valuable to the Rams if the injury bug gets Puka Nacua again. He'd also be a move for the future—Davante Adams isn't getting any younger, and Bateman's 2027 salary is reasonable.

Worst Landing Spot: Indianapolis Colts

The Colts have been mentioned as a potential landing spot for just about every wideout who might be available. With Alec Pierce out indefinitely with a foot injury, the team badly needs to add some pop to the passing attack.

The problem for Bateman in Indianapolis would be twofold. First, there are questions about Daniel Jones' effectiveness following last year's Achilles tear. Second, the Colts already have multiple complementary receivers.

If they trade for a wideout, they need a clear-cut No. 1 rather than another complementary receiver like Bateman.

Jerry Jeudy

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Not that long ago, Jerry Jeudy was the No. 1 wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns. He caught 90 passes for 1,229 yards and made the Pro Bowl with the team in 2024.

Now, Jeudy has largely disappeared from Cleveland's passing attack. He has been passed by rookie KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston on the depth chart and has just eight catches for 81 yards for the season.

That reduced role has led to rampant trade speculation. As Andrew Hughes of Athlon Sports noted, Jeudy's contract could appeal quite a bit to potential suitors.

"Jeudy carries a $9.175 million cap hit this season, and the nearly $23 million he is due in 2027 is not guaranteed, according to his Spotrac page. A contender could rent him for half a season and walk away in March. The catch for Cleveland is that a trade would leave more dead money than his 2026 cap hit."

Best Landing Spot: New York Giants

The New York Giants didn't expect to necessarily be contenders this season, especially after quarterback Jaxson Dart was lost for the season. But at 3-1-1, they hold a 1.5-game lead atop the NFC East.

The Giants could use an upgrade at their second receiver spot over Darnell Mooney, and Jeudy has familiarity with current Giants quarterback Jameis Winston—Winston started seven games for the Browns in 2024, and he and Jeudy had a strong rapport over that stretch.

Worst Landing Spot: Miami Dolphins

Miami looks unlikely to contend for a playoff spot, but it could still add a veteran receiver to help evaluate Malik Willis.

Joining a struggling offense could make it harder for Jeudy to rebuild his value, potentially leaving him seeking a one-year "prove it" deal if Miami moves on next offseason.

Quentin Johnston

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

Quentin Johnston's inconsistency reflects the Chargers' broader struggles in 2026.

When the 25-year-old was drafted 21st overall by the Chargers in 2023, he was expected to anchor the passing attack for years to come. Instead, he has struggled with consistency, has yet to reach 750 receiving yards in a season and has seven catches this year.

As G.C. Bellchamber wrote for Bolt Beat, the Chargers have also already picked up Johnston's fifth-year option, which makes trading him that much more problematic.

"Any team that would be willing to take a swing on him would be betting not only on his upside within its offense—it would be betting on his ability to justify the $16.5 million salary he's already owed for next season," Bellchamber said.

Best Landing Spot: Kansas City Chiefs

To be clear, this is exceedingly unlikely. The Chiefs aren't dropping $16.5 million next year on Johnston, and the Chargers would be reluctant to trade him to an AFC West rival.

But Johnston would fill a clear need for the team. He's a one-for-one replacement for the injured Tyquan Thornton: a vertical threat who could occasionally take the top off opposing defenses.

Worst Landing Spot: Green Bay Packers

Green Bay has been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Johnston, and the argument can be made that with Jayden Reed sidelined, the Packers could use another body at the position.

But they already have a big-bodied burner on the roster in No. 1 wide receiver Christian Watson, and it wouldn't be good for Johnston or Green Bay for him to slot in as the fourth option in the passing game behind Watson, Matthew Golden and tight end Tucker Kraft.

Jauan Jennings

AP Photo/Bailey Hillesheim

The Minnesota Vikings signed Jauan Jennings in the offseason to a one-year, $8 million contract worth up to $13 million with incentives, bringing him in as a complementary piece alongside superstar Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

The Vikings were going to have one of the most formidable wideout trios in the league.

Instead, Jennings has had a minimal role, catching two passes for nine yards in total.

With the 29-year-old struggling to establish a role, the Vikings could consider moving on before his one-year contract expires, as Carter Bahns of CBS Sports noted:

"There appears to be a lack of chemistry between Jennings and his quarterbacks, and he is clearly a far worse fit in Kevin O'Connell's offense than that of Kyle Shanahan. For those reasons, and because he can leave of his own volition at the end of the season, the Vikings could work toward a trade over the next month."

Best Landing Spot: Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders have been surprisingly competitive this season, but the team has one of the weakest assemblages of wide receiver talent in the NFL. At some point, Fernando Mendoza is going to start at quarterback, and when he does it would be nice to have a reliable target not named Brock Bowers.

More importantly, the Raiders are coached by Klint Kubiak, who runs a variation of Shanahan's West Coast offense. The team is a far better scheme fit for what Jennings does well, and he could be acquired for a mid-to-late Day 3 pick.

Worst Landing Spot: Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers could use another wide receiver. The Michael Pittman Jr. trade has yet to produce the expected results, and Roman Wilson is expected to miss multiple weeks with a hand injury. Mike McCarthy's West Coast offense isn't a bad fit for Jennings either.

But Jennings would need time to build a rapport with Aaron Rodgers, potentially limiting his immediate role.

Were Jennings to land in Pittsburgh, he could wind up in the same situation as in the Twin Cities: an afterthought in the offense.