The NFL trade deadline used to be another overlooked date on the calendar. In-season deals were infrequent and often involved veterans with minor name value.
That's changed in recent years. The cutoff date was pushed back, allowing more teams to divine whether they were buyers or sellers. This year has already seenJeffery Simmons become a Chicago Bear
and Quenton Nelson depart Indiana for the Pacific Northwest. More former All-Pros could be on the move.The 2026 NFL trade deadline is November 10 at 4 p.m. Eastern. That leaves plenty of room for teams to jockey for position and figure out whether or not a move is necessary with roughly half the season in their rear view. A flurry of deals could shake up both the playoff race and next spring's draft
order -- all while fueling talk radio for weeks.
Let's look at 10 big name veterans who could be on the move before November 10. Starting with a Colts' lifer who could be swept out in the middle of a regime change in Indiana.
1. RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Taylor is on pace for a typical season by his standards -- a lot of carries, a lot of yards and a lot of touchdowns. He's been the only constant in the Indianapolis offense, though his efficiency has waned in his age 27 season.
After racking up at least 190 rushing yards over expected (RYOE) in 2024 and 2025, that number is down to three through eight games of 2026. We saw what he could do with a functioning passing offense early last season, however, before Daniel Jones' injury and a 44-year-old Philip Rivers derailed a potential All-Pro campaign. He could have a similar impact for a contender this winter.
2. WR Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
Thomas had more than 1,200 receiving yards as a rookie in 2024. He has 117 in seven games this fall. He's fallen out of the offense in favor of Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers and Brenton Strange. He's runfewer than 15 routes in more than half his appearances.
But Thomas is only 24 years old. He's playing out a relatively inexpensive rookie contract. Jacksonville says it won't trade him. A change of scenery may be the best outcome for all parties.
3. EDGE Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers
Mack's output has slowed recently, but he was a force in September. He generated 16 pressures and three sacks in the first four weeks of the season. At 35 years old he's unlikely to get back to that pace full time, but can be a devastating presence for a playoff team.
4. EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu, Los Angeles Chargers
Tuipulotu grew steadily with the Chargers, breaking out with a 13-sack 2025 for a playoff team. While his numbers have dipped as everything goes wrong in Los Angeles, he remains a vibrant edge presence who can wreak havoc on opposing tackles.
His 15.7 percent pressure rate is on par with last season's number. He's in the final year of his rookie contract and offseason extension talks failed. If the Chargers don't think he'll re-sign, they're better off dealing him for a draft pick they can use immediately rather than wait for a 2028 compensatory selection.
5. EDGE Jermaine Johnson, Tennessee Titans
Johnson hasn't even been in Nashville half a season, but the Jeffery Simmons trade suggests almost everyone is available as the Titans stumble through another lost season. The former first round pick is inconsistent but capable of impressive highs; see his two-sack, seven-pressure performance in 44 snaps against the Colts earlier this year.
The asking price won't be prohibitive for a pending free agent. He could be a rotational difference maker with the right team.
6. WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
Downs has already requested a trade. Indianapolis seems likely to oblige. The useful slot wideout has put up career worsts in target rate (19.7 percent) and yards per route run (1.3) in an offense that's forced him to run deeper routes in order to help cover for a depleted receiving corps. Getting him back to a safety blanket role in the middle of the field could restore his former workhorse luster.
7. S Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers
James is 30 years old and has cap hits of at least $20 million over the next three years. That may put him at odds with a potential Chargers rebuild. His ability to play as a safety, slot corner or off-ball linebacker with veteran gravitas makes him an asset.
However, he hasn't played since Week 3 and, despite playing 16 games each of the last three years, carries injury concerns from early in his career. He was placed on injured reserve October 31 with a hamstring strain, but could return for a playoff push with a new team.
8. WR Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
Johnston rebounded from a brutal rookie season in 2023, but never stepped into the potential that made him a first round draft pick. He emerged as a useful WR2 before backsliding, along with everyone else, in Mike McDaniel's offense this fall.
At his best he's a downfield threat with run after catch abilities who can stretch the field and be a rising tide for his fellow targets. At his worst, he'll give you a stat line that looks like six targets and 17 yards.
9. EDGE Josh Sweat, Arizona Cardinals
Sweat's production exists in a phugoid cycle. 2026 is another down year. But the 29-year-old has two seasons with at least 11 sacks since 2022. Though his pressure rate isthe lowest it's ever been as a full-time starter, he could be a valuable piece of a contender's pass rush rotation.
10. RB Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans
Tennessee could sell high on its veteran RB1. Pollard is coming off a two-week stretch in which he's rushed for 246 yards and found the end zone five times. The Titans might sell him off anyway because they still managed to lose both those games. Pollard is 29 years old and nearing free agency. Dealing him may make life more difficult for Cam Ward, but it could be the logical conclusion to his time in Nashville.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: NFL trade rumors: The 10 biggest names on the market with 1 week to go
