NFL Trade Deadline Trick-or-Treat

Halloween is upon us, and I think we can all agree that the quality of your holiday experience is directly tied to the quality of the candy your neighbors are handing out.

Is the old guy down the street handing out Snickers and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups? Or, is he trying to get by with Tootsie Rolls and Smarties? Did he switch it up and hand out bags of Cheetos? Or, did he sneak in a batch of Nutri-Grain fiber bars? Your entire night could be made – or ruined – depending how those questions are answered.

Conversely, the same could be said about the NFL Trade Deadline. Everyone gets so excited about the idea of picking up a new player… until they realize that the guy they acquired was closer to candy corn than he was to Skittles.

With that in mind, let’s identify four of the biggest Tricks and Treats that could be moved at the upcoming NFL Trade Deadline.

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

ESPN’s Adam Schefter has already reported that the Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and New York Giants have checked in on Taylor’s availability. And given that the Colts are in the middle of a fire sale, it’s possible, if not likely, that Taylor will be the biggest name to change teams at the deadline. The All-Pro running back is currently averaged 109.3 total yards per games this season and leads the NFL with eight rushing touchdowns. What’s more, Taylor is the rare workhorse back that can dominate at the goal line and hit the home run from forty yards away.

Verdict: Treat

Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are in the midst of a lost season, and given that they’ve already unloaded Pro Bowl guard Cam Juergens, it wouldn’t be crazy to see them shop Barkley at the deadline. Problem is, the All-Pro running back will be turning 30 years old in February, is clearly injured right now and, most importantly, his play has fallen off the proverbial cliff since his record-setting season in 2024. Barkley’s rush yards per game are down by over 75 and his broken tackle percentage is his lowest since 2019. Point blank, Saquon is more name than game at this stage in his career.

Verdict: Trick

Brian Thomas Jr, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Thomas burst onto the scene in 2024 when he had 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie, but his numbers have cratered since Jacksonville brought in Liam Coen to run the offense. Moreover, things seem to have only gotten worse for the former first-round pick as Thomas has not recorded a single catch since Week 5. Even still, the raw talent is there, and Thomas’ lack of production seems more to do with falling out of favor with the current coaching staff in Jacksonville than anything physical. He has been objectively better than Marvin Harrison Jr since the two entered the NFL together, and MHJ still fetched a second-round pick in a trade with Houston. Expect BTJ to fetch a comparable package should the Jaguars decide to put him on the trade block.

Verdict: Treat

Kirk Cousins, QB, Las Vegas Raiders

Losers of four straight, it would make sense for the Silver & Black to turn the keys over to top overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza sooner than later now that it’s become abundantly clear that this isn’t anything close to a playoff team. Cousins has actually been pretty good for the Raiders, throwing for 1,877 yards and an NFL-best 16 touchdown passes across seven games. However, he lacks the arm strength and the mobility to make anything happen outside of what’s been schemed open by the play caller. If Cousins can get traded to a team with an offensive system that he’s familiar with, outside receivers who can win one-on-one’s down the field and a shutdown defense that would allow him to play more of a game manager role, he can be very successful. If only there was a quarterback-needy NFC North team that fits the bill…

Verdict: Treat for the Minnesota Vikings, Trick for anyone else