NFL Trade Rumors, Predictions for Derrick Henry, Brian Thomas Jr. and Jessie Bates III

And there's a pretty good chance the activity only increases as the football world moves closer to Tuesday's trade deadline.

The Baltimore Ravens were the latest squad to enter the roster-strengthening game, as they addressed their injury-riddled quarterback room with veteran Jacoby Brissett. Bigger splashes have already been made (Quenton Nelson, Jeffery Simmons and DeForest Buckner), but it's always notable when a signal-caller relocates.

What might the football gods cook up next? Let's lean on the latest rumor mill chatter to find out.

The Atlanta Falcons have a playoff pulse. It stems almost exclusively from the fact they reside in the AFC South, where no one has a winning record and the division owns a collective 11-19 mark.

While Atlanta could escape this division, it should have a healthy amount of skepticism about its ability to go on any kind of deep postseason run. Selective selling could be in the cards, then, and if it is, it's possible—though apparently not probable—that playmaking safety Jessie Bates III could be on the move.

"I do not believe the Faclons are trying to trade Bates, and I would be surprised if they did," ESPN's Dan Graziano wrote. "But he's an excellent player in the final year of his contract, and there are teams out there that would like to know whether they can get him."

The Falcons owe it to themselves (and their future) to at least have an ear open to hear what the market might be willing to give up to get Bates. In the end, though, it probably won't be enough for them to actually sign off on a swap.

If Jacoby Brissett can't stabilize the Ravens—and he was benched in his most recent game with the Arizona Cardinals—then Baltimore, which enters Thursday night amid a three-game losing streak, could look toward its future and consider shipping out present contributors for long-term assets.

Might that mean splitting from bellcow running back Derrick Henry? It seems like there's at least a universe in which that's the case.

"As running back names swirl, keep half an eye on Baltimore's Derrick Henry," Graziano wrote. "... Henry is turning 33 in January. He is scheduled to earn $12 million next year, and none of that money is guaranteed. If he isn't in Baltimore's plans beyond this year, the Ravens could find themselves fielding offers over the next week."

Henry has been incredible across two-plus seasons in Baltimore (4,148 rushing yards, 43 touchdowns in 42 games), and he could be incredibly valuable to a running back-needy shopper. A trade feels like a longshot, but that could depend on the Ravens' confidence in Brissett to hold things over until whenever Lamar Jackson is ready to return.

Teams Hoping To Pry Brian Thomas Jr. Out of Jacksonville?

It's been a strange NFL journey so far for receiver Brian Thomas Jr. He joined the Jacksonville Jaguars as the 23rd pick in the 2024 NFL draft, earned Pro Bowl honors as a rookie for his 1,330-scrimmage yard, 10-touchdown debut and then has backtracked down the pecking order ever since.

That's had people talking about his future and whether it should still exist in Jacksonville. As ESPN's Ian Rapoport noted, though, those talks aren't necessarily happening within the Jaguars' organization.

"Brian Thomas Jr. has been the area of interest for a lot of other teams," Rapoport said. "... What we don't know is would Jacksonville actually move him. They're a good team, he had a touchdown last week. He is getting more and more reps as we've kind of gone on this season. Woud they actually move on from him knowing what is out there for them? Time will tell."

It'll take a good offer to get Thomas, but it feels entirely plausible that one comes across the table. Between his past production and long-term potential, plus the number of contenders with needs at the position, there are a lot of arrows pointing toward a deal getting done.

Prediction: Thomas is traded to the Kansas City Chiefs.