Week 9 of the 2025 NFL season means the final week of regular season games before the trade deadline on Nov. 4. If teams want to get a deal done to upgrade their rosters mid-season, now is the time.
In the AFC, contenders are rounding into form. Kansas City’s won five of its last six games. Baltimore’s finally getting two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson back from injury along with many stars on defense. Indianapolis sits atop the conference at 7-1 through its first eight games – a better record than any franchise in the conference.
The NFC’s logjam of teams at the top means this deadline could be even more eventful as teams look to separate themselves ahead of the second half of the regular season. Green Bay holds the No. 1 spot in the playoff picture as the lone one-loss team entering Week 9. Four teams are right behind them in the loss column as more than half of the conference sits above .500.
While fans may be calling for additions on offense, the players tasked with stopping your favorite fantasy stars are equally important. Having extra help at the second level against top-level offenses you may see in January could make the difference between advancing or heading home after the wild-card round.
Here are eight players at linebacker or defensive back who could be moved ahead of the NFL trade deadline – and our choice for a landing spot:
LB Pete Werner: Los Angeles Rams
Werner’s quietly been a reliable presence at linebacker since the New Orleans Saints selected him in the second round, No. 60 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. The former Ohio State Buckeye has patrolled the middle of the field alongside franchise icon Demario Davis for the Saints for half a decade now.
With a new defensive play caller in New Orleans in 2025, his role’s changed and he’s taken a step back. Per NFL Pro stats, Werner’s allowing a career-worst 130.8 quarterback rating when targeted in coverage. He’s also allowing a career-high 5.5 yards after catch per reception. To be fair, he’s also notched multiple sacks for the first time in his career.
San Francisco exposed the Rams’ limitations at linebacker in the teams’ Week 5 battle on ‘Thursday Night Football.’ Werner could be an experienced option to potentially upgrade the position ahead of the playoffs.
LB Quincy Williams: San Francisco 49ers
This one makes too much sense. The 49ers’ depth pieces at linebacker are doing their best to replace All-Pro Fred Warner after his season-ending injury, but there’s only of him. Tatum Bethune and Dee Winters aren’t at his level – which is no knock on them.
Williams played under current 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh for years in New York. That familiarity could come in handy for San Francisco as their run defense will take a hit without Warner.
This really comes down to how much the 49ers want to invest in a push this season amid so many significant injuries on defense. Do they sacrifice draft capital to get the 29-year-old Williams now without Warner and edge rusher Nick Bosa? If so, he could be a valuable reinforcement.
LB Logan Wilson: Dallas Cowboys
Dallas has struggled at the linebacker position this season. Rookie fifth-round pick Shemar James, second-year man Marist Liufau and former first-round pick Kenneth Murray Jr. are among the worst-graded linebackers in the league per Pro Football Focus (PFF) data. James ranks 73rd and Murray 80th out of 80 qualifying linebackers (Liufau hasn’t met the snap count requirement to be graded).
Demarvion Overshown may return to the lineup in the coming weeks but it’s asking a lot of him to save the Cowboys’ second level. If Dallas is serious about a playoff run, Wilson would be good reinforcement to ensure it’s not all on Overshown.
The Bengals linebacker requested a trade before their loss to the Jets in Week 8 after a diminished role in the defense. He could find a new home in Dallas.
CB Riq Woolen: Buffalo Bills
Woolen’s a frustrating presence on the back end for Seattle. There’s no denying his outlier height and length paired with impressive athleticism leads to some incredible plays in man coverage. But plays later he can make a surprising mistake that leaves you shaking your head.
Buffalo’s defense needs help on the back end if it wants to keep up in the playoffs. The Bills lack speed with Tre’Davious White starting at outside cornerback. First-round rookie Maxwell Hairston is off the injury report but, like Overshown, it’s a lot to say a first-year cornerback will step up in January to solve coverage concerns.
Woolen is on the final year of his rookie contract. Buffalo wouldn’t be making an investment beyond this year and it couldn’t hurt to inject some length and athleticism to the secondary. Xavier Worthy and the Chiefs certainly aren’t getting any slower.
CB Cam Taylor-Britt: Indianapolis Colts
Taylor-Britt’s been a healthy scratch from the Bengals’ lineup in recent weeks. Cincinnati selected Taylor-Britt in the second round, No. 60 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. He took a step in 2023 and 2024 with a combined seven interceptions, 27 passes defensed and less than five yards after catch allowed per reception in each year.
He’s started just two games this season with a new defensive coordinator in town in Al Golden. This move would reunite him with Lou Anarumo – the former Bengals defensive coordinator who got the best out of Taylor-Britt in those years before he was fired.
Anarumo, now in Indianapolis, could use more options at outside cornerback. Kenny Moore II is one of the top cornerbacks in the league but is slot-only. Injuries to Charvarius Ward and Jaylon Jones have forced the Colts to start undrafted free agent Jonathan Edwards at outside cornerback opposite Mekhi Blackmon. Why not roll the dice on a familiar face for Anarumo?
CB Ja’Quan McMillian: Detroit Lions
Detroit’s taken on significant injuries in the secondary once again this season. D.J. Reed, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Khalil Dorsey are all on injured reserve (IR) while Terrion Arnold and Avonte Maddox are all on the weekly injury report as well.
McMillan has started in the slot this season for Denver but the Broncos’ first round pick this year, Jahdae Barron, has lined up there in his limited action. If the Broncos feel confident enough to hand Barron the reigns sooner than later, they could move McMillan for some value in return.
CB Kristian Fulton: Green Bay Packers
Fulton’s seen limited action for the Chiefs after signing in the offseason. Kansas City’s rolled with Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson on the outside with Chamarri Conner in the slot this season with good returns.
Fulton signed a two-year deal that doesn’t penalize the team much for trading him in year one. Green Bay could use some help on the outside as their defense rounds into one of the best units in the league.
Outside cornerback Keisean Nixon is allowing a career-worst 102.9 passer rating when targeted this season, per NFL Pro stats. Adding Fulton to the mix could offer defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley another experienced option on the outside.
CB Alontae Taylor: Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota’s secondary got exposed agianst the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 7. If the Vikings want to make a push to contend in the NFC playoffs, they need some improvement on the back end.
Taylor’s playing well for a rebuilding Saints team in the final year of his rookie contract signed after the Saints selected him in the second round, No. 49 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. He’s lined up outside and in the slot for New Orleans – offering the versatility Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores values.
Seeing as Taylor’s on an expiring deal, he wouldn’t require a major investment. If it works out, he’s in his age-27 season and could be worth a deal starting next season for a defense currently relying on veterans or older players in the secondary.