HIGHLIGHTS:
- Deadline: Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. ET phones will be busy.
- Jonathan Taylor: Colts owner reportedly reluctant to deal him; Vikings, Giants, Broncos are logical fits.
- Budda Baker: Cardinals are sellers; Bills, Jaguars, Eagles make sense for the veteran safety.
- The big question: Was Indianapolis’ Nelson/Buckner fire sale the end or just the beginning?
The NFL trade deadline is set for 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 10, and I can already feel the phones heating up. With contenders looking to fill holes and sellers beginning to embrace the future, a few big names are dominating the rumor mill. Here’s my read on the two headliners.
Jonathan Taylor is the prize, but the Colts are playing hard to get. Indianapolis has already traded Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner, signaling a teardown after firing GM Chris Ballard. Taylor, 27, is under contract through 2028 after signing a two-year, $44 million extension, making him more than a rental. He’s tied for the league lead with eight rushing touchdowns despite the chaos around him. If I’m a contender like the Vikings, Giants, or Broncos, I’m offering real draft capital. But owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon reportedly doesn’t want to move him, and Taylor insists he hasn’t asked out. This feels like a stare-down that may not break before the buzzer.
Budda Baker is the veteran safety every contender should want. Arizona is 2-5 and already dealt Marvin Harrison Jr., so the fire sale may not be over. Baker, 30, has a career-high 3.5 sacks this season and remains a versatile, physical playmaker in sub-packages. He told ESPN he hasn’t requested a trade but also hasn’t asked to be traded. The Bills, Jaguars, and Eagles all make sense as landing spots for a team needing secondary help. Baker’s contract requires creativity, but his leadership and ball-hawking skills are worth the headache.
I’ll be watching my phone on Nov. 10. So will every contender in the league.
