In two days, there will be some familiar faces in new places across the NFL.
The trade deadline looms on Tuesday afternoon, when all 32 squads will have their final opportunities to add or subtract some of the league's best players as they either make a playoff push or shift focus to 2027 and beyond.
For veterans on losing teams and other top trade candidates, Week 9 may have been an audition of sorts — those players may have been playing the final game with their current franchises.
Here's a look at some of the best and worst performances from top NFL trade candidates in Week 9.
MORE: The Sporting News' NFL trade deadline predictions
NFL trade candidates who raised their stock in Week 9
Jordyn Brooks, Dolphins
The Dolphins have a very young roster, so they don't have a lot to sell to other contenders. But one of their best veteran defenders, linebacker Jordyn Brooks, has been viewed as a potential trade chip.
Brooks, a 2020 first-round pick by the Seahawks, has been in Miami since 2024 and signed an extension this past offseason. He could be a starting-level addition for another team, though, if they're willing to take on his contract.
On Sunday against the Lions, Brooks led Miami in tackles with 12, including four solo, and had one tackle for a loss. He also recovered a fumble for a touchdown that was then ruled an incomplete pass.
Jordyn Brooks Takes A Fumble Back To The House, Running Into The End Zone Holding The Ball With Just His Fingers. After A Video Review, This Is Ruled An Incomplete Pass. The Dolphins Thought They Had Something Here. https://t.co/2oLIjg5RpL
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) November 8, 2026For the teams looking to add a veteran linebacker, there may be no better option right now.
Breece Hall, Jets
It wasn't a huge performance against the Chiefs, but if Breece Hall is going to be dealt this trade deadline, he at least needed to prove he can be a starting-level running back after Braelon Allen began to star in his absence.
Hall went for 61 yards on 4.1 yards per carry against Kansas City with another three catches for 26 yards. After his lengthy time off the field, it was one of Hall's more effective performances in a while, even without finding the end zone.
If Jonathan Taylor and Saquon Barkley aren't moved, Hall could be a cheaper alternative for contenders who want a back who can also catch passes. However, Adam Schefter reported Sunday that the Jets have told teams they "don't intend" to move Hall.
Breece Hall takes off 👀 https://t.co/QOaqlV9ddW
— SNY Jets (@snyjets) November 8, 2026Will McDonald IV, Jets
With New York falling to 2-7, it would be no surprise to see the team sell off some veterans for the second-straight year. After all, the Jets have an extra two first-round picks in 2027 because of their previous moves.
Defensive end Will McDonald IV is a name to watch for Tuesday, as the 27-year-old former first-round pick has been a consistent force for the Jets for years. He could be one of the best pass rushers on the market.
McDonald had two tackles and two quarterback hits against the Chiefs, also recovering a fumble in what could've been his last game wearing green.
MORE: Ranking the worst NFL offensive performances in Week 9
Dallas Goedert, Eagles
The Eagles are spiraling, and it would be a surprise if they didn't ship off their pending free agents before Tuesday. Tight end Dallas Goedert is one of those players.
Goedert has been one of the NFL's more consistent receiving tight ends over the years for Philadelphia, where he was drafted to in 2018, and he wound up back with the team on a one-year deal last offseason. As the Eagles fell to 2-7 against the Giants on Sunday, Goedert's stint in Philadelphia may have finally met its end.
With Joe Milton at quarterback, Goedert had five catches for 50 yards, the third time this season he's reached that 50-yard mark. For contenders, Goedert could be a cheap addition to give their quarterback another reliable pass catcher.
Eagles TE Dallas Goedert says he had a conversation with Howie Roseman with the trade deadline two days away: "We'll see what happens, but not too worried about it." https://t.co/LLvOVkfLHe
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) November 8, 2026Riq Woolen, Eagles
Another Eagle expected to be on the move is one of their offseason signings, veteran cornerback Riq Woolen.
The former Seahawk will hit free agency again this offseason, and he's put up 23 tackles and six passes defended in 2026 so far. Against the Giants, Woolen tallied two more passes defended.
Alvin Kamara, Saints
The Saints' narrow win over the Browns might convince them to make a push to win the lowly NFC South. But at 3-5, they could still look to cash in some of their trade chips, namely longtime running back Alvin Kamara.
The 31-year-old is no longer a starter in the NFL. With Travis Etienne soon to return from IR, even backup Audric Estime saw 15 carries to Kamara's six in Week 9. But the veteran did have a solid all-around day.
With 32 rushing yards on 5.3 yards per carry and three catches for 17 yards, Kamara had a solid day. His big performances are a thing of the past, but Kamara could be a pass-catching asset for a top NFL offense still.
Shedeur Sanders, Browns
All indications have been that Browns are going to turn the ball back over to Deshaun Watson once he's healthy again after being placed in concussion protocol last week. The veteran led Cleveland to an unexpected 5-3 start.
As Watson has stuck around as QB1, other Browns quarterbacks have had to wait for an opportunity in 2026. That includes the young Shedeur Sanders, who has been one of the more polarizing quarterbacks in the league since he fell to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Sanders, though, had one of the best performances of his career so far against the Saints as he got a chance to start. He finished with 297 yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers, adding 28 rushing yards and almost leading the Browns to their sixth win.
SHEDEUR TO KC CONCEPCION 64-YARD TD FOR THE LEAD! CLEvsNO on CBS/Paramount+ Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/Zs6x4Ko8SO
— NFL (@NFL) November 8, 2026There aren't expected to be many teams looking for a quarterback this deadline. But if there's a team looking to add a young passer to add to the mix for the rest of the season and beyond, Sanders was impressive enough to deserve consideration.
At the very least, Sanders showed on Sunday that he still deserves more NFL opportunities eventually, whether in Cleveland or elsewhere.
MORE: Ranking the backups-turned-QB1s around NFL in Week 9
NFL trade candidates who hurt their stock in Week 9
Jonathan Taylor, Colts
Arguably the best player available at this year's trade deadline didn't do much to boost his stock.
All eyes have been on whether the Colts will deal Taylor, one of the NFL's best running backs for years. But even against a lackluster Dallas defense, Taylor finished with 13 carries for 46 yards and five catches for 18 yards.
By his standards, it was a poor showing. And it didn't help that Taylor also lost a fumble.
Cowboys come right back with a takeaway of their own! DALvsIND on FOX/FOX One Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/NVQtl0FpYU
— NFL (@NFL) November 8, 2026MORE: Ranking the 7 best destinations for Jonathan Taylor
Saquon Barkley, Eagles
The Eagles have indicated that they will not be moving star running back Saquon Barkley this deadline. But they would probably be selling low, anyway; Barkley has dealt with injury issues this season and is also older for a starting back (29) than most NFL teams would prefer.
If Philadelphia was secretly interested in flipping Barkley for assets, it may not get much. Against his former Giants team, Barkley finished with 13 carries for 22 yards, an average of 1.7 yards per carry.
He did find the end zone, but Barkley out-rushed by Joe Milton (64 yards) in an unimpressive performance.
Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars
Arguably no NFL player has seen a stranger decline in production over the last two seasons than the Jaguars' Brian Thomas Jr., who had 1,282 yards as a rookie wide receiver in 2024. In 2025, he had 707 in 14 games. So far this season, his production has become almost non-existent.
Thomas has been surpassed by Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers and Brenton Strange in the Jaguars' passing game, and he's had multiple games this season in which he's been held without a catch.
That includes on Thursday night against the Ravens, when Thomas was not targeted once by Trevor Lawrence. He could be a trade candidate despite Jacksonville being one of the NFL's best teams.
Daniel Jones, Colts
Daniel Jones had a chance to make his potential last game as a Colt a positive one. He helped guide Indianapolis back to tie it up against Dallas in the fourth quarter on Sunday, efficient enough with his arm to keep the Colts competitive.
It all eventually came unraveled, though. Jones threw a game-ending interception when he had an opportunity to lead the Colts on a game-winning drive — not the kind of play that will drive a team like the Vikings to go out of their way to acquire him.
THE ROOKIE CALEB DOWNS CALLS GAME DALvsIND on FOX/FOX One Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/bSUeaFupXp
— NFL (@NFL) November 8, 2026MORE: Daniel Jones' potential last pass as a Colt would have been fitting
Josh Downs, Colts
Yet another Colt being mentioned in trade rumors is wide receiver Joshua Downs. In fact, he reportedly requested to be moved from Indianapolis, and he could be one of the better offensive names available.
Downs had his third-straight game held under 30 receiving yards against the Cowboys, though. He hasn't broke the 80-yard mark this season.
Downs couldn't do much with his six targets in Week 9, which will only lower the price for opposing teams interested in the receiver.
#Colts WR Josh Downs, asked if his trade request weighed on his performance: “I don’t really have an answer for that. …” Asked if he expects to be in Indy after the trade deadline: “I’m not worried about that right now. I got some things I gotta fix …” @TheAthleticNFL https://t.co/jR4AdF4dfz
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) November 8, 2026MORE NFL DEADLINE NEWS:
