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10 logical 2024 NFL trade deadline fits for contending teams

Sep 29, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams (18) celebrates a first down reception during the second half against the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Sep 29, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams (18) celebrates a first down reception during the second half against the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

With the 2024 NFL trade deadline less than two weeks away, more moves are going to start bubbling up around the league.

Going off our Christian D'Andrea's great deadline buyers and sellers assessment, we've decided to pair 10 possible trade candidates with 10 contending teams who could use them.

While none of these trades are guaranteed to happen, of course, it's still fun to speculate. Let's see who is on our list and what team could use them right now, even if some of these pairings are luxuries.

1. Atlanta Falcons: OLB Azeez Ojulari

Oct 13, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) tackles Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Oct 13, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) tackles Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Ojulari feels like the exact kind of "contract year" pass-rusher who gets handsomely compensated in March by a desperate team needing help off the edge. Luckily for Ojulari, there is one in his home state of Georgia who needs him badly. This makes too much sense.

2. Baltimore Ravens: DT John Jenkins

Dec 14, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) smiles after the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) smiles after the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The Ravens could absolutely expend a low-round draft pick and add Jenkins for quality veteran depth along the defensive line. The team's depth at nose tackle behind Michael Pierce could use some added support for a Super Bowl run.

3. Cincinnati Bengals: WR Adam Thielen

Oct 15, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) catchers a pass for a touchdown against the Miami Dophins during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) catchers a pass for a touchdown against the Miami Dophins during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Bengals are trying to win a Super Bowl, so adding a veteran receiver like Thielen is the kind of move you make to bolster your depth. Cincinnati loves to pass the ball, and Thielen would give Joe Burrow another option to lean on in a potentially deep playoff run. Plus, he'd probably come cheap.

4. Detroit Lions: DE Za'Darius Smith

Sep 22, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) reacts to fans before the game between the Browns and the New York Giants at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Sep 22, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) reacts to fans before the game between the Browns and the New York Giants at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

The Lions are probably going to add a pass-rusher before the deadline unless they're convinced they have what they need already on the roster. Smith fits the bill as a disruptive presence who could make plays when it counts for a Detroit team with Super Bowl aspirations.

5. Los Angeles Chargers: WR Diontae Johnson

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (5) dances in the end zone after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter of the NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (5) dances in the end zone after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter of the NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024.

The Chargers have to get Justin Herbert more help in the passing game. Johnson has top receiver potential, and he's stuck on a hapless Panthers team. Make it happen, Los Angeles.

6. Minnesota Vikings: CB Jonathan Jones

August 8, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones (31) on the sideline during the first half against the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
August 8, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones (31) on the sideline during the first half against the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings need more help in the secondary after losing two straight games. Jones is with a rebuilding New England Patriots team, and he overlapped with Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores while the latter was with the Pats. This makes a lot of sense for both sides.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Christian Kirk

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) walks on the field during a combined NFL football training camp session between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024 at EverBank Stadium’s Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) walks on the field during a combined NFL football training camp session between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024 at EverBank Stadium’s Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

Kirk is the kind of sharp intermediate target that could thrive in an Arthur Smith offense. The Steelers need a good balance to what George Pickens provides, and Kirk can handle that. The Steelers could also get him on a contract that locks him in for 2025 as well.

8. San Francisco 49ers: WR Mike Williams

The 49ers losing Brandon Aiyuk for the season is painful, but adding Williams could give San Francisco an explosive playmaker to help offset some of that loss. The current New York Jet might not be who he was at his peak. As part of a collection of receiving options, he'd make an impact.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Jakobi Meyers

Oct 15, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Josh Uche (55) tries to tackle Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) in the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Josh Uche (55) tries to tackle Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) in the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

With Tampa Bay set to get Mike Evans back later in the season, Meyers could help fill in for the injured Chris Godwin (and maybe in 2025 if the team lets Godwin walk in free agency). For a Bucs team with playoff aspirations, this is a move that could help in the short and long term.

10. Washington Commanders: DT Quinton Jefferson

Sep 22, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (72) celebrates his tackle for a loss of yardage against the New York Giants during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
Sep 22, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (72) celebrates his tackle for a loss of yardage against the New York Giants during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

The Commanders aren't going to replace Jonathan Allen's impact on defense. However, adding a sturdy veteran defensive tackle like Jefferson with experience in the Seattle defense could help at least soften the blow for a Commanders team suddenly looking like playoff contenders.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: 10 logical 2024 NFL trade deadline fits for contending teams