5 NFL teams that should stay away from making moves on 2021 trade deadline

The NFL trade deadline is an interesting time for teams all around the league. The NFL has its deadline very early in the season, meaning teams must decide soon if they are buyers or sellers.

Yet some teams may also want to stand pat at the deadline and not make any major changes. Teams at the brink of contention might collapse if top talent is sent away for draft capital. In turn, top teams that add new pieces may not mesh with the incoming talent.

There is a fine line to walk in the NFL front office and these five teams should stick with the talent they have on the roster and let the deadline pass without any major moves.

5 NFL teams that should stand pat at the 2021 trade deadline

#5 - Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns have spent years building the roster to the point it is at today. Panicking and making moves after a 4-3 start would be a bad idea. The only real position that is a problem is quarterback and the Browns seem to be content with Case Keenum if Baker Mayfield cannot play due to injury.

Trading away Odell Beckham Jr. is an idea that continues to come up as his fit with the Browns remains in question. Yet the team may even want to cut out that idea because regardless of his recent play, he is still an elite player.

Injuries can arise at any time and trading away a healthy star with potential may only hurt the team.

#4 - Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars are at the other end of the NFL spectrum with a 1-5 record so far this year. The idea behind this franchise not making any major moves is that Urban Meyer can develop the talent he has on the roster right now.

Players can get a full season to prove their value, and the Jaguars can then make evaluations in the NFL offseason about who should stay and who should go. This also allows the team to avoid sending away any potential surprise players who step up in the second half of the season.

On offense specifically, Trevor Lawrence can work with the group around him to avoid any major changes for the rookie during the season.

Houston Texans vs. Arizona Cardinals

#3 - Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals have a good thing going in 2021 as they are off to a 7-0 start in the 2021 NFL season. Yet some fans may be calling for a trade following the injury to J.J. Watt that will keep him out for three months.

The Cardinals are already tight on money in terms of cap space and seem to be flourishing with the talent on the roster. That is a testament to the way the team has been built since Kyler Murray arrived in 2019.

The front office can stay quiet at the NFL trade deadline and thus put the faith in the players already in Arizona.

#2 - New York Jets

The New York Jets, like Jacksonville, are another lowly NFL team that may benefit from not making any major moves at the deadline. The worst possible move right now would be to have a fire sale so early in the year.

The Jets are already struggling and first-year NFL head coach Robert Saleh is trying to build something. If the Jets were to make moves, it would be as sellers. Holding onto veteran talent can send a message that while this year is tough, they are already focused on improving and being better in 2022.

Zach Wilson also needs some stability in his first year or the same thing that happened with Sam Darnold will happen to him.

#1 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a complete football team and remain top Super Bowl contenders as long as Tom Brady is playing quarterback. They retained their entire starting lineup from last year and that alone signaled they did not have to do much to enhance the roster further.

This Tampa Bay team is great on both sides of the ball and making a change now to a championship NFL team could do more harm than good. The key is Brady and always has been. As long as he is healthy, this team is in fantastic shape.

The Buccaneers front office must avoid acting greedy at the deadline. If a great move appears before them, that is one thing, but forcing a fit on this already great NFL roster is not a good idea.