The Vikings' offense is performing better, and they don't freak out or force plays when adversity happens. pic.twitter.com/m3cZW71lwi

— PFT Live (@PFT_Live) October 12, 2026

Why do people wear suits to talk about sports? https://t.co/SlDXOp7tLr

— Adam Patrick (@adampatrickNFL) October 14, 2026

Isaiah Rodgers - PFF’s #1 graded CB in coverage right now - has been lock down so far this season.

🔹89.1 coverage grade (1st / 104 qualifiers)
🔹43.8 passer rating allowed

… And the tape backs it up. 🔒

— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) October 14, 2026

Gotta protect the dogs at all cost. @NoExcuses_23 pic.twitter.com/oS3zgs7Uac

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 14, 2026

OBJ was hyped for JJ 🔥#SKOL pic.twitter.com/3WgsPwD5Je

— Vikes\/erified (@VikesVV) October 14, 2026

All about the TEAM 😤#SKOL pic.twitter.com/WCfhTtgY0c

— Vikes\/erified (@VikesVV) October 14, 2026

But Kyler was the problem: https://t.co/0Nr9Uwe5w2

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) October 14, 2026

Stats that sound absurd but are 100% real:

The Minnesota Vikings have had a Player of the Week award winner in 30.1% of games Kevin O'Connell has coached pic.twitter.com/AyacGv9Apo

— Tyler Forness (@TheRealForno) October 14, 2026

lmao, the lack of respect for Tua is off the chart....BFlo had his candy ass number from Day 1.

Kyle Hamilton and the Ravens IMMEDIATELY started celebrating when they saw Tua Tagovailoa come into the game lmaooo

“WE GOT TUA, BABY”

“LET’S GO GET HIS ASS”

*Tua’s first pass = INTERCEPTION* 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/CsoIM5tJmx

— Hater Report (@HaterReport) October 15, 2026

The NFL trade deadline is less than a month away, and the landscape around the league is starting to crystallize.

◽ Buyers: 49ers, Bills, Vikings
◽ Sellers: Chargers, Titans, Dolphins, Buccaneers, Saints, Cardinals

Trades could be coming…https://t.co/3FM0Gf2qzb

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) October 14, 2026

StickierBuns wrote:

https://x.com/TheAthletic/status/2110434292828697066?s=20

Who should be the NFL’s buyers and sellers as the trade deadline approaches?

The NFL trade deadline is less than a month away, and the landscape around the league is starting to crystallize through five weeks.

Potential buyers are emerging among the contenders. Those teams will be looking to the potential sellers at the bottom of the league in search of talent to bolster their rosters.

Two trades already occurred last week. After losing three centers to injury, the Baltimore Ravens dealt a 2027 fifth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for offensive lineman Cam Jurgens and a 2027 seventh-round pick. The Arizona Cardinals, meanwhile, moved on from receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., the No. 4 pick in 2024. The Houston Texans, after earning their first win of the season Sunday, sent a 2027 second-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Cardinals for Harrison and a 2027 sixth-round pick.

Two weeks ago, the Dallas Cowboys traded a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for cornerback Joey Porter Jr. And the New York Giants, hurting in the wake of Jaxson Dart’s season-ending injury, sent a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

More trades could be coming, and to set the stage, we will try to identify the teams positioned to be active heading up to the deadline, which is Nov. 10. The possible sellers are easier to pinpoint. The group of possible buyers is more expansive. There are the Super Bowl hopefuls. There are also desperate teams who could make moves. The Texans, who have started 1-4, are one example.

We will start with the potential sellers before touching on three interesting potential buyers.

The sellers

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers are living a nightmare. After hiring offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel this offseason, they entered 2026 with legitimate championship aspirations. The Chargers are still looking for their first win. They fell to 0-5 with a 23-17 home loss to the AFC West rival Denver Broncos in Week 5. The Chargers go on the road in Week 6 to take on the Kansas City Chiefs, who are 4-0 and coming off a bye. The Chargers could realistically enter their Week 7 bye at 0-6. After the bye, the Chargers have to face the Los Angeles Rams, the Texans and the Ravens. If the Chargers lose to the Chiefs, it will be time for general manager Joe Hortiz to start seriously fielding calls on his players. One obvious name to watch is veteran edge rusher Khalil Mack, who is on a one-year deal.

Tennessee Titans

The Titans were not competitive in a 26-3 loss to the Texans on Sunday. Coach Robert Saleh is off to a 0-5 start in his first season in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans spent big on defense in free agency. Their investment has not produced consistent results. Tennessee is 18th in EPA per play on defense through five weeks, according to TruMedia. More concerningly, coordinator Brian Daboll’s offense has been a mess. Second-year quarterback Cam Ward is not playing particularly well. But the issues stretch beyond Ward. Most notably, the Titans are tied for fourth in the league in drops with nine, according to TruMedia. Interior defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons is the Titans’ best player, but he just signed a three-year extension in June. Trading Simmons would come with a hefty dead-money charge in 2027. Running backs Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears are both on expiring deals. Receiver Calvin Ridley does not have any guaranteed money on his deal beyond this year.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins are in the midst of a complete rebuild. It is no surprise they have started 0-5 in Year 1 under coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. The Dolphins have remained relatively competitive despite a talent deficiency. That lack of talent is the primary problem when assessing the Dolphins as sellers. They just do not have many attractive players. Interior defensive lineman Zach Sieler and linebacker Jordyn Brooks are two of the Dolphins’ more capable veteran players. Sieler signed an extension in 2025. Brooks signed an extension in 2026. The Dolphins would incur sizable dead-money charges in 2027 if they trade either player.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Rookie backup quarterback Jalon Daniels has started two straight games for the Bucs while filling in for Baker Mayfield. Daniels earned his NFL win Thursday night as the Bucs upset the Cowboys on the road. It was also the Bucs’ first win of the season. At 1-4, Tampa Bay should be sellers. At the same time, coach Todd Bowles likely needs to win some games to keep his job. Bowles is in his fifth season, and his tenure is turning stale. Bowles’ defense played well against the Cowboys, but he has only won more than nine games one time. The Bucs missed the playoffs last year at 8-9. There could be some conflicting motivations in Tampa. The prudent long-term move is to sell and accrue draft capital. Bowles does not appear to have a long shelf life, though. The Bucs will be an interesting team to monitor in the coming weeks, especially once Mayfield returns from his dislocated thumb. The Bucs signed Mayfield to an extension averaging $55 million per year in September.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints were frisky early on this season. After three straight losses, they are no longer frisky at 1-4. Quarterback Tyler Shough is turning the ball over at an alarming rate. Among passer-rating-qualified quarterbacks, Shough ranks 30th in expected points added lost on turnovers, according to TruMedia. The Saints ran into the buzzsaw that is Brian Flores’ Vikings defense in Week 5. Shough threw two more interceptions. The Saints scored just 7 offensive points. In Week 4, the Saints defense imploded in a blowout loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The Saints have not taken a big enough step in Year 2 under coach Kellen Moore. They’ve dealt with injuries to key players, including left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., linebacker Kaden Elliss and running back Travis Etienne Jr. But New Orleans should be selling.

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals already sold by trading away Harrison, and they could sell again before the deadline. Arizona has lost four straight games after beating the Chargers in the opener. On Sunday, they gave up 45 points to the Detroit Lions. Coach Mike LaFleur is in his first season. The Cardinals have some building to do with their roster. They should be in the market for future picks. Edge rusher Baron Browning is on an expiring deal. Edge rusher Josh Sweat signed a four-year deal with the Cardinals in free agency in 2025. Trading Sweat would come with a big dead-money charge in 2027.

A few interesting potential buyers …

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have weathered injuries to start 5-0. Quarterback Brock Purdy is putting together an MVP-caliber season. Receiver Mike Evans has been one of the best signings of free agency. Linebacker Fred Warner is back and playing at an elite level after a season-ending injury in 2025. The 49ers rank in the top five in EPA per play on defense and offense, according to TruMedia. They are arguably the best team in the league. The 49ers could still absolutely add at multiple positions before the deadline, including interior defensive line, edge rusher and receiver. They have been hit by injuries at all three of these positions.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills escaped Monday night with a 37-34 overtime win over the Rams. They have the best offense in the league, led by quarterback Josh Allen. They have an ascending defensive front, led by edge rusher Gregory Rousseau and interior defensive tackle Deone Walker. The Bills, though, are lacking talent in their secondary. That issue showed up Monday when Matthew Stafford led the Rams on a way-too-easy tying drive at the end of regulation. The Bills could add at safety or cornerback. They have needs at both spots. This is a roster weakness the Bills must shore up, or it could come back to bite them in meaningful games later on this season.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings are 5-0, and they have the best defense in football. Could coach Kevin O’Connell add on offense before the deadline to give the Vikings some more life on that side of the ball? Kyler Murray played much better in the Vikings’ 23-13 win over the Saints on Sunday. Vikings skill players fumbled twice in the red zone, which affected the total output. But there were plenty of promising signs. Justin Jefferson broke out, and the Vikings finished with their best rushing success rate of the season, according to TruMedia. The offense could round into form with more consistent quarterback play. The Vikings are, however, thin at tight end. Josh Oliver is on injured reserve, and T.J. Hockenson suffered a concussion Sunday.

Love the leadership from Eric Wilson + team celebration for Jake Golday! 🔥#SKOL pic.twitter.com/dH70Ah3enA

— Vikes\/erified (@VikesVV) October 15, 2026

Rate your confidence level in this TE group from 1-10 ⬇️

Loved what we saw from Bartholomew last week and Yurosek mixed in as well!

Do they need to add a TE at all at the trade deadline?#SKOL pic.twitter.com/D4h6KPNxkh

— Vikes\/erified (@VikesVV) October 15, 2026

Faces of the Franchise 🔥#SKOL pic.twitter.com/KUowDj5JgI

— Vikes\/erified (@VikesVV) October 15, 2026

#Vikings DT Jalen Redmond is the NUMBER 1 GRADED DT against the run in the entire NFL. He's no longer a budding star, he's one of the games elite - & he will be paid as such.

— Vikes\/erified @VikesVV Oct 15, 2026

𝕏 X / Twitter — Vikes\/erified @VikesVV

#Vikings DT Jalen Redmond is the NUMBER 1 GRADED DT against the run in the entire NFL. He's no longer a budding star, he's one of the games elite - & he will be paid as such.

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Definitely not talked about enough.

Positions mentioned by @TomPelissero that the #Vikings could look to upgrade at the trade deadline, via @KFAN1003:

• *Blocking TE
• *RB
• Edge Rusher
• IDL

Blocking TE and RB were highlighted as top 2

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) October 15, 2026

Offense got defense.

Defense got offense.

🤝

📺: https://t.co/bEBScpfwmB pic.twitter.com/5O2nVpTmpb

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 15, 2026

The Vikings have the toughest remaining schedule of opposing offenses, based on this season so far. The Lions have the easiest.

— Gridiron Stats and Info @GridironInfo_ Oct 15, 2026

𝕏 X / Twitter — Gridiron Stats and Info @GridironInfo_

The Vikings have the toughest remaining schedule of opposing offenses, based on this season so far. The Lions have the easiest.

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Bet those offenses don’t look so tough after going through BFlo’s meat grinder.