New NFL Trade Rumors on Brian Thomas Jr., Josh Downs, Calvin Ridley amid Chiefs, Steelers Buzz

Teams looking for help at wide receiver ahead of Tuesday's NFL trade deadline will reportedly have multiple options.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday that Brian Thomas Jr. of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Calvin Ridley of the Tennessee Titans and Josh Downs of the Indianapolis Colts are all trade candidates.

"Jacksonville has resisted trade overtures so far, but it sounds like they're going to listen before Tuesday," Schefter reported when discussing Thomas. As for Ridley, who he described as an option for those who cannot land Thomas, the Titans are apparently "open" to moving him for a "late-round draft pick."

Then there is Downs, who already requested a trade and could be the next member of the Colts on the move.

"Josh Downs, it sounds like he could be on the move this week for a fourth-round draft pick," Schefter reported. "Kansas City is interested. Pittsburgh is interested. Teams looking for a receiver are interested."

The Colts already traded DeForest Buckner and Quenton Nelson, while the speculation around Jonathan Taylor has continued. They are looking at a rebuilding process following a disappointing 2-6 start, which means any trade capital they can acquire by Tuesday figures to help accelerate the timeline.

Downs is not someone who is going to be the No. 1 receiver on a team, but he can use his speed to take advantage of mismatches and space created by defenses paying too much attention elsewhere.

That would fit on a team such as the Steelers with DK Metcalf or the Chiefs with Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce.

Unlike Downs, Thomas is someone who was expected to be a No. 1 receiver in Jacksonville shortly after it selected him with a first-round pick in 2024. He looked the part as a Pro Bowler in his rookie season with 1,282 receiving yards and 10 touchdown catches, but those numbers dropped to 707 yards and two touchdowns in his second season.

Things have been even worse in his third season, as Thomas has 10 catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns through eight games. Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers are far more involved in the offense, as is tight end Brenton Strange.

It has reached a point where a change of scenery could be best for all involved even though the Jaguars look like Super Bowl contenders to this point.

Ridley would likely cost the least for suitors with just 91 receiving yards on the season for a struggling Titans team. Yet he isn't that far removed from back-to-back campaigns with more than 1,000 receiving yards in 2023 and 2024.

Perhaps a change of scenery would help him return to that form, and even the possibility figures to spark some interest around the league before Tuesday.