Expert Analysis
10/23/24
9 min read
NFC Teams With The Most Pressure To Complete a 2024 Trade Deadline Deal
The trade deadline, a crucial date in the NFL calendar, is less than two weeks away. This deadline marks the last opportunity for teams to make trades and improve their rosters for the second half of the season and the postseason, a period of intense competition and high stakes (or so they hope).
Significant shifts have already occurred, with the New York Jets securing Davante Adams and the Buffalo Bills acquiring Amari Cooper in major trades involving top wide receivers.
Here are six NFC teams who, based on their current standings and performance, should be under the most pressure to get a deal done by the Nov. 5 deadline.
These teams all have sufficient salary cap room — or can easily create it — and draft capital to swing deals:
NFC Teams With Trade Deadline Pressure
Atlanta Falcons 
The expensive free agent signing of QB Kirk Cousins last March and the August trade for edge rusher Matthew Judon signaled a win-now mode for the Atlanta Falcons. They're off to a so-so start at 4-3, with the team's biggest issue being the pass rush. Raheem Morris admitted the lack of sacks is a concern after Sunday's upset loss by 20 points at home to Seattle, in which Geno Smith was only sacked once.
Atlanta ranks last in the league with only six sacks after finishing 30th last season (with 33 sacks, so it's below a poor 2023 pace). Judon and DT Grady Jarrett are the team co-leaders with 1.5 sacks. Starting edge/OLB Lorenzo Carter is on injured reserve with a concussion.
The Falcons are tied with the Buccaneers for the NFC South lead. If they can add some help by trading for an established pass rusher, they're in a winnable division. Despite rumors, the Raiders are unlikely to trade Maxx Crosby, and it's highly doubtful that the Saints would trade Chase Young within the division.
The Jets restructured the final year of Haason Reddick's contract by adding some incentives, so he's now reported. Perhaps the Falcons could acquire Reddick from the fading Jets and give him the contract extension he's seeking. That would be a step forward for their weak pass rush.
Dallas Cowboys
Following a devastating 47-9 loss at home to the Lions, Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones, in a possibly strategic move, declared the team's non-involvement in the trade deadline. However, with the team's pressing needs at running back, wide receiver, and pass rusher, this stance could have significant repercussions for their defense of the NFC East title.
The 3-3 Cowboys were inactive in 2024 free agency, and they have glaring needs at running back, wide receiver, and pass rusher. While the passing attack led by Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb drives the offense, the run game has been awful this season. Rico Dowdle is the team leader (246 yards), and a nearing-the-end Ezekiel Elliott is averaging only 3.0 yards per carry. Dallas ranks last in the league after having the 14th-ranked running game last season before letting leading rusher Tony Pollard depart in free agency.
Could they get Pollard back from the 1-5 Titans for a mid-round pick? Or try to acquire Travis Etienne from Jacksonville, who have Tank Bigsby as their lead back?
Jalen Tolbert has played well as the No. 2 wide receiver, but 31-year-old Brandin Cooks has only nine receptions for 91 yards in four games as a third receiver. There are several other possibilities among big-time receivers, but after paying big bucks to Prescott and Lamb, would Jones step up for another high-salary candidate like Christian Kirk, Diontae Johnson, Cooper Kupp, or Adam Thielen (even if it's only for a half-season)?
Tee Higgins would be a terrific pickup, but it's doubtful the Bengals would trade him if they remain in the playoff race and without significant compensation, even though he's headed to 2025 free agency.
The Dallas defense, and its pass rush, is reeling from the absences of stars Micah Parsons (high ankle sprain) and DeMarcus Lawrence (on IR with a Lisfranc/foot sprain). They could make a run at Reddick or Young before the season goes further off the rails with a rough next five games (at San Francisco and Atlanta, home vs. Philadelphia and Houston, and at Washington).
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are coming off a huge divisional road win against the previously unbeaten Minnesota Vikings. Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Amon-Ra St. Brown have the high-powered offense rolling, and that side of the ball is clearly Super Bowl caliber.
It's the defense that is the concern, especially after the season-ending broken leg suffered by the Lions' best defensive player and league-leading sacker, Aidan Hutchinson.
Detroit sacked Sam Darnold four times, but it took excessive blitzing to do it. The defense was the Lions' undoing in the 2023 postseason, and it could be a repeat this year if they don't shore up the pass rush that also is missing the often-injured Marcus Davenport, who was signed in free agency and is out for the year (triceps).
No Lions defensive end other than Hutchinson has more than 1.5 sacks, so to make a Super Bowl run, they would be wise to hit the trade market and add help, which could come from Reddick, Young, or possibly another Saints pass rusher — Carl Granderson (8.5 sacks last season and three so far in 2024).
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles' shaky defense beat up the lowly Giants last Sunday (seven sacks in a 28-3 win). Philly is a half-game behind Washington in the NFC East at 4-2. There are still concerns about the secondary, which was a major problem last season when the top-ranked pass defense from the Super Bowl season of 2022 fell to 31st as the team faded late.
The Eagles' secondary is playing better this season (10th ranked), but there are big games on the horizon, with two meetings each against Dallas and Washington, along with tough road tests this week at Cincinnati and in early December at Baltimore.
Arizona has beaten the 49ers and Chargers the past two weeks to climb into the NFC West race at 3-4, so it could hang onto six-time Pro Bowl safety Budda Baker, who is likely headed elsewhere in free agency after his contract difficulties in recent years.
However, if the Cardinals lose in Miami this week and then at home against Chicago heading into the trade deadline, Eagles GM Howie Roseman should and will make a run at Baker, who would be an upgrade over starting safeties Reed Blankenship and C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
San Francisco 49ers
It's been tough sledding this season for a San Francisco 49ers team with aspirations of getting back to the Super Bowl and winning it for the first time since the 1994 season.
Injuries have wreaked havoc with a talented team that stands 3-4. Star back Christian McCaffrey has been sidelined this season with an Achilles injury (the team hopes he can return in Week 10 after their bye). Pro Bowl DT Javon Hargrave (triceps) is likely out for the season.
Deebo Samuel is dealing with pneumonia, and his fellow Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Aiyuk tore his ACL and MCL in Sunday's loss to the Chiefs, and he's out for the year. LB Dre Greenlaw has been out as he recovers from his torn Achilles sustained in the Super Bowl. The team has been missing kicker Jake Moody (ankle), and Pro Bowl safety Talanoa Hufanga is on IR until at least Week 11.
It's probably too much for any team to overcome, but the 49ers will seek reinforcements for several positions, with a replacement for Aiyuk likely the top priority. It makes sense for GM John Lynch and Coach Kyle Shanahan to hit the wide receiver market for a veteran who can quickly step in, like Johnson or Thielen (both are former Pro Bowlers who are stuck on a losing Carolina team).
Kirk also could be a target if Jacksonville would part with him, and the same goes for the Giants' Darius Slayton. If the Rams are willing to trade the often-injured Kupp, it won't be to division-rival San Francisco.
And obviously, Higgins would be a terrific pickup if he is attainable.
Still, the Niners will have to compete with several teams in playoff contention that are seeking wide receiver help, including Pittsburgh, possibly the Chargers, and certainly the next team on my list — Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Wide receiver Chris Godwin was on pace for his best season since 2019 when he dislocated his ankle late in Monday night's loss to Baltimore. He's expected to undergo surgery and miss the rest of the season. Godwin had a league-leading 50 catches for 576 yards (second-ranked) and five touchdowns (also second) through seven games.
Five-time Pro Bowl WR Mike Evans is also likely out for a few weeks with a hamstring injury, which can be difficult to overcome.
It's all bad news for QB Baker Mayfield, who leads the league with 18 TD passes, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' No. 7 ranked passing attack that has helped them to a 4-3 record as co-leaders with Atlanta in the NFC South. Tampa Bay also is the only team to have beaten the Detroit Lions this season, back in Week 2 in Detroit.
The Buccaneers have a challenging three weeks upcoming, with a big home game Sunday against the Falcons before a Monday nighter at Kansas City and home vs. the 49ers before their bye. Then, the schedule softens a bit down the stretch.
To keep their passing game at a high level and stay in the playoff chase, the Bucs need to hit the trade market for wide receiver help from the list of candidates above that so many other teams will be considering.
Next Week: AFC Teams With The Most Pressure To Complete a 2024 Trade Deadline Deal
