NFL Trade Deadline: Patriots' Star, Will Fuller Are Among Top Players To Watch

A few potential impact players find themselves the subjects of speculation just hours before the 2020 NFL trade deadline at 4 p.m. EST Tuesday.

Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller appears to be available at the right price, while teams are also eyeing New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore.

Fuller might be the biggest name that has a strong chance to be dealt, considering his contract status and his team’s record. Fuller is set to become a free agent after this season, and the Texans are probably not headed to the playoffs after a 1-6 start.

The Green Bay Packers are among teams that have shown interest in Fuller, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has reported. The Packers have been interested in the Texans’ receiver since the summer, according to Rapoport.

Green Bay didn’t add a marquee receiver in free agency or find one in the 2020 NFL Draft. Aaron Rodgers has managed to be one of the league’s top quarterbacks through the first half of the season, but Davante Adams remains his only reliable receiver.

Fuller has 31 receptions for 490 yards and five touchdowns. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay’s No.2 receiver, has just 16 catches for 261 yards and one score.

The Packers enter Week 9 as the NFC’s No.3 seed. Adding Fuller would improve their chances of winning the division, though acquiring a top defensive player might help even more.

With the New England Patriots losing four straight games, teams are inquiring about Gilmore. The veteran won’t come cheap, and New England’s asking price might ultimately prevent a trade from happening.

The Patriots want at least one first-round draft pick and a player in exchange for Gilmore, ESPN’s Dianna Russini reports. Gilmore is only nine months removed from being named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Gilmore helped give the Patriots the league’s No.1 defense in 2019. New England has only been an average defensive team this year, and they are 2.5 games out of the AFC playoff race.

This is the last chance for teams to significantly address their roster shortcomings via trade.