The 2024 NFL trade deadline will pass at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, and we can expect to see more deals between now and then.
The in-season trade market got off to a hot start when receivers Davante Adams and Amari Cooper were both dealt on the same day. Since then, we've seen the likes of Cam Akers, Josh Uche, DeAndre Hopkins and Diontae Johnson traded.
A flurry of activity could unfold over the next 24-plus hours, in part, because of the timing of the trade deadline. This year, the NFL moved the deadline back a week to the actual halfway point of the season.
While a week might not seem significant, teams will have a little clearer idea of whether they can contend this season than they would have last Tuesday.
Take the New York Jets, for example. A week ago, New York was 2-6 and searching for answers. They're now 3-6, coming off a convincing win over the Houston Texans and facing a favorable second-half schedule. For the Jets, a week has changed the narrative significantly.
There has been no shortage of rumors as the deadline approaches—we'll get to that—but almost all marquee moves will hinge on the ability of both teams to make it work financially. Cap implications are a factor in any trade, and some teams are in a much better position than others.
Here's a look at each team's available cap space one day before the trade deadline:
- San Francisco 49ers $52.5 million
- Cleveland Browns: $44.6 million
- Las Vegas Raiders: $36 million
- New England Patriots: $35.4 million
- Detroit Lions: $26.9 million
- Washington Commanders: $25.7 million
- Dallas Cowboys: $23.3 million
- Arizona Cardinals: $21 million
- Miami Dolphins: $20.9 million
- Tennessee Titans: $18.5 million
- Jacksonville Jaguars: $18.3 million
- Green Bay Packers: $14.6 million
- Pittsburgh Steelers: $12.1 million
- Indianapolis Colts: $11.5 million
- Minnesota Vikings: $11.4 million
- Philadelphia Eagles: $10.2 million
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $9.5 million
- Seattle Seahawks: $9.2 million
- Cincinnati Bengals: $9.1 million
- Atlanta Falcons: $7.9 million
- Chicago Bears: $6.9 million
- Los Angeles Chargers: $6.9 million
- Houston Texans: $6.2 million
- Denver Broncos: $4.9 million
- New Orleans Saints: $3.6 million
- Carolina Panthers: $3.5 million
- New York Jets: $3 million
- Buffalo Bills: $2.5 million
- Kansas City Chiefs: $2.5 million
- Los Angeles Rams: $2.3 million
- New York Giants: $2.2 million
- Baltimore Ravens: -$186,925
*Cap information via Spotrac.
While there's a clear line between teams with a surplus of cap space and those without, we're not going to see a market where cap-rich teams look to buy and cap-poor teams sell. It's just not that simple.
The Cleveland Browns, for example, have more than $44 million available. However, they're more likely to sell than to buy because of next year's cap situation. Cleveland is projected to be $40 million over the cap next year and will look to roll over 2024 cap space to help compensate.
The Browns have already dealt Cooper and could look to move pass-rusher Za'Drius Smith next, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are firmly in the middle of the salary-cap picture but have been trying to add a veteran receiver, per Schefter:
The Cincinnati Bengals have less than $10 million in available cap space but are looking to add talent in preparation for a second-half run.
"This isn't the Bengals' style, but they have strong belief in this team and intend to get back to, at least, the AFC Championship game," The Athletic's Dianna Russini wrote on Saturday.
The Kansas City Chiefs are near the bottom of the league in terms of cap space but may not be done dealing—after acquiring both Uche and Hopkins via trade.
"Some sources around the league believe that whether it's [New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon] Lattimore or another player, Kansas City could push to make another move," Schefter wrote.
According to Schefter the Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons will be looking to add players at the deadline. New York Giants edge-rusher Azeez Ojulari—who is the top player on Bleacher Report's final trade block big board—is expected to be targeted by Arizona, according to Schefter.
The New England Patriots are near the top of the league in terms of cap space but could look to continue selling at the deadline—for entirely different reasons than Cleveland's.
The Patriots are projected to lead the league with $137.3 million in 2025 cap space, but they're also looking to build around rookie quarterback Drake Maye for the long haul. Flipping veterans for draft picks appears to be a big part of that strategy.
New England has already traded Matthew Judon and Uche, and more players could be on the move, according to Russini.
"New England defensive tackle Davon Godchaux is available ... The Patriots also are open to moving wideouts Tyquan Thornton and Kendrick Bourne as well as safety Kyle Dugger," Russini wrote.
According to Russini, the Bengals, Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers are in the market for defensive help.
While there could be a serious run on edge-rushers and cornerbacks before Tuesday's deadline, we're likely to see continued interest in wide receivers.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Jets wideout Mike Williams, Giants receiver Darius Slayton and Carolina Panthers receiver Adam Thielen have "all garnered interest," along with Thornton and Bourne.
One player who probably won't be moved is second-year Panthers quarterback Bryce Young. The 2023 first overall pick was benched two weeks into this season but has returned to the starting lineup due to Andy Dalton's thumb injury.
"NFL executives around the league believe if Carolina decides to trade him they'll get a better deal by waiting until offseason anyways," Russini wrote.
Could the right offer still pry Young away from Carolina? Of course, but it feels unlikely.
What is far more certain is that the several NFL rosters and cap situations will look quite a bit different on Wednesday morning.
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