Five potential NFL trades: Change of scenery for young wideouts, 49ers go all-in and more

The NFL trade deadline is Nov. 10, and the dealing has already begun.

On Wednesday, the Baltimore Ravens added two-time Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. That followed a pair of Week 4 trades, including cornerback Joey Porter Jr. going from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Dallas Cowboys and former Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy heading to the New York Giants.

We should see plenty more transactions over the next month, and below, we share predictions for five trades, including a pair of former first-round wideouts getting a change of scenery, the 49ers going all-in on a Super Bowl and more.

Las Vegas Raiders bolster wide receiver depth

TRADE: Raiders acquire wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
Jacksonville Jaguars receive a 2027 second, 2028 fourth-round pick

The Raiders (3-1) are among the league's most surprising teams. Instead of waiting until the offseason to push toward contention, Las Vegas may want to consider improving its roster for a 2026 playoff push.

Through four weeks, running back Ashton Jeanty and tight ends Brock Bowers (who has only played two games) and Michael Mayer lead the Raiders in targets and receptions. Tre Tucker, a 2023 third-round pick, has been their only wideout to move the needle, entering Week 5 with 15 receptions on 23 targets for a team-high 233 receiving yards.

It could be worth exploring a trade for Thomas, who has ceded targets in Liam Coen's Jaguars offense to Parker Washington and former Raiders wideout Jakobi Meyers, acquired by Jacksonville ahead of last year's deadline. Over the past two seasons, Thomas has averaged 3.2 receptions and 45.1 yards per game, failing to replicate an impressive 2024 when leading all rookies with 1,282 receiving yards.

The proposed deal is similar in structure to the May 2025 George Pickens trade from Pittsburgh to Dallas. In that deal, the Cowboys sent 2026 third- and 2027 fifth-rounders to the Steelers for the 2022 second-round pick. While Pickens had a more productive start to his career, Thomas' track as a 2024 first-round selection may mean teams will have to be a bit more aggressive to pry him from the Jags.

Kansas City Chiefs add wide receiver insurance

TRADE: Chiefs acquire wideout Calvin Ridley, 2027 seventh-round pick
Tennessee Titans receive 2027 sixth-round pick (via Atlanta Falcons)

On Wednesday, ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano wrote about Kansas City's need for help at wide receiver. 

"If players such as Marvin Harrison Jr., Brian Thomas Jr., Jerry Jeudy or Calvin Ridley become available," Graziano suggested, "the Chiefs should poke around."

Of the four, Ridley, 31, might be the most logical (and perhaps underwhelming) candidate, particularly with Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi having previously worked 16 seasons in the Chiefs front office. Connections matter. And with only 351 receiving yards since the start of the 2025 season, Ridley should be considerably cheaper than most other options.

Detroit Lions get cornerback assistance

TRADE: Lions land cornerback Donte Jackson
Los Angeles Chargers add 2027 seventh-round pick

Pressure is on the Lions to acquire a defensive back with their secondary reeling. But in his first five seasons as Lions general manager, Brad Holmes' biggest trade-deadline acquisition was edge-rusher Za'Darius Smith, then 32, back in 2024. Having shown a reluctance to part with valuable draft capital during previous deadlines, Detroit may be an unrealistic destination for the biggest names.

But Jackson, who turns 31 on Nov. 8, could be a more likely target. Despite suffering a concussion and hamstring injury, he's been sticky in coverage through four games, with NFL Pro data revealing his average separation (1.6 yards) and tight-window throw rate (36.4 percent) being the best of his career. The Chargers (0-4) aren't going anywhere, and getting something in exchange for the soon-to-be free agent would be good business.