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The NFL trade deadline is on November 2nd. Teams will either be looking to shore up their roster for a playoff push or unload veterans and players who don’t fit with the team’s future for draft picks or cap space.
Trade rumors and roster upheaval are not as robust as the NBA when it’s close to the deadline, but the NFL has its share of intrigue, and this season should be no different, especially with one particularly talented player who hasn’t yet played a down this season.
The following five moves before the trade deadline may prove to be the difference between a playoff berth and a place of mediocrity.
#5 - Marlon Mack, RB, Indianapolis Colts, to a team in need of a veteran running back for 50/50 share
The Indianapolis Colts have rebounded from a 0-3 start to remain in the thick of the AFC South Division title. Veteran running back Marlon Mack is coming off an Achilles injury that kept him out of the 2020 season. Although Mack has recovered well from an injury that has ended several other careers, his yards-per-carry this season is below four yards per carry.
Marlon Mack will be looking for a new home as he’s now the clear backup option behind running back Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines. There won’t be many starting jobs available for Mack to step in and start right away, in the event of a trade. But the Colts running back could find a better situation that could offer him a 50/50 timeshare in the backfield. Teams can always use a veteran running back to soak up important early down carries.
#4 - Melvin Ingram, OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers, to a playoff contender with a need for a pass rusher
Former first-round draft pick and 3-time Pro Bowler Melvin Ingram has seen his playing time drastically reduced this season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The outside linebacker reportedly wants out of Pittsburgh, and the Kansas City Chiefs have already made a trade offer for the edge rusher. The Steelers, however, did not want to trade Ingram to an AFC team for fear of helping opponents vying for the same NFL wildcard playoff spot.
The disgruntled linebacker could be shipped out to an NFC team in need of a boost for its past rush. Don’t be surprised, though, if the Steelers stay put at the trade deadline and ensure they have solid depth along their linebacker corps.
#3 - Allen Robinson, WR, Chicago Bears, to a playoff contender with a need for a WR1 or WR1A
Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson has cut a picture of a veteran just looking for a winning team. Ironically, the one team that could use another talented wideout, the Green Bay Packers, will be the last team the Bears would trade Robinson to.
That being said, there are plenty of teams that need a WR1, WR2, or just a competent pass catcher. As the trade deadline approaches, look for Allen Robinson to have a new team — probably one that isn’t fielding a rookie quarterback.
#2 - Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins to Houston
Tua Tagovailoa makes an appearance on this list only because of who appears on number one. Tagovailoa’s trade rumors and his move to another team depend on whether the Miami Dolphins are willing to take a risk by trading him to the Houston Texans for Deshaun Watson.
The trade rumors have not diminished despite the Dolphins denying them, and they are not likely to disappear until after the trade deadline either. This potential trade is bound to shake up the NFL landscape (especially the AFC) because an elite quarterback will be playing again (legal issues notwithstanding), and a former number 2 overall draft pick will have a new home only one and a half years after he was drafted.
#1 - Quarterback Deshaun Watson, to anywhere (probably Miami)
If quarterback Deshaun Watson is going anywhere, it’s going to be Miami. Reportedly, they are the only team he waived his no-trade clause for. Despite his off-field legal troubles, the current Houston Texans quarterback is not on the NFL commissioner’s exempt list, which means he is eligible to play this season.
If he does go to Miami, Watson would be reunited with former Texans wide receiver Will Fuller, and he would inherit a talented receivers corps that includes Jaylen Waddle and DeVante Parker. It’s a lot of “ifs” this year at the trade deadline and none bigger than the potential trade of a disgruntled franchise quarterback.
