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Best landing spots for best trading targets

Harry October 26, 2024

We’ve reached a time of year where some players in the NFL are changing addresses.

A number of moves were already happening ahead of the NFL’s Nov. 5 trade deadline. More deals could be on the horizon as teams try to prepare for the stretch run.

Already, Davante Adams, Amari Cooper And DeAndre Hopkins moved. Players with resumes of this quality rarely get a new jersey at this time of the season. This could mean the start of a busy trade deadline season.

What are some ideal trades we would like to see happen? USA TODAY Sports explores the top picks for players who could be on the move before the NFL trade deadline:

NFL trade deadline is the best

Optimal: Los Angeles Chargers

The Jets dropped Williams to the fourth wide receiver after acquiring Davante Adams this month. The chemistry between Aaron Rodgers and Williams is off. Even Rodgers He threw Williams under the bus Following the team’s Week 6 loss.

Williams ranks fifth on the Jets in both catches (11) and receiving yards (160). He became an afterthought in his first season in New York. Whether Williams is still able to practice in 2023 due to a torn ACL is concerning. He hasn’t shown much big-play ability since his knee injury suffered in Week 3 of last season while he was a member of the Chargers.

The Chargers desperately need an X receiver that Justin Herbert can use on third down and in the red zone. Los Angeles ranks in the bottom half of the league in passing yards and 30th in red zone efficiency. Williams had 309 catches, 4,806 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns with the Chargers. A reunion would be advantageous for both parties.

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Optimal: Dallas Cowboys

The emergence of Tank Bigsby made Etienne expendable. Bigsby leads the Jaguars in both rushing attempts and yards. He also produced four plays of over 20 yards while Etienne only had two.

Etienne is a versatile running back who can catch passes out of the backfield, but Jacksonville’s preference is to give Bigsby the football on running plays between the tackles.

The Jaguars are headed for an inevitable rebuild. An Etienne trade could provide Jacksonville with additional draft compensation. The running back has trade value around the NFL. He has surpassed 1,400 yards from scrimmage in his first two seasons and is only 25 years old.

The Cowboys rank last in the NFL in scoring offense. They average only 3.5 meters per carry. Ezekiel Elliott is past his best and Rico Dowdle is not the caliber of a starting running back. The Cowboys miss Tony Pollard, whom they let stay in free agency. Etienne would step in immediately and fill the void at RB.

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Optimal: Detroit Lions

Cleveland’s actions suggest they are sellers as the trade deadline approaches. Ahead of the Browns’ decision to trade Amari Cooper Deshaun Watson’s season-ending Achilles injury. There are rumors that the Browns are also shopping with Smith.

Smith’s four sacks tied Myles Garrett for the team record. Smith and Garrett are a formidable passing duo, but the Browns need to accumulate trade capital and unload future cap space.

The Lions have a hole on the defensive end Aidan Hutchinson’s brutal leg injury. Smith is not a passer like Hutchinson, but he is very capable of creating pressure. The Browns and Lions both play a 4-3 base defense, so Smith will have a pretty seamless transition. He also has contacts in the NFC North division, having played for the Packers and Vikings during his 10-year career.

Optimal: Los Angeles Rams

Young will start this week against the Denver Broncos, but only because he’s a veteran. QB Andy Dalton sprained his right thumb in a car accident.

There are rumors that the Panthers have a plan for Young after the quarterback was demoted after Week 2. It came at a garbage time, including the fourth quarter of Carolina’s 40-7 rout against the Commanders.

Young has a chance to tryout for other teams on the road in Denver or prove he’s worthy of being promoted back into Carolina’s starting lineup.

A change of scenery could be beneficial for Young, and McVay’s tutelage could do wonders for the 2023 1st overall pick; McVay developed every quarterback he coached. Young’s accuracy, precise passing and pocket presence were traits that made him the best point guard in the 2023 draft. But he struggled in all three areas throughout his NFL career. McVay is the type of coach who can unlock Young’s potential and restore the quarterback’s confidence.

Optimal: Baltimore Ravens

Uche reached a career-high 11.5 sacks in 2022. He has totaled five sacks since then.

The Patriots’ outside linebacker has not played more than 20 snaps in each of the last two weeks. He is more of a situational pass rusher, but can play a high volume of snaps in the right system. His name has been mentioned in trade rumors in recent weeks.

The Ravens have a history of revitalizing the careers of veteran pass rushers. Kyle Van Noy, who has a team-high seven sacks this year, is the latest example. However, the Ravens cannot expect Van Noy to continue producing at a high level at this stage of his career. Josh Uche could be a nice complement to Odafe Oweh, the Ravens’ two forwards under the age of 27.

Optimal: Pittsburgh Steelers

Davis began the year as a starter but was benched after Week 2. The Bears inactivated him in Week 6, a sign that he has fallen significantly on the depth chart.

The Bears signed the former Titan to a three-year, $30 million contract in March 2023. He was supposed to be a key role on Chicago’s offensive line, but the Bears are seemingly ready to move on. Davis is a talented offensive lineman, but his pass and run blocking has diminished over his two seasons in Chicago.

The Steelers have been plagued by injuries on the offensive line since the start of the regular season. Pittsburgh is rumored to be in the market for a wide receiver. The Steelers could also scout for offensive line depth.

Optimal: Atlanta Falcons

Ogbah has produced at least 5.5 sacks in a season five times throughout his career. The ninth-year veteran has a strong motor and can handle the run. He took on an increased role this year following Jaelan Phillips’ season-ending knee injury. But Ogbah turns 31 a day after the trade deadline, his contract expires after this year, and the team recently signed veteran Tyus Bowser from the Seahawks’ practice squad.

Tua Tagovailoa is on his way back, but the Dolphins could move talent if they feel he’s drifting away from them this season.

The Falcons have an NFL-low six sacks this season. Atlanta traded for Matthew Judon in August. However, Judon only produced 1.5 sacks. Judon had his share of chip blocks and the occasional double team. The Falcons could help Judon by adding another experienced pass rusher across from him.

Optimal: Kansas City Chiefs

Could Jacksonville part ways with its longest-tenured starter? The Jaguars placed Robinson’s under the franchise tag twice. He seems to be leaving Jacksonville all the time.

Robinson, 29, is in the final year of his contract. The struggling Jaguars could trade the eighth-year tackle and add future draft picks. Also, Anton Harrison, the Jaguars’ first-round draft tackle in 2023, played left tackle in college before moving to right side in the NFL. He could be Robinson’s successor.

Wouldn’t adding a starting-caliber tackle before the trade deadline be a complete move by the Chiefs? The Chiefs needed a wide receiver and aggressively pursued DeAndre Hopkins. Kansas City had a revolving door at left tackle Wanya Morris and rookie Kingsley Suamataia. Robinson can bring stability to the position for the rest of the season.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.