
The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 30. Many big names have already been dealt, but there are plenty who could still be available.
The NFL trade deadline is 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 30, and though there have already been significant trade activities already this season (looking at you, Jon Gruden), there could still be plenty of action before it arrives. Last year, in the days leading up to the trade deadline, we saw Jimmy Garoppolo go to the 49ers, Kelvin Benjamin moved to the Bills, and Jay Ajayi sent to the Eagles.
Players already traded include pass rusher Khalil Mack before the season started, wide receiver Josh Gordon in September, and wide receiver Amari Cooper, running back Carlos Hyde, and cornerback Eli Apple in October. Now nearing the halfway point of the regular season, we’ll see if more big names are on the move.
Stick around here for the latest updates on potential trades and credible reports leading up to the Tuesday deadline.
Players who could be traded before the deadline
DeSean Jackson, WR, Buccaneers
Jackson wants out in Tampa Bay. Apparently there’s no animosity there, according to Ian Rapoport’s report, but he just isn’t thriving with Jameis Winston the way he did when Ryan Fitzpatrick was starting at quarterback.
The Bucs, however, fancy themselves to be in “win-now” mode, so they’re hesitant to grant his wish.
Le’Veon Bell, RB, Steelers
Bell has yet to sign his franchise tender, and cannot be dealt until he does so. The Steelers have been getting good production out of James Conner with Bell not reporting to the team. Many thought he was returning to the Steelers this week, but apparently that will not be the case, according to Jim Trotter of NFL Network.
Bell must report to the team by Week 10, or his contract rolls into next season and he won’t be a free agent. Fortunately, the trade deadline is well before then, so we’ll at least know if Bell is on the move sooner rather than later. That said, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network has reported it’s possible that Bell will rejoin the team shortly after the trade deadline because he doesn’t want to be dealt.
Janoris Jenkins, CB, New York Giants
The Giants have just one win this season and are in the process of tearing it all down. After trading Damon Harrison and Eli Apple, the next up could be Jenkins, who is receiving some interest from around the league.
Jenkins knows it could happen:
Jackrabbit on the possibility of being traded: "Business is business, baby. Whatever they decide to do, that's what they do. I can't be mad at them. I can't judge nobody. I can't say nothing. If it happens it happens. I'm on to the next step."
— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) October 25, 2018
But even in the midst of a rebuild, would the Giants trade away two starting cornerbacks?
Patrick Peterson, CB, Arizona Cardinals
Peterson is one of the top cornerbacks in the league and he’s on one of the worst teams in the league. Because of that, he had requested that the Cardinals trade him, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Peterson had an ideal trade destination in mind, according to Bryant McFadden (Peterson’s cousin):
#Cardinals All-Pro CB @P2 ideal trade destination is the #Saints. Per source Patrick Peterson. #Whodat
— Bryant McFadden (@BMac_SportsTalk) October 22, 2018
In addition to the Saints, McFadden reports the Eagles and Patriots are interested in Peterson, while the Steelers currently are not.
However, the Cardinals have said they have no plans to trade him, and Peterson later released a statement affirming his commitment to the team:
My statement. pic.twitter.com/FG8R7Fa0YA
— Patrick Peterson /P2 (@P2) October 24, 2018
It doesn’t appear as if he’s headed anywhere, at least not this season:
Patrick Peterson talked today after practice. Repeatedly said he wanted to put trade talk behind him. Asked why he wanted trade: “You see the record.” Asked about if he’d ask for a trade after season, he said he was focused on the game.
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) October 24, 2018
Demaryius Thomas, WR, Denver Broncos
Thomas is due $14 million in base salary in 2019, and the Broncos seem like a team willing to move good players with high salaries for draft picks as they continue to try and rebuild. Thomas says he wants to remain in Denver, but knows the NFL is a business:
Demaryius Thomas on trade reports: “Yeah I’ve seen a couple of ‘em. It’s football, man, it’s business. That’s what happens. It’s happened before. I never think it will happen to me but I’m like everybody else.’’ #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) October 22, 2018
But don’t expect the Broncos to trade him:
Update to yesterday's story, the Broncos will not trade Demaryius Thomas this week and are not actively shopping him, per source. Will they listen if teams are interested as Tuesday trade deadline approaches next week? Probably. But good bet DT finishes season in Denver. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) October 24, 2018
LeSean McCoy, RB, Buffalo Bills
There haven’t been a ton of rumors surrounding the oft-productive running back, but speculation over the past weeks have been that he could be moved, particularly to his former team, the Eagles. Philadelphia is now without Jay Ajayi, who is on injured reserve with a torn ACL, though Rapoport reports that there’s a good chance McCoy remains with the Bills.
As of Sunday morning, Week 8, it’s unlikely that the Bills will trade McCoy, according to Adam Schefter.
Tyrod Taylor, QB, Cleveland Browns
Taylor was benched by the Cleveland Browns, who elected to go with Baker Mayfield at quarterback after just three games. Taylor wants to compete, and while he hasn’t requested a trade (that we know of), he also hasn’t ruled it out as the deadline approaches, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
DeVante Parker, WR, Miami Dolphins
Dolphins receiver DeVante Parker has missed time with injuries this season and throughout training camp, but leading up to Week 7 was a full participant in practice. He was inactive for the team’s game against the Lions, and Parker’s agent referred to Dolphins coach Adam Gase as “incompetent,” via ESPN.
In addition to that, Parker has stated he wants to remain in Miami, though ESPN reports the Dolphins have “had conversations with multiple teams regarding a trade for Parker, but their asking price is considered high right now.” Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reports the Dolphins are asking for a third-round pick for Parker.
One of the teams interested in Parker is the Eagles:
Yesterday I reported the Dolphins have spoken to multiple NFL teams about a trading DeVante Parker. I'm now told one of those teams is the Philadelphia Eagles.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) October 21, 2018
Parker returned to the lineup in Week 8, when he looked like the best player for the Dolphins all night. He hauled in six catches for a game-high 134 yards against the Texans.
It will likely take a good offer — a mid-round pick, according to Ian Rapoport — for the Dolphins to part with him:
DeVante Parker, the subject of trade talks as late as last week, is on much better footing even before playing tonight because the Dolphins are dealing with so many injuries to the WR corps.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) October 25, 2018
Dolphins won't trade him unless it is for serious, serious compensation.
Basically everybody on the Raiders’ roster
Just a couple weeks ago, the Raiders were rumored to be shopping Karl Joseph and Amari Cooper. Jon Gruden denied that Cooper was available, and a week later, he was traded to the Cowboys. Another former first-round pick, cornerback Gareon Conley, is getting interest from others teams, too.
Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie was asked if any players on the roster were “untouchable.” He responded by saying that he isn’t “going to say anyone’s untouchable,” according to Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.
Gruden was quick to note that Derek Carr is not on the trade block and neither is anyone else:
When I mentioned Derek Carr, Gruden was quick and to the point: "We're not trading anyone else. We're trying to stay competitive and figure out a way to compete this next game (against the Colts." #Raiders
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) October 22, 2018
But who knows if that’s true or not? Obviously, if Carr is a player who isn’t eventually traded, Gruden wouldn’t want him to have that doubt hanging over his quarterback. Or maybe he’s really not available, but the other 50-plus players on the roster are!
Players who have been traded before the deadline
Eli Apple, CB
The Giants sent Apple to the Saints for a 2019 fourth-round pick and a 2020 seventh-rounder. The New Orleans secondary now inches closer to being 100 percent Buckeye.
Amari Cooper, WR
The Cowboys got their wide receiver. The Raiders got their third 2019 first-round pick. But the Patriots somehow won.
Damon Harrison, DT
The Giants traded “Snacks” to the Lions for a fifth-round pick. Do the Giants not like food?
Carlos Hyde, RB
The Jaguars got some help for their running game. The Browns got a fifth-round pick and the chance to give Nick Chubb and Duke Johnson more carries.