The Los Angeles Rams are a great example of how the NFL’s trade blocks change from week to week.
The Rams looked like sellers a week ago. Then they brought back Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp and upset the Minnesota Vikings to improve to 3-4, but maybe they’re not a seller anymore. However, things could change again before the November 5 deadline.
There are a lot of bad teams in the NFL at the deadline, so there should be a lot of buyers and sellers, and a lot of action has to be taken before the deadline. Here are the 10 trades you need to make:
The Jets acquired Davante Adams in a trade and haven’t won a game since. (AP/Greg M. Cooper)
49ers trade for Jets WR Davante Adams
When the Jets traded for Adams, it was a bad idea. Everyone knew it. They were chasing losses. And now, with the Jets sitting at an embarrassing 2-6 record, it’s time to reevaluate everything. Why not trade Adams to a team that needs him? Maybe a team that just lost its No. 1 receiver, like the 49ers or Brandon Aiyuk. The 49ers aren’t starved at receiver, but Adams could help. As long as Aaron Rodgers allows the Jets to trade his friend, there’s no good reason for the Jets to keep him. Realistically, a trade won’t happen because the Jets are so exhausted as an organization, but it should happen.
Lions trade for DE Chase Young
Stop daydreaming about impressing Max Crosby or Myles Garrett. The Raiders and Browns may not be very good, but they aren’t going to trade their franchise players unless someone makes a crazy offer. That doesn’t mean the Lions can’t replace Aidan Hutchinson with a smaller contract. There are several options, but Young offers several advantages. He’s far from perfect, but if healthy and motivated, he could be an effective pass rusher on a Super Bowl contending team, as he was with the 49ers last season. And as for the saints…well, let’s talk about them.
Saints trade almost everyone
No team is in more need of a total reset than the Saints. They’ve been mired in mediocrity for a while, falling apart over the past six games. It’s time to tear it down. They have plenty of older veterans who can help the team win, like defensive end Chase Young, running back Alvin Kamara, linebacker Demario Davis, or defensive end Cam Jordan. But the Saints’ recent announcement of a two-year contract extension with Kamara shows that the most narrow-minded team in the NFL will keep a veteran around, which is downright stupid and completely off-brand for the Saints. It will be. At the very least, Young and his one-year deal should be agreed upon. Let’s take a look.
Vikings trade for Jaguars LT Cam Robinson
The deal actually took place on Tuesday.
It’s hard to find offensive linemen in trades (even bad teams don’t want to destroy their quarterback), but the Jaguars had a few players who could get a lot of value back in a trade. Robinson was one of three players speculated about prior to Tuesday’s reported deal. The others are guard Brandon Schaaf and tackle Walker Little.
Robinson makes a lot of sense for the Vikings, who lost left tackle Christian Darrisaw to a season-ending knee injury Thursday night. The Seahawks also need to communicate with the Jaguars. Because they too could use some help from the line. If the Jaguars decide to trade a lineman or two, many teams will be interested.
We’ll see if the Jaguars end up trading another lineman before the deadline.
Steelers trade for Jets WR Mike Williams
The team has a rule that prevents players from being traded back for two years, which rules out the return of Diontae Johnson. There are still other receivers who could fill the big hole the Steelers were looking to fill alongside George Pickens. Williams isn’t happy with the Jets, and it doesn’t make much sense to keep him around. He could give the Steelers another option.
Ravens trade for Rams CB Tre’Davious White
The Ravens are a very good team, but they have big problems. They have probably the worst pass defense in the NFL. Baltimore allowed a passer rating of 115.3, second-worst in the NFL and better than the Lions. The Ravens allow an NFL-worst 291.4 passing yards per game, 20 more than any other team. The Rams confirmed they have given White, a former All-Pro with the Bills, permission to seek a trade. Injuries have taken away a lot of White’s ability, but it might not cost much for the Ravens to see if he can help a porous secondary.
Cowboys trade for Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert
The Cowboys’ season appears to be over, but they’re still 3-4. It’s not too late. They’re not going to go “all in,” as famously said a few months ago, but no team needs a running back more than Dallas. They released Derrick Henry, claiming they couldn’t afford to acquire him, but the cheapness of the position has been exposed. The move here was supposed to be Alvin Kamara going to the Cowboys, but the Saints gave Kamara a contract extension and a sign to keep him for some stupid reason. Mostert is 32 years old, old enough for Jerry Jones to fit him, and the Dolphins need to find a representative for rookie Jalen Wright. And either way, the 2-5 Dolphins shouldn’t be holding on to the 32-year-old running back.
Chiefs acquire Patriots CB Jonathan Jones in trade
The veteran cornerback is in the final year of his contract, and the Patriots shouldn’t hold onto an older player. The Chiefs are thin at cornerback, one of their few weaknesses on defense. It would have made sense for the Chiefs and Patriots to figure out a way to add Jones in a trade when Josh Uche left for Kansas City. Still, it would make sense for both parties.
Falcons trade for Browns DE Za’Darius Smith
The Falcons acquired Matthew Judon in a trade, but he still ranks near the bottom of the NFL with 15 sacks. Perhaps another deal might work out. Smith has five sacks this season, and the Browns, who are 2-6, shouldn’t be fooling themselves into being in playoff contention. Smith could help a Falcons team that looks like it’s on track to win the NFC South with a dominant win over the Buccaneers.
Chargers trade for Panthers WR Adam Thielen
The Chargers are in the playoff mix with a 4-3 record. They are also one of the thinnest teams in the NFL at receiver. Rookie Ladd McConkie did well, Joshua Palmer didn’t do much, and Quentin Johnston got off to a slow start. Thielen could make sense as short-term help for Justin Herbert. The Panthers shouldn’t ask too much from the 34-year-old after a quiet season, which would give Thielen a chance to be on a decent team near the end of his career.
