NFL Trade Deadline: Titans, Broncos and Other Sellers Fans Should Watch

All 32 NFL teams, theoretically, open each season with a chance to contend. Then reality sets in.

That's the point many teams around the league are at with less than a week to go before the trade deadline. Teams have until 4 p.m. ET on Halloween, right around the midpoint of the regular season, to make their final trades of the year.

Some franchises hoping to strengthen their rosters for a potential playoff push will be buyers ahead of the deadline. But not all teams are so lucky. Last year's deadline frenzy showed that some struggling front offices aren't afraid to part with Pro Bowl players and look toward the future. The same could be in store this year. A variety of squads around the NFL whose seasons aren't necessarily going as planned have assets they could part with.

Here are five teams that should be sellers at this year's deadline.

Tennessee Titans

The Titans sit at 2-4 and already signaled their willingness to part with key players by dealing All-Pro safety Kevin Byard to the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday. That could be the first move of many in the coming days.

Tennessee had a winning record in four of its first five seasons under head coach Mike Vrabel and made the playoffs on three occasions. But the best days with this current core seem to be over. Starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill is once again out with an injury. A second consecutive losing season on the horizon could let a harsh truth set in for the Titans—they need to sell.

Former Offensive Player of the Year Derrick Henry, the franchise's all-time leader in rushing touchdowns, could be on the move. With how teams value the running back position, the Titans may not get much compensation back. But parting with one of their most iconic players, who is set to become a free agent, would mark a fresh start in Tennessee. The Titans could also look to flip DeAndre Hopkins, who has 376 yards and no touchdowns through his first six games with the franchise.

Defensive lineman Denico Autry, who has four sacks this season, and starting cornerback Kristian Fulton are other starters on expiring deals who could be dealt.

Denver Broncos

First-year Broncos head coach Sean Payton was vocal in his criticisms this offseason surrounding the franchise's handling before his arrival. But things haven't fared much better in 2023 for the 2-5 Broncos, and their season seems unlikely to improve during a Week 8 battle with the Kansas City Chiefs.

It might be time for general manager George Paton to start the fire sale. Denver has a variety of veteran players who could be attractive additions to contending teams.

Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy has been the center of trade rumors for weeks. Starting offensive tackle Garett Bolles is tired of losing, which he pointed out after a 70-20 loss to the Miami Dolphins earlier this season. Defensive starters Justin Simmons, also a team captain, and Josey Jewell could also benefit from a fresh start.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings pulled off a Monday Night Football upset in beating the San Francisco 49ers, 22-17, to close out Week 7. But that shouldn't stop Minnesota from being realistic.

The defending NFC North champions are 3-4 this season. The Vikings parted with established starters Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen, Za'Darius Smith and Eric Kendricks last offseason, and continuing a rebuild of sorts could be in Minnesota's best interest. Quarterback Kirk Cousins is on an expiring deal, though finding a team willing to take on a QB in the middle of the season—and getting the 35-year-old to waive his no-trade clause—seems unlikely.

But Minnesota may be more likely to deal some of its other impending free agents. Pass-rusher Danielle Hunter and wide receiver K.J. Osborn are other notable Vikings players on expiring contracts. Veteran safety Harrison Smith could also be a trade target for teams in need of secondary help. But Hunter in particular could start a bidding war. The 28-year-old leads the NFL with nine sacks this season.

Carolina Panthers

Carolina waved the white flag at the trade deadline last year, sending star running back Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers for a haul of draft picks. The Panthers included one of those picks in a package sent to the Chicago Bears to trade up to No. 1 overall and select quarterback Bryce Young.

The 2023 deadline presents another opportunity to collect some draft capital, especially since the Bears own the Panthers' (0-6) first-round pick this year.

The Panthers declined a Los Angeles Rams offer of two first-round picks and a second-rounder for pass-rusher Brian Burns at last year's deadline, per multiple reports. But the lack of a contract extension could make the 25-year-old two-time Pro Bowler not-so-untouchable this year. On other fronts, wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. has already been given permission to seek a trade.

Washington Commanders

The Commanders can't seem to escape mediocrity under coach Ron Rivera.

Washington is 3-4 this season and trails the Eagles and Cowboys in the NFC East. Overcoming those two divisional standouts in the playoff race, or even securing a Wild Card, may be too much to ask.

Defensive linemen Chase Young and Montez Sweat are set to be free agents. But Washington has already committed more than $150 million between defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne over the next four years, so Young and Sweat could be deadline considerations in Washington. The same could be said for starting cornerback Kendall Fuller, who is also on an expiring deal.

Offensively, wide receiver Curtis Samuel (31 receptions) and running back Antonio Gibson (18 rushing attempts, 15 receptions) aren't seeing the volume of touches as might have been expected, so teams may not have to part with too much if they need an offensive boost.