With 5 weeks of the 2025 NFL season within the books, we’re formally greater than 1 / 4 of the way in which by way of the regular-season calendar. We’re additionally one step nearer to this 12 months’s in-season commerce deadline, which falls on Tuesday, Nov. 4, following Week 9.
However that does not imply trades cannot happen earlier than the deadline and that is precisely what occurred on Tuesday when the Bengals addressed their messy quarterback state of affairs by buying veteran Joe Flacco from the Browns.
Loads of scrappy playoff contenders, just like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, could possibly be out there for midyear reinforcements. In the meantime loads of struggling groups, just like the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets, could possibly be eyeing alternatives to build up draft assets for the longer term.
With that in thoughts, listed below are seven notable names to observe within the lead-up to this 12 months’s commerce deadline, together with a former Professional Bowler at quarterback and a large receiver who’s already been dealt 4 totally different occasions in his profession:
New York is reportedly in no rush to maneuver on from Wilson after benching the veteran for rookie Jaxson Dart, however what if there’s one crew determined sufficient for last-gasp quarterback assist? The Bengals appeared like an ideal touchdown spot for Wilson till they pulled the set off on dealing for Flacco. With Cincy out of the combination, how a couple of reunion with Pete Carroll? The Raiders are off to a 1-4 begin beneath turnover-prone Geno Smith with Kenny Pickett ready within the wings.
Potential touchdown spots: Raiders
New York declined to provide a lot thought to a possible Corridor commerce previous to the season, preferring to maintain the backfield properly stocked. Now the Jets are 0-4, and whereas fellow working again Braelon Allen’s harm has assured an uptick in motion, time is working out for Aaron Glenn’s squad to even sniff relevance in 2025. Contemporary off a 100-yard outing in Week 5, is not it potential Corridor truly has extra worth to Gang Inexperienced as a commerce chip, contemplating he is as a result of hit free company after the season anyway?
Potential touchdown spots: Cardinals, Chargers, Chiefs
Meyers requested a commerce previous to the season earlier than accepting his destiny as Las Vegas’ most trusted perimeter goal. The Raiders do not look like going anyplace anytime quickly, nevertheless, with Geno Smith throwing decide after decide as Pete Carroll’s handpicked veteran quarterback. Is Carroll able to wave the white flag on his first 12 months in silver and black? In all probability not. However Meyers is not prone to stick round for the long run anyway. He is perhaps of extra worth to a crew that may nonetheless dream of a playoff push.
Potential touchdown spots: Cardinals, Falcons, Steelers
The Cooks who as soon as dominated as a multipurpose weapon in New Orleans is lengthy gone; the veteran is now 32 and sparingly used as a short-yardage outlet. Nonetheless, Cooks has a historical past of bouncing round as a plug-and-play fill-in, and different golf equipment would possibly like his expertise for a late-year push. The Saints, in the meantime, are in full rebuild mode as Spencer Rattler holds down the fort at quarterback. They’ve little purpose to retain Cooks past 2025, and it is potential they might nonetheless get a decide for his companies.
Potential touchdown spots: Broncos, Jaguars, Steelers
Cleveland out of the blue has a beacon of sunshine beneath middle because of rookie Dillon Gabriel’s composed first begin. Njoku performed a giant function in Gabriel’s first prolonged NFL motion, too, amassing six passes for 67 yards and a rating in Week 5. Nonetheless, as a pending free agent, the veteran tight finish has an unclear future with the franchise. That is particularly the case with rookie Harold Fannin Jr. rising as a fellow move catching menace on the place. Njoku would possibly welcome an opportunity to work in tandem for an precise contender.
Potential touchdown spots: Chargers, Commanders, Rams
Miami has a possible predicament at move rusher: Each Chubb and Jaelan Phillips (extra on him beneath) are cornerstones of the defensive entrance, and the previous is main the cost with 4 sacks in 5 video games this 12 months. Chubb can also be approaching 30 with a major harm historical past and an costly price ticket for 2026 and past. Dealing him would additional strip an ailing Miami protection of its remaining expertise, however at 1-4, the Dolphins is perhaps careening towards one other overhaul because it stands.
Potential touchdown spots: Broncos, Colts, Eagles
If the Dolphins are going to maintain considered one of Chubb or Phillips, there’s some long-term purpose for it to be the latter, as he is roughly three years youthful. However what if Miami is worried about committing large bucks to a man who’s struggled to remain wholesome, when Chubb is at present reaffirming his place as a defensive chief? Somewhat than await Phillips to check free company after the season, maybe the Dolphins would promote the previous first-round draft decide as a midseason rental for a crew in want of added move speeding juice.
Potential touchdown spots: Eagles, Jaguars, Raiders
