The final installment of our NFL trade deadline series is here, with several of the league’s top contenders still on the board. In the AFC East, the defending conference champion New England Patriots are looking to reclaim the division crown, while Joe Brady’s Buffalo Bills aim to take control. Meanwhile, the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins find themselves near the bottom of the conference standings.
The AFC West presents a much tighter race. The Kansas City Chiefs sit atop the division with just one loss, but the Denver Broncos, the AFC’s No. 1 seed in 2025, remain close behind. The Las Vegas Raiders have emerged as one of the NFL’s biggest surprises, fueled by a high-powered passing attack. Perhaps even more shocking is the Los Angeles Chargers‘ winless start. After reaching the playoffs in 2025, Los Angeles has stumbled through a disastrous third season under Jim Harbaugh.
With the trade deadline approaching, let’s examine one potential move for each AFC East and AFC West team to close out the series.
NFL Trade Deadline: One Trade for Every AFC East Team
Buffalo Bills
*TRADE* Buffalo Bills acquire Frankie Luvu from the Washington Commanders for a 2027 sixth-round pick
Buffalo’s pass defense has struggled in 2026, ranking near the bottom of the NFL. Luvu has established himself as a versatile defensive playmaker dating back to his time with the Carolina Panthers. His ability to line up at multiple positions and generate pressure makes him an intriguing target for a Bills team looking to bolster its pass rush.
Meanwhile, Washington has fallen behind in the NFC East race and could look to move veteran talent in exchange for draft capital. At 30 and approaching a new contract, Luvu could be an ideal rental for Buffalo as it looks to strengthen its defense for a postseason push.
Miami Dolphins
*TRADE* Miami Dolphins acquire Calvin Ridley and a 2027 seventh-round pick from the Tennessee Titans for a 2027 sixth-round pick
Miami boasts the NFL’s youngest receiving corps but could benefit from adding a veteran presence. Ridley has fallen out of favor in Tennessee, losing opportunities to younger receivers while carrying a sizable contract. The Dolphins could capitalize by acquiring Ridley alongside draft compensation in exchange for taking on his remaining salary.
Adding an experienced receiver would give Malik Willis another reliable target while providing valuable mentorship for young pass catchers Chris Bell, Kevin Coleman Jr. and Caleb Douglas. Meanwhile, Tennessee would shed one of its more burdensome contracts and create additional financial flexibility. For Miami, the combination of veteran leadership and draft capital could make the deal worthwhile.
New England Patriots
*TRADE* New England Patriots acquire Amani Hooker from the Tennessee Titans for a 2027 fourth-round pick
New England allowed Jaylinn Hawkins to depart in free agency, creating a need for another safety alongside Craig Woodson. A reunion with Hooker could make sense for head coach Mike Vrabel, who helped bring Hooker to Tennessee in the 2019 NFL draft.
Hooker has elevated his play under Robert Saleh this season, earning a 75.3 Pro Football Focus grade, ranking 15th among safeties. Meanwhile, Kevin Byard has struggled to live up to his contract, and his age raises questions about his long-term role. Acquiring Hooker would give New England a proven veteran with multiple productive seasons potentially ahead of him and valuable contract control. With Tennessee potentially selling at the deadline, the Patriots should explore a deal to strengthen their secondary for a postseason push.
New York Jets
*TRADE* New York Jets send Brandon Stephens to the New York Giants for a 2027 sixth-round pick
Stephens could emerge as one of the Jets’ top trade candidates ahead of this year’s deadline. After signing a three-year, $36 million contract in 2025, Stephens represents an opportunity for New York to shed salary and recoup draft capital. With the Jets running low on valuable veteran trade assets, Stephens could draw interest from the New York Giants.
Stephens enjoyed his best season under current Giants coach John Harbaugh in Baltimore before joining the Jets in 2025. A reunion would give the Giants a familiar defensive back with experience in Harbaugh’s system as they look to strengthen their secondary for a postseason push. If the price is right, Stephens could provide valuable depth without requiring a significant investment.
One Trade for Every AFC West Team
Denver Broncos
*TRADE* Denver Broncos acquire Zach Sieler from the Miami Dolphins for a 2027 fifth-round pick
Denver’s run defense has taken a step back in 2026, potentially feeling the effects of John Franklin-Myers‘ departure to Tennessee. For a Broncos team with postseason aspirations, reinforcing the defensive interior should be a priority.
Miami, meanwhile, finds itself outside the playoff picture, with Sieler among its most valuable remaining veterans. With multiple years of contract control beyond 2026, Sieler could command meaningful draft compensation from a contender looking to strengthen its defensive front. If Denver becomes a buyer at the deadline, Miami stands out as a logical trade partner as the Dolphins look to accumulate assets ahead of the 2027 NFL draft.
Las Vegas Raiders
*TRADE* Las Vegas Raiders acquire Brian Thomas Jr. from the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 2027 third-round pick and 2028 fourth-round pick
Las Vegas desperately needs a true X receiver on the outside. Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer have taken on increased workloads, while Tre Tucker has been forced into a role that doesn’t fully suit his skill set. Ashton Jeanty has also emerged as a significant receiving threat out of the backfield, partly due to the Raiders’ lack of established options at wide receiver.
Thomas Jr. would be an ideal addition for both the present and future. He could immediately elevate the passing attack with Kirk Cousins under center while developing into a long-term No. 1 target for Fernando Mendoza. Now in his third season, Thomas has seen his role diminish in Jacksonville’s offense, potentially creating an opportunity for Las Vegas to acquire him at a reduced price. If the Raiders are serious about making a splash at the deadline, Thomas should be near the top of their wish list.
Los Angeles Chargers
*TRADE* Los Angeles Chargers send Donte Jackson to the Carolina Panthers for a 2027 sixth-round pick
The Chargers appear headed toward a retool rather than a full-scale rebuild after opening the season with seven consecutive losses. Instead of dismantling the roster, Los Angeles could look to move select veterans to contenders while maintaining its long-term foundation. Jackson stands out as a potential trade candidate.
Jackson has been a reliable NFL cornerback for nearly a decade, and a return to Carolina, where he began his career, could make sense for both sides. The Panthers’ secondary has battled injuries in 2026, including setbacks involving star cornerback Jaycee Horn. Adding an experienced defender like Jackson would provide valuable depth and stability on the back end as Carolina looks to capture its second consecutive division title.
Kansas City Chiefs
*TRADE* Kansas City Chiefs acquire Josh Downs from the Indianapolis Colts for a 2028 fifth-round pick
Kansas City is coming off an embarrassing Week 7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, with its struggling passing attack emerging as a major concern. Downs has reportedly requested a trade from Indianapolis as the Colts continue dismantling their roster, presenting an intriguing opportunity for the Chiefs.
Downs is an exceptional route runner who consistently creates separation and has begun earning more opportunities with Daniel Jones under center. With Rashee Rice nearing his return, adding Downs would give Patrick Mahomes another reliable target and form a dangerous receiving duo. For a Kansas City team with championship aspirations, acquiring Downs could provide the spark its passing attack needs ahead of the postseason.
The Last Word
That wraps up our four-part NFL trade deadline series! The deadline remains one of the most exciting periods on the NFL calendar, and 2026 is shaping up to be no exception. Major moves are already reshaping the league as contenders push their chips to the center of the table and rebuilding teams look toward the future.
A team’s approach to the deadline often reveals its intentions for the rest of the season and beyond. With the postseason approaching, these decisions could be the difference between an early exit and a deep playoff run. Be sure to check out all four parts of the series, featuring potential trades for all 32 NFL teams, as the league prepares for the final stretch of the season.
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