NFL Trade Deadline 2024: Predictions Based on Latest Rumors
NFL teams essentially have two weeks to decide whether this could be their season or not.
The trade deadline arrives on Nov. 5, so franchises have up until then to chase roster improvements or ditch the idea of competing during this campaign and focus on finding assets for the future.
With trade season already rolling, there's plenty being talked about across the league. We'll spotlight some of the latest rumors and use them to predict what might happen next.
Teams Eyeing Cooper Kupp?
The Rumor
With the wide receiver trade market dwindling after the Davante Adams and Amari Cooper deals, teams "began calling" the Los Angeles Rams to discuss Cooper Kupp, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The Prediction
Unless someone puts an astronomic offer on the table, Kupp is going nowhere.
L.A. may not have quite as much win-now pressure as it did in the past, but a team with 36-year-old Matthew Stafford under center clearly isn't playing for the future. And since no one is running away with the NFC West, the Rams can presently consider themselves as playoff contenders.
A healthy Kupp would immensely improve L.A.'s odds. That's a big enough incentive for the Rams to decline trade offers, which also notably probably aren't enormous since Kupp is 31 years old and yet again struggling to shake the injury bug.
Deebo Samuel Sr. a Trade Target?
The Rumor
Deebo Samuel Sr. is among the players that "many around the league are keeping an eye on," per The Athletic's Dianna Russini.
The Prediction
Despite Samuel's San Francisco 49ers being in win-right-now mode, this rumor may have had some legs. The 49ers will need to cut payroll at some point before Brock Purdy's upcoming payday, and they seemingly positioned themselves to sacrifice a wide receiver after spending their first-round pick on Ricky Pearsall.
At this point, though, if the Niners make a deal involving a wide receiver, they seem much likelier to add than subtract after losing Brandon Aiyuk to a potentially season-ending knee injury.
San Francisco looked woefully undermanned during Sunday's 28-18 home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, and Aiyuk's injury will only exacerbate this issue. While the 49ers may well move Samuel at some point, don't look for that to happen until the offseason.
Mike Williams on the Move?
The Rumor
After acquiring Davante Adams, the New York Jets "are listening to offers" for Mike Williams, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The Prediction
This one could have some legs.
Any time a player gets added to a roster, he potentially crowds the position group. That's apparently what some ambitious front offices hoped would happen in New York, as "a select group" called to check on the availability of Garrett Wilson in the wake of the Adams deal, per Schefter. To no one's surprise, a Wilson trade isn't happening.
A Williams trade, on the other hand, feels extremely possible—if not probable. Between Adams, Wilson, Breece Hall and Allen Lazard, there are many other mouths to feed in this passing offense. Those four players combined for 31 targets on Sunday. Williams, on the other hand, saw just two passes sent his direction.
Williams appears extremely expendable in New York, but he could be productive and much more prominently featured elsewhere. The Pittsburgh Steelers, who coincidentally thumped the Jets on Sunday night, might see Williams as their badly needed second option alongside George Pickens.