At this stage of the NFL season, the only way to add talent—if you don't consider players returning from injury—is through free agency.

The reality is, though, there's a reason somebody is still available. Very rarely does a late-season signing make an enormous difference, unlike the potential impacts of players acquired at the trade deadline.

What if that particular market was still open?

Each hypothetical deal involves a player who is either an impending free agent or has been mentioned in trade rumors.

Additionally, the teams included are dealing with injuries and/or underperformance at the position of the player highlighted.

RB Travis Etienne Jr. to Chargers or 49ers

Is this cheating? Sure, maybe.

Both the Los Angeles Chargers and San Francisco 49ers could use a jolt at running back, though, and Travis Etienne Jr. might not be with the Jacksonville Jaguars much longer.

Los Angeles has enjoyed a resurgent season from J.K. Dobbins, who totaled 900 yards and eight touchdowns in 11 appearances. Once again, however, an injury has sidelined him. In two games without Dobbins, the backfield has managed just 122 yards on 29 carries.

San Francisco, meanwhile, cannot keep anyone healthy. Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason are on injured reserve, and Isaac Guerendo exited his breakout game with a setback of his own.

Either way, Etienne would be a welcomed addition.

Jacksonville is already out of the playoff hunt, and Tank Bigsby's emergence has seemingly made Etienne expendable this offseason. If the Jags could get a jump on extracting value, now—when a couple of playoff hopefuls have a clear need—would be an ideal moment.

WR Darius Slayton to Bucs

Darius Slayton is not a game-breaking target. We can start with that admission about the New York Giants' receiver.

But even in this imaginary world, none of Tee Higgins, Amari Cooper or DeAndre Hopkins are getting traded. They're all on playoff contenders or hopefuls. Stefon Diggs and Chris Godwin are still hurt, and Diontae Johnson's value is falling fast.

At least we know Slayton's floor.

Despite a recent cold streak, he's still collected 36 receptions for 504 yards on yet another bad New York Giants offense. Slayton is within range of a fifth 700-yard campaign in his sixth NFL season.

Godwin's injury has left a void on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mike Evans is healthy, and the Bucs are making it work between tight end Cade Otton and running backs Bucky Irving and Rachaad White. But it certainly wouldn't hurt to have a more stable No. 2 option on the outside.

Slayton would be a quality, low-cost addition if Tampa had the ability to swing such a deal in December.

WR Keenan Allen to Texans

It's a similar story for Keenan Allen, who is enduring the least productive season of his career. He's posted 42.8 receiving yards per game, the lowest mark since he averaged 55.9 as a second-year pro in 2014.

As with Slayton, though, that production really isn't terrible when you consider the context of his situation.

Remove him from the Chicago Bears, and Allen would likely have significant upside. Plus, he wouldn't be expected to suddenly lead the Houston Texans' receiving corps, either. Even before a knee injury ended Diggs' campaign, Nico Collins had surged to an All-Pro level.

The problem is Collins doesn't have much help.

In the Texans' most recent game, he accounted for 119 of the 158 yards from wideouts. Back one more outing, Tank Dell was Houston's only other receiver to have multiple catches.

Allen's prime is behind him, but that doesn't mean he couldn't still be a reliable complement on a good offense.

EDGE Haason Reddick to Lions

Look, it hasn't been a good season for Haason Reddick.

After requesting a trade from the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason, he landed with the New York Jets. He eyed a contract extension that never came, held out, didn't report to the Jets until Week 8 and has since been a complete non-factor for a reeling team.

Reddick, a free agent this offseason, presumably will not return to New York. It doesn't make sense for either party.

But the Detroit Lions wouldn't mind a pure upside swing.

Edge-rushing star Aidan Hutchinson hasn't played since Week 5, yet he leads the defense with 7.5 sacks. Nobody else on the Lions has recorded more than 3.5 sacks—not in the least because injuries have ruined the defensive line all season.

The positive note is Za'Darius Smith, a trade-deadline add, has three sacks in four games. Throw Reddick into the Lions' rotation, and it's easy to believe a sturdy defense could unlock his previous form.

If only Detroit could take a gamble.

CB D.J. Reed to Packers

Sticking on the Jets, cornerback D.J. Reed has been a steady piece as usual in the secondary. He's surrendered a modest 6.4 yards per target and a single touchdown this year.

However, free agency beckons for the veteran—and the postseason, for New York, does not.

The opposite view belongs to the Green Bay Packers, who are cruising toward a playoff berth with a 9-4 record. The problem is the Pack's secondary can be a glaring weakness in its most competitive games.

Ideally, the return of Jaire Alexander from a knee injury will bolster the unit. He's been in and out of the lineup since the opening month of the 2023 campaign, though. Whether the Packers can rely on him playing for an entire 2024 postseason run is a legitimate question.

Reed's presence would lessen the concern of Green Bay's coverage unit is built to navigate a tough, talented NFC bracket.