The 2022 NFL midseason trade deadline is set for 4 pm ET on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Some playoff-bound teams should be looking for a move to improve their Super Bowl chances. Losing teams headed for high picks in the 2023 draft should explore improving their capital.
Last year, the Rams made a blockbuster deal that paid off, acquiring edge rusher Von Miller from the Broncos. Zach Ertz, Stephon Gilmore, Melvin Ingram and Mark Ingram were also among the 14 players traded in October and November.
Although the big names might be limited again in ’22, there’s some move every team should think about making — either trading for a player or trading away one. Here’s one suggestion for all 32:
MORE: Ranking the NFL’s best rookies so far in the 2022 season
NFL trade deadline targets 2022
San Francisco 49ers: RB Christian McCaffrey
This would be a luxury move for the 49ers in the short term, getting Ed’s son to play for Mike’s son Kyle Shanahan. But he also would add an extra dual threat dimension to their offense that would make it near unstoppable. San Francisco would also raise its overall ceiling in a top-heavy NFC.
MORE: Ranking Christian McCaffrey’s best landing spots
Philadelphia Eagles: EDGE Brian Burns
The Eagles have been pretty productive rushing the passer with starting veteran ends Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat. Haason Reddick has been a great addition to that end on the second level. As well as Jalen Hurts has played, Philadelphia’s defense is its best championship foundation, especially against the pass. Grabbing Burns to be the long-term replacement for Graham — who turns 35 next April — would be a shrewd forward move.
Kansas City Chiefs: RB Cam Akers
Akers had promising talent for a while going back to Florida State. But beyond the injury issues, run blocking has not been on his side well in either Tallahassee or Los Angeles. The Chiefs could correct that with their interior pop and also clean up a limited committee of Clyde Edwards-Helaire, journeyman Jerick McKinnon and rookie Isiah Pacheco.
Baltimore Ravens: WR DJ Moore
The Panthers should be watched for selling any of their best assets and Moore is in that mix with McCaffrey and Burns. Baltimore should make some calls for Moore, a few years after it had Steve Smith make a mid-career shift from Carolina. Moore is a Maryland product who would give Lamar Jackson a needed experienced big-play co-No. 1 outside with Rashod Bateman.
Indianapolis Colts: EDGE Roquan Smith
The Colts are back to being a strong threat to return to the playoffs as AFC South champions. They have fixed some offensive line issues but could use a little more pass-rush pop for the defensive front knowing Kwity Paye is hurting and Yannick Ngakoue is aging.
Los Angeles Rams: RB Melvin Gordon
The Rams were once rolling in the running game with 2015 first-rounder Todd Gurley. The former Chargers and current Broncos is the cheapest veteran answer to clean up their backfield. Gordon has just been a misfit in Denver’s new inept offense. He is still a well-rounded power runner who protects the pass well and can help out as a receiver when needed.
Green Bay Packers: WR Chase Claypool
The Packers’ transitional wide receiver depth is comprised of injuries behind Allen Lazard and rookie Romeo Doubs. For now, tight end Robert Tonyan needs to be a bigger downfield target for Aaron Rodgers. Claypool would give him the pure deep threat who can work inside or outside.
Dallas Cowboys: EDGE Robert Quinn
The Cowboys should think about bringing back the current Bear Quinn in their 4-3 to rush the passer opposite DeMarcus Lawrence for Dan Quinn. Chicago should keep selling post Khalil Mack with Smith and Quinn on the block.
San Diego Chargers: WR Elijah Moore
This is outside the box and an aggressive move. But the Chargers don’t know how healthy and effective aging Keenan Allen can be for them outside or in the slot going forward. The Jets talked up Moore in Year 2 but aren’t deploying him well or much at all. With first-rounder Garrett Wilson, Moore is movable and the Chargers love the thought of him playing off Mike Williams.
Minnesota Vikings: CB William Jackson
Jackson has been a free-agent flop in the Commanders scheme, but he’s still a good corner for zone concepts and the Vikings are thin at the position behind aging Patrick Peterson and Cameron Dantzler.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: TE Mike Gesicki
There’s no question Tom Brady has missed the athletic field-stretching and red zone presence of Rob Gronkowski. Cameron Brate’s injuries this season have been a real concern and rookie Cade Otton isn’t ready for a big role yet. Gesicki, a franchise-tagged Dolphin who should leave in 2023 free agency, would be a worthy rental for Brady’s sake.
Buffalo Bills: S Quandre Diggs
The Bills have been tied to go after McCaffrey but their real concern for the “all-in” defensive-minded run at the Super Bowl is free safety Micah Hyde (neck) down for the season. The Seahawks’ young secondary is rising for Pete Carroll but as they are more in rebuilding mode, it makes sense to see what Buffalo might give up for his services.
Cincinnati Bengals: DT Andrew Billings
The Bengals used to employ Billings, who has had a good year on the Raiders’ defensive line so far. They could use him back in the mix under Lou Anuramo after losing DJ Reader.
Atlanta Falcons: RB Cam Akers
The Falcons have also proven to have exceptional run blocking this season. Cordarrelle Patterson can still do his hybrid thing to some degree when healthy. But between rookie Tyler Allgeier and second-year players Caleb Huntley and Avery Williams, there’s no definitive feature answer. Akers can provide that.
MORE: NFL coaches on the hot seat during the 2022 season
18 players teams should trade away
Chicago Bears: EDGE Robert Quinn
Will either Smith or Quinn be moved from their defense? It might be tough for defensive-minded Matt Eberflus to accept that on top of Mack with the pass defense playing well, but either move is smart for GM Ryan Poles, knowing outside impact is in high demand.
Carolina Panthers: RB Christian McCaffrey
McCaffrey is an expensive offensive skill luxury the Panthers can’t afford. They need to be willing to deal with him less than first-round capital in return, however.
Miami Dolphins: TE Mike Gesicki
Gesicki, besides his awful Griddy dancing skills, has been mostly an afterthought in their new offense, treated pretty much as a blocker and a red zone threat. With little chance of re-signing him, they need to make the call across the state to the Bucs.
Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Mason Rudolph
There’s no way Rudolph is seeing the field for them ever again with Kenny Pickett as the clear starter and Mitchell Trubisky as the unquestioned backup. They should try to move him to be at least someone else’s No. 2.
Cleveland Browns: RB Kareem Hunt
The Browns are rolling with Nick Chubb playing under his big new contract and D’Ernest Johnson has already proven he’s a strong backup. The Browns need to get into the running back moving mix and try to trade Hunt before his pending free agency.
New England Patriots: WR Kendrick Bourne
There’s no surprise this is the identity of the player they need to trade most, although there’s a crazy case it should be Mac Jones. Look for Bourne, once a valuable 49ers red zone threat, moving to a true West Coast offense.
Washington Commanders: DT Daron Payne
Jackson wants out of Washington, but the pending free agent Payne should also be bought out of their defense. Payne has slid a bit as a run stopper next to Jonathan Allen but is still valuable to another 4-3.
New York Giants: WR Kadarius Toney and/or WR Kenny Golladay
The Giants under Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen did not draft Toney or sign Golladay. They haven’t really wanted to use either in the passing game and neither has been healthy. That’s the toughest obstacle in moving them, when the Giants aren’t expecting too much in return. Toney is especially expendable because rookie Wan’Dale Robinson is a reliable upgrade.
Las Vegas Raiders: EDGE Clelin Ferrell
Ferrell, a holdover from the Mike Mayock drafts, has faded into a rotational option. He could revive his potential elsewhere. The Raiders also have another first-round defensive candidate in safety Jonathan Abraham.
New York Jets: WR Denzel Mims
The Jets still might find a way to get Moore going with Wilson and Corey Davis. But it’s shocking the 2020 second-rounder is still on the roster. He has enough talent to net a decent draft pick.
Tennessee Titans: TE Austin Hooper
The Titans added him to help Ryan Tannehill but there hasn’t been much to see in the former Falcon and Bronco. They should also give the Buccaneers a call.
Detroit Lions: DT Michael Brockers
He’s the only player who makes sense to try to get them another draft pick. Brockers can still be an OK all-around starter for someone else at 31.
New Orleans Saints: WR Marquez Callaway
Callaway had good chemistry with Jameis Winston but the Saints are reluctant to put a whenever-healthy Winston back at QB ahead of Andy Dalton. With the emergence of rookie Chris Olave and Tre’Quan Smith playing better, Callaway has some outside appeal as a sometimes deep threat.
Denver Broncos: TE Albert Okwuegbunam
Denver didn’t waste time putting Greg Dulcich in a key receiving role and also had Andrew Beck and Rich Saubert have bigger roles at the position than Albert O. He has fallen hard after being seen as the reason it was easy to trade Noah Fant .
Arizona Cardinals: ILB Isaiah Simmons
Simmons is still an intriguing versatile asset for contenders such as the Giants, Ravens and yes, Patriots. Arizona should at least hear out any suitors.
Seattle Seahawks: CB Sidney Jones
The Seahawks like their new starting combination of Mike Jackson and rookie Tariq Woolen. Jones is fully expendable and is fully expected to be moved somewhere to provide another perimeter depth.
Jacksonville Jaguars: TE Dan Arnold
The signing of former Giant Evan Engram plus better production from the wide receivers for Trevor Lawrence means Arnold, acquired last year from the Panthers for cornerback CJ Henderson, should be on the move again soon. Between Gesicki, Hooper, Okwuegbunam and Arnold, there is a wide range of opportunities for teams needing tight end help.
Houston Texans: LB Kamu Grugier-Hill
The Texans don’t have many tradable assets, but the veteran linebacker can be a solid plug-and-play for several other needs on the second level.
.