NFL trade deadline landing spots: The best fits for the top trade candidates in 2024

Admin October 31, 2024

The NFL’s Nov. 5 trade deadline is less than a week away. We have already seen multiple players moved. Who could be next?

Already, Davante Adams, Amari Cooper, DeAndre Hopkins and Diontae Johnson have been traded. There are rumors that more wide receivers could be dealt before the trade deadline expires. Multiple teams are also in need of offensive line help or searching to upgrade their pass rushing attack.

There’s been a flurry of deals, but we anticipate more on the horizon.

What are some ideal trades we would like to come into fruition? USA TODAY Sports examines the best fits for players who could be on the move prior to the NFL’s trade deadline:

NFL trade deadline best fits

Mike Williams, Jets

Best fit: Los Angeles Chargers

The Jets relegated Williams to their fourth wide receiver after the team acquired Davante Adams. Williams logged 36 snaps and had zero targets in New York’s Week 8 loss to the Patriots. Chemistry between Aaron Rodgers and Williams is off. Rodgers even threw Williams under the bus following the team’s Week 6 loss.

Williams ranks fifth on the Jets in both catches (11) and receiving yards (160). He’s turned into an afterthought in his first season with the Jets. There is a concern whether Williams is still laboring from a 2023 torn ACL. He hasn’t shown much big-play ability since his knee injury that occurred during Week 3 of last season while he was a member of the Chargers.

Speaking of the Chargers, Jim Harbaugh’s club desperately needs an X receiver who Justin Herbert can go to on third down and in the red zone. Los Angeles ranks in the bottom half of the league in passing yards and 30th in red zone efficiency. Williams compiled 309 catches, 4,806 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns in a Chargers uniform. A reunion would be advantageous for both parties.

Jonathan Jones, Patriots

Best fit: Washington Commanders

Jayden Daniels deserves a lot of credit for helping revitalize the Commanders. He’s the frontrunner for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. The Commanders have the NFL’s third best offense entering Week 9. However, the team lacks playmakers on the defensive side of the football, particularly in the secondary.

Cornerback Benjamin St-Juste has allowed a 111.6 passer rating and three touchdowns when targeted. Rookie cornerback Mike Sainristil’s allowed a 126.6 passer rating and given up four touchdowns when targeted.

Jones statistically in having a down year, but that could be a byproduct of his surroundings. He’s shown the ability to cover the opposing team’s best wide receiver and is competitive in coverage. He’s registered 21 passes defensed and four interceptions in his past 37 regular-season games. The ninth-year defensive back would be Washington’s best corner upon arrival.

Travis Etienne, Jaguars

Best fit: Dallas Cowboys

Tank Bigsby’s emergence has made Etienne expendable. Bigsby leads the Jaguars in rushing attempts, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. Plus, he’s produced four plays of over 20 yards, while Etienne only has two.

Etienne is a versatile running back who can catch passes out of the backfield, but Jacksonville preference is to hand Bigsby the football on run plays between the tackles.

The Jaguars are headed toward an inevitable rebuild. An Etienne trade can give Jacksonville additional draft compensation. The running back has trade value around the NFL. He’s surpassed 1,400 yards from scrimmage in his first two seasons and he’s just 25 years old.

The Cowboys rank dead last in the NFL in rushing. They average just 3.4 yards a carry. Ezekiel Elliott is past his prime and Rico Dowdle isn’t a starting caliber running back. The Cowboys miss Tony Pollard, who they let walk in free agency following 2023. Etienne would immediately step in and fill the void at RB.

Za’Darius Smith, Browns

Best fit: Detroit Lions

Cleveland’s actions indicate that they are sellers as the trade deadline looms. The Browns’ decision to trade Amari Cooper preceded Deshaun Watson’s season-ending Achilles injury. There are rumors that the Browns are shopping Smith, too.

Smith’s has a team-best five sacks. Smith and Myles Garrett are a formidable pass rushing tandem, but the Browns need to accumulate trade capital and offload future salary.

The Lions have a hole at defensive end after Aidan Hutchinson’s brutal leg injury. Smith isn’t the pass rusher Hutchinson is, but he’s plenty capable of generating pressure. The Browns and Lions both play a base 4-3 defense, so Smith would have a rather seamless transition. Plus, he has familiarity in the NFC North division, having played for the Packers and Vikings during his 10-year career.

Bryce Young, Panthers

Best fit: Los Angeles Rams

Young started Week 8 and is slated to start again in Week 9 after veteran QB Andy Dalton sprained his right thumb in an auto accident. Young had season-bests in passing yards (224) and touchdown passes (two) in Carolina’s loss last week, but it was undoubtedly his best performance in three starts this year. Panthers coach Dave Canales said Young played “fast” and “decisive” in the Week 8 defeat.

The Panthers say they have a plan for Young following the quarterback’s demotion after Week 2. However, a change of scenery might behoove both parties.

Young can play in the NFL but he needs an offensive scheme that caters to his skillset and talent around him to thrive. The Panthers are getting rid of talent, such as recently traded wide receiver Diontae Johnson.

Sean McVay’s tutelage could work wonders for the 2023 No.1 overall pick; McVay’s enhanced every quarterback he’s coached. The Alabama product could learn and develop under McVay veteran QB Matthew Stafford. Young’s accuracy, precision passing and pocket presence were attributes that made him the top quarterback in the 2023 draft. Yet, he’s struggled in all three areas during his NFL career. McVay is the type of coach who can unlock Young’s potential and restore the quarterback’s confidence.

Nate Davis, Bears

Best fit: Pittsburgh Steelers

Davis started the year as a starter, but he was benched after Week 2. The Bears made him inactive in Week 6 and Week 8, a sign that he’s dropped significantly on their depth chart.

The Bears signed the former Titan to a three-year, $30 million contract in March 2023. He was supposed to be a lynchpin along Chicago’s offensive line, but the Bears are apparently ready to move on. Davis is a talented offensive lineman, but his pass and run blocking declined during his two seasons in Chicago.

The Steelers have dealt with injuries along their offensive line since before the start of the regular season. Pittsburgh’s rumored to be in the market for a wide receiver. The Steelers could also shop around for offensive line depth.

Darius Slayton, Giants

Best fit: Houston Texans

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Stefon Diggs season-ending ACL injury “hurts”. Nico Collins is currently on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Collins is out for at least one more game after being placed on IR in Week 5. Needless to say, the Texans have been ravaged by injuries at wide receiver.

Collins was leading the NFL in receiving yards through the first six weeks. He’ll resume his role as Houston’s No. 1 target when he returns to the lineup and Tank Dell is a solid secondary option. Regardless, it’s going to be difficult for the Texans to makeup for the loss of Diggs.

Slayton can provide some big-play ability in “H-Town.” The sixth-year wideout has five receptions of over 20 yards this year. Slayton would be the third or fourth receiving option in Houston, and he’d likely covered by the opposing team’s third or fourth best cornerback, which would give him an advantage.

Emmanuel Ogbah, Dolphins

Best fit: Atlanta Falcons

Ogbah’s produced at least 5.5 sacks in a season five times in his career. The ninth-year veteran has a high motor and is stout against the run. He’s had an increase role this year following Jaelan Phillips’ season-ending knee injury. But Ogbah turns 31 a day after the trade deadline, his contract expires after this year and the team recently signed veteran Tyus Bowser off the Seahawks’ practice squad.

Losers of five of their last six games, the Dolphins could offload talent if they feel this season is swimming away from them.

The Falcons have an NFL-low six sacks this season. Atlanta traded for Matthew Judon in August. However, Judon’s generated just 1.5 sacks. Judon’s seen his fair share of chip blocks and an occasional double teams. The Falcons can assist Judon by adding another veteran pass rusher opposite him.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.