Jordan Dajani· Oct 29, 2026
Dajani identifies 25 players he believes could be dealt before the 2026 NFL trade deadline, sorting them into tiers of impact starters, discount playmakers and sneaky rentals. No destination clubs are named for any of them.
“Here are 25 potential trade chips, sorted into three tiers ranging from impact starters to sneaky rentals.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
25 checkable claims — 25 trade and signing calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 25 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- Donte Jackson
- Brian Thomas Jr.
- Quentin Johnston
- Tony Pollard
- Budda Baker
- Jonathan Taylor
- Josh Downs
- Kelee Ringo
- Amani Hooker
- Tuli Tuipulotu
- Marquise Brown
- Josh Sweat
- Kayvon Thibodeaux
- Cedric Gray
- Joshua Uche
- Jerry Jeudy
- Shedeur Sanders
- Kristian Fulton
- Khalil Mack
- Daron Payne
- Maxx Crosby
- Calvin Ridley
- Saquon Barkley
- Nahshon Wright
- Jauan Jennings
25 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
- Trade and Signing CallsDonte JacksonOct 29, 2026
Donte Jackson to move — “potential trade chip”
“Cornerbacks can be hard to find, and the veteran Jackson is on an expiring deal.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsBrian Thomas Jr.Oct 29, 2026
Brian Thomas Jr. to move — “could benefit from a change of scenery”
“Speaking of changes of scenery, BTJ could benefit from one. ... The Jaguars would want something decent in return for their former first-round pick, but they just don't trust him at this point.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsQuentin JohnstonOct 29, 2026
Quentin Johnston to move — “potential trade chip”
“Quentin Johnston WR, LAC — listed in Tier 2: Discount playmakers among 25 potential trade chips”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsTony PollardOct 29, 2026
Tony Pollard to move — “would come much cheaper in a trade”
“maybe we should be talking more about Tony Pollard. He's on an expiring deal, would come much cheaper in a trade”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsBudda BakerOct 29, 2026
Budda Baker to move — “if Arizona elected to part ways with him”
“Baker is still making plays every week and would be a true game-changing addition for a team if Arizona elected to part ways with him.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsJonathan TaylorOct 29, 2026
Jonathan Taylor to move — “available at the trade deadline”
“The Colts' star running back is one of the top players available at the trade deadline — if he is indeed available at the trade deadline. As Indy continues to lose games at 2-5, it could become more realistic.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsJosh DownsOct 29, 2026
Josh Downs to move — “should be available”
“If the Colts are selling off pieces, then Josh Downs should be available.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsKelee RingoOct 29, 2026
Kelee Ringo to move — “needs a change of scenery”
“I think Ringo, who is in the final year of his rookie deal, needs a change of scenery.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsAmani HookerOct 29, 2026
Amani Hooker to move — “could be moved if they found a good offer”
“I'm not sure the Titans are actively shopping Hooker, but he could be moved if they found a good offer.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsTuli TuipulotuOct 29, 2026
Tuli Tuipulotu to move — “potential trade chip”
“Khalil Mack is the Chargers' pass rusher everyone is talking about, but LA has another intriguing talent in Tuipulotu. (listed among 25 potential trade chips)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsMarquise BrownOct 29, 2026
Marquise Brown to move — “could be a cheap trade chip for a receiver-needy team at the deadline”
“He could be a cheap trade chip for a receiver-needy team at the deadline.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsJosh SweatOct 29, 2026
Josh Sweat to move — “could be looking for a new home”
“now that Gannon has been fired, Sweat could be looking for a new home.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsKayvon ThibodeauxOct 29, 2026
Kayvon Thibodeaux to move — “rumored trade candidate; that could change”
“Thibodeaux has been a rumored trade candidate for quite some time now, but no partner has emerged. That could change since there are just 10 games remaining on his rookie deal.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsCedric GrayOct 29, 2026
Cedric Gray to move — “that would make him available”
“Maybe Robert Saleh doesn't view Gray as a fit in his scheme. That would make him available.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsJoshua UcheOct 29, 2026
Joshua Uche to move — “could come cheaper than someone like Chop Robinson”
“A veteran pass rusher ... he could come cheaper than someone like Chop Robinson.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsJerry JeudyOct 29, 2026
Jerry Jeudy to move — “needs a change of scenery where he can see more targets”
“He needs a change of scenery where he can see more targets.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsShedeur SandersOct 29, 2026
Shedeur Sanders to stay put
“I'm not sure there's a clear-cut landing spot for a backup/developmental quarterback, but Sanders could be available if a team is interested.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsKristian FultonOct 29, 2026
Kristian Fulton to move — “potential trade chip”
“Fulton hasn't played more than 25% of defensive snaps in each of the last three games. (listed among 25 potential trade chips)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsKhalil MackOct 29, 2026
Khalil Mack to move — “a talked-about trade chip”
“The veteran Mack has recorded three sacks in six games this season and has been a talked-about trade chip for weeks now. He's on an expiring deal playing for a winless team.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsDaron PayneOct 29, 2026
Daron Payne to move — “a change of scenery would do him well”
“A former Pro Bowl interior lineman in his age-29 season on an expiring deal whose production has dipped in recent years. A change of scenery would do him well”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsMaxx CrosbyOct 29, 2026
Maxx Crosby to move — “could he be looking for a change of scenery again?”
“now that Vegas has lost four straight games, could he be looking for a change of scenery again?”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsCalvin RidleyOct 29, 2026
Calvin Ridley to move — “sneaky rental”
“Calvin Ridley WR, TEN — listed in Tier 3: Sneaky rentals among 25 potential trade chips”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsSaquon BarkleyOct 29, 2026
Saquon Barkley to move — “maybe it makes sense to move him”
“With the Eagles seemingly out of contention and Barkley in his age-29 season, maybe it makes sense to move him.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsNahshon WrightOct 29, 2026
Nahshon Wright to move — “sneaky rental”
“he has not played a single defensive snap for the Jets this season after signing a one-year deal in free agency. What a bizarre situation. (listed among 25 potential trade chips)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsJauan JenningsOct 29, 2026
Jauan Jennings to move — “potentially available for a Day 3 pick”
“The marriage simply hasn't worked, which potentially makes Jennings available for a Day 3 pick.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Michael MooreDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersHit · 100In a Week 9 injury roundup, Moore forecast which banged-up fantasy contributors would play or sit: Deshaun Watson, Garrett Wilson, David Montgomery, Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, TreVeyon Henderson and Terrance Ferguson are expected out, while Travis Kelce, Saquon Barkley, Michael Wilson, Christian Watson and Emeka Egbuka should play. He also expects Shedeur Sanders and Drew Lock to start at quarterback.
- Zachary PerelesDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersHit · 100Pereles writes that if Deshaun Watson can't clear concussion protocol in time, the Browns would likely turn to second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders to start Week 9 against the Saints.
- Blaine GrisakMock Draft Picks · Brian Thomas Jr.Hit · 84Grisak argues the Rams should not trade a second-round pick for Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr., calling it too great a risk and too high a cost. In an embedded tweet of his own from the 2024 pre-draft period, he suggested the Rams could select Thomas at pick No. 19.
- Kyle CrabbsMock Draft Picks · Shedeur SandersMiss · 0Crabbs projects all seven rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, starting with Cam Ward going No. 1 overall to Tennessee, Travis Hunter second to Cleveland and Abdul Carter third to the Giants.
- Chris BrockmanAward Picks · Saquon BarkleyMiss · 0Brockman picked the Eagles to beat the Chiefs 31-23 with Saquon Barkley as Super Bowl MVP, and said Barkley has a chance to reach 3,000 total yards of offense.
- TJ JeffersonAward Picks · Marquise BrownMiss · 0Jefferson picked the Chiefs to beat the Eagles 34-32 on a late Mahomes touchdown drive, and named Hollywood Brown as Super Bowl MVP.
More trade and signing calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Parker HurleyTrade and Signing Calls · Jessie BatesMiss · 0Hurley argues a Jessie Bates trade to San Francisco is unrealistic because Atlanta remains in the weak NFC South race and likely won't sell, and he expects 49ers safety Ji'Ayir Brown to depart in free agency after this season.
- Doug JoubertTrade and Signing Calls · Kendre MillerHit · 100Joubert doubts Taysom Hill will return to the Saints for financial reasons and believes Hill has retired from the NFL. He also expects CJ Donaldson to get more carries while the Saints move on from Kendre Miller.
- Randy GurziTrade and Signing Calls · Taylor RappMiss · 0Gurzi argues that, given Brandon Beane's fondness for reunions, recently released safety Taylor Rapp is a realistic option to return to Buffalo for safety depth — though only if the Bills fail to land a starting-caliber safety at the trade deadline.
- Sean PaytonTrade and Signing Calls · Taylor RappHit · 100Payton said there is a better than good chance safety Taylor Rapp re-signs with the Broncos, and expects it to happen sooner rather than later.
- Joe MarinoTrade and Signing Calls · Taylor RappHit · 100Marino argues the Bills should and almost certainly will release safety Taylor Rapp to save cap space, saying he'd be stunned if Buffalo kept him.
- Albert BreerTrade and Signing Calls · Jacoby BrissettHit · 100Breer argues the Jaguars should be taken very seriously, seeing a path to 13 wins and the AFC's No. 1 seed with a first-round bye, and he expects the Jacoby Brissett trade to Baltimore to be completed within a day.