The NFL trade deadline is just a day away, which means rumors abound for teams out of contention, and those just one step away from cementing themselves as early postseason favorites. For teams like the Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, New York Jets and New Orleans Saints, the fire sale is upon them. Miami got an early head start Monday morning, sending pass-rusher Jaelen Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a Day 3 pick. Miami is in a precarious position as a team built to contend, but one that hasn't lived up to expectations so far. Philadelphia, meanwhile, needed pass-rush help. It was a match made in heaven.
However, the floodgates have yet to fully open on this trade deadline season. Unlike in leagues such as the NBA or MLB, the NFL trade deadline doesn't always offer the same hype. The league has taken steps to improve its midseason showcase in past years, including moving the deadline back a few weeks in hopes contending teams would take more risks at a lesser price tag, especially for players on expiring contracts. This roundup, while just as relevant, involves players that would likely come at significant cost in comparison. Any contender interested in the services of Chris Olave or Breece Hall will have to pay up.
What's the Steelers trade deadline plan?
The Steelers have already made a trade in the past week, acquiring Kyle Dugger from the New England Patriots. That deal paid off and then some early, as Dugger was one of the Steelers top-rated defensive players per Pro Football Focus in a surprising upset victory over the Indianapolis Colts. At 5-3, the Steelers cannot afford to be done, though, if they hope to hold off the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North.
Pittsburgh's next step could be to finally acquire the WR2 Steelers fans have been clamoring for. The Steelers weakness across the formation from DK Metcalf is glaring, and it limits what a veteran quarterback like Aaron Rodgers can do in this offense. If Rodgers has proven anything so far, it's that he has a lot left in the tank if the Steelers provide him with the right resources.
Per Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Steelers have shown interest in Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, who could finally provide an answer at the wide receiver position in Pittsburgh. If paired with Metcalf, Meyers would give the Steelers another outside threat and allow the likes of Roman Wilson and Calvin Austin to specialize in the slot, where they'd be much more effective.
Jets asking price for Breece Hall is sky high, but will it stay that way?
If we've learned anything about trade season the past few years, it's that a lot can happen in 24 hours. In the case of Jets running back Breece Hall, New York has been anything but flexible. Hall is in the final year of his rookie contract, but he's also a player the Jets could build around with the right quarterback. As poorly as the Jets have played, the right quarterback would change their fortunes. That QB is not Justin Fields, or anyone on their roster at the moment.
Per ESPN's Rich Cimini, the Jets would only trade Hall if they got an offer they cannot refuse. That's rich coming from a team with just one victory to its name and a long offseason ahead of them, but it's a stance they can afford to take given they're the ones answering calls from across the NFL landscape.
"Barring an offer they can't refuse, the Jets won't trade running back Breece Hall," Cimini wrote. "You can put defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and defensive end Will McDonald IV in this category, too."
The Jets are looking for at least a Day 2 pick, and potentially more for Hall. However, New York also has to realize that their next competitive team – whenever that may be – likely won't have Hall on the roster barring an extension. Running backs don't grow on trees, but Hall can be replaced. Such an opportunity doesn't come around every day.
The Bills are a perfect fit for Chris Olave, if the Saints are interested
As Russini noted in her last trade deadline column, the Buffalo Bills are making a run at Saints wide receiver Chris Olave. As talented as Olave is, the Saints are another team which is likely multiple offseasons away from emerging as a potential playoff team. Kellen Moore is a talented play-caller and, with the right draft capital, could replace Olave with a player of his own choosing.
Olave has 560 receiving yards and three touchdowns on the season. He's better than anyone in Buffalo's current receiver room despite the emergence of players like Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir. Adding Olave to the mix would take pressure off both young wideouts, all the while providing Josh Allen with a wide receiver talent he hasn't had since Stefon Diggs.
The Bills held on against the Chiefs this week, marking an annual tradition of defeating Kansas City in the regular season, all the while remaining the little brother in the AFC until proven otherwise. If the Bills hope to surpass the Patriots in the AFC East, and finally defeat the Chiefs when it matters most, this is a move they'll have to make.