The NFL trade market is open with several high-profile deals already done. We'll be tracking and grading the trades across the NFL up until the Nov. 10 deadline.
Colts trade guard Quenton Nelson to Seahawks
Date: Oct. 27
Seahawks receive: G Quenton Nelson
Grade: B+
Colts receive: 2027 third-round pick, 2028 fifth-round pick
Grade: C+
The Colts have other players who are far less tethered to the organization who also soon could be moved. Lacking a first-round draft pick next year from the Sauce Gardner trade, the Colts are trying to recoup as much draft-pick value as possible before the spring. With Daniel Jones' struggles, along with the Colts' apparent lack of trust in Anthony Richardson Sr., the team almost certainly will be going QB hunting in the offseason. …
Given the stage of his career and his contract status, this could end up being a fairly pricy rental for the Seahawks — and that potential cost must be baked into the team's grade. But if Nelson plays to his expected level, or even above the level he's played at this season, and the Seahawks remain a title contender, it would be hard to label this as anything but a win. – Eric Edholm
Colts trade defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to 49ers
Date: Oct. 27
49ers receive: DT DeForest Buckner
Grade: A-
Colts receive: 2027 fourth-round pick
Grade: B-
The 49ers needed defensive help up front, and Buckner looks like the right-shaped peg for their hole inside. Osa Odighizuwa has supplied some pressure, and rookie Gracen Halton has had some big moments, but they're the only Niners DTs to play every game. There weren't many other dependable pieces inside. It was also a group that lacked length and the ability to close down passing lanes. Odighizuwa and Halton have the only two batted passes for the team this season. …
The Colts got about what could be expected in return, and considering how depleted their draft-pick drawer is with no first-round pick next year, every pick counts. Even with the 2027 selections they got for Nelson and Buckner likely falling closer to the ends of those respective rounds, the Colts are accumulating more immediate assets to compete for a quarterback next year. It's smarter than waiting a year for compensatory-pick value, even if they're having to pay for past sins. – Eric Edholm
Cardinals trade receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to Texans
Date: Oct. 12
Texans receive: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., 2027 sixth-round pick
Grade: C-
Cardinals receive: 2027 second-round pick, 2027 sixth-round pick
Grade: B-
Nobody outbid the Houston Texans for receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. Whether that's a win for the Texans remains to be seen.
The Texans landed Harrison, the disappointing receiver from the Arizona Cardinals. It was reported Oct. 10 that the Cardinals were finalizing details on a trade for Harrison, but no team was announced. No team made a better offer to the Cardinals at the last minute, so Harrison and a 2027 sixth-round pick go to Houston for a 2027 second-round draft pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick.
It gives Harrison a second chance. And Arizona recoups some value after a draft whiff on Harrison.
Ravens acquire center Cam Jurgens from Eagles
Date: Oct. 7
Ravens receive: C Cam Jurgens, 2027 seventh-round pick
Grade: B
Eagles receive: 2027 fifth-round pick, 2028 second-round pick
Grade: C+
The timing, one day after longtime Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson abruptly announced his retirement, is perhaps the most surprising element of the trade.
The Ravens, who have had a hard time replacing Tyler Linderbaum at center, recently watched as Danny Pinter, Jovaughn Gwyn and Ethan Pocic all suffered injuries, forcing 2026 first-rounder Vega Ioane over from guard to center.
Jurgens now figures to be Baltimore's center for multiple seasons, given the nature of his contract after he signed an extension last year.
Cowboys acquire CB Joey Porter from Steelers
Date: Oct. 1
Cowboys receive: CB Joey Porter
Grade: B-
Steelers receive: 2027 seventh-round pick, 2028 second-round pick
Grade: B
Jerry Jones said before the season that he was itching to make another big trade.
The Dallas Cowboys owner made a move, with room to possibly make another splash before the deadline. Dallas dealt a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for their young cornerback Joey Porter Jr., a second-round selection in 2023.
It wasn't the all-in move Jones has teased. But it's still a big move that should help improve a defense that hasn't been great to start the 2026 season.
Giants trade for Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy
Date: Sept. 28
Giants receive: QB J.J. McCarthy
Grade: B-
Vikings receive: 2027 fifth-round pick
Grade: D
Is J.J. McCarthy, who fell from first- to third-string quarterback quickly in Minnesota, the answer for a Giants team that lost not only Jaxson Dart but also its top pass rusher in All-Pro Brian Burns (season-ending ACL tear)? How quickly can McCarthy acclimate to a new offense, new terminology and new cast of supporting teammates?
McCarthy played and started 10 games in two-plus seasons as a Viking, winning an impressive six. But that record often reflected the talent around him and even moreso, the strength of the Vikings' defense.
McCarthy threw 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his 10 Vikings games. Since he was drafted in 2024, his 72.6 passer rating ranks 43rd out of 44 quarterbacks who have started at least 10 games. Only Anthony Richardson Sr., whom the Indianapolis Colts tried and failed to trade in the spring, has posted a lower mark.
— Frank Schwab (grades) and Jori Epstein
Cowboys acquire offensive tackle Broderick Jones from Steelers
Date: Aug. 29
Cowboys receive: OL Broderick Jones, 2027 fourth-round pick
Grade: C-
Steelers receive: 2027 3rd-round pick, 2027 seventh-round pick
Grade: B
There was excitement for the Pittsburgh Steelers when they drafted Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones with the 14th overall NFL Draft pick in 2023. They even traded up to take him.
The excitement ran out when the Steelers traded Jones to the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys sent a third- and sixth-round pick to the Steelers for Jones and a fourth-round pick.
Jones had dealt with a neck injury and had not been the player the Steelers thought they were getting. He had struggled to become a reliable tackle. He was in the mix to start for the Steelers this season but when Max Iheanachor, this year's first-round pick by Pittsburgh, made his preseason debut Thursday then Jones became expendable.
For the Cowboys, it's one of the chances they often take on players who were graded highly coming out of college but didn't work out with their first team.
– Frank Schwab