As the deadline looms, which NFL trades could have the biggest fantasy impacts?

• Adam Rank

Oct 30, 2026, 06:33 AM ET

The NFL trade deadline is around the corner, and it's when we start to separate the pretenders from the contenders. I have one question: Are we convinced that the 6-0 Minnesota Vikings are contenders?

Let's get into it, especially because the NFL's other unbeaten teams lost last week. The San Francisco 49ers blew a huge lead that went in the Atlanta Falcons' favor this time, and the Kansas City Chiefs lost as Harrison Butker missed two more field goals.

This is a long-winded way to say there could be more changes afoot for the NFL as the teams separate in the standings. The Indianapolis Colts have already decided to start a proxy war in the NFC West, sending guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner back to San Francisco.

There is always a possibility nothing major happens, that NFL teams get cold feet and continue to hoard their draft picks ... which probably sounds like some of the managers in your fantasy leagues.

But let's take a look at some potential trades that could have an impact in fantasy circles, using this column from my esteemed ESPN colleagues, Matthew Bowen and Jeremy Fowler.

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

Let's start with the biggest prize. According to Fowler, there is a 30% chance Taylor gets moved. However, what if the Vikings go full Herschel Walker and make a deal to jump-start their struggling offense? Which begs the question: Isn't Kevin O'Connell supposed to be a QB genius?

Quarterbacks have gotten better after leaving Minnesota. O'Connell is one more quarterback away from donning a black turtleneck and doing TED talks if he's not careful. But give me Taylor in Minnesota for the fantasy playoffs (which I can't believe I'm saying as a Chicago Bears supporter).

Of course, Taylor's departure would mean an opportunity for rookie Seth McGowan back in Indy, which would be great as a volume play. But remember Daniel Jones is still the quarterback, and Nelson is gone.

What you don't want to see is a team such as Chicago get into the mix here, given injury concerns to Kyle Monangai. That, however, seems remote, especially after the Bears spent two first-round picks to acquire Jeffrey Simmons.

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

This is the reason I've kept Thomas on my roster for the past number of weeks. The hope is that he is given a one-way ticket out of Randy Savage International Airport and sent to Kansas City.

Thomas had a fantastic rookie season and seemed set for superstardom. Now, he's an afterthought in Jacksonville history, like Limp Bizkit. But as the Fred Durst-led band has started to move back to relevancy (nostalgia is a helluva drug), so, too, could Thomas if given the right environment? Kansas City is the dream, but that could be unlikely given the Jaguars' desire to get him out of the conference. San Francisco would be a nice consolation prize.

Moving Thomas could open up a few more opportunities for Travis Hunter in Jacksonville, but I'm not sure how much offensive investment the Jaguars are willing to make with the two-way player.

Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans

Can we free Pollard? He has been the subject of trade rumors, but it does seem like the Titans want to hold on to him. I might be delusional, but the Titans do have some nice players around QB Cam Ward, and I'm not ruling out a late-season surge by Tennessee (despite an uninviting schedule).

Perhaps a team blows away the Titans with a substantial offer. Minnesota is the leader in the clubhouse to trade for a running back as I see it, but the Washington Commanders should really give this some thought. Don't feel like you need to rush out and add Titans backup Julius Chestnut if this somehow happens.

Chris Godwin Jr., WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Godwin hasn't been the same since his ankle injury, and it's really hard to fathom the Buccaneers making a move because the NFC South is wide open. Especially with the way the Bucs destroyed the Carolina Panthers. But is Tampa Bay truly a Super Bowl contender? No.

Why not let him reunite with Mike Evans in San Francisco? It could be fun, and Emeka Egbuka and Ted Hurst III are ready to roll.

Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts

I really don't believe Downs is a great fit for Kansas City. But do the Los Angeles Rams have anything to offer the Colts right now? That would be a pretty fun spot for him, although let's not sleep on Atlanta, either. Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. is throwing the ball pretty well.

Kirk Cousins, QB, Las Vegas Raiders

Could Cousins be moved now that he has finally started to look sharp for the first time since his Achilles injury in late 2023?

I wonder whether the Philadelphia Eagles would make sense for him, as the NFC East is still wide open. Howie Roseman was reportedly in on Nelson, so maybe the Eagles find their way into this conversation. But the irony of ironies is if Cousins were to go back to Minnesota.

That would mean Fernando Mendoza mania could start in Las Vegas. If that were to happen, Mendoza would be an intriguing streaming option, even though the Raiders' schedule isn't conducive to starting a rookie quarterback over the next few weeks.