2024 NFL Trade Deadline Candidates

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertOctober 27, 2024
© USA TODAY Sports

The November 5th trade deadline is quickly approaching, and the list of names hitting the hypothetical trade block is growing by the hour. We’ve attempted to pull together a candidate list that makes sense both from a football & contract standpoint, including the financial ramifications for each player going forward.

Jarrett Stidham / Zach Wilson (QB, Broncos)

Stidham: $2.485M
Wilson: $527,500

It stands to reason that one of the QBs could be shopped in the next week, especially if an unfortunate injury pops up in Week 8 or 9 action. Both players are on expiring contracts and are late round draft pick targets at best.

Miles Sanders (RB, Panthers)

2024: $2.01M (guaranteed)
2025: $6.7M (non-guaranteed)
2026: $5.5M (non-guaranteed)

Sanders has already been usurped by Chuba Hubbard, and Jonathon Brooks’ return to health will only further push Sanders out of favor in this offense. Carolina can pay down this salary to the minimum ($1.44M retained) to make Sanders a more attractive rental piece.

Christian Kirk (WR, Jaguars)

2024: $7.48M ($7.25M of salary, $236k of per-game active bonus)
2025: $16.5M (non-guaranteed)

The nearly 28-year-old has been usurped by the emergence of Brian Thomas Jr., and is a likely roster bubble candidate next March. Jacksonville probably needs to pay down this remaining salary to bring back a worthy draft pick, but there’s a world where Kirk is the best WR on the block next week.

Treylon Burks (WR, Titans)

2024: $783k (guaranteed)
2025: $2.6M (guaranteed)
2026: 5th-Year Option (unlikely)

Burks could become the latest “Kadarius Toney” type acquisition, where a team takes a chance on a former high draft pick with 1 ½ years of guaranteed salary remaining. His time in Tennessee appears all but over, and Will Levis’ lack of improvement could mean another full-slate rebuild for the Titans as it stands.

Diontae Johnson (WR, Panthers)

2024: $3.5M (guaranteed)
2025: UFA

The Panthers swapped a player (Donte Jackson) and late round draft picks to take on Johnson’s expiring contract this year. He’s been one of the better offensive players on an overall dreadful team, and a little retained salary ($2.1M would lower him to a minimum) might bring them back a decent pick this week.

Daniel Bellinger (TE, Giants)

2024: $492,500 (non-guaranteed)
2025: $1.1M (non-guaranteed)

Despite signs of relevance in 2022-2023, Bellinger has become nearly invisible in a disjointed Giants’ offense. He’s a low cost, low risk, late round draft pick swap acquisition for a team looking to bolster their TE room this fall. 

D.J. Jones (DT, Broncos)

2024: $4.9M ($4.75M of salary, $240k of per-game active bonus)
2025: UFA

As far as deadline moves go, Jones’ is a bit expensive, and the 2nd-place Broncos certainly don’t need to rush into seller-mode, but Denver is purging, rebuilding, and attempting to contend all at the same time in 2024.

Khalil Mack (OLB, Chargers)

2024: $627,500
2025: UFA

The 33-year-old refuses to slow down (#3 among PFF Edge Defenders). Mack renegotiated a pay cut to remain in LA this season, a move that lowered his base salary down to near minimum. This makes him an extremely attractive rental piece at the deadline - if the Chargers are willing to cut bait with arguably their most important defensive player.

Josh Uche (OLB, Patriots)

2024: $890k ($650k in salary, $240k in per-game active bonus)
2025: UFA

Uche surprisingly took a suppressed 1-year deal to remain in New England this past March, despite more lucrative offers from elsewhere. The move now makes him a bonafide trade target this week, setting up an opportunity for the Patriots to pull back a much needed draft asset.

Calais Campbell (DE, Dolphins)

2024: $605,000
2025: UFA

The 38-year-old has been a factor for Miami through much of the season. If the Dolphins fall out of line in the AFC, a swap to a contender makes sense for everyone.

Greg Newsome (CB, Browns)

2024: $1.2M (guaranteed)
2025: $13.377M (guaranteed)

It’s been a bit of a stepback year for Newsome (and most of the Browns, all things considered), and the time to consider a multi-year extension for the former 1st round pick is right around the corner. If Cleveland doesn’t have Newsome in their long-term plans, pulling back a Top 100 draft pick for the 24-year-old makes sense.

Budda Baker (S, Cardinals)

2024: $7.1M (guaranteed)
2025: UFA

The 28-year-old, 6-time Pro Bowler is likely on his last leg in Arizona, who find themselves in the thick of a messy NFC West as the deadline approaches. Baker is an expensive rental at cost, but player for player trades have become commonplace for the Cardinals of late, which would help lessen the financial burden of a receiving team here.


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