Analysis
10/30/23
8 min read
NFL Trade Deadline 2023: Latest Rumors and Updates
With the NFL trade deadline looming on October 31 at 4 p.m. ET, several teams are looking to get deals done.
Keep in mind that while the trade deadline is Tuesday, the deadline for renegotiating a contract to facilitate a trade was 4 p.m. ET on Monday because the trading team must hold the contract on its salary cap for 24 hours.
NFL Trade Deadline Rumors and Updates
Bills Trade For Packers CB Rasul Douglas
The Green Bay Packers have traded CB Rasul Douglas and a fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for a third-round pick.
Buffalo has been "knocking on every door" to try to find a cornerback and ended up paying a steep price to acquire Douglas from Green Bay. Buffalo also had conversations with the Chicago Bears about Jaylon Johnson and the New York Giants about Adoree' Jackson.
Douglas has started seven games this season and has 32 tackles, one fumble recovery and an interception.
Lions Trade For Browns WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
The Cleveland Browns have traded WR Donovan Peoples-Jones to the Detroit Lions for a sixth-round pick in 2025.
Peoples-Jones had his role reduced in recent weeks, and Cleveland has been planning to give rookie Cedric Tillman more playing time, opening the door for this trade. Peoples-Jones grew up in Detroit and played collegiately at Michigan.
WR Marvin Jones recently left the Lions for personal reasons.
49ers Trade For Commanders DE Chase Young
The Washington Commanders agreed to trade DE Chase Young to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2024 third-round pick.
Washington traded DE Montez Sweat and Young today, signaling the team is focusing on the future under new owner Josh Harris. Young and Sweat were both in the final year of their rookie contracts.
Young is likely to be a rental for San Francisco, and he'll get to play alongside Nick Bosa, Javon Hargrave and Arik Armstead before becoming a free agent in March.
Jaguars Acquire Vikings G Ezra Cleveland
The Minnesota Vikings traded G Ezra Cleveland to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a sixth-round draft pick.
Cleveland, who was a second-round pick in 2020, is in the final year of his rookie contract. He has started six games this season and 49 games overall.
Jaguars offensive line coach coach Phil Rauscher was in Minnesota for the first two years of Cleveland's career.
Vikings Trade for Cardinals QB Joshua Dobbs
The Minnesota Vikings traded for Arizona Cardinals quarterback Joshua Dobbs in light of Kirk Cousins’ season-ending Achilles injury. The teams will swap late-round draft picks.
Dobbs started the first eight games this season for Arizona, but coach Jonathan Gannon revealed Monday that Dobbs would no longer be the starter. He completed 167-of-266 passes for 1,569 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions, while also rushing for three touchdowns, during his time in Arizona.
Dobbs will join Vikings rookie QB Jaren Hall on the active roster. Nick Mullens is on injured reserve, while Sean Mannion is on the practice squad.
Jaylon Johnson Getting Interest
The Chicago Bears permitted CB Jaylon Johnson to seek a trade late Monday night, and there has been interest from multiple teams around the league who have spoken with Johnson's camp.
The San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills are among the teams who have checked in, and they are believed to be the frontrunners if a trade were to be completed. Buffalo has been "knocking on every door" to try to find a cornerback. They are also open to trading former first-round CB Kaiir Elam, who was a healthy inactive for the fifth time this season last week.
Bears Trade For Commanders DE Montez Sweat
The Washington Commanders have agreed to trade DE Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears for a 2024 second-round pick.
Sweat, who is in the final year of his contract, has 6.5 sacks this season. The Commanders were open to trading either Sweat or Chase Young, both of whom were in the final year of their contracts and are represented by the same agency.
Chicago was looking for pass-rush help for now and in the future. There have been preliminary talks about an extension, but nothing is considered imminent.
The Atlanta Falcons were the other team trying to trade for Sweat and made a similar offer.
Commanders Likelier To Trade Sweat Than Young
Going into today's trade deadline, the belief is that if the Washington Commanders trade one of their pass rushers, Montez Sweat is likelier to get moved than Chase Young.
The Atlanta Falcons have been in on Sweat for at least a week. The Chicago Bears have been involved, as well.
Ravens Searching For RB Help
The Baltimore Ravens have explored the running back market and would like to make a move at that position. They discussed a trade for Derrick Henry, but that appears unlikely going into today. New England Patriots RB Ezekiel Elliott could be an option.
Bears Give Jaylon Johnson Permission To Seek Trade
The Chicago Bears granted CB Jaylon Johnson permission to seek a trade before Tuesday's trade deadline.
Johnson, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, switched agents earlier this year with the hopes of getting a long-term deal done in Chicago. But negotiations with the team have been rocky, and talks came to a halt late last week.
Johnson has 18 tackles, four passes defensed and a forced fumble to go with his two interceptions this season.
Lions Believed To Be In Pass-Rush Market
Rival executives believe the Detroit Lions have been in the market for a "difference-making" edge rusher before Tuesday's trade deadline.
Detroit has seen the Seattle Seahawks make a move for Leonard Williams and the Philadelphia Eagles nab Kevin Byard, so expect the Lions to try to get in on the action.
Seahawks Trade For Giants DL Leonard Williams
The New York Giants have traded DL Leonard Williams to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick.
Williams is in the final year of his contract and is slated to be a free agent after this season. The Giants will eat a majority of the $10 million in salary Williams has remaining for this season in order to facilitate the trade. Through eight games this season, Williams has five quarterback hits and 1.5 sacks.
The Seahawks improved to 5-2 on the season with a win over the Cleveland Browns and are now in first place in the NFC West.
Meanwhile, the Giants dropped to 2-6 and appear ready to move players if they get good offers. CB Adoree' Jackson and WR Parris Campbell are among the names to watch. Saquon Barkley has been told he won't be dealt.
Vikings Have Major Decisions to Make
The Minnesota Vikings have won three games in a row and are now 4-4 on the season. But after losing Kirk Cousins to an Achilles tear, they will face some significant roster decisions before Tuesday’s trade deadline.
Minnesota could decide to sell players such as Danielle Hunter, K.J. Osborn and Jordan Hicks, all of whom are in the final year of their contracts.
The Vikings could also decide to keep their current roster and move forward with QBs Jaren Hall or Nick Mullens for the rest of the season, or they could sign a free agent such as Colt McCoy (who previously worked with Kevin O’Connell) or Carson Wentz. If Minnesota decides to look for a quarterback via the trade market, Ryan Tannehill, Jacoby Brissett or Case Keenum are names to call on.
It's worth noting that the Vikings underwent a mini teardown this offseason and are carrying more than $40 million in dead money on their salary cap for this season.
Washington Likely to Make a Move
There’s been a growing belief over the last four to five days that the Washington Commanders will lean toward trading one of their pass rushers — either Chase Young or Montez Sweat, each of whom is in the final year of their contracts.
The Atlanta Falcons have been involved, but there are other teams, too.
Bills in the Cornerback Market
The Buffalo Bills have been looking to bolster their secondary and have engaged in trade proposals with several teams. New York Giants CB Adoree' Jackson is likely the best-available name on the market.
Buffalo has also been open to trading former first-round CB Kaiir Elam, who was a healthy inactive for the fifth time this season last week.
Texans Have Scanned the Pass Rusher Market
The Houston Texans have scanned the market for a pass rusher and appear motivated to get a deal done. They are not believed to be in on any of the big names, however.
Titans Could Still Trade Derrick Henry
The Tennessee Titans told Derrick Henry he isn’t being actively shopped, but that does not mean they aren’t taking calls on him. Tennessee won’t give him up unless they get “exceptional value.”
Patriots Have Players to Sell
The New England Patriots have had trade calls on pass rusher Josh Uche, who had 11.5 sacks last season, and Jalen Mills is another name to watch. The Patriots could sell off a bunch of pieces if they wanted to go that route…
