NFL trade deadline: Top players at each position who could be dealt, including Budda Baker, Miles Sanders

The NFL trade deadline is a day away, and this period of the year is usually more talk than transaction. However, that was not true last year. The Washington Commanders traded away both of their star pass rushers, the Minnesota Vikings added a Kirk Cousins replacement in Joshua Dobbs and the Seattle Seahawks scored Leonard Williams.

The October trade market has already been red hot, as Davante Adams, Amari Cooper Diontae Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins have already been dealt to new teams. There are plenty of other big names who could be traded before the 4 p.m. ET deadline on Nov. 5. Some are searching for changes of scenery, while others are players on the last year of their contracts that won't be re-signed by their current organization.

Below, we will break down the top three players at each position who could be moved prior to the deadline. It's important to note that a player being included on this list does not guarantee their team is looking to move them. This is speculating on potential moves that make sense. 

*This article will be updated*

QB

1. Justin Fields
2. Joshua Dobbs
3. Bryce Young

Could Fields be traded again? Maybe if a starter goes down. I'd be a little miffed if I led the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 4-2 record while completing a career-high 66.3% of my passes and scoring 10 total touchdowns compared to one interception. Granted, Russell Wilson has looked good through two starts. Dobbs is used to being dealt. He's been traded three times, including at last year's trade deadline, so you never know. Then, there's Young. I have a hard time believing the Carolina Panthers will trade him after mortgaging the future of the franchise for the former Alabama star. But, it's possible. It would probably be beneficial for him. 

RB

1. Miles Sanders
2. Khalil Herbert
3. Alexander Mattison

Chuba Hubbard is the No. 1 back in Carolina, and Jonathon Brooks is getting close to making his NFL debut. If you're looking for a running back to trade for, Sanders may top the list of targets. Herbert has received just eight carries this season, and would be better off playing for another team. He recorded north of 740 yards from scrimmage in two of his three full NFL seasons played. Then there's Mattison. The Las Vegas Raiders could ship him off and move forward with Zamir White in the backfield.

WR

1. Tee Higgins
2. Darius Slayton
3. Mike Williams

The Cincinnati Bengals are attempting to climb out of what was a 1-4 hole, and Higgins will be a key factor in that effort. I don't believe it's "likely" the Bengals part ways with Higgins, but what if they lose a couple of their next few games and a team approaches Cincinnati with decent compensation, plus a new contract for Higgins? 

Slayton is coming off of a 108-yard outing vs. the Steelers, and he's averaging 52.5 receiving yards per game. That's his highest mark since his rookie season. Slayton in the final year of his deal, so he's a potential target. Williams is expected to be moved. He caught 11 passes for 160 yards in eight games for the New York Jets. 

TE

1. Daniel Bellinger
2. Harrison Bryant
3. Austin Hooper

Bellinger has recorded three receptions all season, as the New York Giants have turned their attention to rookie Theo Johnson. This is a young tight end who could draw some trade interest. Bryant signed a one-year deal with the Raiders this offseason, but Brock Bowers headlines the TE room in Sin City. Could a team be interested in trading for the former unanimous All-America tight end who won the John Mackey Award in 2019? Hooper is a versatile veteran tight end who could be available for a late-round pick as well. 

OL

1. Andrus Peat
2. Nate Davis
3. Daniel Brunskill

Peat is a reserve lineman on a one-year deal in Vegas, and his versatility could stand out to an offensive line-needy team. Davis, who signed a three-year deal with the Chicago Bears last offseason, was a healthy inactive last game. The Bears would certainly listen to offers on the veteran guard who has 67 starts to his name. Brunskill is an interesting case. He was demoted from his role as starter this offseason with the Tennessee Titans, and has played just 45 offensive snaps in 2024.

DL

1. D.J. Jones
2. Adam Butler
3. Quinton Jefferson

Jones is in the final year of the three-year contract he signed with Denver in 2022. He's recorded two sacks in each of the last two years. Set to turn 30 in January, Jones could draw trade interest. Butler is another veteran defensive lineman on the final year of his deal who could contribute for a team that needs some depth on the interior. Jefferson is a veteran backup defensive lineman on the deep unit the Cleveland Browns boast. He's recorded six combined tackles and one sack in five games played this season. 

EDGE

1. Azeez Ojulari
2. Preston Smith
3. Za'Darius Smith

NFL.com reported earlier this month Ojulari could be a trade target with Kayvon Thibodeaux on his way back from injured reserve in the near future. He's recorded six sacks in eight games this year. NFL.com also pointed out the 31-year-old Smith is someone who is on NFL radars. He has recorded 44 sacks in 90 games played for the Green Bay Packers. There's another veteran Smith who plays for the Browns that could garner attention from contenders looking for pass-rush help.

LB

1. E.J. Speed
2. Devin Lloyd
3. Anthony Walker Jr.

The linebacker trade market probably won't be on fire, but Speed is in the midst of a career year with 70 combined tackles recorded. His 44 solo tackles led the league through Week 6, and he's in the final year of his contract. Lloyd, who was selected by Jacksonville with the No. 27 overall pick in 2022, has struggled this season. But, he's just 26 years old, and could benefit from a change of scenery. Walker is a veteran that has found himself a backup in Miami. He could be a cheap addition. 

CB

1. Jaycee Horn 
2. Greg Newsome II
3. Jonathan Jones

I truly don't know if Horn would be available via trade, but there would be significant interest if he was. The Panthers picked up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, but Horn has played more than six games in a season just once in his career. Newsome is another Brown who could be unloaded. Like Horn, he's scheduled to play on his fifth-year option in 2025. In 2023, he recorded a career-high 14 passes defended. Jones is a veteran who has spent his entire career with the New England Patriots. He's in the final year of his contract, and could be an asset to a contender. 

S

1. Budda Baker
2. Trevon Moehrig
3. Andre Cisco

Jonathan Gannon's defense is struggling, and the Arizona Cardinals could look to trade their star safety who is on the final year of his contract. Baker has made six Pro Bowls since being selected in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Moehrig is a young safety on the final year of his rookie deal. Last season he recorded a career-high three interceptions and eight passes defended for the Raiders. Cisco called out his teammates' effort in London after the loss to the Bears. He's also in the final year of his rookie contract, and could be another Jag who's on the move.