NFL trade deadline predictions 2026: Projected landing spots for Jonathan Taylor, Daniel Jones, more

NFL trade deadline predictions 2026: Projected landing spots for Jonathan Taylor, Daniel Jones, more originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Everyone’s hoping for some busy wheelin’ and dealin’ ahead of the Nov. 10 NFL trade deadline. The weather is getting colder, but the stove is getting hotter as the league has embraced trades on a regular basis.

Who’s on your favorite team’s wishlist, and what are the chances it will come true? Also, which players have been rumored so much that they seem to be no longer on the block?

Blockbuster trades are no longer relegated to offseason fun or fantasy football leagues. Some big names are bound to relocate, making the second half and playoff picture even more interesting.

Who are the most likely movers to create a shakeup? Here are the boldest projections for what could come to fruition before next Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.

MORE: Ranking ideal potential deals for 12 NFL playoff contenders

17 predictions for the 2026 NFL trade deadline

Jonathan Taylor goes to the Packers

Taylor back in Wisconsin may not have been the obvious choice when the Colts started to stink and kicked off the trade rumors. The Vikings have been attached most, with the Broncos and Giants (Taylor is a New Jersey native) among the other potential suitors.

But the Packers‘ off-field situation with their fading on-field workhorse, Josh Jacobs, is slowly turning into the most uncomfortable situation. Their struggles in the running game are tied largely to the blocking. They also have been most comfortable throwing a ton with Jordan Love, facilitated by the dynamic breakout wideout duo of Christian Watson and Matthew Golden.

They need, however, a big-play running element and a reliable three-down back who can provide extra punch in that prolific passing game. With how well the Packers stretch the field with their receivers, Taylor is better positioned to reel off chunk runs to complement that than Jacobs is. This would be a popular move with the fans and would not cost the Packers a first-round draft pick. It also would be huge on the field to replace a key missing ingredient.

Travis Register-Imagn Images

Daniel Jones goes to the Vikings

While the Raiders seem unwilling to budge on sending Kirk Cousins back to Minnesota, don’t forget that Jones also had a brief post-Giants stint there before his first-half breakout play for the Colts last season. Although Jones, taken after Kyler Murray in the same first round of the 2019 draft, doesn’t feel like a real QB upgrade, it’s clear he profiles better as a passing fit in Kevin O’Connell’s offense. There’s some smoke about the Vikings trying to make him either the Seahawks‘ 2025 or Vikings’ 2024 version of Sam Darnold.

Jones’ stock has fallen with a shaky supporting cast beyond Taylor and tight end Tyler Warren, hampering him further in his return from a torn Achilles. He is on a sinking ship and must take a Langskip to the land of Skol to be lifted by a rising tide and much better support from the defense and offensive structure.

Brian Thomas Jr. goes to the Giants

The Jaguars got Thomas into the end zone against the Colts in Week 8, but for the most part he’s been a limited part of their passing game under Liam Coen. He’s far removed from his rookie dominance, which came a lot more with Mac Jones at QB than Trevor Lawrence. He could use a jolt with a change of scene. Why not join his former LSU teammate and 2024 first-round draft mate Malik Nabers? New York needs to be more aggressive to ensure it wins the NFC East with J.J. McCarthy replacing Jaxson Dart. Getting Thomas’ big play and red-zone threat playing off Nabers and tight end Isaiah Likely in a more regular role would be fun to watch.

MORE: Why the Cowboys should — and should not — trade George Pickens

George Pickens stays with the Cowboys

Pickens is a difficult player to move, with a significant remaining cap hit on his $27.298 million one-year franchise tag. The Cowboys have had reason to pause with his dropping stats, and that will also make other teams think about whether Pickens is a one-season dominant wonder.

Riq Woolen goes to the Bills

The Bills are desperate for some secondary help, and Woolen can help them cover the big slot better while also increasing their big plays on the ball with his 6-4, 210-pound frame. Woolen can be volatile and give up his share of big plays, but he can work better in a defense that can tee off more with its offense taking control of games in the second half.

Budda Baker goes to the Jaguars

The Jaguars just lost starting safety Eric Murray to a season-ending elbow injury and need a strong, playmaking partner to pair with Antonio Johnson. Baker’s clean-up presence and playmaking ability would be ideal for Anthony Campanile’s defense and create a huge upgrade.

(Kyle Terada, USA Today)

Derwin James stays with the Chargers 

James, edge rushers Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu and cornerback Donte Jackson are a lot of defensive pieces to put on the block for a winless team. The Chargers are most reluctant to move James because of how everything could further fall apart, given that offensive turnovers have been the much bigger issue.

MORE:SN’s midseason All-Pro team

Khalil Mack goes to the Bears

The Chargers are trending toward only moving one piece. The Bears trading for Mack would mean they are sticking with the decision to go all-in on the defense after getting elite defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons in a blockbuster with the Titans. Mack’s double reunion with the Bears and his original Raiders coach Dennis Allen is too good not to come through.

Jauan Jennings goes to the Rams

The Rams need an experienced route-runner and good-hands target to better support Puka Nacua with Davante Adams indefinitely out with a hamstring injury. His crossover experience in the 49ers’ offense can help him execute for Sean McVay, though Jennings insists he is happy in Minnesota after rejecting a 49ers reunion. 

Josh Sweat goes to the Packers

Sweat cashed in well after starring for Jonathan Gannon’s defense in the Eagles’ run to Super Bowl 57. The Cardinals aren’t close to contending, and Sweat can go help a potential playoff power with his pass rush. While Green Bay keeps waiting on Micah Parsons, it needs pass-rush help and Sweat would reunite with Gannon there, too.

Jadeveon Clowney goes to the Commanders

Clowney didn’t get a chance to play with Dan Quinn while on Dallas’ defense, but the veteran mercenary pass rusher and outside run stopper is likely leaving Houston a second time to join his eighth NFL team. Washington needs him a little more up front and Dallas is now more unlikely to add Clowney for a second stint.

YaYa Diaby goes to the Seahawks

The Seahawks feel their lack of ideal pass-rush depth for Mike Macdonald. They have already been aggressive in upgrading the offensive front with guard Quenton Nelson. Adding the Buccaneers’ rising star would 

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Jerry Jeudy goes to the Falcons

The Falcons are trending toward not making a big splash to help Drake London at wide receiver with either Pickens or Thomas but can make this effective, subtle move for depth, given Jeudy has already been immersed in the offense of Atlanta’s Kevin Stefanski and Tommy Rees while playing for Cleveland. Jeudy would provide some needed slot punch working off London and tight end Kyle Pitts.

Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson stay with the Jets

Should the Jets be moving both veteran offensive stars? Yes. Will they? Sadly, no. Signing Hall to a three-year deal has become a big mistake given his injury issues and how well Braelon Allen has played as the replacement workhorse. The Jets also have something cooking with young wide receivers Omar Cooper Jr. (rookie first-rounder) and Adonai Mitchell (part of the Sauce Gardner trade), plus two good young tight ends, Kenyon Sadiq and Mason Taylor.

The Jets have two serious assets who can help contenders a lot when healthy. Instead, they’re stuck with two contracts for players who haven’t helped them win much.

Saquon Barkley and Dallas Goedert stay with the Eagles

Another team trading for one of two veterans with a lot of mileage who is starting to slow down as big playmakers makes little sense. Barkley also carries a significant contract and might be the only reason that Philadelphia can be somewhat competent on offense. Goedert will turn 32 in January and has gone from field-stretcher to predominant short-area target with red zone flashes. 

Maxx Crosby stays with the Raiders

There is little chance that Crosby is traded twice in the same year with the offseason deal with the Ravens having fallen through. That earlier 2026 experience says the team and player really want to stay together. Outside of the hometown Lions, there is no other place than Detroit that would be acceptable for him to leave Las Vegas.

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