This year’s NFL trade deadline could be one of the most exciting in recent memory. 

After years of the deadline passing without much activity, trades have become more common recently. The NFL’s deadline might not equal the number of trades we see in the NBA, NHL, or MLB, but the magnitude of the trades continues to grow. 

With this year’s deadline still two weeks away, there have already been significant trades. 

On Tuesday, the Indianapolis Colts shipped off a pair of stars for draft picks. The Colts sent guard Quenton Nelson, still one of the NFL’s best, to the Seattle Seahawks and, just hours later, traded defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers.

On Thursday, the Tennessee Titans traded All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to the Chicago Bears for two first-round picks. 

Expect many more big-name players to have a new home by tbe time the trade deadline passes on November 10. 

The Jacksonville Jaguars are one of the most interesting teams to watch this deadline. The Jaguars are 4-2 and are running away with the AFC South. The closest teams behind them are the 2-5 Colts, who have already thrown in the white flag on the season, and the 2-5 Houston Texans. 

Jacksonville has bigger goals than just repeating as division champs. The Jaguars are one of the NFL’s elite teams and are a legitimate Super Bowl contender. 

They should be aggressive buyers at the deadline. Jacksonville could use help to strengthen its defensive line and secondary, and there are several players who are likely available and could make the Jaguars even better. 

However, Jacksonville also has a decision to make with embattled WR Brian Thomas Jr., who is extremely talented but has horribly underperformed for the last season and a half. 

Thomas has fallen out of favor in Jacksonville and was benched for the second half of the Jaguars’ Week 6 loss to the Texans. 

It looks like BTJ may finally be traded. A fresh start somewhere else could help him return to the star he was during his Pro Bowl rookie year in 2024. 

Despite his struggles, there will be no shortage of teams that would love to trade for him if Jacksonville decides to move on. 

In fact, both Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano of ESPN believe Thomas is the player they are most confident will be traded at the deadline. 

League Sources Believe BTJ Will Be Traded

Both Fowler and Graziano say that several sources around the NFL believe BTJ is done in Jacksonville and will be traded before the deadline.

When asked which player they are most confident will be traded, both Fowler and Graziano agreed on Thomas.

"Fowler: Let's go with Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr. Several execs I've spoken to believe Thomas' days in Jacksonville are numbered due to his diminished role in Year 3. He has trade value, and the Jaguars would be smart to explore that option. One potential deterrent: Jacksonville is in a winning window and needs all hands on deck for the stretch run. Thomas, at worst, still commands defensive coverage, but he hasn't caught a pass in the past two games and was essentially benched in London in Week 6.

"None of the top trade options around the league is a slam dunk to happen, but place Thomas in the Marvin Harrison Jr. category of a receiver badly needing a fresh start. The safer bet might end up being Vikings wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who isn't a primary option in that offense and is also a trade candidate.

"Graziano: Thomas is my answer, too. He clearly hasn't been a big part of Jacksonville's offense since coach Liam Coen arrived last season. Thomas would surely prefer to either be a bigger part of the Jaguars' offense or go to a team where he can have a sizable role. And there are plenty of teams around the league that still view him as a high-end talent at a premium position and would give up something of value to get him.

"Like you said, this closely mirrors the Harrison situation. Thomas is two months younger than Harrison, was also drafted in the first round in 2024 and showed enough promise as a rookie that there's reason to believe a change of scenery could bring out the best in him. Thomas hasn't made any public noise about wanting out, but neither did Harrison. Still, Harrison and his agents were able to work with the Cardinals behind the scenes to find a solution that made everyone happy. I expect the same thing to happen for Thomas.

"Going back to your Jennings mention, I agree that the most likely guys to be traded are the slightly lower-profile names if simply because they won't cost as much to add. But I also imagine Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat will be of interest to teams needing defensive help over the next couple of weeks."

Final Thoughts

Fowler and Graziano are very well connected around the league. If they are hearing that the Jaguars are likely to move Thomas, it would be a surprise if Jacksonville keeps him.

If BTJ is traded, it will be a sad ending to his time in Jacksonville, but, at this point, is probably the best outcome for both sides.