7 teams that must sell at 2026 NFL trade deadline, and the players who should be on move

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7 teams that must sell at 2026 NFL trade deadline, and the players who should be on move

Bailey Bassett, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Thu, Oct 22, 2026 ·

13 min read

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7 teams that must sell at 2026 NFL trade deadline, and the players who should be on move appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .

The NFL season is just six weeks deep, but trade talk already rules the football landscape. Joey Porter Jr. was traded to the Dallas Cowboys and miraculously immediately became healthy enough to play. Furthermore , Marvin Harrison Jr. was traded to the Houston Texans to team up with his old college quarterback, and J.J. McCarthy will now be starting under center for the New York Giants after being traded to them not all that long ago.

As the season inches closer to the NFL trade deadline, though, trade talks will only continue ramping up. The league is in an era where contending teams are aggressive in adding talent midway through the season in order to better their postseason pushes. This year, there is no shortage of teams interested in adding talent, but there are also plenty of teams that already seem to be out of the postseason picture or in a position to trade off talent.

Teams with poor records have poor records for a reason, and the fix is oftentimes adding future talent in place of the talent on the roster that is currently not getting the job done. So, which teams will be sellers at this year's Nov. 10 NFL trade deadline, and who are those teams' best trade candidates?

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Los Angeles Chargers

Few would have guessed that the Los Angeles Chargers would be the NFL's lone 0-6 team heading into Week 7. Nothing has gone right for a team that had lofty expectations this year after winning 11 games in each of the prior two seasons. Once again, the Chargers can't stay healthy. The offensive line and receiving corps has been riddled with injuries. Furthermore, Justin Herbert hasn't looked like the megastar he was once viewed at.

The quarterback broke nearly every record in the book over his first five seasons in the NFL, and many viewed him as the future face of the league, but the offense has struggled to get anything going this year. As the current worst team in the NFL, the Chargers are destined to be NFL trade deadline sellers.

Khalil Mack is the most obvious name that comes to mind as a trade candidate . The edge rusher was the Defensive Player of the Year way back in 2016. The three-time First-Team All-Pro isn't the same level of megastar he once was, but he is still a productive pass rusher, and he deserves to end his career on a contending team. The Chargers also have a predicament at running back that should be figured out in the trade market. Omarion Hampton, Keaton Mitchell, and Kimani Vidal have operated in a committee this year, and the team may be best moving one of those ball carriers in order to create clarity in the backfield.

Hampton was a first-round pick just last year, but he hasn't lived up to his potential thus far. He is only averaging 3.6 yards per carry. Mitchell has proven to be a favorite of Mike McDaniel, and Vidal showed flashes of talent when given a bigger opportunity last season. Moving one of the three running backs could help unlock Los Angeles' rushing attack. Really, everyone should be on the block for a team that hasn't collected a win yet, outside of the still-28-year-old quarterback.

Cornerback Donte Jackson is on an expiring contract, and tight end David Njoku is another veteran. While unlikely to be traded this year, if big-name talents like Derwin James, Joe Alt, and Rashawn Slater can't fix their injury problems, the Chargers may eventually look into trading them, too. There have even been rumblings of Herbert eventually becoming a trade candidate , although things would have to continue free-falling in a downward spiral for a good while longer for that to become a reality.

Miami Dolphins

The NFL's other winless team, the Miami Dolphins , began their roster overhauling long before this season kicked off. Former franchise staples Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Bradley Chubb were released in the offseason, and Jaylen Waddle was traded to the Denver Broncos. Minkah Fitzpatrick was traded away, too, as Miami embraced a complete rebuild in which the roster was stripped down to the bones.

Clearly, winning was not a priority for the Dolphins this season. They are likely a few years away from contending, and continuing to trade away talent for draft capital seems smart, especially considering a bunch of the players Miami moved on from in the offseason didn't net a trade return.

Any and all of the veterans are on the trading block. That includes Zach Sieler, Jordyn Brooks, Josh Uche, and Austin Jackson. Sieler is a defensive linemen with 37.5 career sacks who is known for playing the position with incredible strength, and Brooks is one of the most well-respected linebackers in the NFL. Brooks has twice led the NFL in tackles, including last season, when he racked up 183 combined tackles. Brooks was another prime candidate for the Dolphins to move in the offseason, but they valued his leadership so much they instead gave him a contract extension. Brooks will be 30 years old next season, though, and the Dolphins' rebuild has proven to be far enough away that they should consider trading the linebacker because he is one of the few players who would be likely to return a solid trade package.

Uche and Jackson could be coveted to because they play edge and tackle, two of the premier positions in the NFL. Now, the Dolphins have some intriguing rookies, such as Jacob Rodriguez, Caleb Douglas, and Chris Bell. Those first-year players should all be safe. De'Von Achane could have become a trade candidate if he hadn't suffered a season-ending injury, but his lack of availability for the rest of this season will keep him in Miami for now.

Life isn't easy for Malik Willis right now because he is surrounded by such little talent. More talent won't join the team until later on down the road, though. If the Dolphins keep up the losing, as they likely intend, they are going to be well primed to give Willis help in the form of Jeremiah Smith, one of the most generational receiver talents in recent memory. Tank away Miami.

Tennessee Titans

Cam Ward is not even a season and a half removed from being drafted first overall by the Tennessee Titans , and there have already been fans calling for his benching . It is far too early to give up on the Miami product. Just look at Bryce Young. He was benched just over a year into his career after being taken with the 1-1, just to completely turn his career around and become one of the most productive passers this season.

Ward needs time to develop and more help around him, and he definitely shouldn't be benched, let alone traded. The rest of the roster isn't safe, though, outside of rookie first-rounder Carnell Tate. A Titans trade that would blow up the football landscape would be one involving Jeffery Simmons.

The four-time Pro Bowler was just given a contract extension that made him the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history. Clearly, the Titans value him as one of the best players in the NFL, but that also means he could return a huge trade haul if he were dealt. Last year, the Dallas Cowboys traded first and second-round picks, plus former first-rounder Mazi Smith, for Quinnen Williams.

If the Titans were offered a similar package, it would be tough to refuse. Trading one's best player is never easy, but adding a surplus of draft capital could be exactly what the Titans need to give their rebuild the boost it needs. If Simmons isn't dealt, his defensive tackle partner in crime, John Franklin-Myers, would be a trade candidate instead. Offensively, the Titans have two veteran running backs on expiring contracts. The backfield of Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears is one of the most underwhelming in the NFL. Trading one of those backs, and therefore opening up carries for younger options, would make a lot of sense for the Titans.

Indianapolis Colts

Last year, the Indianapolis Colts were one of the biggest NFL trade deadline buyers. The team gave up two first-round picks for Sauce Gardner . It didn't work out, though, as they'd go on to just one of their next nine games in 2025. The 2026 season hasn't been too much better. Indianapolis is 2-4 and might be in a position to trade off talent now.

Regardless of whether the Colts actually sell or not, Anthony Richardson is a player who could be moved at any given time. The former number four pick was never able to establish himself as Indianapolis' starting quarterback, and he requested a trade in the offseason.

Richardson is the easy answer, but the Colts could really make waves by trading DeForest Buckner or Quenton Nelson. Buckner is a force at the defensive tackle position. The 32 year old can get after the quarterback or use his 6-foot-7 frame to bat down balls. Nelson has long been one of the very best offensive linemen in the NFL. The guard is 30 years old and has eight Pro Bowl nods.

The Colts fired their general manager, and aging veterans could be next to go. Both of these players are proven stars that contenders would love to add to their rosters.

Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals kicked off trade season when they dealt Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Houston Texans. That is unlikely to be their last trade move before the deadline. The former number four pick was supposed to be generational, but the Ohio State product busted out in Arizona and the team was forced to recoup just second and sixth-round draft capital.

The receiver was disgruntled and clearly not utilized properly in Arizona, so even if the Cardinals don't want to become full-on trade sellers, moving the receiver was a necessity. The Cardinals' willingness to make a trade well before the deadline had even come illustrated that they are willing to make the necessary moves to better their long-term outlook, though.

More trades could be coming, as the Cardinals still have some intriguing trade candidates on their roster. Budda Baker, one of the best safeties in the NFL, has heard his name in trade rumors for years. Considering how stacked the rest of the NFC West is, this could be the year that he is finally moved.

There was also offseason buzz that Josh Sweat wanted out of Arizona. Not much has changed in the months since, so the pass rusher with 57 career sacks is still firmly on the trading block, too. If Baker and/or Sweat are moved, they'd surely be among the best players to switch teams. NFL trade deadline buyers are going to be aggressive in calling the Cardinals, especially considering everyone knows that they are willing to do business.

A sleeper name to watch out for is Gardner Minshew. Jacoby Brissett is the man under center in Arizona right now, but it seems unlikely that he is the long-term signal-caller. If the Cardinals make a change at quarterback, though, it would make the most sense to try out the youngster, Carson Beck, a rookie third-rounder who won two national championships in college as a backup and was always in contention once he became the starter at Georgia/Miami. Having three capable quarterbacks seems like overkill, so if a team finds a dire need for a QB, trying to make a move for Minshew could make sense. He is a proven player with 47 career starts to his name.

With star players potentially on the block, a fan-favorite quarterback who could get moved, and a proven willingness to make trades, the Cardinals just may end up being the stars of the NFL trade deadline.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

While a team like the Cardinals has already begun wheeling and dealing, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should hold off to decide if they will be sellers until closer to the deadline. The team is just 1-5 in a poor NFC South, but Baker Mayfield's return is imminent. The quarterback plays with a chip on his shoulder and is the type of player who can lead his team back into contention. His poor play, preceding his thumb injury and succeeding ugly offseason contract talks, his surely to fuel him upon his return.

Losses will be fatal going forward, though, so if Mayfield doesn't mount a winning streak, the Buccaneers may be forced to be NFL trade deadline sellers. Offensive skilled position players like Kenneth Gainwell and Chris Godwin are among those vulnerable to being traded. Gainwell only has 61 yards on the ground this season. Godwin has proven he has something left in the tank, but he is on the wrong side of 30 and not that far removed from a serious knee injury.

Furthermore, Vita Vea seemed destined to be traded not that long ago. Before he was given a one year contract extension by the team, the hulking nose tackle had requested a trade out of town. He is a run stopping force, but he provides much more pass rush than one would expect for a man of his stature.

Vea's defensive tackle teammate, A'Shawn Robinson, has significantly improved his trade value during an impressive year in Tampa Bay, too. Robinson has created interior pressure all season long and somehow leads the team with two interceptions. This resurgence just might result in him ending the season out with a new team.

Washington Commanders

The NFC East is wide open. A New York Giants team about to start their third quarterback of the season leads the division, and both the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys are below .500. Philadelphia has already traded away Cam Jurgens and will be without Jalen Hurts because of blood clotting.

It is too early for the Commanders to go full seller mode, but if they continue losing games leading up to the NFL trade deadline, the one-win team will have no option but to sell. That seems like a realistic possibility, too, considering Jacory Croskey-Merritt was just added to the injured reserve, and Terry McLaurin was just shut down for the season with a torn patellar tendon.

With the top receiver out, further depriving Jayden Daniels of weapons is risky, but Stefon Diggs is a player to monitor on the trade market because he is a veteran receiver who has proven he can join new teams and immediately find success. Diggs has played for four teams in as many years, but he has produced at every stop. Diggs picks up on playbooks quickly and always makes an impact on his offense.

More likely on the move would be defensive players, though. Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson were edge rushers who were added in the offseason to bolster the pass rush, but if the Commanders desire to sell, there is always a market for outside linebackers, and the team could flip their recent acquisitions. Daron Payne is perhaps the team's best trade asset. The defensive tackle has been one of the most consistent players at his position ever since he was drafted in 2018.

The Commanders aren't confirmed as NFL trade deadline sellers yet, but they are well on there way to getting there.

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