Five NFL teams that should take big swings before trade deadline

The NFL trade deadline looms, and with that, there are endless possibilities that come with major moves. Usually, the deadline for the league is a rather bland affair. Very rarely, if ever, do you see the kind of movement that we often see from the MLB or the NBA. After all, the Los Angeles Lakers traded for Luka Doncic just days before the 2025 NBA trade deadline. 

It's hard to think of a time an NFL player with the name-value of Doncic was traded to a new team ahead of the trade deadline, but there's always the possibility that it could happen. There are so many teams that need major help on both sides of the ball, and it'd be pretty awesome to see a team make a huge swing to try and bring someone major in.

These five teams need to make big swings at the deadline ahead of any other squad.

Arizona Cardinals

If we're being honest, the best time to trade Kyler Murray was before the massive extension he was given. The second-best time is before the deadline. With each snap, the former Pro Bowler is one bad hit away from being on the shelf indefinitely, thus sinking whatever value Murray still has left. The Cardinals and Murray aren't going anywhere, so it would be wise to move him while he's still healthy and viable. The Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints would all be happy to take him back in a trade.

New Orleans Saints 

The Saints are a team in need of more help than anyone can really fathom. They have some assets, though, and while some teams on this list will be talking about trading for a player, the Saints are here because they need to trade away a player. Namely, Alvin Kamara. You don't have to move on from a Chris Olave or even a Cameron Jordan, but Kamara? It'd be foolish not to deal with the aging playmaker. He still has some life left in his legs and could probably earn you a nice third or fourth rounder for him.

Jacksonville Jaguars 

It's hard to look at the Jacksonville Jaguars offensively this season. They're... not great. The Jags are just 20th in the league in points scored, and the Jags are just 16th in the league in passing the ball. Brian Thomas has been fine, at best, rocking a Pro Football Focus grade of just 58.1. Fellow first-round pick, Travis Hunter, isn't much better at a 62.2 on PFF. Trading for a player with high-risk/high-reward like Saints WR Chris Olave makes total sense. 

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have a lot of holes they need help filling. Christian McCaffery and Mac Jones are carrying this offense right now, and half of the contracted defensive players seem like they're on the IR. So really, if you're the 49ers, you can basically pick what position you really need help with the most, and people wouldn't argue. The Bengals' Trey Hendrickson would help on defense, but so would someone like Tyreek Hill, who is likely hoping for a change of address.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs, much like every other team on this list, need to make a move. For Kansas City, the focus is on either a running back or a new wideout for Patrick Mahomes to throw to. Backs like Breece Hall and Nick Chubb have made rounds as potential trade targets for teams. Either of which could improve the Chiefs' ground game, which is leaning heavily on two average backs right now in Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco.