Bryce Young trade highlights NFL trade deadline deals we want to see

On November 6, 2024By Littum

The NFL trade deadline is less than 24 hours away.

Several trades have already taken place. Three of the most notable trades include the New York Jets acquiring wide receiver Davante Adams, the defending Super Bowl champion, the Kansas City Chiefs trading for wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and the Minnesota Vikings acquiring tackle Cam Robinson.

More trades are expected as the clock ticks closer to the NFL trade deadline. Will there be more big name players on the way?

Some other names that might want to switch scenery include Browns rusher Za’Darius Smith, Jaguars running back Travis Etienne and Jets wideout Mike Williams. It can make for a very busy Tuesday.

USA TODAY Sports explores some deals we’d like to see happen for Tuesday’s 4pm NFL trade deadline.

Tee Higgins to the Steelers

The Steelers are looking for help at wide receiver before the trade deadline, a person close to the situation told USA TODAY Sports. They spoke on condition of anonymity because a deal has not yet been finalized.

Higgins is a strong receiver, has a good catch radius and is comfortable playing as an X or Z receiver.

Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said before that he’s not in the business of making other teams better, and the Bengals certainly don’t want to do business with a division rival. But Higgins would be a great fit in Pittsburgh’s offensive system and pair well with George Pickens.

Higgins, who is playing on the one-year franchise tag offer, is likely to play his final year in Cincinnati. The Bengals run the risk of losing Higgins for nothing during free agency, but they’re probably going to hold on to the wideout for the rest of the season.

Anthony Richardson to Rams

Did Richardson lose some of the locker room when he voluntarily checked himself out of the game in Week 8? Richardson was benched in favor of 39-year-old QB Joe Flacco, which calls into question the young quarterback’s future in Indy.

Indianapolis’ handling of Richardson is confusing. The Colts drafted a raw quarterback with an abundance of potential No. 4 overall in the 2023 draft. They played him too early and only allowed him 10 total starts to develop before pulling the plug.

Of course, the Colts could eventually return to Richardson. However, some fences need to be repaired. A change of scenery might be best for both parties.

Rams coach Sean McVay has elevated every quarterback he’s had a chance to coach. Still, he’s never had a QB with the athletic prowess of Richardson. Furthermore, Matthew Stafford restructured his contract and gave up his guaranteed money in 2025. The Rams have to eventually think about the quarterback of the future.

Bryce Young to Raiders

Young’s started the last two games for the Panthers after being benched following the team’s Week 2 loss, though only because veteran QB Andy Dalton sprained his right thumb in a car accident. Young’s improved his decision-making and accuracy over his last two starts. His quarterback ratings in Week 8 (76.9) and Week 9 (77.6) were his two best of the year as a starter. Panthers coach Dave Canales even said Young is playing faster and more decisively.

However, Canales did not commit to Young, who will start in Week 10.

The Panthers say they have a plan for Young. But maybe their plan is to trade him and get back some of the outstanding capital they lost to get him. Carolina lacks talent on both sides of the football. It is difficult for any quarterback to achieve success without a good sports crew.

The Raiders benched Gardner Minshew several times this year and are also not committed to Aidan O’Connell. The Raiders could start over at QB with Young while also giving the second-year QB a fresh start. The young and rookie TE Brock Bowers promises to be a building block in the offense.

Travis Etienne Jr. to the Cowboys

Veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott was inactive in Week 9 for disciplinary reasons. Starting running back Rico Dowdle hasn’t rushed for over 90 yards in a single game this season. The Cowboys have the NFC’s worst rushing attack.

The Cowboys’ offense is one-dimensional this season. Things could get worse now that quarterback Dak Prescott is expected to miss several weeks with a hamstring injury.

Dallas’ season seems to be going in the wrong direction, but they still need a running back for the present and the future. Etienne can take care of that. He has surpassed 1,400 yards from scrimmage in his first two seasons and is only 25 years old. His current contract expires in the 2025 season.

The Cowboys miss RB Tony Pollard, who they let go in free agency. Etienne could step in and fill the void at running back.

Greg Newsome to the commanders

Recent decisions show the Browns are sellers. Wide receiver Amari Cooper is gone and defensive end Za’Darius Smith is rumored to be on the move before Tuesday’s deadline.

Teams are always interested in secondary help. The Commander defense is without a shutdown corner. Newsome would easily be Washington’s top cornerback upon arrival. He has allowed a 61% completion percentage when targeted.

Rookie QB Jayden Daniels has helped revitalize the Commanders. ESPN reported that Washington became a coveted destination for players. Commanders has an excellent opportunity to build on what looks like a legitimate end game.

Mike Williams to the Chargers

Williams has been regulated to the Jets’ fourth receiving option, and he hasn’t established good chemistry with Aaron Rodgers. Even with WR Allen Lazard on injured reserve, Williams logged just one catch for six yards in Week 9. He ranks fifth on the Jets in both catches (11) and receiving yards (160).

Several teams are interested in acquiring Williams, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

A reunion with the Chargers seems like a logical destination. The Chargers haven’t filled their hole at X receiver since letting Williams go in the offseason.

Williams was one of Justin Herbert’s favorite targets. He has a large catch radius and excels at 50-50 balls. He recorded 309 catches, 4,806 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns in a Chargers uniform.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.