The NFL's annual trade deadline is less than two weeks away, but teams aren't waiting until the last minute to get deals done. After a 2-4 start to their season, the Indianapolis Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard and sent a pair of former All-Pro players, Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner, elsewhere less than a week later.
Another loss or two could convince more teams that it's time to turn their attention to 2027 and send away players who aren't in their long-term plans.
Here are eight hypothetical trades that would leave both sides feeling good:
Vikings receive: RB Jonathan Taylor and 2027 6th-round pick
Colts receive: 2027 1st- and 2028 4th-round picks
Even after a couple trades, the Colts stand out as obvious sellers at the deadline. They already dealt Nelson and Buckner, but could get even more by trading away Taylor. There's not a lot of reason for a rebuilding team to cling to a seventh-year running back who is among the highest paid at his position. However, there's also no rush to ship a three-time Pro Bowler off for cheap.
The Vikings stand out as a team capable and possibly willing to pay a premium for Taylor. Minnesota is the NFL's only remaining undefeated team thanks to an elite defense that's dragging one of the league's most ineffective offenses to wins. With Aaron Jones banged up and dealing with a new knee injury, acquiring Taylor would provide a huge boost to the Vikings' run game. That'd ease pressure on Kyler Murray, free up room for Justin Jefferson, and allow the Minnesota defense to be even more aggressive. That's worth the costly investment.
49ers receive: WR Brian Thomas Jr.
Jaguars receive: 2027 2nd-round pick
Injuries are stacking up in San Francisco, especially at the wide receiver position. Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, and Ricky Pearsall were all out of action in the 49ers' last game and Brock Purdy struggled as a consequence. The top two pass-catchers in that loss to the Falcons were Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle, a pair of veterans who are still productive, but nearing the end of their careers and not nearly the dominant forces they once were.
Acquiring Thomas would not only give Kyle Shanahan a versatile offensive weapon who could be an immediate boost, but also provide an aging roster with a tremendously athletic 24-year-old receiver to potentially build around.
The Jaguars don't stand out as typical trade deadline sellers, but there's not much reason for Thomas to still be on their roster. After a tremendous rookie year, Thomas has faded into the background due to poor play and drops. While Jaguars GM James Gladstone has long denied any intent to trade Thomas (despite reports to the contrary), the relationship between the receiver and team has further deteriorated and he didn't play a snap in the second half of Jacksonville's last game.
Adding a second-round pick - the same price tag that fellow 2024 first-rounder Marvin Harrison fetched earlier this month - in exchange for a benched player would be a coup for the Jaguars.
Cowboys receive: EDGE Josh Sweat
Cardinals receive: WR Jonathan Mingo and 2028 3rd-round pick
Sweat has reportedly been hoping to leave Arizona ever since Jonathan Gannon was fired in January. With the team now 2-5 and sitting in last place in the formidable NFC West, the Cardinals may be more willing to play ball and think long term.
Dallas isn't exactly loaded with draft capital after a bevy of aggressive moves in the last couple years. That probably won't stop Jerry Jones from continuing to swing for the fences, especially with the rest of the NFC East largely in disarray. The Cowboys have to figure out a way to be better on defense, and increased pressure off the edge would be a significant boost. They'll probably have to dip into their 2028 stockpile of draft picks to make a deal happen, but the Cowboys are the worst in the league at getting off the field on third down and Sweat is exactly the type of player who could help fix that issue.
The Cardinals also land Mingo in the deal. That's not exactly thrilling for Arizona, but the receiver is hardly seeing the field in Dallas. The Cardinals are hurting for receiver help and a 25-year-old Mingo is worth a kick of the tires.
Jaguars receive: EDGE Khalil Mack and 2027 7th-round pick
Chargers receive: 2027 5th-round pick
Mack isn't in the Chargers' future plans, and as the NFL's only remaining winless team, they should turn the page to next season. Getting anything in exchange for a 35-year-old pass-rusher on a one-year deal would be a win for Los Angeles, but no team is going to pay a premium for a short-term rental.
For a swap of late-round selections, the Jaguars add a rotational rusher who is still surprisingly productive in his 13th season. While Mack isn't the destroyer he was when he won Defensive Player of the Year a decade ago, the nine-time Pro Bowler can still make plays.
Only six teams have fewer sacks than the Jaguars and the duo of Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker rarely come off the field. Another rusher in the rotation could freshen up the group and round out a Jacksonville roster that looks primed to make a postseason run.
Seahawks receive: TE Dallas Goedert
Eagles receive: 2027 5th-round pick
Seattle already made one significant deadline move by acquiring Quenton Nelson. With plenty of draft capital still to spare, the Seahawks could give Sam Darnold even more help by adding a veteran tight end to temporarily replace the injured Elijah Arroyo.
Even if it wasn't a lost season for the Eagles, moving on from Goedert makes sense. Philadelphia drafted his replacement earlier this year when it took second-round pick Eli Stowers, who should make his NFL debut Sunday. Goedert's contract is set to void in March, which would make him a rental for the Seahawks.
Through seven games, wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has 58 receptions for 867 yards and eight touchdowns. No other Seahawks player has even 20 catches, 200 receiving yards, or more than one touchdown. Spreading the ball around is a must if Seattle hopes to keep Smith-Njigba healthy and effective.
Bills receive: S Budda Baker
Cardinals receive: WR Josh Palmer and 2027 6th-round pick
In 10 years with the Cardinals, Baker has played in one playoff game. If the eight-time Pro Bowler sticks around in Arizona, he won't make a second postseason appearance any time soon – or ever.
With his 31st birthday coming in January, Baker's time as one of the NFL's most elite safeties is nearing its end. It'd be hard to wave goodbye to the fan favorite, but getting the last two years of his costly contract off the books, getting something in return, and giving the star defensive back a chance to play for a competitor makes it a good situation for both parties. Palmer isn't a star, but he's a logical acquisition for Arizona for the same reason as the aforementioned Mingo. The Cardinals need receiver help and getting an experienced player with an affordable contract through the 2027 season would be helpful.
The Bills could use a difference-maker like Baker in their secondary, which has been one of the NFL's worst so far this season. The hypothetical price tag makes it a no-brainer.
Chiefs receive: WR Rashod Bateman
Ravens receive: 2027 6th-round pick
After a nine-touchdown season in 2024, the Ravens extended Bateman's contract through 2029. That decision has aged poorly. The former first-round pick has only 37 receptions and three touchdowns in his last 20 games across the last two years. While trading Bateman would mean $8 million in dead money next season, that's a necessary sacrifice with the receiver due to count more than $10 million against the Ravens' salary cap in each of the next three seasons.
That also makes him a cheap add for the Chiefs, a team that desperately needs to find receiver help for Patrick Mahomes. Tyquan Thornton is possibly done for the year, Rashee Rice is banged up, and 37-year-old tight end Travis Kelce is the only player on the team with more than 300 receiving yards. Bateman's struggled to consistently produce in Baltimore, but similar speedy deep threats have thrived after arriving in Kansas City.
Raiders receive: WR Jerry Jeudy
Browns receive: 2027 4th-round pick
The Raiders' 3-0 start to the year evaporated quickly. After losing four straight, Las Vegas is digging itself a hole and could be getting closer to Fernando Mendoza time. On the other hand, Kirk Cousins is playing pretty well, despite not having much at the receiver position. Former third-round pick Tre Tucker continues to show growth, but the top three Raiders players in receptions are running back Ashton Jeanty, and tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer.
After finding a career renaissance in Cleveland and earning Pro Bowl honors in 2024, Jeudy's been left behind by a Browns youth movement. The team has prioritized KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston, Harold Fannin, and Quinshon Judkins (none of whom are older than 23), and Jeudy's numbers have suffered. With a contract that runs through the 2027 season, Jeudy could immediately fill a significant need and also provide Mendoza with a reliable option when he eventually takes the reins.
Adam Stites is a contributing writer for theScore.
