Five realistic NFL trades that could happen before the deadline

We’re over a third of the way through the 2023 NFL season and teams will be looking to make moves to help steer their franchise in the right direction.

Two weeks remain until the October 31 NFL trade deadline, and we’ve already seen deals including Randy Gregory leaving the Broncos to join the 49ers, Van Jefferson being sent to the Falcons from the Rams, and the Dolphins acquire Chase Claypool from the Bears.

Infact, Mecole Hardman’s trade from the Jets back to the Chiefs on Wednesday was originally in this article as a potential trade – the perils of writing prediction articles (I’m being honest!) – so moves are starting to happen thick and fast.

Bigger deals are on the horizon, so here are five players who could be on the move, with potential partners looking to snap them up:

Jerry Jeudy to the Carolina Panthers

We know the Panthers are in the market for a wide receiver to aid Bryce Young’s development, so a move for Jerry Jeudy, who is seemingly available for offers, makes a whole lot of sense.

Jeudy’s career in the NFL hasn’t exactly hit the heights that many were expecting so far in Denver, and a change of scenery could do him the world of good. At 24, he’s still incredibly young and has his best years ahead of him, so long as he finds a good quarterback partner to develop with.

Joining forces with an ex-Alabama man could be the perfect thing for both players in this situation, and we think the Panthers can reinvigorate a player once billed as a no-doubt NFL superstar.

Derrick Henry to the Baltimore Ravens

Slowly getting towards the twilight of his career, King Henry has been a trade rumour for a couple of years now, and while the Titans have always stuck to their guns with their premier playmaker, this year feels different.

Henry is having another decent year and an otherwise sloppy Titans team, but with the side bottom of the AFC South and new GM Ron Carthon having made trades, it could be time to move on.

Despite being a conference rival, Baltimore feels a realistic landing spot, given that they are in the market for a new running back and have been willing to part with early picks in the past. A second-rounder could be enough to secure Henry’s services.

Justin Fields to the Atlanta Falcons

At some point, the Bears have to stop parting with their best players. But with just one victory to start the 2023 season, a weak core of players, an ineffective pass rush and other concerns, and looking set to claim at least one of the premier picks in the 2024 draft, GM Ryan Poles may want a fresh start with a new, elite prospect at QB.

Our Dale Finnie touched on the rumours swirling on the Bears’ future at QB and Justin Fields. His suggestion of the Atlanta Falcons trading for his services makes a lot of sense for all parties if Fields is to move on, and the Falcons themselves are desperate for some decent quarterback play to keep their season on track.

Is this deal likely? Fields’ thumb injury complicates the idea, but who knows, we’ve seen wilder trades happen in the past.

Budda Baker to the Detroit Lions

Arizona aren’t as bad as everyone was making out pre-season, but they aren’t going to trouble a playoff push this year. They are in need of a big rebuild, and must surely be interested in acquiring a few more picks for the 2024 NFL Draft.

There was a lot of noise about Baker potentially set to join the Eagles earlier in the season. Perhaps conference rivals Detroit, who have caught up with Philly in the playoff race, can seize the opportunity, particularly with C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s injury looking long-term? Why not.

Brian Burns to the Los Angeles Rams

Burns wants out in Carolina, and there will surely be a party willing to part with a couple of decent draft picks to go get him.

We know the Rams have interest in Burns, having made an offer during last season for the star edge rusher. LA are sitting quietly at 3-3 in 2023, and with their window to win is closing, as well as being in need of pass rush help given they are averaging just 1.7 sacks per game (which ranks 28th in the NFL), reigniting their pursuit for Burns could be tempting.

The Rams finally have a first-round pick they can use and with the Panthers failing to get a long-term deal done with Burns and being winless to start the year, it feels likely they will be looking to cash in.