After six weeks of the season, most NFL teams know if they’ll be buyers or sellers before the trade deadline.
Here’s one move each team in the AFC South should make before the Nov. 5 trade deadline at 4 p.m. ET:
Houston Texans: Trade for Jacksonville Jaguars OT Walker Little
Ideally, the Texans would like to add a significant piece on defense, which has recently been hit hard by injuries. However, with only six picks in the 2025 NFL Draft and $19.5 million in expected cap space next offseason, the risk of swinging for the fences at the deadline might not be the best move.
The more likely scenario sees Houston lean toward a cheaper move, and the best bang for the buck might come in the form of an offensive lineman like Little. A 2021 second-round pick, he’s in the final year of his rookie deal and might come relatively cheap — say, for a middle-to-late-round pick.
A tackle with the Jaguars, Little can play both sides and has even lined up at guard, which is the kind of versatility the Texans line could use at both positions. Ahead of Week 7, Houston has allowed 12 QB hits and 10 sacks, the fifth-most in the NFL.
Indianapolis Colts: Trade for New England Patriots DE Deatrich Wise Jr.
With DE Dayo Odeyingbo and DT DeForest Buckner nursing injuries and rookie DE Laiatu Latu still finding his footing, depth along the defensive line is a concern for the Colts. Wise, an eight-year veteran, could be an inexpensive trade target to bolster that weakness.
The 30-year-old made 29 starts over the last two seasons, compiling 12 sacks with the Patriots. Furthermore, Wise is already familiar with Colts defensive line coach Charlie Partridge, who coached him in college at Arkansas.
Wise comes with little risk, playing in the final year of a four-year $22 million contract.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Trade DE Travon Walker
The 2024 season is all but lost for the 1-5 Jaguars, and with change likely on the horizon, selling off pieces like Walker would be wise. Still on his rookie deal, the 23-year-old Walker could net a healthy return from a defensive-end needy team like the Detroit Lions, who recently lost star edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson for the season.
Walker, the 2022 No. 1 overall pick, has produced, notching 18.5 sacks over his first 38 professional games. However, with one year remaining on his contract and a club option for 2026, he’ll be due a payday sooner rather than later.
There’s no telling where the Jaguars might be in two seasons, but it isn’t likely to make sense for them to shell out that kind of money for one position. With that in mind, it might be best to cut bait when the return could be at its highest.
Tennessee Titans: Trade WR DeAndre Hopkins
A year ago, the Titans were in a similar situation with longtime running back Derrick Henry, who they decided to hang onto before he walked away to the Baltimore Ravens in free agency. This time around, with Hopkins, Tennessee shouldn’t make the same mistake twice.
Hopkins is in the final year of his contract but appears happy with the Titans, telling reporters recently, “I love where I am.” However, he probably wouldn’t turn down the opportunity to play with a contender, with Tennessee at 1-4 seemingly going backward, not forward.
The Titans look far from being a threat in the AFC South and need all the building blocks they can find. The 32-year-old wideout is still valuable, but Tennessee shouldn’t balk at a decent return.
