Trade Bait

By: Josh Frey-Sam

The Niners are in the market for an edge rusher, the Giants and Steelers are looking for a receiver and the Chargers *might* want a running back.

The NFL trade deadline is less than three weeks away, but the rumour mill has been fired up for a couple of weeks now.

What makes things interesting is that there are currently 21 teams with at least three wins, muddying the difference between the contenders and the pretenders.

One thing is clear: we know who the bottom feeders are.

The NFL trade deadline normally isn’t a wild day on the calendar, but I think we could see an active deadline this year, with the number of franchises that are in tough spots organizationally and where some players are in their contracts.

Here are some players that could be on the move by Nov. 5.

RB Breece Hall, New York Jets

He’s a free agent next season and his time in New York has appeared to run its course. Breece has shown a lot of juice this year, however, and could be a huge boon for any team in need of a running back.

I’d keep an eye on the Chiefs and Chargers here.

WR Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins

Waddle still has three years left on his deal after this season, but the Dolphins are about to reach a tipping point where the franchise could clean house and look for a total restart. There are already rumours about teams inquiring about Waddle, including the Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants and the Buffalo Bills.

EDGE Cam Jordan, New Orleans Saints

This could be Jordan’s last year in the NFL. He’s 36 years old and in the last year of his deal.

Perhaps he wants to finish his career in NOLA, or maybe he’d be ok trying to chase a ring. Either way, his name needs to be mentioned here.

He’s a respected veteran and leader, and has shown he can still get after the quarterback a bit.

Detroit Lions, Niners and Colts all make sense here.

WR Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders

Something is not clicking for Meyers in Vegas this year. He was expected to be the clear No.1 WR in this offence (but No. 3 weapon behind Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty), but even with Bowers out, he hasn’t produced.

Meyers, 28, is in the last year of his deal and has shown he can be a realible No. 2 in an offence.

I think about the Washington Commanders and Steelers as potential landing spots for Meyers.

WR Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints

The Saints already exercised Olave’s 5th-year option for next season, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be moved.

There is obvious risk for a team taking him on, given Olave’s injury history, but there’s no denying the talent.

A fresh start could be exactly what he needs at 25.

I wonder if the Seahawks could be interested in pairing him with Ohio State teammate JSN.

TE David Njoku, Cleveland Browns

There was a rumour early in the year that the Niners might kick tires on Njoku, with George Kittle sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Who knows, maybe that’s still a possibility.

He’s 29 and in the last year of his deal. It might take a special situation or an injury to make it happen, but with the Browns’ current state and the emergence of rookie Harold Fannin Jr., I wouldn’t be shocked to see Njoku on the move.

QB Russell Wilson, New York Giants

No, I don’t think the Giants would trade Jameis Winston. It’s Russ or nothing.

Honestly, the QB market is probably going to be dry unless there is an injury or a situation like the one in Cincinnati.

And with what Russ has put on tape this year, I’m not even sure he’d be the first guy teams would call about.

QB Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons

Remember Kirko?

There were talks he could be shipped before the season started, but those fizzled. There were calls for him to start a couple of weeks into the regular season too, but those were also laid to rest.

Once again, I think this would take a special situation or an injury for this to come to fruition. I also think it might take a significant offer for the Falcons to listen. At 3-2, they have their sights on making the playoffs, and I think they are ok having Kirk as their backup plan.

A few honourable mentions that will be floated around over the next few weeks: RB Alvin Kamara, WR Rasheed Shaheed, WR Brandin Cooks, WR Calvin Ridley, EDGE Jermaine Johnson, EDGE Kingsley Enagbare, LB Logan Wilson, CB Riq Woolen.

Thanks for reading and, as always, have a great day.

Josh