Parts 1 and 2 covered one trade target for every NFC team. In Part 3, we shift our focus to the AFC North and AFC South.
The AFC North is one of the NFL’s most competitive divisions, with the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers tied atop the standings at 5-2. The Cincinnati Bengals sit at 4-2, while the Baltimore Ravens occupy last place despite a winning record (4-3). All four teams could emerge as buyers ahead of the trade deadline.
The AFC South presents a different picture. The Jacksonville Jaguars hold a commanding division lead at 4-2, while the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts are tied for second at 2-5. The Tennessee Titans round out the division at 1-6. With Jacksonville firmly in contention, the remaining three teams could look to sell at the deadline.
With the NFL trade deadline approaching, let’s examine one potential trade target for each of these teams.
NFL Trade Deadline: One Trade for Every AFC North Team
Baltimore Ravens
*TRADE* Baltimore Ravens acquire Sam LaPorta from the Detroit Lions for a 2027 second-round pick and 2028 fourth-round pick
Sam LaPorta’s situation in Detroit has become increasingly complicated. Public comments and growing frustration over contract negotiations have made headlines, with the Lions facing financial constraints that could prevent an extension. Brian Branch is also due for a new deal, leaving LaPorta’s long-term future uncertain amid Detroit’s abundance of offensive weapons.
Baltimore could capitalize on that uncertainty. The Ravens’ decision to retain Mark Andrews over Isaiah Likely has left questions at tight end, and acquiring LaPorta would give Lamar Jackson another premier target. If Detroit is willing to move its former Pro Bowl tight end, Baltimore should emerge as a top destination as it looks to strengthen its offense in a tightly contested AFC North.
Cincinnati Bengals
*TRADE* Cincinnati Bengals acquire Erik McCoy from the New Orleans Saints for a 2027 fourth-round pick
Cincinnati improved to 4-2 with a win over the Baltimore Ravens coming out of its bye week, keeping pace in a tightly contested AFC North. All four teams entered Week 8 with winning records.
The Bengals showed their willingness to make aggressive moves this offseason, acquiring Dexter Lawrence ahead of the 2026 NFL draft. That approach could continue at the trade deadline, with Erik McCoy emerging as an ideal target to bolster a struggling rushing attack.
McCoy has been one of New Orleans’ few bright spots this season, ranking among Pro Football Focus’ top five centers. With the Saints potentially shifting toward a rebuild, moving McCoy could allow them to capitalize on his value while he’s healthy. At 29, McCoy doesn’t necessarily fit New Orleans’ long-term timeline, making him an intriguing trade candidate for a Cincinnati team looking to contend.
Cleveland Browns
*TRADE* Cleveland Browns acquire Aaron Brewer from the Miami Dolphins for a 2027 second-round pick
The Browns have been one of the biggest surprises of the 2026 season, sitting atop the AFC North at 5-2. Cleveland revamped its offensive line this offseason, but there is still room for improvement, particularly in run blocking. Acquiring one of the NFL’s premier run-blocking centers in Brewer would signal Cleveland’s commitment to making a postseason push.
Meanwhile, Miami should prioritize accumulating draft capital as it looks toward the future. Moving Brewer while his value remains high would give the Dolphins an opportunity to capitalize on his strong play and accelerate their rebuild.
Pittsburgh Steelers
*TRADE* Pittsburgh Steelers acquire Mack Wilson Sr. from the Arizona Cardinals for a 2027 fifth-round pick
Pittsburgh enters the NFL trade deadline in a strong position at 5-2, trailing Cleveland in the AFC North standings due to a head-to-head loss on Thursday Night Football. With offensive weapons Roman Wilson and Michael Pittman Jr. nearing returns from injury, the Steelers should shift their attention to strengthening the defense.
Patrick Queen has struggled to meet expectations since arriving in Pittsburgh, making linebacker a potential area of need. Acquiring Wilson Sr. to pair with Payton Wilson could provide a much-needed boost to the second level. Wilson has taken a step back in Arizona after a strong 2025 campaign, potentially lowering his asking price. Pittsburgh should bet on his talent and capitalize on an opportunity to bolster its defense for a postseason push.
One Trade for Every AFC South Team
Indianapolis Colts
*TRADE* Indianapolis Colts send Charvarius Ward to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2027 sixth-round pick
Indianapolis has begun dismantling its roster, already moving veterans Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner. Ward could be next as the Colts continue accumulating assets ahead of the trade deadline. Now in his 30s, Ward could benefit from a move to a contender, making Kansas City an intriguing landing spot.
Ward has familiarity with Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive scheme, having previously played for the Chiefs before earning a lucrative contract with the San Francisco 49ers. Kansas City has also shown a willingness to reunite with former players, recently bringing back cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. A reunion with Ward could strengthen the Chiefs’ secondary at a relatively low cost. Given his recent struggles and injury history, Ward presents an affordable opportunity for Kansas City to bolster its defense ahead of a postseason push.
Jacksonville Jaguars
*TRADE* Jacksonville Jaguars acquire Minkah Fitzpatrick from the New York Jets for a 2027 fourth-round pick
Jacksonville holds a commanding lead in the AFC South, with a multigame cushion over the rest of the division. The Jaguars have few glaring needs, but adding a proven veteran to the safety room could strengthen their defense for a postseason push.
Fitzpatrick has put together a solid season with the Jets, but New York’s struggles could make him available as the franchise looks to accumulate draft capital. Approaching 30, Fitzpatrick could benefit from a move to a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Pairing him with Antonio Johnson would give Jacksonville an experienced presence on the back end and bolster its secondary against the AFC’s elite passing attacks. If the price is right, Fitzpatrick could be a valuable addition for a Jaguars team looking to make a deep playoff run.
Houston Texans
*TRADE* Houston Texans send Danielle Hunter to the Minnesota Vikings for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 fourth-round pick
Houston finds itself in a difficult position entering Week 8. Despite possessing the talent to compete with the AFC’s best, the Texans sit at 2-5 and face an uphill battle to salvage their season. If Houston shifts toward a full-scale rebuild rather than a retool, Hunter could emerge as a valuable trade asset. Still performing at an elite level, Hunter could command significant draft capital from a contender looking to bolster its pass rush.
Minnesota stands out as an ideal landing spot, offering Hunter a reunion with the franchise where he established himself as one of the NFL’s premier edge rushers. The Vikings are off to a 6-0 start, boasting one of the league’s top defenses. Pairing Hunter with breakout star Dallas Turner would create a formidable pass-rushing duo and make an already dangerous Minnesota defense even tougher to handle in the postseason.
Tennessee Titans
*TRADE* Tennessee Titans acquire Tyler Steen from the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2027 third-round pick
Atonio Mafi has been among the NFL’s worst starting guards this season, ranking 70th out of 75 qualifying guards in Pro Football Focus’ overall grades and 74th in run blocking. Meanwhile, Steen ranks 29th overall and 12th in pass blocking, offering a significant upgrade for Tennessee’s offensive line.
The Titans’ priority down the stretch should be building momentum and showing promise for the future. With JC Latham enjoying the best season of his career and Peter Skoronski emerging as a cornerstone up front, addressing the remaining guard spot would be a step in the right direction. At 26, Steen could provide both immediate stability and long-term upside as he approaches free agency.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, faces difficult financial decisions with several key players due for extensions. Steen could become a casualty of those constraints, particularly with the Eagles’ season slipping away. Tennessee should capitalize on the opportunity to acquire a young, proven starter and give Cam Ward better protection as the franchise builds toward 2027.
The Last Word
The AFC North and AFC South present two vastly different landscapes. The North remains fiercely competitive, with all four teams above .500, while the South has taken a step back in 2026, leaving Jacksonville firmly in control. With the trade deadline approaching, these eight potential moves could reshape both divisions as teams prepare for the final stretch of the season.
Stay tuned for Part 4, the final installment of the series, as we examine potential trade targets for every team in the AFC East and AFC West.
Main Image: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
