We’ve already looked at teams that should be sellers at the trade deadline and there is some good news for those teams that have assets other teams may want. There are a lot more would-be buyers than there are potential sellers. Using simple supply-demand logic, that means teams that are willing to trade talent could get a solid return. These teams aren’t all Super Bowl contenders, though. Some need to beef up their roster for the future as well.
New England Patriots
The Patriots’ time frame of dominance has to come to an end at some point. Tom Brady can’t play forever . . . right? New England is already showing the realization they need to go all-in. They unloaded a second-round pick for the Falcons third wide receiver when they traded for Mohamed Sanu. They still need help at tight end, wide receiver, and maybe the offensive line if Isaiah Wynn doesn’t come back off IR. The AFC is weak right now. The Patriots need to try and get a seventh Super Bowl. Picks shouldn’t matter to a team that has the defense to win now and an offense that obviously needs help.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks could use help on the defensive line, at receiver and tight end. They are in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL. They are getting an MVP season from Russell Wilson. They are playing every game to the final whistle. They don’t win big. They don’t lose big. Teams only need to focus on shutting down Tyler Lockett — which isn’t easy — and that could lead to struggles for the Seahawks passing game. Stopping the pass is a bigger problem. Seattle only has 13 sacks as a team right now. That’s good for 25th in the NFL. That won’t work in the playoffs.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills defense is great, but their offense is very mediocre. The only solution seems to be that they need to surround Josh Allen with more weapons. It’s obvious they don’t think that Josh Allen is the problem — he’s still young and has all the physical tools to be a franchise quarterback — so they need to fix the talent around him. They will need to win a shootout at some point this season — and probably in the playoffs. Maybe they make a run for A.J. Green or get a real tight end on the roster.
Detroit Lions
The Lions shouldn’t be buyers because they have a chance this season — making the playoffs will be extremely difficult for Detroit — but they should be budget buyers. If they can get a player who can help them further in the future — someone on a two-year deal or more — they should take advantage of that. Detroit could use help in the backfield. They also need help pressuring the quarterback. Of course, the Lions could quickly turn into sellers if they wanted to unload cornerback Darius Slay.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers are kind of like the Patriots. They have a veteran quarterback and a chance to win a Super Bowl. The time to make moves is now. They should trade for a tight end — if possible — because Jimmy Graham lacks any explosion. They finally are taking advantage of Aaron Jones’ incredible skill running and catching the football, but they also will need some wide receiver depth. Davante Adams should be coming back soon, but if he reaggravates his toe injury, someone like A.J. Green could definitely step in.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns needs help in one place and one place only: the offensive line. They invested in their defense with draft capital. They made trades to surround Baker Mayfield with talent at receiver and running back. They forgot the fact that their quarterback also needs time to find Odell Beckham Jr. down the field. They need their line to create holes for Nick Chubb — and eventually Kareem Hunt. There just happens to be an All-Pro tackle available on a team that stinks. They need to call up Washington and offer all their picks for Trent Williams.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles need to add help in their defensive backfield and they need to do so as soon as possible. They could also add some help for Carson Wentz, because their current wide receiver situation isn’t working out. The Eagles have a shot at the NFC East. They were a trendy Super Bowl pick before the season started. They have the talent to make a run if they can get healthy and figure out a way to stop opposing teams’ passing attacks. That’s why defensive back help should be at the top of the list and receiver help should be sought after only if they unload someone like Nelson Agholor in a trade.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are currently sitting at the top of the AFC South. They have a talented offensive line. Indy has a young and fast-flowing defense. They are the deepest team in the AFC South. They love hoarding picks and cap space, but if they can land a big playmaker on offense they should make that move. Trading for Melvin Gordon could be an interesting move and solidifies their rushing attack behind Marlon Mack. Making a run at A.J. Green wouldn’t hurt. Adding more talent to a defensive backfield is never a bad idea. If the Colts view themselves as true contenders, they should make some type of move.
