Week 9 officially marks the 2024 halfway point NFL campaign. It’s also the last chance for teams around the league to make significant changes before the November 5 trade deadline. With that in mind, the market is heating up as the deadline approaches.

Some contenders have already made their decisions (although they may not be complete). Meanwhile, others are still assessing the landscape and deciding whether to buy, sell or stay put. Regardless, we should expect to see several players being redirected in the coming days. But who? And where?

Below, we discuss the latest buzz surrounding the trading front, highlighting potential activity (or lack thereof).

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton did not hesitate before recent trade deadlinesas noted by Nick Kosmidir of The Athletic ($). Even though these are smaller scale transactions, the famous general is ready to touch up his squad around the edges.

Given the criteria, Kosmidir believes one goal stands out and “could make sense” for Denver: New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton.

Kosmidir is referring to the Baltimore Ravens and Carolina Panthers trading Day 3 draft picks to facilitate a deal involving veteran Diontae Johnson. The Broncos writer mentions how this trade essentially laid the groundwork for a Denver-New York trade around Slayton.

Additionally, Kosmidir points out that Slayton has an acceptable $2.5 million base salary for 2024, of which Denver would only be responsible for “about half.” The cheap price and presumed low outgoing asset make the 27-year-old an intriguing potential addition for the Broncos.

Slayton has 29 catches for 420 yards and a touchdown in eight games this season. He’s not a household name, but his presence as a major threat and reliable pass catcher would bode well for rookie quarterback Bo Nix.

The Athletic’s Jacob Robinson and Dianna Russini recently described the state of the commercial wide receiver market ($). Since then, two (almost three) of the mentioned star players have been removed from the list, leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers fight for the remains.

Considering the Steelers traded away Diontae Johnson this past offseason, he was never a viable option for them. However, seeing five-time Pro Bowler DeAndre Hopkins being shipped to Kansas City Chiefs for a conditional fifth-round pick likely stung. Additionally, Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay made it clear that standout playmaker Cooper Kupp not going anywhere. So what’s left in Pittsburgh?

Russini/Robinson listed uninspiring alternatives like Kendrick Bourne, Mike Williams, John Metchie, Adam Thielen and the previously mentioned Slayton. No profile compares to the needle acquisition the Steelers have been yearning for since the offseason. Ultimately, Pittsburgh finds itself on the short end of the stick despite its well-known desire to strengthen its receiving corps.

Kansas City has been “aggressive” in its trades, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said in his recent report. Yet somehow the insider revealed that the Chiefs “might not be done” making moves.

According to Fowler, cornerback is still a need that the Chiefs could address following Jaylen Watson’s decision. season-ending ankle injury. Despite already having deals done for Hopkins and Josh Uche, Kansas City suddenly has a hole in its secondary. So, they are “monitoring” the defensive back market until the deadline.

Still, Fowler said the Chiefs don’t feel “rushed” to get a corner, although they are “open to it.” Even after acquiring Hopkins and Uche, Kansas City remains well equipped in terms of assets after securing a 2025 third-round pick from the Tennessee Titans for L’Jarius Sneed. Could they use their replenished draft capital to replace Watson?

Fowler cites Kansas City’s “love (for) retreads” and “players who know their culture.” As a result, he identifies veteran free agent cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Steven Nelson if the Chiefs choose a different route to upgrade the position. Still, it seems likely that the two-time defending Super Bowl champions aren’t done in business.

With a 7-0 record and the last undefeated team in the league, the Chiefs are not satisfied. Their relentless quest to build a sustained title contender is remarkable, with the scouring of the cornerback landscape being the latest example.