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Maxx Crosby and Bryce Young headline 10 potential NFL trades we’d like to see
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Maxx Crosby and Bryce Young headline 10 potential NFL trades we’d like to see

We know that Tuesday, November 5th, is an extremely important day in America.

Apparently it’s the NFL trade deadline and football fans got a taste of what could be in store this week with a number of moves, most notably the trade of Davante Adams to the Jets and Amari Cooper to the Bills.

(2024 NFL trade deadline tracker: Latest deals across the league)

Will there be any bigger names this season? For teams that have previously disappointed, trading a prominent player is a chance to replenish with draft picks. If you have a pending free agent who you believe will sign elsewhere in March, this is an opportunity to make a pick now rather than waiting for a compensatory pick in 2026. And if you’re a contender who’s close, this is your chance to push the chips to the middle of the table and make the most of the window in front of you.

That’s why we’re introducing you to the ten biggest names that could be traded, where they could end up, and what it might cost to get them.

Max CrosbyOLB, robber

The 27-year-old Crosby is an elite edge rusher the likes of which are not actually available in free agency or through the trades. He has made the Pro Bowl three years in a row, led the NFL in tackles for loss the last two years and is leading the NFL in that category again this year. With the Raiders trading Adams, one wonders if they would listen to offers for Crosby just because they could get a huge package of picks – a first-rounder and more.

The instinct here is that cooler heads will prevail and the Raiders will keep him as a base player. But if a team like Detroit was truly looking for a substantial replacement for Aidan Hutchinson, who could miss the season with a broken leg, Crosby would be the trump card.

Possible match: Crosby to the Lions for a 2025 first-round pick and a 2026 second-round pick

Bryce YoungQB, Panthers

Would they really cut bait and move on from the No. 1 overall pick? The Panthers have been a different team since trading for Andy Dalton, and if they stick with the veteran quarterback, it’s probably better to sign Young now than in the offseason.

If you have a team without the QB of the future, betting on Young is low-risk and low-cost – basically two years and $10 million after this season. The Panthers could wait until they sign a quarterback in April, but then the demand might not be as great. A team like the Dolphins, unsure if they can count on Tua Tagovailoa due to multiple concussions, would have a cost-effective Plan B that would at least improve their backup situation.

Possible match: Young to the Dolphins, for 2025 third- and sixth-round picks

Shawne Merriman on Bryce Young: “He was doomed to walk out the door”

Shawne Merriman on Bryce Young:

Haason ReddickOLB, Jets

We’re six weeks into the 2024 season and Reddick hasn’t even practiced for New York since the team acquired him from the Eagles. So you don’t know what condition he’ll be in and whether he’ll need a few weeks to get up to speed. Plus, you get half a season and any trade would require a long-term commitment with a new contract.

The Jets have lost all leverage here, so they have to know they won’t get back the third-rounder they sent to the Eagles. At some point you just sell at a low price to make a profit. Of the contenders, the 49ers have the most room to negotiate a new contract, although they will soon need to sign their own stars with the same amount of room.

Possible match: Reddick to the 49ers for a 2025 fourth-round pick

DeAndre HopkinsWR, Titans

Hopkins is 32 years old and had modest production this year, totaling 14 catches for 175 yards and a touchdown amid Tennessee’s offensive woes. He’s a free agent in the spring, so he’s probably done with the Titans either way.

At 2-4 and with four straight losses heading into Thursday night’s game against Denver, it’s hard to see the Saints as buyers, but with Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed both out with injuries, Hopkins would be the No. 1 short-term pick at high Throughput tenure and a veteran target for Derek Carr once he’s healthy again.

Possible match: Hopkins to the Saints for a 2025 seventh-round pick

Budda BakerS, Cardinals

If the Cardinals lose to the Chargers on Monday, they drop to 2-5, making them sellers. Baker has played his entire eight-year career in Arizona but will be a free agent in the spring, so he’s a smart addition to a team looking for a veteran leader in the secondary.

Baker is a three-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler. At age 28, he is still a tackling machine, with 60 tackles in six games and three tackles for a loss. Send him to Minnesota, and the Vikings could pair him with Harrison Smith and Cam Bynum in a high-profile three-safety look.

Possible match: Baker to the Vikings for a 2025 fourth-round pick

Mike WilliamsWR, Jets

Williams is 30 and the odd man out as the Jets add Adams to an already strong receiving corps. His $10 million salary and mediocre production – 10 catches for 145 yards and no touchdowns in six games – mean New York would likely have to eat up some of his remaining salary to get a team to keep him for the rest committed to this season.

Williams could be a veteran presence for a team with a young receiver room. Here’s hoping he gets dealt to a contender since he’s only played in two playoff games in his first seven years in the league.

Possible match: Williams to the Steelers for a late-round 2026 pick swap

After the Jets’ loss, did Aaron Rodgers cross the finish line and call out Mike Williams?

After the Jets' loss, did Aaron Rodgers cross the finish line and call out Mike Williams?

Greg NewsomeCB, Tan

The Browns are so bad that they should be sellers here, and they could make a deal out of a surplus at corner. It’s doubtful they would trade Denzel Ward or Martin Emerson, but perhaps they could ditch Newsome, a 2021 first-rounder who has fallen into a slot role. His fifth-year option will see him pay handsomely in 2025, but for a team that will use him in an all-down role, his versatility could make him a smart upgrade.

Possible match: New to the Packers, for a 2025 fourth-round pick

Diontae JohnsonWR, Panthers

The 28-year-old Johnson is the type of receiver the Chiefs need after the injuries they sustained at the position. He leads the Panthers with 29 receptions for 340 yards and three touchdowns, but they could beat him and still have rookie Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo and veteran Adam Thielen.

Johnson will be expensive as a second-tier free agent next spring, but Kansas City needs reliable targets for Patrick Mahomes in the postseason. Whether he stays there long-term or not, it makes sense now.

Possible match: Johnson to the Chiefs for a 2025 fifth-round pick

Azeez OjulariOLB, Giants

He’s only 24 years old and will be a coveted free agent in the spring, but the Giants have already signed Brian Burns, so Ojulari will likely sign elsewhere. He has three sacks and is on pace for his best season since his rookie year, when he had eight.

The Giants are 2-4 and if they lose to the Eagles this week, they could be in selling mode. A team like the Falcons, who are tied for the lead in points but are last in the NFL with five sacks, would make sense here. Even though they have already traded for Matthew Judon, they need more pressure up front if they want to be a relevant playoff team.

Possible match: Ojulari to the Falcons for a 2025 fifth-round pick

Khalil HerbertRB, Bears

The 26-year-old Herbert ran for 611 yards last year and has a career average of 4.8 yards, but he is a forgotten man in Chicago, having rushed for just 16 yards all season. The Raiders could certainly use help at running back, and Herbert has a connection to Vegas offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, who was formerly the Bears’ OC. As long as D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson stay healthy in Chicago, dealer Herbert will get something for free.

Possible match: Herbert to the Raiders for a 2025 seventh-round pick

Greg Auman is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports. He previously spent a decade reporting on it privateer for the Tampa Bay Times and The Athletic. You can follow him on Twitter at @gregauman.

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