Ideal Landing Spots for Top Available Skill Players at 2026 NFL Trade Deadline

The 2026 NFL trade deadline is less than two weeks away, and the market picked up on Tuesday when the Indianapolis Colts dealt guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.

While Nelson and Buckner are exactly the sort of foundational difference-makers that teams with Super Bowl aspirations should be chasing, many fans are waiting to see if Indianapolis will part with star running back Jonathan Taylor.

Of course, there's no guarantee that the Colts will part with the face of their offense. Fortunately for teams in need of additional offensive potency, he isn't the only option likely to be available.

Here, we'll run down 10 skill players who could be available ahead of the November 10 trade deadline and the top landing spot for each. All analysis is based on past production, contract status, team trajectory, team needs, and any relevant recent rumors.

Players are listed in alphabetical order.

Tyler Allgeier, RB, Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/Caroline Brehman

Ideal Landing Spot: Detroit Lions

The Arizona Cardinals have already moved one notable player, sending receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Houston Texans. At 2-5, the Cardinals are unlikely to contend in the brutal NFC West, and if they decide to keep trading players, Tyler Allgeier would be a logical candidate.

Arizona signed Allgeier to a two-year, $12.3 million deal this offseason but quickly made him a backup behind talented rookie Jeremiyah Love. With Love out the last two weeks, Allgeier has also been outperformed by Zonovan Knight.

The Cardinals couldn't expect more than a mid-Day 3 pick in return for Allgeier, but they would save $1.6 million in 2026 cap space and $5.2 million in 2027 cap room.

If Allgeier is available, the Detroit Lions would be a terrific spot for him. Allgeier has averaged just 2.9 yards per carry this year, but he has averaged a solid 4.1 yards per carry over the course of his career.

At 5'10" and 225 pounds, Allgeier is also a bigger back who could complement Jahmyr Gibbs in the same way that David Montgomery once did. Gibbs has fared well as a high-volume back for Detroit this season, but he's on pace for a whopping 470 touches this season.

Adding someone to help share the load down the stretch would make plenty of sense for the Lions.

Marquise Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Ideal Landing Spot: Kansas City Chiefs

The Colts appear to have begun a fire sale, and the Philadelphia Eagles are a team that could soon follow suit. The Eagles have been ravaged by injuries and are highly unlikely to have starting quarterback Jalen Hurts in the lineup again before 2027.

At 2-5, the Eagles aren't entirely out of the NFC East race, but they're certainly trending in the wrong direction.

GM Howie Roseman has already traded center Cam Jurgens, and if he continues selling off pieces, Marquise Brown would be a logical trade chip. Philly signed him to a one-year, $5 million deal this offseason but has barely put him on the field.

Brown has appeared in two games and caught his first two passes of the season on Monday night. The Eagles couldn't expect more than a late-round pick for him, but he's clearly expendable, even with multiple injuries at receiver.

If Brown is moved, the Kansas City Chiefs would be the most logical destination. Kansas City could use more receiver depth, and the 29-year-old spent his last two seasons with the Chiefs.

Last season, Brown caught 49 passes for 587 yards and five touchdowns in Kansas City.

Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/David Dermer

Ideal Landing Spot: Pittsburgh Steelers

Taylor isn't the only Colts skill player who could potentially be moved before November 10. If wide receiver Josh Downs gets his way, he'll be playing elsewhere for the second half of the season.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Downs has requested a trade.

Moving Downs would make some sense for Indianapolis, as the 25-year-old is in the final year of his contract. With 26 catches and 307 yards on his 2026 resume, Downs would probably bring something in the range of a high Day 3 pick from a receiver-needy team.

In 54 career games, Downs has caught 224 passes for 2,447 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Downs' route-running and change-of-direction skills would fit well with the Pittsburgh Steelers' precision-passing offense. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers hasn't regularly stretched the field this season and has instead looked to beat defenses with decision-making and high-percentage throws.

Rodgers could use a target like Downs, especially with Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson on injured reserve. Plus, Steelers general manager Omar Khan already has an Indianapolis pipeline open after acquiring Pittman in an offseason trade.

Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles

AP Photoo/Matt Slocum

Ideal Landing Spot: Chicago Bears

Tight end Dallas Goedert is another sensible trade chip if the Eagles decide to punt on the 2026 season, though he's anything but if Philly believes it can still contend.

With DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, and Saquon Barkley all injured, Goedert is the most reliable skill player the Eagles have right now. He had five catches for 48 yards on Monday night and has 228 yards on the season.

Goedert is also 31 years old, though, and is playing on a one-year, $7 million deal. Trading him now would make sense if Roseman is ready to pack it in for the year. He'd probably net a high Day 3 selection in a trade.

The Chicago Bears would be a terrific landing spot for Goedert, though that wouldn't have been the case a week ago. Chicago has a terrific pass-catching tight end in Colston Loveland and a great second option in Cole Kmet.

The problem for Chicago is that Kmet suffered a knee injury in Week 7 and was subsequently placed on season-ending injured reserve.

Ben Johnson has regularly used formations that feature two or three tight ends this season, and while Kmet wasn't a focal point of the passing attack, he was a great ancillary target who provided offensive flexibility. Goedert would be a great replacement for the remainder of the season.

Jauan Jennings, WR, Minnesota Vikings

AP Photo/Bailey Hillesheim

Ideal Landing Spot: San Francisco 49ers

The Minnesota Vikings signed wide receiver Jauan Jennings to a one-year, $8 million contract this offseason. However, he hasn't quite been the high-floor third receiver behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison that the Vikings hoped he could be.

Jennings has just four catches for 43 yards in five appearances this year.

This is why the Vikings could consider moving Jennings, even as they sit as the league's last undefeated team. Minnesota could also save $5 million in cap space.

The Vikings probably couldn't get more than a fifth- or sixth-round pick for Jennings, but any draft capital and cap flexibility they gain could be used to address areas of greater need—like running back. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, though, Minnesota isn't actively shopping the 29-year-old.

However, Schefter told The Pat McAfee Show (beginning at the 1:35:10 mark) that while no trade is imminent, teams have "checked in" on Jennings.

If Jennings is on the move, a return to the San Francisco 49ers would be the ideal outcome. San Francisco needs receiver help with Deebo Samuel and Mike Evans both injured, and Jennings logged 643 yards and nine touchdowns with the 49ers last season.

Jerry Jeudy, WR, Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Ideal Landing Spot: Los Angeles Rams

The Cleveland Browns are a surprising 5-2, but they're not quite good enough to be selling off important contributors if they believe they can make a playoff run. This is why veteran Jerry Jeudy isn't being actively shopped, according to Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport:

"The Browns aren't shopping Jeudy at all, and the price is high. It would take a premium deal to get Cleveland to move on—even if general manager Andrew Berry is open to discussing any deal."

While Jeudy won't be available for cheap, a strong offer might get a deal done. Rookies K. C. Concepcion and Denzel Boston are the future at receiver for Cleveland. Trading Jeudy would save $3.9 million in 2026 cap space and $7 million in 2027.

A strong offer would likely mean, at least, a conditional fourth-round pick, which is more than Cleveland paid (2024 5th- and 6th-round picks) to acquire Jeudy from the Denver Broncos more than two years ago. A team surrendering that would have to value the 27-year-old in both the short-term and long-term.

The Los Angeles Rams, who already swung one trade with Cleveland this year to land Myles Garrett, would be such a team.

Los Angeles is trying to chase a Super Bowl in 2026 but won't have No. 2 receiver Davante Adams for the foreseeable future because of a hamstring injury. It may also want to replace the 33-year-old Adams with a younger receiver after this season.

While Jeudy's drop issues are concerning, his precision route-running and breakaway ability would mesh perfectly with Sean McVay's spacing-based offense.

Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes

Ideal Landing Spot: New York Giants

According to Schefter and Rapoport, the Los Angeles Chargers "insist they are trying to win games" and have given "no indication" that they're looking to be sellers at the trade deadline. However, Los Angeles' stance doesn't change the fact that it is the only winless team left in the NFL this season.

Even if the Chargers were clinging to playoff hopes, moving fourth-year receiver Quentin Johnston would make some level of sense. The 2023 first-round pick showed some flashes of promise over the last two seasons but has again disappeared in the offense this year.

Through five appearances, Johnston has just eight catches for 165 yards.

While Los Angeles did exercise the fifth-year option on Johnston's rookie contract, it's hard to envision him sticking with the club long-term. Getting a fourth- or fifth-round pick for the 25-year-old now would be sensible.

The New York Giants could provide Johnston with a great landing spot if he is on the move. New York is pushing for a playoff spot, has an intriguing collection of young offensive playmakers, and could use another dynamic receiver to complement Malik Nabers and Malachi Fields this season and beyond.

The Giants also happen to employ offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who was the Chargers' OC when Johnston topped 700 receiving yards in both 2024 and 2025.

Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans

AP Photo/John Amis

Ideal Landing Spot: Washington Commanders

The Tennessee Titans have looked like a fairly functional football team over the past two weeks, and running back Tony Pollard has been a huge part of the equation. He recorded 76 scrimmage yards in the Week 6 win over Indy, and he logged 155 yards and three touchdowns in a close loss to Cleveland last week.

However, the fact remains that Tennessee is 1-6, and Pollard probably won't be with the franchise much longer. He's in the final year of his contract, and he'll turn 30 in April. Moving him now would probably net the Titans a fourth- or fifth-round pick.

At that price point, Pollard would make a ton of sense for the Washington Commanders. At 1-4-1, Washington is sitting in the NFC East basement, but it has a healthier overall roster than Philadelphia's.

The Commanders rank ninth in rushing yards and 10th in yards per carry. However, those numbers are a bit misleading, as quarterback Jayden Daniels has regularly chewed up yards on the ground.

Lead running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt has averaged just 3.6 yards per carry this season. The Commanders added Austin Ekeler in an effort to boost their ground game.

Adding Pollard would help boost Washington's backfield in a big way and would give the Commanders another playmaker as they try to offset the loss of wide receiver Terry McLaurin.

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Zach Bolinger

Ideal Landing Spot: Minnesota Vikings

Taylor is a massive potential trade target because he's an elite running back and one of the top offensive difference-makers in the league. Through seven games this season, he has logged 765 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns.

While Downs has reportedly requested a trade, Colts head coach Shane Steichen told reporters on Wednesday that Taylor has not. According to Schefter, the Indianapolis doesn't want to move Taylor either.

Schefter told The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday (beginning at the 1:24:18 mark) that his "understanding" is that Colts ownership doesn't want to trade its star running back.

Indianapolis appears open for business, and the right offer could still pry Taylor away from the Colts. According to ESPN's Jordan Raanan, Taylor would cost a second-round draft pick and "possibly more."

If Taylor can be had, the Vikings would be the best spot for him. They have a championship-caliber defense, a couple of great wide receivers, and a head coach in Kevin O'Connell who could maximize Taylor's rushing and receiving ability.

Minnesota also has some questions at running back, as Aaron Jones continues to battle an MCL sprain.

Adding Taylor could help spark Minnesota's 29th-ranked offense as O'Connell tries to coax better play out of quarterback Kyler Murray. If successful, that might be enough to push the Vikings deep into the postseason.

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel

Ideal Landing Spot: Las Vegas Raiders

Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr. recorded 1,282 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie Pro Bowler in 2024. Instead of trending upward since then, however, he's gone in the opposite direction.

This season, Thomas has just nine catches for 105 yards and one score. He didn't see the field in the second half of Jacksonville's last game.

While the Jags have publicly tried to hype Thomas as an important piece of the offense, it's becoming clear that he simply isn't under head coach Liam Coen. Some around the league believe that a trade is inevitable.

"There are a lot of people around the league who believe Thomas could have a new home by the trade deadline," ESPN's Dan Graziano wrote last week.

Expect Thomas to command a package similar to the second- and sixth-round pick the Cardinals got for Harrison.

While contenders like Kansas City and Pittsburgh could use a big-play threat like Thomas, his best home might be with a rebuilding team that has upside. It could take some time for Thomas to regain his rookie form, and a Super Bowl hopeful might not be able to afford him that.

The Las Vegas Raiders, however, could. They have yet to turn the page from quarterback Kirk Cousins to rookie first overall pick Fernando Mendoza. There's a chance they won't hand Mendoza the keys until next season.

As a potential long-term contributor, Thomas would be a great fit in Klint Kubiak's offense alongside Mendoza, Brock Bowers, Ashton Jeanty, and possibly Tre Tucker, who will be a free agent in the spring.

*Contract information from OverTheCap.