2026 NFL Trade Block Big Board Entering Week 1

The 2026 regular season is here, football fans. The Seattle Seahawks will begin their title defense on Wednesday night with a Super Bowl LX rematch against the New England Patriots. That game will mark the start of an 18-week marathon to the NFL playoffs.

While the focus has pivoted from roster construction to on-field action, fans can expect to see more trades between now and the November 10 deadline. Some teams are entering Week 1 with notable needs, while others will experience attrition during the long campaign.

Still other teams will look to cash in assets for draft capital as they begin falling out of contention.

We are unlikely to see a flurry of trade activity early in the season, but it's never too soon to examine the top candidates. Here, you'll find our top 10 trade targets, ranked based on past production, upside, positional value, contract/cap implications, likely availability, and any relevant buzz.

We'll also project trade values based on factors such as position, player upside, player age, and any comparable deals, while providing some logical suitors for each player on our list.

10. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers

Projected Trade Value: Conditional 2027 7th-Round Pick

If a team becomes desperate for wide receiver help, it can probably have San Francisco 49ers pass-catcher Brandon Aiyuk for next to nothing. The 49ers have made it clear that they're ready to move on from their former standout, and they've practically begged teams to take him off their hands all offseason.

"We're available. Give us a call," general manager John Lynch told reporters in his post-draft press conference.

The question is whether a team will become desperate enough to make a move for Aiyuk after repeatedly attacking his current team on social media. The Washington Commanders were reportedly interested in signing him if he had become available, but have lost some interest, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner and John Keim :

"The phrase you'll hear is 'never say never,' but there's been a definite cooling of the Commanders' interest after Aiyuk's Instagram postings over the past month, including some about [Washington QB Jayden] Daniels."

On the positive side, Aiyuk is still only 28 years old and surpassed 1,300 receiving yards when last healthy in 2023.

Potential Suitors: Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins

Projected Trade Value: 2027 5th-Round Pick

While J.J. McCarthy's time with the Minnesota Vikings isn't officially over just yet, it certainly feels like the clock is ticking. Minnesota named Kyler Murray as its Week 1 starter and has veteran Carson Wentz set to provide backup duties.

McCarthy could still salvage his career with the Vikings, but it might require a special set of circumstances for the 2024 first-round pick to even get that opportunity. Minnesota, meanwhile, may be willing to part with McCarthy sooner rather than later, provided it can get an acceptable return.

According to veteran NFL reporter Jason La Canfora, the Vikings will hope to attack value to McCarthy's future playing time.

"As part of any finalised deal, the Vikings are also expected to seek a conditional element in any deal that would increase their compensation, should McCarthy go on to play for his new team," La Canfora wrote for Casino.org.

Right now, McCarthy would be most attractive to teams looking to develop a long-term backup or simply take a flier on a former first-round pick.

Potential Suitors: Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers

8. Xavier Legette, WR, Carolina Panthers

Projected Trade Value: Conditional 2027 5th-Round Pick

Teams looking to take a flier on a former first-round pick are exactly the sort that could be interested in Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette. Aside from his draft status and physical upside, the third-year receiver has shown little else to offer.

Through two seasons with the Panthers, the 32nd overall pick out of South Carolina has tallied just 84 catches for 860 yards and seven touchdowns. He also battled foot and ankle injuries that caused him to miss time during the preseason.

With at least two years left on his rookie contract, the Panthers would probably prefer to see Legette live up to his draft status in Carolina. After seeing him record just 363 yards as the team's No. 2 target behind Tetairoa McMillian in 2025, though, they may also have him on a short leash.

If Jalen Coker can stay healthy and free-agent addition John Metchie III can force himself into a prominent role, the Panthers could quickly decide to cash in Legette for draft capital. Teams looking to add a 6'1", 221-pound pass-catcher with 4.39 speed should be willing to take a chance on him.

Potential Suitors: Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders

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7. Joey Porter Jr., CB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Projected Trade Value: 2027 1st-Round Pick

The Pittsburgh Steelers seem to believe they can make another run at the playoffs with Aaron Rodgers and new head coach Mike McCarthy. Unless their perception changes, they probably won't be eager to move starting cornerback Joey Porter Jr.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler , however, the Steelers aren't overly eager to extend Porter early either, which could force the team to make him available:

" Sources say the Steelers' lack of a formal offer for weeks sent the clear message to Porter that they would like him to play out the final year of his rookie contract, which prompted him to consider the possibility of a trade or sitting out for an extended period."

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport recently told The Pat McAfee Show that he still believes an extension could get done before the start of the season. Porter would rank higher on this list if it was more clear that he could be acquired.

However, trading for the 26-year-old would be costly, both in terms of compensation and the ensuing contract that would be required to keep him. His market could be limited to playoff hopefuls with cap space to spare.

Potential Suitors: Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders

Projected Trade Value: Conditional 2027 4th-Round Pick

The Cleveland Browns made one for-the-future move when they dealt Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. They could make another—albeit with a much smaller return—by trading away wide receiver Jerry Jeudy.

The Browns used early draft picks on wide receivers K.C. Concepcion and Denzel Boston , which could push Jeudy out of the long-term plan. Tony Grossi of The Land on Demand believes the two rookies could push Jeudy out in the not-too-distant future.

"Now, from what I've seen of Boston and Concepcion, Jeudy could be a real trade chip played by GM Andrew Berry at the November 10 deadline, if not earlier," Grossi said in August (h/t Max Dible of Heavy).

Jeudy had a down year in 2025, along with the rest of the Browns' offense. However, he was a Pro Bowler in 2024 and is still only 27 years old. He should interest receiver-needy teams, and his $1.5 million base salary for 2026 is extremely team-friendly.

Potential Suitors: Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs

Projected Trade Value: 2027 1st-Round Pick, 2028 1st-Round Pick

Las Vegas Raiders pass-rusher Maxx Crosby would be at the top of our list if the Raiders were actively shopping him. After their offseason agreement with the Baltimore Ravens fell through, though, Las Vegas seems perfectly content to keep Crosby as the face of its defense.

Baltimore, you may remember, voided the trade after Crosby's physical raised health and durability concerns.

For now, Crosby is a Raider again, but that doesn't mean he's off limits. According to ESPN's Ryan McFadden , Las Vegas wasn't actively looking to move Crosby in the spring before Baltimore made an offer it couldn't refuse.

"For the Raiders to part ways with their franchise cornerstone, they needed an offer that included multiple first-round picks, similar to the trade of Micah Parsons from Dallas to Green Bay last August," McFadden wrote.

If another team comes calling about Crosby, the Raiders will undoubtedly listen. They're in the early stages of a rebuild and may not be ready to contend while Crosby is still in his playing prime.

The asking price will be high, but teams that believe they can chase a Super Bowl are bound to target him before November 10.

Potential Suitors: Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots

Projected Trade Value: 2027 5th-Round Pick and/or Veteran Player

Though they probably won't go after a player like Crosby, the Cincinnati Bengals very well could be sneaky Super Bowl contenders in 2025. They tend to be relevant when Joe Burrow is able to stay healthy, and they actually took an aggressive approach to addressing their defense this season.

As part of Cincinnati's defensive overhaul, it added interior linemen Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen. Their additions could potentially lead the Bengals to make fellow defensive tackle T.J. Slaton available for the right price.

Slaton is in the final year of his contract and is set to carry a $9.2 million cap hit in 2026.

For Cincinnati, Slaton can provide value in a DT rotation that includes Lawrence, Allen, B.J. Hill, Kris Jenkins Jr., and Landon Robinson . If he only sees sporadic playing time, though, he could be even more valuable as a trade chip.

With the Bengals looking to win now, they would probably want a player who can help them rather than a future draft pick, though that could change if guys like Jenkins and Robinson prove capable enough. And Slaton should have a strong trade market, as good defensive tackles are almost always in demand.

Potential Suitors: Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts

Arizona Cardinals edge-rusher Josh Sweat was the topic of trade speculation early in the offseason. Though Sweat didn't publicly ask for a trade, Cardinals insider Kyle Odegard reported in May that he had "been hearing for awhile" that he "is not particularly happy" in Arizona.

For now, though, Arizona appears uninterested in making Sweat available.

"The Cardinals are telling interested teams they aren't planning to trade Sweat, and I believe that to be true," ESPN's Dan Graziano wrote.

Of course, the Cardinals' stance is likely to change when and if it begins falling out of the NFC West race.

As much as Arizona may believe it can win with Jacoby Brissett and may like rookie quarterback Carson Beck , the reality is that its QB of the future may not be on the current roster. Moving Sweat could net valuable capital with which to build around said quarterback.

While Sweat will turn 30 in the offseason, he's coming off a 12-sack campaign and should easily command a conditional pick that can become a Day-2 selection with relatively minimal incentives.

Potential Suitors: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers

Projected Trade Value: 2027 2nd-Round Pick

With Baker Mayfield agreeing to a three-year extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Tuesday, Brock Purdy might be trending as the top quarterback on the 2027 free-agent market. With the position pool likely to be headlined by QBs like Jacoby Brissett, Deshaun Watson, and Geno Smith, Jones might be the only quarterback teams are willing to target as a potential long-term starter.

While the Alabama product significantly regressed after his Pro Bowl rookie campaign with the New England Patriots, he revitalized his stock as a spot starter with the San Francisco 49ers last season.

Jones went 5-3 as a starter while throwing for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions last season.

Teams that do view Jones as a potential QB1 could look to make a preemptive trade to acquire him now—which would open up the possibility to use the franchise tag for an audition in 2027.

Jones is obviously a valuable backup behind Brock Purdy, but the 49ers should be willing to trade him for a price. The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt reported that San Francisco was looking for a second-round pick and more early in the offseason.

The market for Jones will peak if and when another contender loses its starting quarterback to injury. However, QB-needy teams who are looking ahead could come calling, too.

Potential Suitors: Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns

1. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, New York Giants

Projected Trade Value: Conditional 2027 3rd-Round Pick

Good pass-rushers will always have a trade market. While Kayvon Thibodeaux had just 2.5 sacks last season, he's shown flashes of being a very good sack artist. In 2023, he recorded 11.5 sacks and 35 quarterback pressures.

The issue for Thibodeaux is that the New York Giants' top edge-rusher is Brian Burns, and they added Abdul Carter near the top of the 2025 draft. In April, New York added Arvell Reese , who will begin his career as an off-ball linebacker but who has the potential to move to the edge early in his career.

Given his lack of production over the past couple of seasons, it's hard to envision Thibodeaux having a lengthy future in New York—and the Giants have at least had discussions about moving him.

According to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, the Giants were in talks with the New Orleans Saints during draft weekend, though their asking price of a second-round pick was not amenable to New Orleans.

If Thibodeaux doesn't earn a prominent role early under new head coach John Harbaugh, the Giants should listen to offers once again. This time around, a third-rounder that can become a second-round pick with incentives may be enough to put him on a pass-rush-needy defense.

Potential Suitors: New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers

*Contract and cap information via Spotrac . Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference .