The 2025 NFL trade deadline is still about a month away -- but the developments that will shape the market are taking place now. As Nov. 4 nears, Kevin Patra will be keeping tabs on the main priority for all 32 teams, from positional weaknesses to longer-term concerns around the cap and draft, updating needs as they change, with teams ordered according to their divisional standing.
AFC EAST
BIGGEST NEED: Help in run defense
Buffalo’s defense has been stampeded, allowing 657 yards on the ground through four games, the second-worst total in the NFL. The Bills also give up 6.0 rushing yards a clip. If this continues, teams will play keep-away from Josh Allen. The eventual return of Ed Oliver and Matt Milano should help, but Dorian Williams has struggled, and Buffalo has missed far too many tackles.
BIGGEST NEED: Defensive back
The Pats' pass rush hasn't been bad -- the team sits at 13th in QB pressure rate through four weeks. Yet, New England's pass EPA allowed is in the bottom 10 in the NFL, and the Pats allow a 51.4% pass-success rate. They reportedly reached out regarding corner Jarvis Brownlee before he was traded by the Titans to New York, which indicates this is a known need.
BIGGEST NEED: Cap space
Tyreek Hill's devastating knee injury wiped one potential trade chip off the board. Still, the Dolphins spent the offseason attempting to get their future financials in order, and a win over the lowly Jets shouldn't immediately change that goal. Future free agents, like Jaelan Phillips, could be trade bait to help build up draft capital, as well.
BIGGEST NEED: Linebacker
Perhaps the listed need here should be someone who can make a tackle. The Jets' defense has been wholly disappointing, getting run over and picked apart, and Quincy Williams' shoulder injury only exacerbates the situation. This is a team that should sell. But beyond running back Breece Hall, there aren't many obvious chips -- and Hall becomes more important to the Jets in the wake of Braelon Allen's MCL sprain.
AFC NORTH
BIGGEST NEED: Linebacker
Aside from Payton Wilson's stellar appearance in Dublin, he has struggled in coverage, with his passer rating allowed as the nearest defender (130.4) counting as the sixth-highest among linebackers with 100-plus coverage snaps this season, per Next Gen Stats. We’re not yet at the panic point with the Steelers defense, coming off a six-sack performance against the Vikings, but as of now, I lean toward Pittsburgh adding on defense over continuing to seek WR2s.
BIGGEST NEED: Offensive line
We’re probably a couple more blowout losses away from turning the page and talking about the Bengals selling at the deadline (i.e., potentially dealing Trey Hendrickson). For now, the same need that has existed in perpetuity in Cincinnati remains: The entire offensive line has struggled in 2025, with youngsters Amarius Mims and Dylan Fairchild particularly having a rough go. The offseason coaching change for the unit hasn't yielded results thus far, so it might be time to add bodies.
BIGGEST NEED: Defensive line
Lamar Jackson's uncertain status will suck up all the oxygen, but this injury-ravaged D is in dire straits. And even with a slew of absences in the secondary, the front is the most pressing concern. Nnamdi Madubuike’s season-ending injury was a major blow; with Travis Jones and Kyle Van Noy also banged up, the D-line is a shell of itself. Toss in Roquan Smith’s injury, and it's clear the run D needs help, fast.
BIGGEST NEED: Building for the future
The Browns are currently set to have 10 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including two first-rounders, but adding even more can’t hurt a team that is 1-3 after finishing 3-14 last season. Shipping out veterans not in the long-term plans makes sense. David Njoku (in a contract year) could be on the move, thanks to the emergence of rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. Greg Newsome II, in the final season of his rookie pact, could also be a trade option, particularly given the league-wide need for cornerbacks. Cleveland can't stop at stockpiling picks, though; the biggest future concern is the lack of cap space, with Deshaun Watson's contract boondoggle continuing to hover.
AFC SOUTH
BIGGEST NEED: Cornerback
The Xavien Howard experiment has come to an unceremonious end, with the veteran defender announcing his retirement on Wednesday. After a solid opening weekend, the 32-year-old found himself getting picked on in Week 4, allowing seven catches for 112 yards and a TD. The division-leading Colts will, at the very least, need to find a new season-long solution at the position.
BIGGEST NEED: Edge depth
Travon Walker's wrist injury highlights the need for depth on the edge behind Josh Hines-Allen in Jacksonville’s physical defense. I’ve been a big Emmanuel Ogbah fan for years, but the 31-year-old has just three pressures this season; ditto for dirty-work specialist Dawuane Smoot. Adding a rotational edge rusher would upgrade a D that remains underrated through four weeks.
BIGGEST NEED: Offensive line
I want to see Woody Marks get at least a couple of weeks' worth of work as the lead back in Houston before considering whether the Texans need backfield aid. To me, the offensive line continues to be the biggest concern, even if the front office -- as suggested by Houston's decision to trade Cam Robinson away -- seems intent on riding things out.
BIGGEST NEED: Draft assets
It appears to be getting late early for Brian Callahan, who has a .143 winning percentage (3-18) since becoming head coach last season. The Titans need more draft picks to continue their rebuild, and the Jarvis Brownlee Jr. pick-swap deal with the Jets didn't help much in that arena. Frankly, anyone not named Cam Ward should be considered a trade option, and it would make sense for Tony Pollard and Calvin Ridley to both be on the block -- although if the Titans really wanted to make a splash, three-time Pro Bowler Jeffery Simmons would be their biggest chip.
AFC WEST
BIGGEST NEED: Offensive line
At least the high ankle sprain that will cost Joe Alt multiple weeks isn't season-ending. Already down Rashawn Slater, the Chargers are in a bad spot with their O-line. Justin Herbert has been under pressure on 50 of 88 dropbacks over the past two weeks (51.5%). That's not sustainable if he's to survive the season.
BIGGEST NEED: Defensive line
It's been the Chris Jones and George Karlaftis show thus far in Kansas City, where no other lineman has more than six QB pressures in 2025. Adding someone who can push the pocket, whether on the inside or on the edge, would greatly benefit Steve Spagnuolo's crew.
BIGGEST NEED: Linebacker
Big-ticket free-agent addition Dre Greenlaw hasn’t been able to play this season. Alex Singleton struggled coming off the ACL injury that prematurely ended his 2024 -- until Monday's win over the Bengals, when he started to feel like himself again. Was that a sign he’s turned a corner, or just what he should do against a bad opponent? Some insurance wouldn’t be bad. Former Sean Payton charge Demario Davis would make for an interesting addition to an already physical defense.
BIGGEST NEED: Cornerback
Corner was a need even before Eric Stokes suffered a knee sprain in Week 4. The automatic thought following NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport's report that teams are poking around Seahawks corner Riq Woolen is that he'd be a good match with Pete Carroll, for whom he played his best years in Seattle.
NFC EAST
BIGGEST NEED: Cornerback
Ninth-year veteran Adoree’ Jackson struggled before he missed Week 4 with an injury. Jakorian Bennett is on injured reserve. Kelee Ringo had a roller-coaster first start of the season, missing three tackles against the Buccaneers. Adding a veteran corner to stabilize the group and ensure Cooper DeJean sticks as a Swiss Army knife would be beneficial. Philly could also add more pass-rush help following the latest round of injuries. I have little doubt that GM Howie Roseman will make some sort of move.
BIGGEST NEED: Secondary
No one in the Commanders’ secondary has played well, as they’ve been scorched repeatedly through the first month, allowing the sixth-most passing yards in the NFL (even with the Russell Wilson Week 1 reprieve). Marshon Lattimore has been wicked bad to start the season. Even if some of the penalties have been of the ticky-tack variety, he’s been picked on, giving up three plays of 15 or more yards in four games. The veteran has particularly struggled with pre-snap motion in man coverage, which teams will continue to exploit.
BIGGEST NEED: Pass rush
I'm not even going to make the joke about what led to this need. The Cowboys have five total sacks, led by James Houston's two. The lack of a consistent pass rush has left the back end exposed: Dallas is allowing 297.3 passing yards per game, 32nd in the NFL. And that's part of how the league's fifth-best scoring offense (28.5 points per game) can also have a negative point differential (-18).
BIGGEST NEED: Cap space
Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll face a catch-22: They need to show promise to keep their jobs, but building for a future around rookie QB Jaxson Dart is also a must. The dead money from Daniel Jones' contract mistake still lingers. The Giants are dead last in cap space in 2025, meaning there won't be much to roll over next year, when they are already not in line for a ton of maneuverability. Kayvon Thibodeaux is a name to watch as the deadline nears. It'd be tough to dilute the strength of the team, but the pass rusher is set to cost $14.8 million against the cap next season on his fifth-year rookie option. If Big Blue can't budget to keep the 2022 first-rounder, they should think about moving him now, when his value is at its peak, given that the acquiring team would have an additional year of control after 2025.
NFC NORTH
BIGGEST NEED: Cornerback
D.J. Reed's hamstring injury isn't season-ending, but he'll be out "a while," per Dan Campbell. Fellow starter Terrion Arnold is also banged up. At least in the short term, that puts Khalil Dorsey, Rock Ya-Sin and Avonte Maddox playing roles alongside nickel Amik Robertson. Even with Reed and Arnold eventually returning, Detroit could use some insurance.
BIGGEST NEED: Beef inside
The loss of Devonte Wyatt to a knee injury on Sunday highlighted some depth issues on the interior. The Packers have given up 213 rushing yards combined over the past two weeks after a studly opening to the season. We know general manager Brian Gutekunst doesn't love trading assets, particularly for stopgap solutions, but he's already all-in after acquiring Micah Parsons. Why not push more into the middle to plug a hole?
BIGGEST NEED: Offensive-line depth
A week ago, I might have said corner was the Vikings' biggest need, but a rash of injuries put a hole in their best-laid plans to solidify the O-line this offseason. Brian O'Neill's MCL sprain is a killer, as they experienced on Sunday versus Pittsburgh, when Carson Wentz was sacked six times, while Ryan Kelly and Donovan Jackson are also banged up. If Minnesota doesn't secure better protection, it won't matter who is under center.
BIGGEST NEED: Help with run defense
Running back is an option, given D'Andre Swift's ineffective play (3.3 yards per carry) so far. At this point, however, the NFL's worst run defense is the bigger concern. The Bears have allowed 120-plus rushing yards each week, including a whopping 240 against the Raiders in Week 4. The interior has been blown off the ball. And the offseason addition of Grady Jarrett -- who missed Week 4 with a knee injury -- hasn't provided much of a boost in either the run game (four total tackles) or the pass rush (three QB pressures).
NFC SOUTH
BIGGEST NEED: Offensive line
At least the Bucs got Tristan Wirfs back, right? Cody Mauch and Luke Goedeke are both on IR. Mauch is done for the year. The hope is that Goedeke can return. In the meantime, the line has struggled to find traction in run blocking and left Baker Mayfield scrambling for his life at times. If Tampa had a more statuesque or less gritty QB, the offense would be DOA. Charlie Heck has allowed 18 QB pressures in three games (two starts), per Next Gen Stats. That's ... bad.
BIGGEST NEED: Draft assets
The Falcons have a young secondary, so A.J. Terrell's hamstring injury is cause for some concern. But with just five selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, Atlanta's biggest need is to restock the pick coffers. The obvious name to watch, in terms of someone to move, is Kirk Cousins, even if the Falcons have previously insisted they are happy to keep him around. It still feels as though ATL is waiting for that one big injury that creates a need for a contender.
BIGGEST NEED: Draft assets
The rebuild in Carolina continues to proceed in fits and starts. One week, the Panthers pitch a shutout; the next, they get 42 hung on them. The defensive front and linebacker corps are porous. Carolina also needs more young playmakers in the front seven. It seems way too early to move on from 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette, but even when healthy, the receiver has struggled mightily (28.1 yards per game in his career so far).
BIGGEST NEED: Draft assets
The Saints are winless and currently have just five picks in the 2026 NFL Draft -- that seems like poor planning. The decision to swap a 2026 fourth-rounder for Devaughn Vele is looking like a woeful one at this point (Vele has two catches for 16 yards and a TD in three games). A team in clear rebuild mode needs more capital. Desperately. Veterans who likely won't be around when the team turns a corner -- like stalwart linebacker Demario Davis -- should be moved before the deadline.
NFC WEST
BIGGEST NEED: Edge
So far, so not good for the 49ers' pass rush sans the injured Nick Bosa. The Niners averaged 11.6 QB pressures through the first three weeks, but in their first full game without Bosa, they earned just six against the Jaguars. Bryce Huff led the way with two; another came from All-Universe linebacker Fred Warner. The injury-ravaged Niners can't survive without affecting the quarterback more effectively in their remaining 13 games.
BIGGEST NEED: Offensive guard
First-round pick Grey Zabel has had the predictable up-and-down start that most rookie linemen experience. He's flashed enough, however, that we can be confident in the pick moving forward. The issue is at right guard, where Anthony Bradford has been cripplingly bad, given poor marks from Pro Football Reference for run- and pass-blocking to earn the 59th-worst offensive grade among guards this season. Maybe Bradford's back issue is playing a role? Either way, the Seahawks need better play in front of Sam Darnold to continue their early-season success. Christian Haynes, currently on IR, struggled in limited reps as a rookie last season.
BIGGEST NEED: Cornerback
Losing Ahkello Witherspoon to a broken clavicle in Week 2 put the Rams' secondary in a bind. Former Washington Commanders castoff Emmanuel Forbes has played a lot of snaps, and has been picked on. In Week 4, he allowed 86 yards and a TD, per Next Gen Stats. The week prior, the Eagles went after him with A.J. Brown. How long can Los Angeles withstand having a weak link like that on defense, which opponents are sure to target relentlessly?
BIGGEST NEED: Cornerback
The corner crew has been decimated by injuries, with Garrett Williams joining Sean Murphy-Bunting and Starling Thomas V on IR. Rookie Will Johnson's return to practice after missing two games is a positive step, but it remains a thin group -- and, to me, addressing that takes precedence over RB, even after James Conner's season-ending injury.