Trade Targets for NFL Division Leaders: Jadeveon Clowney, Tyler Boyd, Jeffery Simmons and More

Last week, I looked at the last-place team in six divisions who are already out of the playoff race and could be ready to trade players before the deadline. Moves keep trickling in, and we might see another run before November 5.

(The trade deadline is the same day as election day, which is good because we’ll have something else to focus on other than political BS for 24+ straight hours.)

This time, let's look at some of the top teams in each division and where they could use reinforcements before the trade deadline. I’ll choose one biggest need and a possible target for each squad with the caveat that multiple positions could always use more depth.

More teams could have been included; the Broncos, Chargers, and Colts were originally listed. I decided to focus on division leaders, though, and three second-place teams who are only one game back. The NFC West and NFC North aren’t included because the divisions are packed tightly enough to necessitate their own articles.

Buffalo Bills (6-2)

Biggest Need: Run Defense

Buffalo seems primed for another chance at a long playoff run, but their biggest issue might be run defense. The Bills have allowed the sixth-most yards per rush attempt. They actually rate out high by run stop win rate while sitting in the middle of the league in pass rushing.

A player who helps in both facets might be the biggest benefit to Buffalo, and there’s a guy involved in plenty of trade rumors who could be available.

Possible Target: Jadeveon Clowney, Carolina Panthers

Clowney ranks first among edge players in run stop win rate and is a guy who can get after the quarterback. He has just one sack this year, but Clowney had 9 or 9.5 sacks in four previous seasons.

Carolina is maybe the worst team in the league and doesn’t have much use for the veteran lineman. They would have use for a fifth- or sixth-round pick, though, which they might be able to get in return, especially if they re-work his contract to take on some of the remaining money.

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)

Biggest Need: Wide Receiver

The Steelers were reportedly in on Brandon Aiyuk, Amari Cooper, and other receivers who have been rumored to be on the trade market. George Pickens is a fine WR1, but the complimentary players have been anonymous in 2024.

Van Jefferson has just 10 catches for 77 yards. Calvin Austin III had a big Week 3, turning four catches into 95 yards and a touchdown, but he otherwise has combined for seven receptions, 108 yards, and no touchdowns.

Possible Target: Tyler Boyd, Tennessee Titans

I had Diontae Johnson here and said he could be had for a late-round pick or pick swap. Then he got traded to the Ravens for a pick swap. Let’s shift focus to another former AFC North wide receiver in Boyd, Cincinnati’s former slot receiver.

Pickens is more of a big-play threat, so Pittsburgh would probably benefit from more of a possession receiver. Boyd has seen his receiving yardage decrease every year since 2019. His receptions did the same before increasing between 2022 and ’23.

Boyd would be coming in as a low-cost complementary player, though, not someone expected to lead the receiving corps. Pittsburgh could surely get him for a late-round pick swap and would add to their WR depth and short passing game.

Baltimore Ravens (5-3)

Biggest Need: Cornerback

They filled receiver with Johnson, so let’s instead shift to the defensive side. Baltimore has allowed over 200 more passing yards than any other team, and they are third in most yards per attempt allowed. The pass rush is at least adequate, so the secondary seems like a better place to upgrade.

This is a Super Bowl hopeful who can justify a Super Bowl-sized addition. If a star corner can be had, the Ravens could seriously increase their chances of winning it all. As good as their offense has been, the pass defense has been just as bad.

Possible Target: Jaycee Horn, Carolina Panthers

Horn is a former first-round pick who has been beset by injuries early in his career. He played just 43% of the possible games in his first three seasons but has appeared in every game this year.

These teams already hooked up for one trade, so why not another? Horn would cost more than Johnson did, but a mid-round pick could probably get it done. A conditional fourth-round pick that could become a second if Baltimore wins the Super Bowl would be hard for a rebuilding team to decline.

Houston Texans (6-2)

Biggest Need: Interior Offensive Line

Houston has the second-best defensive DVOA; this team is being carried by their stout D. The offensive line hasn’t been doing their part, though. By ESPN’s measure, the Texans rank 25th in pass blocking and 30th in run blocking. That might be enough to disqualify them from contention if it doesn’t improve.

Former first-round guard Kenyon Green was benched last week, and the team is dealing with injuries to multiple players. (Speaking of injuries, wide receiver is suddenly a possible need for Houston, but Nico Collins should return soon, giving them a boost.) Houston has a clear area to upgrade here and could probably do it at a low cost.

Possible Target: Nate Davis, Chicago Bears

Chicago signed Davis to take over one of their guard spots last season; it has gone poorly enough that he is now working in a backup role. By the same ESPN metrics linked above (which will be referenced often), the Bears are ninth in pass blocking and seventh in run blocking; they are doing fine with the guys on the field.

While a team with playoff aspirations may not want to shed depth along the lines, Chicago would save money by doing so, and Houston would be able to release him after the season to avoid paying him in 2025 (which the Bears will likely do if they don’t trade him).

Assuming the Bears don’t pick up any of his salary, Davis won’t garner more than a late-round pick or swap. That’s a price any team can afford, and Chicago could maybe sweeten that pick by eating some of Davis’ remaining money.

Kansas City Chiefs (7-0)

Biggest Need: Left Tackle

Rookie Kingsley Suamataia started the year on the blindside, but he was replaced by Wanya Morris after a slow start. Morris has issues of his own.

The numbers say Kansas City is winning on the offensive line: ESPN measures them as the second-best pass blocking team and sixth in run blocking. The interior is the major strength, though; the same ESPN metrics rank center Creed Humphrey and guard Joe Thuney as the second- and third-best interior linemen, respectively.

Kansas City’s LTs have been a source of consternation, and the team could easily upgrade the most important position on the offensive line given the play of their incumbents.

Possible Target: Tyron Smith, New York Jets

The Jets are probably planning to hold onto Smith to make a late run, but it looks pretty clear that New York doesn’t have it in them. Their first-round pick was future left tackle Olu Fashanu, and the team could insert him in the starting lineup while getting a late-round pick or swap for Smith.

Smith was one of the best offensive linemen in the league for years with the Cowboys, but age and injuries have taken their toll. KC would give him the chance to play with a great offensive line, and he could even be rotated at times with Morris to keep Smith fresh.

A Jets’ loss on Thursday against Houston might make them more likely to sell, and multiple veterans on that team would be enticing trade targets.

Washington Commanders (6-2)

Biggest Need: Run Defense

This could come in several different forms: The defensive line is the most obvious unit, but linebackers play a big role in stopping the run as well. Even a safety who plays more in the box can help defend the run better than the pass.

Washington has allowed the seventh-most rushing yards despite leading in many of their games, and they have given up the fourth-most yards per rush attempt. While the Commanders are sixth in pass rush win rate, they are 27th in run stop win rate.

When Washington gets behind and needs a stop on 3rd & 1, they don’t seem to have the chops right now to keep their opponents from running all over them.

Possible Targets: DTs John Jenkins and Adam Butler, Las Vegas Raiders

Washington is pretty stacked along the defensive line, but they are starting rookie Jer'Zhan Newton at defensive tackle. Maybe a veteran like one of Las Vegas’ linemen, who are both on expiring contracts, could provide another presence on early downs against the run.

Neither player would cost more than a late-round pick or swap, just like most of the guys we’ve talked about, and it could help turn the Commanders into a real contender if they can sure up their weakest area.

Philadelphia Eagles (5-2)

Biggest Need: Pass Rusher

The Eagles have a solid roster and not many places to clearly upgrade. Injuries have tested them on the offensive line, but guys are coming back, including left tackle Jordan Mailata, who still has a few more weeks on IR.

Philly is just 15th in pass rush win rate (and third against the run); they could use another body or two to rotate through if nothing else. If a bigger name were to come available, though, the Eagles could give their defense a shot of adrenaline.

Possible Target: K'Lavon Chaisson, Las Vegas Raiders

There’s a much more fun target in Vegas: Maxx Crosby. It’s unlikely the team will trade their best player, though, so another veteran in the pass rotation could be on the move.

Chaisson is on a cheap contract and would cost no more than a late-round pick swap. He hasn’t produced much in his career but is a former first-round pick who might be able to find success in a small role in Philadelphia; a lot of other guys fit that definition too.

(A possible Crosby trade would probably be built around two first-round picks or equivalent value heading to the Raiders. That’s a lot to pay, and any team looking to make that move would probably wait until the offseason to further assess things.)

Atlanta Falcons (5-3)

Biggest Need: Defensive Line

Atlanta ranks 25th in pass rush win rate and 28th in run stop win rate. We can make all the jokes about the team drafting QB Michael Penix eighth overall rather than the defensive help everyone knew they needed, but this is about fortifying the team with veteran help.

That help could come in many forms, as evidenced by their low ratings against both the run and the pass; even low-level additions would make a difference. We’ve talked enough about low-level players, though, so let’s talk about a Pro Bowl player.

Possible Target: Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans

This would be a huge move for multiple reasons and might not be feasible. The idea of the Falcons making a huge splash is what I’m thinking more about, though; that could also come in the form of Crosby, Myles Garrett, or someone else.

While Simmons has just two sacks, his eight run stuffs are only three short of his career high. Simmons is a player who would help against both the run and pass, something Atlanta desperately needs. No matter who the target is, the Falcons could better position themselves with a big defensive move.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4)

Biggest Need: Wide Receiver

Let’s end with a new top need, as the Bucs lost Chris Godwin for the rest of the season and Mike Evans for multiple games in Week 7. Cade Otton led the team in every receiving stat in Week 8, and Evans will return, but Tampa needs another reliable pass catcher if they are going to make any noise.

There are also needs on the defense for this group, but that might take more than a trade to fix.

Possible Target: Kendrick Bourne, New England Patriots

With Godwin out for the year, Tampa could use more of a possession receiver. I mentioned Boyd in the Pittsburgh section, and he would fit here, but Bourne is another guy who could be moved.

Evans can take care of the deep stuff, and Otton will be around, so someone who can maybe catch volume passes in the short game and get open on third down would be most valuable to the Bucs.

Bourne missed the first four games recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered last season. He has ramped up his usage to something nearing a full load, and while he probably won’t be at his best right away, he is a veteran who can step in and fill a spot.

Jakobi Meyers is another interesting option for any team looking at receivers if the Raiders don't mind emptying those coffers.