Buyers, sellers or fence-sitters? All 32 NFL teams slotted before the trade deadline

NFC East:Cowboys | Giants | Eagles | Commanders NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings NFC South:Falcons | Panthers | Saints | Buccaneers NFC West:Cardinals | Rams | 49ers | SeahawksAFC East:Bills | Dolphins | Patriots | Jets AFC North:Ravens | Bengals | Browns | Steelers AFC South:Texans | Colts | Jaguars | Titans AFC West:Broncos | Chiefs | Raiders | ChargersWhere does your team sit as the NFL's trade deadline fast approaches? Not all needy teams will swing trades prior to Nov. 10, but some certainly will look. On the other end of the spectrum, not all out-of-contention teams will hold fire sales, but with the recent spate of big names moving, there are opportunities to sell now and cash in later.And, as we know, some teams will sit idly by as the deadline comes and goes. The NFL might be as active, trade-wise, as it has ever been in-season, but not every team is willing to pay the asking prices they're hearing.Here's how we view all 32 teams, slotting each of them into one of three categories — buyers, fence-sitters and sellers — prior to the trade deadline. Teams are roughly ordered within each section by their perceived fits: strongest at the top, weakest at the bottom.BuyersBillsThe Bills are the top seed in the AFC in spite of a defense that clearly needs help. Sunday's blowout of the Ravens notwithstanding, that unit isn't as likely to perform to that level against top-tiered quarterbacks and offenses. There are questions about how much the Bills want to give up in any prospective trade, and they're hamstrung a bit right now by salary-cap space (less than $4 million), but that can be rectified if needed. Safety might be the biggest position of need, although they also could look for extra pass-rush help.JaguarsDefensive tackle DaVon Hamilton suffered a torn quadriceps in Sunday's win over the Colts and will miss the rest of the season. It's hard to understate how big a blow this is. Head coach Liam Coen said the Jags will take a committee approach to replacing Hamilton, but finding a nose tackle is easier than finding other positions, so it would not be surprising to see them try to add a plugger up front. Safety is another spot they could consider. The Jaguars (5-2) are steamrolling toward a division title, and are in the hunt for the AFC's top seed. There's no better time to go for it.49ersThey're already buyers after the DeForest Buckner trade, and they might not be done. They reportedly reached out to the Vikings about Jauan Jennings before they found out Jennings wasn't interested in a return. But receiver figures to be a position they consider upgrading, along with edge rusher and possibly cornerback. The 49ers have to be very cautious with Mike Evans; they've been a vastly better team with him on the field. Adding WR insurance, given all the injuries there, feels like a low-risk move that's on the table.  BearsTheir first buy of trade season, Jeffery Simmons, sunk his teeth into the Seahawks on Monday night. It's the kind of move that turned a very good team into a downright scary one. You can't blame the Bears if that's all general manager Ryan Poles gets done prior to the deadline, but the one area of concern coming out of the Seattle game had to be cornerback. Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson both had rough nights with Malik Muhammad out, so we expect Poles to work the phones for CB help. They also could look for a pass-rush addition, with old friend Khalil Mack a name often bandied about these days. The Bears appear to be in Super Bowl mode now. They're out shopping.VikingsThe Vikings' offense could keep them from a Super Bowl, so they figure to seek help on that side of the ball — specifically a running back or an offensive guard. The run game has slowed down, and Aaron Jones Sr. has battled knee issues. The Vikings really could use more of a workhorse to complement Jones and Jordan Mason. They've also been connected to some pass rushers, scary as that sounds for opponents.ChiefsThe Chiefs are stricken by limited salary cap space, but they figure to look and see what's out there. Wide receiver is the biggest area of concern — again — with Tyquan Thornton out for the season and Rashee Rice seemingly dealing with chronic soft-tissue issues. General manager Brett Veach has a decent history of smaller-to-medium deadline moves, so you can't rule anything out here. They also could mine for pass-rush help, but that might be tougher to find — and afford.BengalsThe primary need appears to be on defense, a unit that started strong but has tailed off. The Bengals could use help at multiple spots, although cornerback figures to be the most concerning, especially after watching Cam Ward pick them apart Sunday. A coverage linebacker and another pass rusher would be nice, too. On offense, if there's a need, it's at running back. They're averaging 3.7 yards per rush, with a long run of 15 yards this season. CowboysDallas is 3-5 yet still in the hunt for how poor the NFC East is. Team owner Jerry Jones says the Cowboys remain on the lookout for more help, and though they had been historically quiet at the trade deadline, Jones backed up his talk with last year's deadline deal for Quinnen Williams and the earlier-season trade for Joey Porter Jr. The Cowboys' defense is getting manhandled now. They badly need pass-rush help, but another corner would also be nice. Then again, so could more LB help. Jones said they won't want to flush more draft picks on a player who isn't under contract long term, but they might be desperate enough to add wherever they can.PatriotsThe Patriots remain in contention at 5-3 (and a 3-0 mark in the division), but they could have concerns on both sides of the ball. On offense, they could use guard reinforcements after Alijah Vera-Tucker and Mike Onwenu landed on injured reserve. On defense, pass-rush help probably tops the list, but they also could seek LB and DB depth. Following the major A.J. Brown trade this summer, it would be surprising if the Patriots relinquished major draft assets. Any moves they make figure to be on the lower-compensation side, perhaps for a veteran's expiring contract. LionsDetroit fans have let general manager Brad Holmes know they want action prior to the deadline, especially after seeing the 49ers, Seahawks and Bears add starters last week. The Lions' defense is the biggest concern by far. The injuries to LBs Jack Campbell and Jimmy Rolder have left a big hole in the middle. Safety is in better shape with Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph back, but cornerback remains problematic. Pass-rush help also could be addressed. Can Holmes find the right help in the next week?SeahawksAfter adding Rashid Shaheed last year and Quenton Nelson this year, we know the Seahawks are open for business this time of year. Did Monday's home blowout loss to the Bears change their level of aggression? A struggling run game is an area the Seahawks could seek to help, although Zach Charbonnet's return could make them look elsewhere. They could try to add one more pass rusher and possibly another receiver for an offense that has been too JSN-dependent.GiantsThe Giants have found themselves atop the NFC East, and their first in-season trade for QB J.J. McCarthy has borne some early fruit. Could that move portend another (or others) if the Giants keep finding ways to win? Possibly. We know that John Harbaugh personally called Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk about Jeffery Simmons, but that call went to voicemail and Simmons went to Chicago. Defensive tackle figures to be the spot most likely to be addressed, but don't rule out a cheaper running back to stabilize that shakier position.SteelersThe Steelers already have been sellers, trading CB Joey Porter Jr. to the Cowboys. But sitting in first place in the AFC North in what's roundly expected to be Aaron Rodgers' final season, the Steelers might try to get back to buying. Not coincidentally, they could use a cornerback. Safety and wide receiver also could be spots they seek to upgrade. This doesn't feel like a team, however, that's prepared to go broke for that proverbial one final move.BroncosThey were close to being labeled "fence-sitters" after Sunday's breakout from RB Jonah Coleman. Running back had been the position that seemed most in need of being addressed prior to Coleman's big game Sunday. Now that feels like a luxury. Their most likely target position, if they try to swing a deal, figures to be offensive line or tight end. Fence-sitters RamsThis felt like an all-in season at one point, but that was before Myles Garrett and Davante Adams got hurt and the team started 2-4. The Rams have since evened their record at .500, but several tough games remain. The Rams certainly could be active, and another receiver certainly would help, but they've already depleted their trade assets significantly with the Garrett deal and don't have a ton to give up. They might want to add some help, but can the Rams realistically make an impact trade in time? It's unclear.Packers They've had some recent tailwind as a team, they've gotten Josh Jacobs back and Micah Parsons' return appears to be on the horizon. They also have some possible needs, including cornerback, if they can find the right trade partner. On the other hand, they've just been so historically quiet around the deadline under GM Brian Gutekunst (they actually have been more deadline sellers than anything), that I wonder if they'll do much. TexansThe Texans have already bought, adding WR Marvin Harrison Jr., but is more coming? There are questions in the offensive and defensive backfields, and they continue to struggle to get the offensive line fully right. All those spots are possible. But the Texans are 2-5 and falling farther behind the first-place Jaguars. If Houston makes a move, expect it to be more on the minor end.BrownsHow seriously are the Browns taking their 5-3 start, especially after the humbling loss to first-place Pittsburgh? There are plenty of areas they could address, ample draft assets to part with and a general manager in Andrew Berry who has been among the most active in-season traders. But if the Browns don't feel this team has a legitimate chance to make playoff noise, they might be wise to keep their assets and load up more in the offseason. Browns fans would be giddy at a deadline deal, but patience might be preferred. RaidersThe Raiders feel like they are in no-man's land. They pulled back to .500 after losing four straight, but is Vegas capable of contending? The big drama now feels like when the Raiders will move off of Kirk Cousins and give the reins to Fernando Mendoza. There might be a case for the Raiders as sellers, with Cousins perhaps an intriguing piece for a team such as the Ravens that recently lost its starting QB. Other possible trade figures include Jackson Powers-Johnson and Adam Butler, but it also feels like the Raiders could ride things out without any major transactions the rest of the way.PanthersThe Panthers are a strange team to handicap. Carolina has clear needs, but at 3-4, with two straight losses, is it in position to add help? Oh, and did we mention that record puts the Panthers in first place? The playoffs are still very much a possibility, but this team being one or two moves away from being a Super Bowl contender is a stretch. If the Panthers add somewhere, cornerback feels like the most likely spot. Anything they do likely would have to be more than just a short-term rental at retail price.Buccaneers Most of the NFC South profiles similarly to Carolina. There's a real shot at winning the division, but at what cost? There's also the chance the Bucs could look to sell, with names such as Yaya Diaby, A'Shawn Robinson and Chris Godwin Jr. being floated. But GM Jason Licht has not made an in-season trade since Tom Brady was QB, and it feels like the chances are greater that the Bucs do nothing.FalconsThey're 3-5 and 1-2 in the division, yet Atlanta has enough explosive potential offensively to be potential buyers. Even after Michael Penix Jr.'s four-INT game, the Falcons might think they have a real shot of taking the division. The receiver depth is light, and there are still holes to patch on defense, although they might treat the return of James Pearce Jr. from suspension as their big pre-deadline addition.SaintsI'd put the Saints more in the "sellers" bin, sitting at 2-5 with team owner Gayle Benson already having aired her grievances with the team's performance publicly. A loss to the Browns this weekend might push them closer to moving some pieces. The question is about what players might be available and sought by other teams. If another team wanted Alvin Kamara or Cameron Jordan, the Saints would almost have to sell. Otherwise, there just aren't a lot of tradable assets that might tempt other teams.  JetsThe Jets certainly could be sellers, with the season again slipping away and the focus continuing to shift to what could be one of the franchise's biggest offseasons, armed with three first-round draft picks — with all three currently in the top 10. Adding to that should be a consideration. Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall are two big names that could be on the move, but to this point they've publicly pushed back against dealing either. If they are active, I expect lower-profile pieces such as Harrison Phillips or Nahshon Wright to be more likely than the bigger names. Commanders The Commanders kept their season alive in the watered-down NFC East with a win over the Eagles on Sunday night, and there's a chance they could be lighter buyers if they can find a running back who fits their short- and long-term vision. They also could be sellers, with pass rusher K'Lavon Chaisson the most logical piece to try to move. It's hard to get a clear read on what GM Adam Peters wants to do, but he said he's talked to all 31 teams and continues to work the phones.SellersColtsThe Colts have already sold off two major assets in Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner. There's not much stopping them from continuing to put other players up for sale. WR Josh Downs has reportedly requested a trade and figures to be in play in the coming days. RB Jonathan Taylor might cost too much to be moved before the deadline, but the Colts are acting like a team just waiting for a bigger offer to pull the trigger. Lacking a first-round pick in 2027, the Colts need all the draft-pick help they can get.EaglesFor years, GM Howie Roseman has been about the most aggressive talent hunter out there come deadline time. This season, following a string of poor developments and six straight losses, the Eagles look far more like sellers on the outside. There is no shortage of players the Eagles could move. They have several expiring-contract candidates, including TE Dallas Goedert, CB Riq Woolen, WR Marquise Brown, DT Moro Ojomo and others. There also are players under contract beyond 2026 who could be available, including OG Landon Dickerson and Edge Nolan Smith. They've already made one trade and could be open for more business with this season apparently shot.ChargersThe Chargers have continued to hoard assets for now, but as the league's final winless team, it's worth wondering what they're waiting for. GM Joe Hortiz was turning away calls at one point because the team believed a turnaround was coming. It was not. If they finally become sellers, Khalil Mack figures to be an easy piece to move — a veteran pass rusher on an expiring deal. Teams seeking nose tackle help should probably call on Dalvin Tomlinson. WR Quentin Johnston also could be available if the team doesn't think he can reach his ceiling there. There are deals to be made if the Chargers shift their thinking.DolphinsThe Dolphins are not making the playoffs this year, although it's reasonable to be encouraged by their competitiveness. Still, this is a sell-off phase for the Dolphins if they can cook up some interest in players such as Zach Sieler, Austin Jackson, Josh Uche or others. The problem is that Miami's roster is already so heavily loaded with rookies and minimum-salary players that there are only so many assets to move. But the Dolphins gladly will vacuum up any draft picks other teams are willing to fork over in this multiyear rebuild.TitansShipping out well-liked Jeffery Simmons was a sign that the Titans are in sell-now mode. RB Tony Pollard is probably their most tradable piece, but it's not clear if they want to move him. Anyone can have WR Calvin Ridley for a song, if they want. Edge Jermaine Johnson II also might be a name you hear this week after picking him up from the Jets this offseason. This might not be a fire sale, per se, but they're apparently open for business.CardinalsEven after Sunday's dramatic win in Dallas, the Cardinals feel more like sellers than buyers, having already shipped out Marvin Harrison Jr. and sitting at fourth place in one of the toughest divisions. If a QB-needy team wants Jacoby Brissett, the team shouldn't hesitate trading him, especially after benching him for Gardner Minshew in the dramatic comeback. Pass rusher Josh Sweat feels like the biggest player who most reasonably could be moved now, although Budda Baker's name has also come up. They have some assets that could be moved, but will the Cardinals act on that?RavensIn a single moment, when Lamar Jackson suffered his thumb injury against the Bills, the Ravens might have gone from buyers to sellers. The one exception might be at QB, where the Ravens could opt to swing a trade, be it for someone like Kirk Cousins or perhaps Bears backup Tyson Bagent, who played last year with Ravens OC Declan Doyle. But if the Ravens lose Thursday, they might consider moving a few players, including Marlon Humphrey, Mark Andrews and Roquan Smith.