The NFL trade deadline is less than a week away, and every team is in position to either put themselves over the top in hopes of a playoff push, or to completely reset their franchise and move on to NFL Draft season. We've already seen big names like LG Quenton Nelson and DTs DeForest Buckner and Jeffrey Simmons getting dealt before the deadline. And I get the feeling that more big names will be on the move once we get to November 10.
For every team in the current playoff picture, we'll break down one realistic trade and one pipe dream trade they can make to put themselves over the top, in addition to a few interesting ones outside of the playoff mix. Pipe Dream Trade: Jessie Bates, S, Atlanta Falcons Realistic Trade: Amani Hooker, S, Tennessee Titans The Bills have gotten more than enough from their defensive front, a unit that I thought would come along slowly in the beginning of the season. EDGE Greg Rousseau is playing at a DPOY-caliber level, and the emergence of DT Deone Walker has helped their defensive line gain some teeth.
However, the Bills have given up the fifth-most completions of 20+ yards in the NFL this season and lack impact play from their secondary. Cornerback is a spot where they could improve, but they have a lot of faith in rookie CB Davison Igbinosun opposite Christian Benford. However, the safety spot opposite Cole Bishop could use some improvement.
While most people will point to Arizona Cardinals' safety Budda Baker as the top target, he and Bishop's skillsets overlap. Bates is entering the final year of his contract with the Falcons, and he has been an impact player when the ball is in the air and when separating the ball from the player (three PBUs, one INT and three forced fumbles in 2026). Bates is the perfect complement to Bishop and could help tilt the scales back in the Bills' favor.
Hooker makes a lot of sense as a realistic target for the Bills. There's some freedom in his contract as he enters the final two years of his 2025 deal, but he's a reliable post safety who can complement Bishop's skills closer to the line of scrimmage. Pipe Dream Trade: RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts Realistic Trade: TE Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles I wouldn't be surprised if the Broncos ultimately stand pat at the deadline, after all the rumors and whispers that they're looking for something big.
With the emergence of RB Jonah Coleman in this offense, the Denver running game has found some new life to go along with the mandatory second-half Bo Nix resurgence. However, if the Broncos were looking to make a big swing, it would obviously be for Colts' RB Jonathan Taylor. While Coleman has been very good, the explosiveness Taylor would bring makes a pedestrian Broncos offense more dangerous from anywhere on the field (since 2023, Taylor has 78 explosive runs, 5th-most in the NFL).
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