The NFL trade deadline is 11 days away, which makes it far too early — yet never too soon — to talk about the buzz around potential deals.

Personnel executives across the league are making exploratory calls to people they trust, searching for intel or honest conversations. Not everyone reveals true intentions. Some ask general questions such as, “Who do you like on my roster?” Others simply aren’t getting any real trade inquiries.

Teams are still very much in the process of gathering info, and as of midweek, the trade streets were relatively quiet apart from some early action at wide receiver. Chase Claypool moving from the Bears to the Dolphins, Van Jefferson going from the Rams to the Falcons, and the Jets moving seldom-used Mecole Hardman Jr. to the Chiefs are all deals that have been consummated in the past two weeks. The Chargers moving on from cornerback J.C. Jackson, who returned to the Patriots, is another trade that garnered some attention.

The expectation is the deadline will be bustling because these deals are relatively easy to execute, particularly for back-end roster players. Teams have mastered the art of the late-round pick swap, and they are also more willing than ever to cover a large chunk of salary to make a player go away. As one league exec pointed out, the baseball model of business is very much alive in the NFL, with teams looking for value at every position — especially with contract-year players who aren’t happy with playing time.

While the bottom-feeders might be more willing to trade, hope abounds even for those looking to unload. Just look at Detroit, which was 1-6 last year when it traded T.J. Hockenson to Minnesota on deadline day. The Lions went on to win eight in a row and push for the playoffs. Which 2023 moves might similarly alter the league’s complexion?

Here’s an early look at the trade deadline after we worked the phones this week.

Many around the league are intrigued by Minnesota, which is in a competitive rebuild that’s reflected in its 2-4 record.

Justin Jefferson isn’t going anywhere. And neither is Kirk Cousins, who, according to our Adam Schefter, doesn’t plan to waive his no-trade clause.

But three-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher Danielle Hunter is a player that several execs are watching closely. If available, he would have a big market. A few teams pointed out to me that his reworked one-year bridge deal at $17-million carries $10 million in base salary, modest for a player of his caliber and flexible for trade purposes.

Here’s my understanding on Minnesota and Hunter: The Vikings gauged trade interest in the offseason when they didn’t have a new deal, as a contingency if they couldn’t re-sign him. Lately, they have not been exploring a trade for Hunter, despite some external interest. And there’s a sentiment in the building that Hunter, who leads the league in sacks, is valuable for a team that isn’t out of it yet.

So, the sense is it would take a sizable deal to pry him. One league exec who’s very high on Hunter said he’s not in position to give up a first-rounder for him, suggesting that might be what it would require.

Jacksonville was linked to Hunter in the preseason, though that was before pass-rusher Josh Allen decided to have a career year with seven sacks in his first six games.

WR market heating up

Wide receiver is a buzz-worthy position entering the deadline. People I’ve talked to believe the Colts, Packers, Panthers and Chiefs have at least monitored the receiver market in recent weeks, though Carolina, sitting at 0-6, might be out, and the Chiefs got their man in Hardman.

Broncos wideout Jerry Jeudy’s name has percolated for a while. He will have suitors. Teams are torn on his worth, though, with multiple execs saying they couldn’t justify a Day 2 pick for him at this stage, though two others said a late-third-rounder might suffice based on Jeudy’s ability.

Hunter Renfrow has been available via trade for the better part of the last year. He’s clearly not part of the game plan. The Raiders have targeted him nine times on 191 pass attempts, a shocking trend for a 27-year-old with a 100-catch, 1,000-yard season just two years ago. One team exec believes the hang-up is the prorated amount of Renfrow’s $10.82 million in 2023 money — and the Raiders’ unwillingness to pay it.

The Panthers have granted Terrace Marshall Jr. permission to seek a trade, with the stipulation that he’s welcome back if a deal does not materialize. He’s a former second-rounder with size and speed, characteristics that usually have value. The Patriots could get calls on Kendrick Bourne, as they did last year, but I’m not sensing much movement there as of now. I don’t foresee Arizona moving Marquise Brown, barring surprise. Though some execs believe Arizona, in a general sense, is open for business.

The Giants’ Parris Campbell has fallen out of favor, playing a total of 16 snaps over the last two weeks, including zero in Week 6. And his $1.4-million salary would be easy to move. But the Giants aren’t exploring any trades at this time, and running back Saquon Barkley expressed his desire to stay on Thursday.