Three NFL trade deadline ideas for offensive players

Ariel Arevalo

Anchor Staff Writer

Every passing week brings the NFL trade deadline closer. It also means NFL front offices have a clearer idea of where to go next. Whether it is trading future draft capital for players that can help contenders win or selling assets for future draft picks for a rebuilding team, these questions should be answered very soon. In the meantime, people will continue speculating who gets moved and who stays with their current teams. 

The last NFL trade idea article on the Anchor featured only defensive players. Since then, the Colts have sent superstar and legend guard Quenton Nelson to the Seahawks, DeForest Buckner has returned to the 49ers six years after leaving, and the Titans have sent superstar defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmos to the Bears. This time, the focus will be solely on offensive players who could get traded by the deadline. Once again, the trades will go from most realistic to least realistic.

Josh Downs goes west to Kansas City

Kansas City receives: Wide receiver Josh Downs

Indianapolis receives: a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 sixth-round pick.

The Indianapolis Colts continue their fire sale after former general manager Chris Ballard was relieved of his duties two weeks ago, and they are embracing selling off players not part of their long-term plans. Josh Downs fits that bill, as he is on an expiring contract and has requested a trade out of Indy. This season, Downs has been solid with 26 receptions for 307 yards in seven games. 

Meanwhile, the Chiefs' wide receiver room is very thin, with former first-round receiver Xavier Worthy having an underwhelming season with only 217 yards in six games. Rashee Rice, their best wide receiver, has also missed two games with an injury. These players are not enough if the Chiefs want a deep playoff run, and Josh Downs gives them a floor-raising player at a position of need without breaking the bank.

Jonathan Taylor becomes a Viking

Minnesota receives: Running Back Jonathan Taylor

Indianapolis receives: Running Back Aaron Jones, a 2027 second- and fourth-round pick, and a 2028 third-round pick.

The Colts continue to embrace the fire-sale mentality they had with the proposed Josh Downs trade. This time, they trade their best player for a haul. Taylor is having an awesome season with 587 rushing yards, eight touchdowns, and 178 receiving yards. While moving on will hurt a lot, especially a player of Taylor’s caliber, it will benefit the team in the long term.

The Vikings, meanwhile, are 6-1 and firm playoff contenders with a top-three defense. However, their offense is a problem. They have a bottom-five offense overall, and while lead running back Aaron Jones has been fine with 458 yards and two touchdowns, Taylor would give the Vikings the elite offensive player they need to make a deep playoff run in January. They would give up a lot in this deal, but it is worth it to acquire talent to compete for a Super Bowl.

Brian Thomas Jr. takes a trip to the Bay Area

San Francisco receives: Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.

Jacksonville receives: 2027 second-round pick and 2028 fifth-round pick.

San Francisco goes shopping again, except this time for an offensive weapon. They already traded for DeForest Buckner, as mentioned earlier, and are 6-1 and perhaps the best team. Ricky Pearsall is out for the season, De’Zhaun Stribling hasn’t played since week one, and Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel have missed at least a game all due to injury. Brian Thomas Jr. provides the 49ers with a young weapon with upside and insurance for an injured room. However, they pay a steep price for a mostly unproven talent.

Brian Thomas Jr. has been disappointing this year with only 10 receptions for 117 yards and two touchdowns, but some of that is because he isn’t being used. In 2024, his rookie season, he had 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns, showing he can be a great player. Jacksonville would get premier draft capital for a player they don’t need in this trade, so they can draft more young talent for a contender in the future, as they are 6-1 and well in first place in the AFC South. They are hesitant to trade him now, but waiting will only deplete his value over time.