Opinion: NFL trades that should happen

Do you hear it? The NFL trade buzz is heating up.

The Ravens, Chargers, Bengals and Browns have started off the trade action with many teams expected to follow. Here are five trades that I think should happen before the Nov. 4 deadline.

1. Anthony Richardson to Los Angeles

Before the season, the Indianapolis Colts decided to officially bench Richardson in favor of longtime Giants quarterback Daniel Jones.

With “Indiana Jones” under center the Colts have a 4-1 record and one of the best offenses in the NFL, averaging 32 points and 397 yards per game.

With Jones playing the way he has, a switch back to Richardson as the main signal caller, even next season, seems unlikely at this point. The team also seems to like rookie QB Riley Leonard, who is the current QB3.

It might make sense for both parties if Indy parted ways with Richardson. And if he were to get traded, what’s a better place to go than the Los Angeles Rams? Learning from Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford would be any quarterback’s dream.

We’ve already seen that McVay is capable of turning around a quarterback’s career, take Baker Mayfield for example. In 2022, Mayfield was released by the Panthers midseason.

The Rams claimed him off waivers and had him for five games. Less than 48 hours after signing with the team, Mayfield led the Rams to a comeback win over the Raiders on TNF.

Anthony Richardson could benefit from a change of scenery, and the Los Angeles Rams, without an apparent Stafford successor, would make a great fit.

1. Alvin Kamara to Kansas City

AK to KC is one of the most rumored trades around the NFL before the deadline. But with the Chiefs’ lackluster run game and Kamara’s dwindling Saints situation, can you really blame anyone for wanting this?

Kansas City has had one of the worst rushing attacks in the NFL to start the season. Through five games, quarterback Patrick Mahomes leads the team in rushing with 190 yards… yikes.

The Saints are expected to be sellers at the trade deadline, and a 30-year-old Kamara could benefit from a change of scenery. New Orleans seems like a slowly sinking ship, at least for the rest of this season.

Plus, backup RB Kendre Miller has looked impressive in his carries this season. With his snap share increasing by the week, perhaps the Saints would be willing to let him take over as Kamara’s successor.

1. Tariq Woolen to Philadelphia

Riq Woolen’s starting status has been in question since a rough outing against the 49ers in Week 1, where he let up a 45-yard completion and a crucial touchdown.

With Woolen in a contract year and question marks emerging from Seattle’s side, he could end up as a prime trade candidate before the Nov. 4 deadline. Even CB Josh Jobe’s sudden emergence for Seattle only adds fuel to the fire.

If Seattle would rather gain compensation for his departure in 2026 rather than waiting for a potential compensatory draft pick from a free agency decision, they should trade him this year.

Philadelphia is no stranger to trade deadline acquisitions to aid in a playoff push. With a glaring need for a cornerback to complement Quinyon Mitchell, the Eagles could look to add Woolen and hope for a midseason turnaround from the former Pro Bowler.

1. Mark Andrews to Tampa Bay

Baltimore has already been active on the trade market, sending edge rusher Odafe Oweh to the Chargers earlier this week. After a sluggish 1-4 start, perhaps more activity could be on the way.

Dealing Andrews would make sense for the Ravens. Similar to the Woolen situation, the Ravens' tight end is a free agent in 2026, so Baltimore may rather get compensation for him for the upcoming offseason rather than waiting for the compensatory pick.

Additionally, young TE Isaiah Likely was expected to take on a larger role regardless of Mark Andrews’ status. This role could blossom sooner rather than later if the team ships out Andrews now.

Tampa Bay would be a fun destination and a good change of scenery for the 30-year-old veteran. Andrews would be reunited with QB Baker Mayfield, as the pair were college teammates at Oklahoma.

The Buccaneers have been bitten by the injury bug early on, especially on the offensive side of the football. Andrews could help bolster a tight end room that has only seen Cade Otten get involved in the action.

Bonus: Russel Wilson to Cincinnati

This was intended to be one of the four main initial trades, but as I was writing about it, the Browns traded QB Joe Flacco to the Bengals.

While this Wilson trade now seems less likely, I wouldn’t say it's impossible. The Bengals clearly were not thrilled with how backup Jake Browning was playing after posting a four-touchdown, five-interception ratio through four games.

The 40-year-old Flacco is now expected to take the reins against the Packers this Sunday, but keep in mind that the veteran QB was already benched earlier this year for rookie Dillon Gabriel.

Although Wilson has embraced the mentor role in New York, he says that he is, “Not done.” If Flacco doesn’t work out, it would be fun to see Wilson try and help lead the Bengals toward playoff contention while they await Joe Burrow’s return.

Darian Capobianco is a first-year graduate student studying strategic communications. To contact him, email dpc5734@psu.edu.