NFL Trade Targets Who Could Shift The Super Bowl Race

Believe it or not, the 2025 NFL trade deadline is already approaching. I know, I know. It seems like Week 1 was just a hot minute ago. Yet, here we are. 

Now, in years prior, the NFL trade deadline has largely been hit or miss. That apparently isn’t going to be the case this year. Multiple sources told ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter that they are expecting an active deadline—which makes sense, when you consider the complete and utter chaos that’s unfolding right now.

The Kansas City Chiefs are in danger of not making the playoffs. Nothing is going right for the Super Bowl favorite Baltimore Ravens. The reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles lost to the–*checks notes*—New York Giants, who somehow, someway have multiple wins on the season. The New England Patriots might be good again. Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys might be delusional again. The list goes on, and it is populated by absolute mayhem. So much so, in fact, that Super Bowl betting odds this season are more turbulent on a weekly basis than we can remember.

It has all made for a tough-to-predict kind of NFL schedule. That’s why the NFL trade deadline is shaping up to seriously impact the Super Bowl race. So many should-be contenders are either on the prowl for an infusion of meaningful talent, or in some cases, they’re preparing to pivot into seller’s mode. 

With this in mind, here’s a look at some names potentially on the chopping block who could have a material impact on which NFL team wins Super Bowl LX—complete with our favorite landing spots for each and every selection.

Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens

Remember when the Ravens were favored to win the Super Bowl? Good times. It feels like forever ago.

After going 1-5 to start the season, Baltimore now has less than a 20 percent chance of making the playoffs. Not everyone expects them to start selling off integral players, but Mark Andrews has underachieved relative to expectations.

Still, at age 30, there is real hope the three-time Pro Bowlerjust needs a better situation. Our favorite home for him is none other than the Los Angeles Chargers.

Though they have emerged as a fringe contender, the passing attack could use some juice. Los Angeles is 17th in net yards per passing attempt. Quarterback Justin Herbert also isn’t teaming up with a single tight end who ranks in the top-25 of receiving yards at their position.

DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Baltimore

Let’s stick with the Ravens. If they are going to steer into the skid ahead of the deadline, they might as well really steer into it.

While DeAndre Hopkins has recently bounced around the NFL and is now seven years removed from his fifth (and likely final) Pro Bowl appearance, he continues to have the size, length and dexterity to be a reliable target. His 19.8 yards per reception this season would actually be a career high.

If the 33-year-old becomes available, the San Francisco 49ers should take a look. Their offense currently ranks 24th in the league, and they are one of the five worst teams when it comes to converting red-zone possessions into scoring opportunities.

DeMario Davis, LB, New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints can pretend like they won’t sell ahead of the deadline. No one in their right mind believes them. They opened the season 1-5 and grade out as a bottom-three teamwhen weighing their point differential against their strength of schedule. 

Flipping a 36-year-old DeMario Davis should be a no-brainer in this situation. His eight-season tenure forces us to consider the emotional component. But with New Orleans headed nowhere fast, and Davis continues to play like a top-15 linebacker.

If the Buffalo Bills have not placed a call to the Saints already, they better hurry up. Their defense is in shambles relative to expectations, and Davis is someone who can help shore up the middle of the field.

Jakobi Meyers, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

To say that Pete Carroll’s first season at the helm of the Las Vegas Raiders has been a disaster would be the understatement of the entire season. The silver and black have one of the worst offenses this side of Neptune. 

Jakobi Meyers, however, continues to ball. That’s saying something when you consider Las Vegas’ quarterback play. He is corralling over 67 percent of his targets, and the 7.7 yards per catch he’s averaging are a minor miracle given the Raiders’ current situation.

Putting Meyers on a team that could put him in more advantageous positions and maybe buy him enough time to get downfield would be ideal for the 28-year-old. That is why we have the Pittsburgh Steelers circled on our list of potential destinations. They are among this season’s biggest surprises, but quarterback Aaron Rodgers needs weapons around him that justify saddling him with more overall volume.

Rasul Douglas, CB, Miami Dolphins

If not for the New York Jets existing, the Miami Dolphins would be the biggest dumpster fire in the AFC. Heck, if you factor in locker room dynamics, they might just claim the title outright. 

Anyway, Rasul Douglas flew under the radar in free agency this past offseason. He’s playing like he took the lack of interest personally. He has been a human eclipse and is among the cornerbacks who have broken up the most passes on the year. Anyone who trades for him is getting a starter-caliber secondary presence who’s fully capable of juicing the late-down and downfield defense.

To that end, while the New England Patriots already have Christian Gonzalez, it would be interesting to see them pair him with Butler. The Pats are currently 31st in net yards allowed per passing attempt, and despite a quality late-down defense, they place 30th overall in red zone stopping power. 

Providing the cost of Douglas is right, he’s someone who could help tighten up an already-stingy defense.