The L.A. Rams schedule has led them to being in a unique position just before the trade deadline: If they beat the Saints, they could be the final push that gets New Orleans to trade a player or two before Tuesday’s deadline. Maybe even right over to the Rams. Heck, the player could just stay in L.A. after the game.
Conversely, if the Saints pull a massive upset over the Rams, perhaps this will convince the New Orleans front office to stand pat and see what happens with new quarterback Tyler Shough.
Which Saints could be on the trade block?
Receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed have been mentioned this week, again, as well as the obvious Alvin Kamara. But moving offensive players presents as a problem if head coach Kellen Moore wants to give Shough the best chance to succeed. If the Saints trade any combination of Olave, Shaheed, Kamara, or Brandin Cooks, they’re not leaving much food in the pantry for their rookie starting quarterback.
Or worse yet, they’re asking him to make Brandin Cooks be the number one receiver.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has also suggested that guard Cesar Ruiz could be available too, perhaps the name that would be most interesting to Rams fans. Anything along the offensive line would be notable.
On defense, the Saints could be open to trading cornerback Alontae Taylor and linebacker Pete Warner, according to Fowler.
The Saints are 1-7 and currently in position to pick first in the 2026 draft. If the Rams help them get to 1-8, what harm would it really do for New Orleans to rip apart the team for cap space, draft picks, and flexibility? Well, it could do a lot of harm to Shough’s development. But keeping these players in place could be even worse.
Do you think the Rams should swing a trade for any of these Saints players? Or Spencer Rattler?
These are other trade deadline sellers to monitor this week:
2-5 Ravens at 2-6 Dolphins – Thursday Night Football
It would be a little surprising if the Ravens traded off good players because the Steelers don’t have a strangehold on the division lead. In fact, Baltimore might be the most likely team to win the AFC North if Pittsburgh slips up given the Bengals horrific defense and injury problems at quarterback. The Ravens might even be BUYERS at the deadline, especially if they beat the Dolphins tonight.
Miami is reportedly open to trading Bradley Chubb, but Fowler says that Miami is not that likely to part with any key players at the deadline. We’ll see about that.
If the Dolphins beat the Ravens, it could keep Mike Macdonald’s job safe for a little while longer. But that would do a lot of damage to Baltimore. If the Ravens beat the Dolphins, Miami could be tied for the worst record in the league. Are they open to parting with Jaylen Waddle if that happens?
4-3 Bears at 3-5 Bengals
Cincinnati is not going to trade anybody if they beat the Bears because as I just said, they could still win the AFC North and reach the playoffs with a healthy Joe Burrow. However, what if they lose to Chicago? Then Trey Hendrickson’s availability — potentially to an NFC West division rival like the 49ers or Seahawks — becomes a little bit more probable.
5-3 49ers at 2-6 Giants
If the Giants lose this game and fall to 2-7, Brian Daboll has to be a little bit more concerned about his job security. In which case, maybe New York will entertain more trade offers at the deadline. Quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston have been mentioned, as has pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux. Draft bust Evan Neal is out there too. But there’s also the chance that the Giants want to be trade buyers because Jaxon Dart doesn’t have any good receivers to throw to.
If New York upsets the 49ers, it could be double-good for the Rams.
5-3 Chargers at 1-7 Titans
The Titans already traded Roger McCreary to the Rams and Jarvis Brownlee to the Jets, but they probably aren’t done yet. ESPN has mentioned Calvin Ridley, Tony Pollard, Chigoziem Okonkwo, T’Vondre Sweat, and Arden Key as other players who could be on the block. At this point, it’s more important for the Titans to get a high draft pick who can help Cam Ward in 2026 than it is to win games.
4-3 Jaguars at 2-5 Raiders
Some people think that the Raiders are the worst team in the NFL despite their two wins. Pete Carroll teams are rarely in this position, but selling players at the deadline seems realistic, especially receiver Jakobi Meyers. The name every other team wants to hear is Maxx Crosby, but he’s repeatedly stated a desire to be with the Raiders. Has that changed given their constant place at the bottom of the standings?
And don’t count out the Jaguars from trading away more players. Jacksonville is almost certainly not going to catch up to the Colts in the AFC South. They traded away Tyson Campbell and the new regime has no connection to any players drafted or signed prior to 2025, including Brian Thomas. A loss to the Raiders could certainly compel Jacksonville to make more trade deadline deals.
Would you be rooting for the Jaguars to take a loss and perhaps be open to trading players away? Or could it be better to see the Raiders drop another game?
