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    • Best fit with Tee Higgins, Mike Williams and other WRs
    Albany

    Best fit with Tee Higgins, Mike Williams and other WRs

    Madoc Meredith Posted on

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    The NFL trade deadline is fast approaching and teams across the league are preparing to bolster their rosters for possible playoff runs.

    The trade deadline isn’t typically one of the NFL’s busiest days. In recent years, however, teams have shown a greater willingness to make deals with big-name players, particularly at receiver. Before Week 7, the New York Jets acquired Davante Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders. At the same time, the Buffalo Bills traded Cleveland Browns receiver Amari Cooper to acquire a true No. 1 target.

    A week later, the Kansas City Chiefs acquired DeAndre Hopkins from the Tennessee Titans to bolster their thin receiver room. On Tuesday, October 29th, exactly one week before the trade deadline, the Baltimore Ravens acquired veteran wideout Diontae Johnson from the Carolina Panthers.

    DIONTAE JOHNSON TRADE: The Ravens are reportedly getting WR from the Panthers

    Still, there could be more wide receiver trades before the Nov. 5 deadline. It doesn’t sound like Cooper Kupp will be traded before the deadline after the Los Angeles Rams’ mini-winning streak. Christian Kirk is no longer on the market after suffering a season-ending collarbone injury in Week 8.

    Still, trade rumors mention some big-name wideouts, while a handful of role players could also move.

    Which receivers are most likely to be traded before the 2024 NFL trade deadline? Here’s a breakdown of the league’s WR market and a look at the best fits and potential landing spots for these top trade candidates.

    NFL TRADE CANDIDATES: 16 players who could be on the roster before the 2024 deadline

    The Bengals enter Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season at 3-5 and in third place in the AFC North. They have the talent necessary to advance to the playoffs, as they have often done under Zac Taylor, but if there is any doubt about their ability to get there, Higgins could be left behind.

    Higgins is a free agent after the 2024 NFL season, and the Cincinnati Bengals are unlikely to retain the 6-4, 219-pound receiver. They have yet to sign Ja’Marr Chase to a lucrative, long-term contract extension, so paying Higgins his wages won’t be easy given Joe Burrow’s massive contract.

    The Commanders would be a strong landing spot for Higgins. They have a quality receiver in Terry McLaurin, but quarterback Jayden Daniels could use a physical counterpart to the speedy route-running technician. Higgins would check that box and would be easy enough for Washington to afford, as the Commanders have $121.45 million in cap space for 2025, according to OverTheCap.com.

    NFL TRADE DEADLINE: Five teams that should be sellers in 2024

    The Jets traded for Davante Adams before the 2024 NFL trade deadline, pushing Williams into the No. 4 receiver role in New York. Given his production history, size and cost (he’s on a one-year deal worth up to $10 million), that should make him an attractive trade candidate.

    Williams would pair very well with Russell Wilson. The veteran quarterback likes to throw the ball deep, and the 6-4, 218-pound receiver would join George Pickens in forming one of the NFL’s best jump-ball tandems.

    Williams has a checkered injury history, but given his expiring contract, the Steelers wouldn’t risk much by acquiring him. Williams may not be the Brandon Aiyuk-type receiver the Steelers were hoping for in 2024, but Williams could give Pittsburgh enough offense to win a playoff game for the first time since 2016. That makes a deal for Omar Khan and Co. definitely worthwhile.

    The Buccaneers appeared to be a strong playoff contender through the first six weeks of the season. Then Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were injured in the team’s Week 7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, and both are expected to be out long-term.

    Evans (hamstring injury) will be out at least until the team’s bye in Week 11. Godwin (ankle) is likely out for the season unless there is a chance of a miracle return in the postseason. To reach January, the Buccaneers will likely need to add a veteran receiver to replace Evans and Godwin and complement the young receiver talent Tampa Bay has on its roster.

    While Diontae Johnson would have been a good fit for the Buccaneers, they missed out on him. They could pursue a receiver like Higgins if they want an impactful option. However, getting a player like Osborn at a bargain price would also make sense, especially considering Cade Otton’s continued breakthrough at tight end.

    Osborn didn’t do much with the New England Patriots this year, but the 27-year-old averaged 53 catches, 615 yards and five touchdowns per year in his final three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. That should make him a good backup No. 2 receiver (and No. 3 target behind Evans and Otton) for the rest of the year.

    MIKE EVANS INJURY UPDATE: How long will the Buccaneers wide receiver be out?

    The Eagles have one of the best receiver tandems in the NFL. AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith are a formidable duoand along with Dallas Goedert and Saquon Barkley, they Give Philadelphia the weapons it needs to be a Super Bowl contender.

    Other than that, the Eagles don’t have much more than these two receivers. They traded a package including a third-round pick in 2025 for Commanders receiver Jahan Dotson, but he caught just six passes for 35 yards through Week 8. That’s not exactly receiver No. 3 material.

    Slayton would better fit that billing for the Eagles. The six-year veteran has rushed for at least 724 yards or more in four of his five full seasons despite largely working alongside Daniel Jones as the starting quarterback. With Jalen Hurts, Slayton would see more accurate targets thanks to the presence of Brown and Smith while also being given more space to work with.

    Add Slayton’s speed and it looks like a strong, cost-effective and impactful acquisition. The only obstacle would be getting the Giants to trade him within the division, but New York’s 2-6 record and four games behind in the NFC East standings should ease that hurdle.

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    Madoc Meredith
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