The 2025 NFL trade deadline is set for November 4 at 4 p.m. ET, making this the prime time for rumors to pop up across the league. A handful of stars have been mentioned as potential targets for Super Bowl hopefuls and fringe playoff contenders alike, but it takes a lot to get a deal over the finish line.
Here is a quick look at five of the most notable players whose names are bouncing around the rumor mill, as well as where they are most likely to land.
RB Breece Hall, NYJ
Breece Hall finally broke into the end zone on Sunday, just before the Jets hit their bye week. He even threw the game-winning touchdown in the final minute, ending New York’s winless season. How fitting would it be if that was Hall’s final moment in a Jets uniform?
As a pending free agent, Hall’s time in New York is probably limited as it is. It only makes sense that the Jets would try to get some value for their lead back, even if trading him would remove arguably the only healthy productive player from their offense. Hall is averaging 94.9 scrimmage yards per game this season, a step up from his 90.6 scrimmage yards per game from 2022 to 2024. With so many starting running backs going down with injuries in recent weeks, the 24-year-old is sure to be a hot commodity.
Potential Fits: Chiefs, Patriots, Chargers
WR Chris Olave, NO
Coming off an injury-plagued 2024 campaign, Chris Olave has been extremely consistent this season. The 25-year-old former first round pick has already cleared 500 yards, turning an NFC-leading 83 targets into 52 catches and three touchdowns. Olave’s 9.7 yards per reception are a career-low, but a lot of that can be attributed to an inefficient offense with Spencer Rattler at the helm. New Orleans is now 1-7, having just made the change to 26-year-old rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. If that signifies the Saints are truly punting on 2025, Olave will certainly draw plenty of interest on the trade market. The Saints picked up their fifth-year option on Olave in April, too, so he wouldn’t even be a rental.
Of course, Olave is the Saints’ top receiver and they are reportedly working on extending him. If the front office feels good about their odds of keeping Olave around long term, they could deal Rashid Shaheed instead. Brandin Cooks’ name has bounced around the rumor mill, as well.
Potential Fits: Steelers, Buccaneers, Bills
OLB Jaelan Phillips, MIA
After parting ways with general manager Chris Grier on Friday, the Dolphins may finally be committing to a rebuild. Among their more valuable assets is edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, a first round pick from back in 2021. Phillips totaled 21.0 sacks across his first three NFL seasons, although he played in just 12 games between 2023 and 2024 due to injury. The 26-year-old has stayed healthy so far in 2025, racking up 3.0 sacks, 25 tackles and seven QB hits through nine games, proving he still has some juice. Phillips, a pending free agent, told the Miami Herald after Thursday’s loss to the Ravens that while he would love to stay in Miami, he recognizes the possibility of a trade as well.
Miami has other edge rushers they could trade instead of Phillips, most notably Bradley Chubb and Matthew Judon. Chubb has a cap hit over $31 million in each of the next two seasons, though, and Judon is a shell of his former self. Phillips may draw a higher asking price, but he is the biggest difference-maker of the three.
Potential Fits: Eagles, Ravens, Commanders
TE David Njoku, CLE
With Harold Fannin Jr. taking on a larger and larger role as the season continues, it really seems like the clock is ticking on David Njoku. Fannin, a third round rookie, has more targets and receptions through eight games, even accounting for the game Njoku missed in Week 7. Fannin logged 106 snaps in the last two games he played with Njoku, while Njoku only saw the field on 68 offensive plays in those contests.
Njoku, 29, was a Pro Bowler as recently as 2023. His receiving success rate this season is sitting at 48.8%, above his career average of 47.2%. Any contender looking for a versatile, physical threat over the middle of the field could make a play for Njoku, whose four-year, $54.75 million contract is about to expire.
Potential Fits: Broncos, Rams, Buccaneers
QB Kirk Cousins, ATL
Even with Michael Penix Jr. banged up, Cousins showed in Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins that his time in Atlanta is pretty much done. His 81.2 passer rating this season is down even from his 88.6 mark from last year – not to mention his 103.8 passer rating with the Vikings in 2023. The 37-year-old is very clearly past his prime, not really bringing anything to the table besides short and intermediate accuracy. Cousins has completed 68.4% of his passes in 2025, albeit for zero touchdowns and a putrid 5.3 yards per attempt.
Cousins apparently still wants to be a starter, and there are maybe two spots where he could land and take on that role. The simplest move would be back to Minnesota, considering the Vikings just lost Carson Wentz to injury and don’t seem to have much short-term faith in J.J. McCarthy. And if the Browns really don’t want to play Shadeur Sanders this year, Cousins could be the one to step in for Dillon Gabriel following the Joe Flacco trade.
Potential Fits: Vikings, Browns
Click here for a breakdown of which teams could be the most active prior to the 2025 NFL Trade Deadline.
