As the NFL trade deadline looms on November 10, league executives are anticipating a flurry of activity, particularly involving talented wide receivers who may be on the move. Several sources indicate that a handful of standout players at the position could become available, potentially at reasonable costs for teams looking to bolster their offenses.
Among the receivers frequently mentioned as potential trade candidates are Marvin Harrison Jr. of the Arizona Cardinals, Brian Thomas Jr. of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Chris Godwin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Quentin Johnston of the Los Angeles Chargers, and Jerry Jeudy of the Cleveland Browns. With the exception of Godwin, all are former first-round draft picks, and all but Godwin are under 25 years old.
"There are a lot of receivers with size, talent, speed that, for whatever reason, don’t seem to be in their team’s plans anymore," one team executive told Fox News. "And some of them aren’t going to cost a lot more than a Day 3 pick. If you need help [at that position], the upside could be high. Sometimes a change of scenery works."
Another executive noted that teams often prioritize talent over current production in trade scenarios, believing they can better utilize a player. "Maybe a guy is used wrong somewhere else. Maybe it’s the system. Maybe he doesn’t like the staff or the city. But if we see talent, we think we can make it work."
However, not all of these players are seen as definite trade pieces. Sources expressed doubt that Marvin Harrison Jr. would be traded, especially at a discount, with one executive suggesting the Cardinals would want to build around his talent. "There’s so much talent there and he’s still only 24. I know they’ve got a new coaching staff there, but they’ve got to think they can figure him out."
Two players identified as more likely to be moved are Brian Thomas Jr. and Jerry Jeudy. "The two I’d be looking at are Thomas and Jeudy," an assistant general manager said. "Liam Coen looks like he’s buried Thomas there, but man, he was sensational as a rookie. And Jeudy is yesterday’s news in Cleveland."
Chargers as Potential Sellers
The Los Angeles Chargers are also drawing significant attention as a potential seller. Currently sitting at 0-4 and facing a challenging schedule, multiple sources believe the Chargers could be on the verge of dismantling their team if their season continues to falter.
"They are the most likely team to pull the plug," one NFL executive stated. "Maybe Tampa (also 0-4) is another one, but the Chargers are intriguing because they’ve got some players there. A lot of us thought they’d be good — or at least a lot better than they’ve shown. And if this turns into a disaster, they need a real reset in the offseason."
Expendable assets for the Chargers could include veteran edge rusher Khalil Mack and receiver Quentin Johnston. While Mack is not the player he once was, teams are always seeking pass-rushing depth. Johnston, despite a disappointing start to his NFL career, possesses the physical traits of a promising receiver.
However, some within the league are skeptical that the Chargers will make significant moves. One league executive and a longtime scout expressed doubts, citing head coach Jim Harbaugh's loyalty to players and the team's historical risk aversion in midseason trades. The Chargers have historically made few significant midseason acquisitions, with past trades involving players like Desmond King and Dontrelle Inman.
