Table of Content
- Indianapolis Colts and New York Jets
- Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets
- Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns
- Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots
- Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins
- Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints
- Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints
- Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans
- Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders
- San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots
The 2026 NFL trade deadline approaches with a high bar following a 2025 season that saw 27 players traded in-season, marking the highest total in a quarter of a century. While volume matters, the success of midseason moves depends heavily on quality, as last year’s deals provided a blueprint of both beneficial maneuvers and cautionary tales.
Indianapolis Colts and New York Jets
The deal sending cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Colts aged so poorly that it served as a primary catalyst for the midseason firing of general manager Chris Ballard, according to CBS Sports Headlines. Gardner struggled significantly in Indianapolis over 17 games, while the Jets capitalized on the return package of Adonai Mitchell, a 2026 first-round pick used on Kenyon Sadiq, and a 2027 first-rounder. With the Colts trending downward and facing a potential rebuild, every upcoming loss heightens the value of the future draft capital held by New York. The Colts received an F, while the Jets earned an A.
Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets
Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams joined the Cowboys to bolster their run defense, recording six tackles for loss in his first six games of the year—the most by a Dallas defensive tackle since 2013. While Williams delivered individually on his three-year, $105.9 million extension, the broader Dallas defense remains a disaster. The Jets released Mazi Smith and have received minimal impact from D’Angelo Ponds over his first 59 career snaps, leaving the success of the trade heavily reliant on the 2027 first-round pick. The Cowboys received a B, and the Jets received a C.
Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns
The Bengals acquired veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to keep the offense afloat while Joe Burrow recovered from turf toe, resulting in strong passing performances and high-scoring games. Although the team went just 1-5 as a starter due to defensive struggles, the offense performed better under Flacco than Jake Browning, and a pick swap netted the Bengals a young wide receiver in Colbie Young via Justin Jefferson. For Cleveland, moving a quarterback they were not going to keep while moving up a round in the draft proved to be a small win. The Bengals received a B-, while the Browns received a B.
Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots
The Patriots executed a salary dump by buying out the remainder of safety Kyle Dugger’s four-year extension, costing the franchise $5.4 million in cash and roster bonuses. Dugger benefited by reaching unrestricted free agency two years early, while the Steelers secured a productive rental for half a season at minimal cost. Dugger filled an injury void by tallying two interceptions, one pick-six, five passes defended, a sack, two tackles for loss, and a safety over nine games. The Steelers received an A, and the Patriots received a C.
Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins
Trading a third-round pick for eight games of Jaelan Phillips proved to be a steep price, but the pass rusher delivered high-level play to help Philadelphia secure a playoff spot. Although the Eagles did not re-sign him to the four-year, $120 million contract he received from the Panthers in free agency, his departure is projected to net them a 2027 third-round compensatory pick, returning the asset they invested. Meanwhile, the Dolphins avoided losing him for nothing in free agency by manufacturing a third-round pick. The Eagles received an A, and the Dolphins received an A-.
Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints
The Chargers brought in offensive lineman Trevor Penning as an emergency fill-in for an injury-riddled unit, and he returned to action early this year before suffering a concussion and landing on injured reserve on October 10. Re-signing him at the end of his rookie contract salvaged some value, but the former first-round pick remains primarily a depth piece, holding the lowest Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade among 74 qualified guards in 2026. The Saints at least secured a 2027 sixth-round pick for a player who did not pan out after being selected 19th overall in 2022. The Chargers received a C-, and the Saints received a C+.
Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints
Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald stated that early returns are positive on wide receiver Rashid Shaheed’s knee following an injury sustained in a win over the Chiefs. Shaheed served as a gadget weapon and special teams threat, returning two kickoffs for touchdowns last season—including one in the playoffs during a Super Bowl run—before signing a three-year, $51 million extension after a 12-game stretch. The Saints successfully converted an expiring contract into high-end Day 3 picks—Jeremiah Wright and Lorenzo Styles Jr.—as they plan around Chris Olave, Devaughn Vele, and Jordyn Tyson. The Seahawks received a B+, and the Saints received a B.
Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans
Cornerback Roger McCreary provided secondary depth for the Rams, appearing in six regular-season games and three playoff contests, including one postseason start, before his contract expired. The low-cost pick swap filled an immediate need before the Rams brought in Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson in the offseason. For Tennessee, the trade concluded the tenure of their 2022 second-round selection, securing a modest late-round return for a player who would not have remained on their 2026 payroll. The Rams received a B, and the Titans received a B.
Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders
Jakobi Meyers requested a trade out of Las Vegas, landing a long-term contract and an ideal fit in Jacksonville. Las Vegas secured draft picks for a player who did not fit their younger timeline, using one pick to acquire starting cornerback Taron Johnson and another to address the offensive line. Jacksonville immediately integrated Meyers into their offense, locking him in on a three-year, $60 million extension as the No. 2 target behind Parker Washington. The Jaguars received a B+, and the Raiders received a B.
San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots
Keion White was traded to San Francisco with a conditional seventh-round pick that New England would keep if White was active for at least seven of the final nine games of 2025. White met the threshold by playing in nine regular-season games with two starts and two postseason contests, helping the 49ers overcome a defensive front injury crunch. He expanded his role into 2026, recording 3.5 sacks through seven weeks. New England gained a sixth-round pick for a player who did not fit Mike Vrabel’s defensive scheme, keeping their seventh-rounder and maximizing value by trading down in April. The 49ers received a B+, while the Patriots received a B.
