NFL teams aren't waiting until the eleventh hour to reshape their fortunes with external help.
The annual trade deadline is more than three weeks away, but several franchises have already engineered significant swaps to bolster their short-term outlook. After the New York Giants added an insurance policy
at quarterback with J.J. McCarthy, the Dallas Cowboys ramped things up by securing cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from the Pittsburgh Steelers. With the Baltimore Ravens acquiring center Cam Jurgens and the Houston Texans rolling the dice on wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., the action hasn't shown any signs of letting up.Who could be next to pull off a sizable deal? Though it remains to be seen which players are on the block, several teams have
strong incentive to add talent at key areas of need as they try to firm up their playoff credentials.
Here are seven teams that should be buyers at this year's trade deadline, regardless of whether they opt to pull off any bold moves.
Buffalo Bills
There's no hiding the massive vulnerability on the back end of the Bills' defense. While cornerback Christian Benford has admirably tried to power through a toe injury, teams have zeroed in on the spot opposite him. Neither 2025 first-rounder Maxwell Hairston nor rookie Davison Igbinosun looks up to the task of slowing opponents for an otherwise Super Bowl-capable roster. Buffalo has now allowed 30-plus points in three of its wins and ranks 30th in total defensive expected points added per play and 28th in defensive EPA per dropback, according to Next Gen Stats.
To avoid weekly shootouts, the Bills almost assuredly will need to search for outside help. The Philadelphia Eagles' Riq Woolen would be a high-upside rental if he became available, while Rasul Douglas, who played for Buffalo from 2023-24, could be a more stable option. Brandon Beane should also be on the hunt for any possible additions at safety or linebacker to patch up a defense that's been wholly unreliable over the middle.
Kansas City Chiefs
Amid incessant calls for splashy moves, Kansas City has typically settled for more subdued in-season moves. In recent years, however, general manager Brett Veach has kept tabs on the market and occasionally opted to add depth at key areas of need.
Returning to that route would certainly make sense as a means of bolstering an undefeated team that, despite rediscovering its offensive spark, still could use some help. Though Kansas City brought back a familiar figure in wide receiver Justin Watson, it would benefit from adding a more dangerous deep threat to help fill the void left by Tyquan Thornton suffering a dislocated ankle. But finding a short-term fix capable of stretching the field without breaking the bank could prove difficult. Meanwhile, a pass rush that ranks last in the NFL in sack rate (2.5%) and 19th in pressure rate bears watching. Though rookie edge rusher R Mason Thomas has shown some promising flashes, continuing to rely on George Karlaftis to hold down the group could be a form of courting disaster come playoff time.
Detroit Lions
An embattled secondary ratcheted up the man coverage against the Arizona Cardinals and finally looked at home. Still, even with Brian Branch coming back, it's difficult to trust a group that has the fourth-worst defensive EPA per dropback, according to Next Gen Stats. And with Detroit having tallied a league-leading 20 sacks, a pass rush that's integral to the team's hopes might already be maxed out.
But finding high-level secondary help around midseason isn't easy. With Porter having been dealt, there aren't many acquirable cornerbacks who could actually help out a new team. If Kansas City sees Kristian Fulton as superfluous to a back end already embracing a youth movement, the veteran could make sense as a target for Detroit. Donte Jackson also could be a consideration if the Los Angeles Chargers continue to slide and entertain a sell-off. With both players in the final year of their deals, the cost and risk involved with any acquisition should be relatively limited.
San Francisco 49ers
Still undefeated, San Francisco has emerged as the preeminent power in the NFC West. But no organization has a better understanding of the toll that injuries can take than the 49ers, who have already weathered several short- and long-term losses at key areas.
With some notable receivers – such as the Cleveland Browns' Jerry Jeudy, Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Chris Godwin, Tennessee Titans' Calvin Ridley and Chargers' Quentin Johnston – potentially available, Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch should keep tabs on their options. But reuniting with Jauan Jennings might be a more reasonable stopgap solution to keep the offense afloat until rookie De'Zhaun Stribling returns late in the year from an ankle injury. The veteran pass catcher hasn't carved out a role for himself with the Vikings, catching just two passes for 9 yards. Given his familiarity with Shanahan's offense and his established rapport with Brock Purdy after spending the previous five years with the team, Jennings would be able to adapt far quicker than most in joining the offense around midseason. And while Keion White has performed admirably as a fill-in, an edge rush that hinges on Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams' return to health could stand for a more formidable insurance plan.
Los Angeles Rams
Unlike other organizations, the Rams can't shroud their intentions with an air of mystery. General manager Les Snead made explicit last February that Los Angeles would spare no expense to elevate its short-term title hopes in whatever remains of Matthew Stafford's career. But things have hardly gone as planned, with the supposed superteam sinking to 2-3 as Myles Garrett remains out with a knee injury.
If the Rams want to be buyers, they have limited currency to spend. Beyond being without their first- and third-round selections next year and their second-round selection in 2028, the team has just $724,000 in available cap space, according to Over The Cap. Still, adding a long-needed tertiary receiving threat could help avert another late-season tailspin if either Puka Nacua or Davante Adams gets hurt or tails off down the stretch.
Seattle Seahawks
John Schneider has swung significant deals ahead of the deadline in each of the last three years, acquiring defensive tackle Leonard Williams, linebacker Ernest Jones IV and wide receiver Rashid Shaheed. The first two were cornerstones of the Super Bowl 60 championship team, while Shaheed has made a far bigger mark as a returner than a pass catcher for Seattle.
Might another deal be in the works? Seattle surely could stand to diversify its offense and reduce its reliance on reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who has more than twice as many targets (50) as any other player on the roster and more than four times as many receiving yards (a league-best 583) as the next closest teammate. But unless Schneider can pry Brian Thomas Jr. from the Jacksonville Jaguars, there might not be a figure out there who truly changes the complexion of the passing attack. A running game that's languishing amid injuries has been a disappointment, but Seattle might be content to scrape by until Zach Charbonnet makes his season debut in the coming weeks.
Minnesota Vikings
Fun as it might be to imagine importing Justin Herbert to Kevin O'Connell's attack, there's very likely no cavalry coming here. Minnesota can't – and shouldn't – expect any one figure, particularly an external one, to rescue an offense that ranks 27th in EPA per play, according to Next Gen Stats.
But that doesn't mean that an undefeated team needing to stave off the rest of the hypercompetitive NFC North should shut itself out of trade talks entirely. The best way to assist Kyler Murray at this point in the season might be buttressing the rushing attack, which had its best outing yet against the New Orleans Saints and could return running back Jordan Mason after the bye. With offensive guard Donovan Jackson out for the year and tight end Josh Oliver, a blocking specialist, on injured reserve for the foreseeable future, the Vikings should at least scour the market for any bargain options at either spot.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 7 NFL teams that should be buyers at 2026 trade deadline, including Chiefs
