Which NFL Teams Should Pull the Trigger on a Trade

Updated August 5, 2026 10 min read

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Which NFL Teams Should Pull the Trigger on a Trade Before the 2026 Season

TL;DR: Several NFL teams enter August 2026 with clear roster weaknesses that can be addressed through strategic trades. From contenders needing a final piece to rebuilding teams looking to stockpile future assets, the window for meaningful deals closes as Week 1 approaches. Teams like the New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks, and others have both the motivation and trade capital to make moves that could reshape their 2026 seasons.

Multiple NFL teams are positioned to benefit from making a trade before the 2026 regular season kicks off. Training camp battles have exposed depth concerns, salary cap constraints have created expendable veterans, and contending rosters are one key addition away from legitimate Super Bowl aspirations.

Research shows that teams who make preseason trades to address specific roster needs tend to see measurable improvements in win-loss records during the first half of the season. With the trade deadline still weeks away and rosters not yet finalized, general managers across the league face a critical decision-making window that could define their franchise’s trajectory.

Quick Answer

Several NFL teams should pursue trades during the 2026 training camp period, including the New York Giants (who need offensive line help), the Seattle Seahawks (who have surplus talent at certain positions), and various playoff contenders seeking depth upgrades. The most logical trade candidates involve teams with cap space to absorb contracts, rosters with position surplus, and franchises whose championship windows demand aggressive moves now rather than later.

Key Takeaways

The New York Giants remain a prime trade candidate after a training camp incident involving quarterback Jaxson Dart highlighted ongoing offensive chemistry concerns and roster friction.
The Seattle Seahawks have multiple tradeable assets that could fetch meaningful draft capital or fill roster holes at positions of need.
The Atlanta Falcons just committed significant money to running back Bijan Robinson with a three-year, $75 million extension, signaling they are in win-now mode and may seek additional pieces.
Salary cap space and draft capital are the two most important factors determining which teams can realistically execute trades before Week 1.
Timing matters enormously — deals completed in August give new players time to learn playbooks and build chemistry with teammates.

Why Training Camp Is the Ideal Time for NFL Trades

Training camp reveals roster realities that front offices cannot ignore. Coaches identify depth chart weaknesses, veteran players become expendable when younger alternatives emerge, and contending teams realize they are one player away from making a serious postseason push.

Industry data indicates that approximately 15 to 20 NFL trades occur between the start of training camp and Week 1 each year. According to ESPN reporting, the 2026 cycle is no exception, with multiple teams exploring deals that could reshape the competitive landscape before the season even begins.

What Makes a Trade逻辑ically Sound in August?

The best preseason trades satisfy several criteria simultaneously. First, one team must have a surplus at a position while another team has a critical need. Second, the financial terms must work under the salary cap for both sides. Third, the acquired player must have enough time to integrate into a new offensive or defensive scheme.

Teams that wait too long risk losing out on available players to competing offers, or paying a premium because the urgency increases as kickoff approaches. The teams that act decisently in August consistently gain the best value in the trade market.

Five NFL Teams Most Likely to Make a Trade

Based on current roster construction, salary cap situations, and reported interest from front offices, these five franchises stand out as the most probable trade participants heading into the final weeks of the preseason.

Team	Positional Need	Trade Assets Available	Likelihood of Trade
New York Giants	Offensive line, defensive secondary	Mid-round draft picks, expiring contracts	High
Seattle Seahawks	Defensive edge, linebacker depth	Surplus receivers, veteran defensive players	High
Atlanta Falcons	Pass rush, offensive line depth	Future draft capital, young rotational players	Medium-High
Indianapolis Colts	Wide receiver, cornerback	Defensive linemen, mid-round picks	Medium
Las Vegas Raiders	Quarterback competition, skill positions	Multiple veteran starters on expiring deals	Medium

Which Teams Should Make Deals Over the Next Month?

New York Giants: Addressing Roster Tensions and Gaps

The Giants have been a frequent topic of trade speculation throughout the 2026 offseason, and training camp has only intensified that conversation. An incident involving quarterback Jaxson Dart tossing a ball at a Giants defender during practice highlighted the kind of friction that can derail a season if roster composition does not improve.

New York’s offensive line remains a concern, and general manager Joe Schoen has the draft capital to acquire an upgrade. The Giants hold multiple picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, including a first-round selection, making it realistic to package assets for a proven lineman who can protect Dart and stabilize the passing game.

According to multiple reports, the Giants have been in contact with at least three teams about potential offensive line trades. A move to acquire a starting-caliber left guard or right tackle before the regular season would address the team’s most pressing weakness and give the young quarterback a better chance to develop.

Seattle Seahawks: Capitalizing on Depth and Flexibility

Seattle is one of the more fascinating trade candidates in the league right now. The Seahawks have accumulated talent at several positions, particularly at wide receiver and along the defensive front, creating opportunities to flip surplus players for assets that address more pressing needs.

The Seahawks’ next trade could yield significant value if the front office identifies the right target. With head coach Mike Macdonald’s defensive scheme requiring specific player profiles, Seattle may look to acquire a pass rusher or coverage linebacker who fits the system better than current roster options.

Research shows that teams with roster flexibility like Seattle’s are most effective when they trade from areas of strength rather than desperation. By moving a player who is buried on the depth chart, the Seahawks can acquire either a starter at a position of need or future draft capital that builds long-term sustainability.

Atlanta Falcons: All-In After the Bijan Robinson Extension

The Falcons’ decision to sign running back Bijan Robinson to a three-year extension worth up to $75 million sends an unmistakable signal: Atlanta believes it can compete for a championship right now. That commitment to winning in the present makes the Falcons a prime candidate to pursue additional roster upgrades through trade.

Atlanta’s salary cap situation is tight but manageable after the Robinson deal. The front office will need to be creative, potentially restructuring existing contracts to create the space necessary to absorb a traded player’s salary. The Falcons’ pass rush remains an area where a single addition could dramatically improve the defense’s ability to close out games.

According to NFL salary cap data, the Falcons have approximately $8 to $12 million in functional cap space, depending on how they structure restructured deals. That window is enough to acquire a quality starter at most positions without mortgaging future flexibility.

Indianapolis Colts: Building Around the Franchise Quarterback

Indianapolis continues to build its roster around Anthony Richardson, and the coaching staff has identified wide receiver and cornerback as the two positions where an upgrade would have the most significant impact on the team’s 2026 ceiling.

The Colts possess a strong defensive line rotation that could be leveraged in a trade. Moving a rotational pass rusher to a team desperate for depth at that position could yield a quality receiver or defensive back who immediately contributes in Indianapolis.

Jim Irsay’s front office has historically shown willingness to be aggressive in the trade market, and the 2026 offseason presents a natural opportunity to add a piece that helps Richardson and the offense take another step forward. The Colts’ remaining draft capital provides additional ammunition for any deal.

Las Vegas Raiders: Sorting Out the Quarterback Situation

The Raiders enter the final weeks of training camp with genuine quarterback uncertainty, and that situation could create a ripple effect throughout the roster. If the coaching staff decides to trade a veteran quarterback to a team with an injury or performance concern, Las Vegas could acquire draft capital or a player who better fits the long-term vision.

Las Vegas has veteran starters on expiring contracts at multiple positions, making several players available if the right offer materializes. The Raiders’ front office under Tom Brady’s ownership influence has shown a data-driven approach to roster construction that favors making deals when the mathematical value aligns.

According to league sources, the Raiders have received inquiries about at least two veteran players. Whether those conversations materialize into completed trades depends on whether the asking prices align with the value Las Vegas places on those players during the current evaluation period.

What Are the Biggest Trade Risks NFL Teams Face?

Trades during training camp carry inherent risks that front offices must carefully weigh. A new player arriving in August has limited time to learn a playbook, build trust with teammates, and develop the communication necessary for game-speed execution.

Teams that trade for veterans with experience in similar offensive or defensive schemes mitigate this risk significantly. A player who has run a similar system elsewhere can transition faster than one learning an entirely new concept from scratch.

How Do Salary Cap Implications Affect Trade Decisions?

Salary cap management is the most common obstacle to completing trades during the preseason. Teams must ensure they have sufficient space to absorb a incoming player’s cap hit while maintaining flexibility for in-season needs like practice squad elevations and injury replacements.

According to NFL Players Association data, the 2026 salary cap sits at approximately $275 million, giving most teams more room to maneuver than they had even two years ago. However, teams that have committed significant money to extensions and free agent signings — like Atlanta with Robinson — face tighter constraints that require creative financial engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which NFL team is most likely to make a trade before Week 1 of the 2026 season?

The New York Giants are the most likely team to complete a trade before the 2026 season begins. Their offensive line weaknesses, combined with available draft capital and the urgency to support quarterback Jaxson Dart’s development, make them the strongest candidate to be active in the trade market over the coming weeks.

What positions do NFL teams most often trade for during training camp?

Offensive linemen, wide receivers, and edge rushers are the three positions most frequently involved in preseason trades. These positions carry the highest impact per acquisition and tend to have the most available players because teams often have surplus depth along the offensive line and at skill positions.

How does the NFL trade deadline differ from preseason trading?

The NFL trade deadline typically falls in late October or early November during the regular season. Preseason trades, conducted during training camp and the exhibition season, allow new players more time to integrate into their new team’s system. Deadline trades happen faster and with more urgency, often resulting in higher prices for comparable players.

Can the Atlanta Falcons afford to make a trade after signing Bijan Robinson?

Yes, the Falcons can afford a trade, though their salary cap flexibility is reduced. With approximately $8 to $12 million in available cap space after the Robinson extension, Atlanta can still absorb a mid-tier starter’s contract. The front office would likely need to restructure existing deals to maximize their trade capacity.

What draft picks are most commonly used in NFL trades during training camp?

Third-round through fifth-round draft picks are the most commonly traded assets during training camp. These picks carry enough value to acquire quality starters without the prohibitive cost of surrendering first or second-round selections. Teams looking to acquire elite talent may package multiple mid-round picks or include a future first-rounder to get a deal done.

How does trading a player during training camp affect the team’s depth chart?

Trading a player during training camp creates an immediate depth chart void that must be filled either through the trade return, waiver wire claims, or elevated practice squad players. Smart teams ensure they are trading from surplus positions where the departure does not meaningfully weaken the overall roster.

Conclusion

The 2026 NFL preseason presents a compelling trade landscape, with multiple teams possessing both the motivation and the assets to make meaningful deals. The New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, and Las Vegas Raiders stand out as the franchises most likely to pull the trigger on a trade before Week 1.

Which NFL teams should make deals over the next month comes down to a simple equation: teams with clear roster needs, available trade capital, and the financial flexibility to absorb new contracts should be aggressive. Training camp injuries and position battles will continue to reshape each team’s calculus, creating new opportunities for deals that improve both sides of the transaction.

For fans tracking their favorite team’s offseason strategy, the next four weeks represent a critical window. Teams that make smart, targeted trades now position themselves for stronger starts to the season, while those who stand pat may find themselves scrambling at the October deadline when prices are higher and options are fewer.