Sources eye bevy of NFL trades before deadline

"The three NFL trades completed this week, headlined by the Browns sending Joe Flacco to the rival Bengals, are expected to be a sign of things to come ahead of the league's Nov. 4 trade deadline. In a copycat league where teams constantly are striving to improve, general managers already have begun exploring additional trades and, based on recent years, there could be at least another dozen to come, league sources told ESPN."

"Over the last six years, in the month of October leading up to the trade deadline, the NFL has had 88 trades -- an average of just under 15 per year. The list of trade candidates who executives and coaches believe could be available in the next few weeks features multiple high-profile players, including Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson, Trey Hendrickson, Mark Andrews, Bradley Chubb, Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave, Breece Hall, Cameron Jordan and Riq Woolen. These players' respective teams haven't necessarily made them available via trade, but sources believe they eventually could be."

"One reason is the younger and more aggressive GMs in the NFL. Many of the previous generation of GMs did not believe in trading players mid-season and having new players come in to learn their systems. But teams recently have had success trading for players ahead of the deadline, and seeing them enjoy success. Back in 2021, the Rams traded second- and third-round draft picks to the Broncos for Von Miller, who helped Los Angeles win Super Bowl LVI."

Three NFL trades this week, including the Browns sending Joe Flacco to the Bengals, signal increased activity ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline. Over the past six Octobers leading to the deadline the league completed 88 trades, averaging nearly 15 per year, with a recent rise in deals compared to earlier seasons. Several high-profile players are seen as potential candidates for movement. Factors driving the uptick include younger, more aggressive general managers and recent successful deadline acquisitions such as the Rams' 2021 trade for Von Miller, which contributed to a Super Bowl victory.

Read at ESPN.com