.jpg?w=2560)
It may seem hard to believe, but we're barreling toward the midway point of the 2026 NFL season. Week 7 will kick off on Thursday, and the November 10 trade deadline isn't too far off.
We're likely to see quite a bit of trade activity between now and the deadline, as several teams are becoming desperate for reinforcements. Several others are already on the verge of elimination.
The Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers remain winless. The struggling Indianapolis Colts, meanwhile, just fired general manager Chris Ballard.
It's not yet entirely clear which NFL teams will be the most aggressive buyers at the trade deadline. However, we have a much better idea of who those teams may target and which franchises are the most likely to sell.
Here, you'll find our updated list of top 10 trade candidates, ranked according to factors like past production, upside, positional value, contract/cap implications, projected availability, and any relevant recent rumors.
You'll also find projected trade values based on factors such as position, player upside, player age, and any comparable deals, along with sensible potential suitors for each player.
10. Mason Rudolph, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
1 of 10.jpg?w=2560)
Projected Trade Value: Conditional 2027 7th-Round Pick
Mason Rudolph remains the most logical trade target for teams seeking a backup quarterback or spot starter midseason. He's one of three reserve QBs that the Pittsburgh Steelers have behind Aaron Rodgers, along with Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar.
Jason La Canfora of Casino.org reported at the start of the season that Pittsburgh probably would have traded Rudolph then, had there been a viable market for him.
Of course, the Steelers are unlikely to find a strong market for Rudolph now, especially after the Atlanta Falcons added Andy Dalton for insurance. Quarterbacks like Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Baker Mayfield have already returned or are close to returning from injury.
Rudolph, who has made 20 career starts (including playoffs), will be most valuable if and when another team loses its starter for an extended period. That said, there are a few franchises that should view him as an upgrade over their current depth.
Potential Suitors: Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles
9. Riq Woolen, CB, Philadelphia Eagles
2 of 10.jpg?w=2560)
Projected Trade Value: Conditional 2027 5th-Round Pick
The Philadelphia Eagles aren't entirely out of the playoff mix at 2-4, but they are expected to be without standout quarterback Jalen Hurts for the rest of the season.
The 28-year-old will undergo treatment for blood clots in his lungs, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
While Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has been an aggressive deadline buyer in the past, he could take the opposite approach because of this year's unique situation.
According to The Athletic's Jonathan Jones, some team executives are already wondering whether the Eagles could make Saquon Barkley and Riq Woolen available.
Philly might not want to part with Barkley, who should be the centerpiece of the offense once he's healthy. However, Woolen would be a very sensible trade chip.
The Eagles only signed Woolen to a one-year deal, and cornerbacks are typically in demand. Woolen, who has allowed a career opposing passer rating of just 73.8, should draw a reasonable return, even for a short-term rental.
Potential Suitors: Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals
8. Daron Payne, DT, Washington Commanders
3 of 10.jpg?w=2560)
Projected Trade Value: Conditional 2027 4th-Round Pick and/or a Veteran Receiver
The Washington Commanders are still scrapping for a spot in the NFC East race, as evidenced by their admirable comeback effort against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.
"It's still wide open," receiver Stefon Diggs told Marshall Kramsky of WUSA.
However, effort doesn't change the fact that Washington is sitting at 1-4-1 and just lost star wide receiver Terry McLaurin to a season-ending knee injury. Getting the season back on track will be a challenge.
If the Commanders are open to trading players, possibly for receiver help, Daron Payne is a strong candidate. The 29-year-old defensive tackle has started all six games this season, has recorded 14 tackles, and will interest teams seeking defensive-line help.
Payne is also in a contract year and carrying a cap hit of $28 million.
Potential Suitors: Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars
7. Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans
4 of 10.jpg?w=2560)
Projected Trade Value: 2027 5th-Round Pick
The Tennessee Titans got their first win of the season on Sunday with an upset of the rival Colts.
That victory should ease some of the pressure on head coach Robert Saleh and quarterback Cam Ward, but it doesn't mean Tennessee is on the verge of turning its season around.
The Titans are still very much a struggling squad. Ward threw for just 102 yards in Indy, and Tennessee would most likely still be winless if not for multiple mistakes by the Colts—including three turnovers and a massive special-teams blunder.
GM Mike Borgonzi should still be thinking long-term, and the plan should involve either replacing Ward or putting more pieces around him. Either way, flipping expiring contracts for draft capital would be logical.
Running back Tony Pollard is a good support piece for Ward right now, but he's 29 years old and an impending free agent. He should have a solid trade market, though, as he has four 1,000-yard seasons on his resume and could upgrade several of the backfields that have been impacted by injuries this season.
Potential Suitors: Cleveland Browns, Seattle Seahawks
6. Josh Sweat, Edge, Arizona Cardinals
5 of 10.jpg?w=2560)
Projected Trade Value: Conditional 2027 4th-Round Pick
The Arizona Cardinals just pulled off their second massive upset of the season, beating the Rams in Los Angeles 18-16.
The big divisional win should give Arizona some confidence in its ability to compete this season, but the Cardinals know they're largely playing for the future.
Otherwise, general manager Monti Ossenfort wouldn't have agreed to trade receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Houston Texans. Ossenfort will likely consider making other moves ahead of the deadline, and pass-rusher Josh Sweat is a prime trade candidate to track.
The Cardinals' GM dismissed the idea of moving Sweat during the offseason, but stronger offers could come in-season as teams gear up for a playoff run. Sweat, who has two sacks, three tackles for loss, and seven quarterback pressures this season, should draw significant interest.
While Sweat can help the Cardinals now, he also looms as a likely 2027 cap casualty. Arizona can release him with a post-June 1 designation in the spring and save $18.1 million in cap space next offseason.
Potential Suitors: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns
5. Zach Sieler, DL, Miami Dolphins
6 of 10.jpg?w=2560)
Projected Trade Value: Conditional 2027 5th-Round Pick
The Miami Dolphins have parted with several key veterans since last year's trade deadline. However, longtime defensive lineman Zach Sieler has made it clear that he hopes he isn't the next veteran to go.
"I know people say rumors or talk whatever this time of year, but I'm here focused playing games here, win as a Dolphin, man," Sieler said, per the team's official website.
Of course, Sieler's wishes may not matter much to new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan if and when offers for the versatile defender begin to come. Sieler is signed through 2029 but could be a realistic 2027 cap casualty for Miami.
$10 million of Sieler's salary will become fully guaranteed on the third day of the 2027 league year. Releasing him with a post-June 1 designation before then would save the Dolphins $13.2 million in cap space.
Teams are almost always on the lookout for defensive-line help. Sieler, who has 12 tackles, two sacks, and five tackles for loss this year, can provide it.
Potential Suitors: Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
4. DeForest Buckner, DT, Indianapolis Colts
7 of 10.jpg?w=2560)
Projected Trade Value: 2027 4th-Round Pick
Ballard is already out, and at this point, it's hard to imagine that Colts head coach Shane Steichen survives beyond the regular season.
Interim general manager Ed Dodds—along with franchise ownership—may soon consider selling off pieces, as the Miami Dolphins did after firing GM Chris Grier last season.
DeForest Buckner would be a logical trade chip if that is the case. Premier defensive tackles generally command strong returns, and Buckner is still one of those, even at 32.
Buckner has started all six games for Indianapolis this season and has tallied 26 tackles, four sacks, three passes defended, and nine quarterback pressures. However, he's unhappy with Indy's ability to contend.
"I'm sick and tired of the same song and dance every year," Buckner told reporters after Sunday's loss to the Titans.
The three-time Pro Bowler is also playing in the final year of his current contract. Trading him would provide some cap relief while allowing the Colts to acquire something in return for a player who could leave in free agency next spring.
Potential Suitors: Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers
3. Landon Dickerson, G, Philadelphia Eagles
8 of 10.jpg?w=2560)
Projected Trade Value: Conditional 2027 2nd-Round Pick
The Eagles have already dealt center Cam Jurgens, and if they decide that they can't salvage the 2026 season, another talented offensive lineman could be on the move.
According to Schefter, some around the league believe standout guard Landon Dickerson could be available.
"It would not surprise those in the league if teams start calling on Eagles guard Landon Dickerson when he is healthy enough to return from injured reserve," Schefter wrote.
Dickerson remains sidelined with a bone bruise in his right knee. However, he's a three-time Pro Bowler and one of the league's better interior linemen when he's at 100 percent. He'd provide a big upgrade for multiple playoff hopefuls who are getting questionable play along the offensive interior.
Potential Suitors: Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans
2. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
9 of 10.jpg?w=2560)
Projected Trade Value: 2027 2nd- and 6th-Round Picks
Unlike most deadline sellers, the Jacksonville Jaguars are very much in the playoff picture at 4-2. However, they're still in a position to move off of a promising young player.
2024 first-round pick Brian Thomas Jr. was a Pro Bowler as a rookie but has regressed in a big way since. He's largely fallen out of the game plan this year and was seemingly benched for the second half of Sunday's loss to the Texans.
While GM James Gladstone discounted the idea of trading Thomas during the offseason, his stance may have changed in the wake of the Harrison trade. After all, if Arizona can get a strong return for an underachieving receiver, Gladstone should at least consider doing the same.
According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, many around the league believe he will.
"There are a lot of people around the league who believe Thomas could have a new home by the trade deadline," Graziano wrote.
Teams that need receiver help will and should make a run at Thomas.
Potential Suitors: Seattle Seahawks, Washington Commanders
1. Khalil Mack, Edge, Los Angeles Chargers
10 of 10.jpg?w=2560)
Projected Trade Value: Conditional 2027 4th-Round Pick
On Saturday, The Ringer's Tom Pelissero reported that the Los Angeles Chargers are still trying to rebuff trade offers.
"Teams are calling Chargers GM Joe Hortiz, who has told multiple GMs the same thing about any potential trade offers: We're not interested," Pelissero wrote in his Substack, The Sweep.
However, Los Angeles fell to 0-6 on Sunday, and it would be irresponsible at this point for Hortiz to not at least consider offers that could help the franchise's long-term plans.
Pass-rusher Khalil Mack is the most logical trade chip the Chargers have because he's playing on a one-year deal and because he plays a premium position well.
The 35-year-old has started all six games for L.A. this season and has recorded 19 tackles, three sacks, five tackles for loss, and 11 quarterback pressures. Teams that need a disruptive edge-defender for the playoff run should have Mack at or near the top of their wish lists.
Potential Suitors: Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers
*Contract and cap information via Spotrac. Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference.


.jpg?w=2560)

.jpg?w=2560)

.jpg?w=2560)






.jpg?w=2560)
.jpg?w=2560)