2024 NFL trade deadline: One move each contender should make, including Chiefs acquiring WR Diontae Johnson
The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 4 p.m. ET.
It’s that time of the year when general managers across the NFL begin picking up the phone in earnest to try and wheel and deal to make their clubs better via trade. We are now just weeks away from the 2024 trade deadline, which is slated for Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 4 p.m. ET.
Already, we’ve seen a couple of deals come down the wire, including a blockbuster trade that sent star wide receiver Davante Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders to the New York Jets to reunite him with Aaron Rodgers. The Buffalo Bills also landed themselves a pass catcher, acquiring Amari Cooper in a deal with the Cleveland Browns.
So what other deals could be on the horizon? Well, that’s what we’ll be trying to identify here. Below, we’re going to collect the contenders and suggest one trade they should make between now and the deadline to better their chances of solidifying a playoff spot. So who are the contenders? For this exercise, we’ll be taking the teams currently in the playoff picture entering Week 7.
AFC: Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, Indianapolis Colts.
NFC: Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Washington Commanders, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers
With those particulars out of the way, let’s play trade matchmaker!
AFC
Kansas City Chiefs
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Diontae Johnson
CAR • WR • #5
Trade target: Diontae Johnson, WR, Carolina Panthers
The defending champs have been decimated by injuries at the wide receiver position, with both Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown going down for the year. While the Chiefs have first-round pick Xavier Worthy and saw production from JuJu Smith-Schuster before the bye, they need another top pass-catching option for Patrick Mahomes. That’s where Johnson comes into play. Even on a poor Carolina offense, Johnson has been productive and could quickly become a top target for Mahomes. If the Panthers don’t plan on signing Johnson this offseason as he is set to hit free agency, recouping assets for him now may be the best course of action as they continue their rebuild.
Houston Texans
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Jonathan Jones
NE • DB • #31
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Trade target: Jonathan Jones, DB, New England Patriots.
Houston’s secondary is pretty banged up at the moment, particularly with corner Kamari Lassiter dealing with a shoulder injury. If the Texans wanted to better solidify the corner position as they gear up for a playoff run, they could look to the team they just trounced in Week 6 in the Patriots. Starting corner Jonathan Jones is in the final year of his contract and has been a solid player throughout his nine-year career. Through six games this season, he’s tallied three pass breakups and a forced fumble to go with 25 tackles.
Baltimore Ravens
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Budda Baker
ARI • S • #3
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Trade target: Budda Baker, S, Arizona Cardinals.
While some may look for the Ravens to add to their wide receiver room, they could use a boost in the secondary. Baltimore is allowing the second-most passing yards per game in the league (275.7), which isn’t exactly a winning formula come playoff time, so the front office should look to bolster that piece of the defense. Budda Baker is in the final year of his deal with the Cardinals, and if Arizona falls out of the NFC West race, it could make sense to move off him. Baker could better help the Ravens cover tight ends after letting Zach Ertz pile up 68 yards in Week 6.
