As roster cutdown day gets closer, teams are expected to find creative ways to churn the back of their rosters. That includes trying to find a trade partner for a player they would otherwise part ways with and receive nothing in return.

The Athletic’s NFL insider Dianna Russini reported that several teams are monitoring the trade market for potential wide receiver additions, including the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers. Let’s take a look at the situation for the teams in question and why they’re in the market for external pass-catching help.

Update: On Wednesday evening, the 49ers agreed to acquire receiver Skyy Moore and a 2027 seventh-round pick from the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2027 sixth-round pick.

Minnesota Vikings

It begins with Jordan Addison’s suspension. The third-year receiver will miss the first three games of the season. The Vikings believed they’d be able to overcome his absence with Justin Jefferson and Jalen Nailor. Then last week, during joint practices with the New England Patriots, Nailor jammed his hand. Coach Kevin O’Connell has said that he’s optimistic the injury won’t be long term, but the next few weeks are still in question. Without Addison and Nailor, the Vikings don’t have any experienced depth options.

They signed Rondale Moore this offseason, but Moore suffered a season-ending knee injury in the team’s first preseason game. Beyond that, Minnesota has journeymen like Tim Jones, Lucky Jackson and Thayer Thomas. Even though the Vikings plan to lean heavily into the run game and heavier personnel groupings early in the season, they need another reliable separator and pass catcher. Perhaps most important is finding a player who has some familiarity with O’Connell’s complex system. The Vikings are also in line for multiple compensatory picks in 2026, making them more willing to part with a pick than they otherwise would be. — Vikings beat writer Alec Lewis

New York Jets

The Jets went bargain shopping for wide receivers this offseason, signing Josh Reynolds, who had ties to coach Aaron Glenn in Detroit and general manager Darren Mougey in Denver, but that was largely because they like him as a run blocker. In his eight-year journeyman career in the NFL, Reynolds has never eclipsed 620 yards receiving in a season.

They brought back Allen Lazard, coming off two seasons in which he had issues with drops, on a cheaper deal for the same reason. They drafted Arian Smith in the fourth round, and he’s looked good in camp, but he had some issues with drops in college and probably isn’t ready for a huge role right away. Malachi Corley, a third-rounder last year, barely made a dent last season and probably won’t make the final 53-man roster. They also signed Tyler Johnson, who has some experience, but he has never had more than 360 yards in a season. — Jets beat writer Zack Rosenblatt

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers are interested in a receiver because their numbers are alarmingly low at the position to start the season. They expect to go into Week 1 without three of their top six players: Brandon Aiyuk (recovering from 2024 ACL), Demarcus Robinson (suspension) and rookie Jordan Watkins (high ankle sprain). That leaves Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing, all of whom have been hurt at one point this summer. — 49ers beat writer Matt Barrows

(Photo of Jordan Addison: David Berding / Getty Images)