1 ideal trade target for each AFC team before NFL trade deadline 2021

The NFL trade deadline arrives November 2 and teams all around the AFC are in need of upgrades throughout their rosters.

Each and every team should be working their phones because there are some top names who are going to draw interest from multiple NFL teams. Here is a breakdown of an ideal trade target for each AFC team, with some players showing up several times as their trade value builds.

Ideal trade target for each AFC team before NFL trade deadline

Buffalo Bills - Evan Engram, Tight End, New York Giants

The New York Giants are struggling in 2021 and could look to keep the rebuild going by making a trade and acquiring draft capital. The Buffalo Bills, meanwhile, are in need of a tight end now that Dawson Knox has fractured his hand.

Evan Engram has been embroiled in NFL trade rumors for months and could be on the move after a slow start to the 2021 season. He only had three receptions in Week 6 and has zero touchdowns this year. A move to Buffalo could do wonders for him, while the Giants could move on from a former first-round pick they may see as below-average at best.

Miami Dolphins - Deshaun Watson, Quarterback, Houston Texans

This ideal target is an obvious one given the Miami Dolphins' reported interest in landing Deshaun Watson. We use the term ideal based on what the Dolphins seem to want and not exactly what is best for the organization because trading for Watson and not knowing his long-term NFL and legal standing seems like a huge mistake.

New England Patriots - Marlon Mack, Running Back, Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts have openly put Marlon Mack on the NFL trade block. That means almost every team must have considered the possibility of adding the veteran.

The New England Patriots have a huge need at running back after losing James White for the season. Mack is a former 1,000-yard runner who can provide a reliable presence in the backfield behind Mac Jones.

New York Jets - O.J. Howard, Tight End, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The New York Jets are getting far too little production from their tight ends in 2021. Zach Wilson is already at a disadvantage as a rookie and the Jets front office must give him more weapons on offense.

That's where O.J. Howard could come in. The Tampa Bay tight end has not reached his full potential in that offense and could become a focal point with the Jets. He is in the final year of his NFL rookie deal and would essentially get a tryout phase with the Jets to see if he could be a long-term fit with Wilson.

Jacksonville Jaguars v Houston Texans

Baltimore Ravens - Mark Ingram, Running Back, Houston Texans

Mark Ingram spent two NFL seasons with the Baltimore Ravens before being let go this past offseason. He is now enduring a tough season with the lowly Houston Texans.

While the Ravens are making things work at running back, Ingram has familiarity with that offense and could show up on a cheap deal. Lamar Jackson gets his favorite running back and the Ravens get to add an NFL player who needs to make no adjustments upon arrival.

Cincinnati Bengals - Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Guard, Kansas City Chiefs

The Cincinnati Bengals could always use help up front to protect Joe Burrow. Trading for Laurent Duvernay-Tardif would give the young NFL quarterback a veteran presence to anchor the interior of the line.

He is in the final year of his deal and could look for a fresh start with Cincinnati after opting out in 2020 and dealing with injuries this season.

Cleveland Browns - Marlon Mack, Running Back, Indianapolis Colts

Mack makes his second appearance on our list in what may surprise some NFL fans. The Cleveland Browns do have a dynamic running duo in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Yet both are dealing with injuries and the depth has suddenly faded.

Mack can come in on a one-year deal and when both Chubb and Hunt return, the Browns can instantly have a dynamic trio in place.

Pittsburgh Steelers - Michael Thomas, Wide Receiver, New Orleans Saints

Michael Thomas just can't seem to patch things up with the New Orleans Saints. So a clean break may be needed for both sides.

The Pittsburgh Steelers could enter the NFL trade conversation now that JuJu Smith-Schuster is out for the season. Pairing Thomas with Chase Claypool would make the Steelers offense elite in what could be Ben Roethlisberger's final season.

Houston Texans - Tua Tagovailoa, Quarterback, Miami Dolphins

Rumors have emerged that a potential deal involving Deshaun Watson could send Tua Tagovailoa to Washington. Houston should not let that happen and should demand they get Tagovailoa in addition to NFL draft picks if Watson is on the move.

Losing Watson and only getting picks in return does not solve the pressing concern of a terrible offense.

Indianapolis Colts - Marcus Maye, Safety, New York Jets

The Indianapolis Colts have a need in the secondary now that Julian Blackmon is out for the season. An easy trade target is Marcus Maye of the New York Jets.

Maye has openly come out and said he doesn't want to be moved. But the Jets are clearly rebuilding and could move the veteran for some NFL Draft capital. The Colts would fill a hole on defense and the Jets could continue their long rebuild.

Chicago Bears v Los Angeles Rams

Jacksonville Jaguars - Allen Robinson, Wide Receiver, Chicago Bears

Allen Robinson is a former second-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars, so why not bring him home? The team has a legitimate NFL franchise quarterback in Trevor Lawrence and they could give him a top target who is already a fan favorite.

The question here is whether the Chicago Bears will move on. Given the fact he is on the franchise tag and is off to a slow start this year, such an NFL trade should not be out of the question.

Tennessee Titans - Miles Sanders, Running Back, Philadelphia Eagles

Will the Philadelphia Eagles consider trading Miles Sanders? While that may come as a crazy thought to NFL fans, Sanders has not exactly been involved in the offense this season.

The Tennessee Titans could use a legitimate backup to Derrick Henry. This would allow him to get some rest during games and also install a backup plan in case he misses any time. If Henry does go down right now, the Titans will be doomed to fail this NFL season.

Denver Broncos - Tua Tagovailoa, Quarterback, Miami Dolphins

The Miami southpaw shows up again on our list thanks to all the Deshaun Watson rumors. The Denver Broncos currently have Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock at quarterback. Neither is seen as the franchise guy and landing Tua could give the team a fresh start at the position.

He could immediately show up and try to lead the Broncos to the NFL playoffs. If he manages to do that, the Dolphins will look silly right away for ever letting him go.

Kansas City Chiefs - Marlon Mack, Running Back, Indianapolis Colts

This marks Mack's third and final time on this list. The Kansas City Chiefs need some depth at running back and Mack is the easy choice.

He could show up and be the lead back right away while Clyde Edwards-Helaire continues to recover from an injury. And when he does return, he and Mack could form a legitimate duo in the Kansas City backfield to take some of the pressure off Patrick Mahomes.

Las Vegas Raiders - Joe Haden, Cornerback, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Las Vegas Raiders seem to be set in terms of talent at the skill positions on offense. One sneaky move could be to take Joe Haden off the Pittsburgh Steelers' hands.

The NFL veteran openly said this was his final year in Pittsburgh and the team could get some value by moving on early. Meanwhile, the Raiders could add depth as they try to continue their NFL playoff push.

Los Angeles Chargers - Brandin Cooks, Wide Receiver, Houston Texans

The Houston Texans are going nowhere this year and should try to move Brandin Cooks. If he is on the NFL trade block, the Los Angeles Chargers should do what it takes to land him.

Cooks is still only 28 years old and would add a new dynamic to the Chargers offense featuring big-bodied receivers. He is a speed option and would greatly upgrade this NFL offense while also giving Justin Herbert a great new target.