NFL Trade Deadline Deals and Analysis

Winslow Townson - AP

Today marked the last day for NFL teams to make trades. Whether it be a trade for a disgruntled superstar, or just finding the missing piece to try and make a deep playoff run; teams are always looking to improve. This year’s deadline day was expected to be pretty hectic, with a ton of big names being rumored to potentially be on the move.

It ended up being relatively slow, with players instead being moved earlier in the past week or so. Yet, there were still some pretty significant deals that went down in the past two days. Here are the NFL trade deadline deals, as well as trades that I believe should have happened.

Trades That Happened

Leonard Williams to New York Giants

Giants get: DL Leonard Williams

Jets get: 2020 3rd Round Pick + 2021 5th Round Pick

Hard to believe, but this was the first-ever trade between the Jets and the Giants, and it was a pretty good one too; for both sides. The Jets get a third-round pick, from a team that is going to finish with a bottom ten record in the league, for a player they were never going to re-sign. As for the Giants, they only send away a third for a player that has shown he can be great. Even if Leonard Williams continues his recent level of poor play, the Giants did not give up too much to acquire him.

Verdict

Giants: Win

Jets: Win

Kenyan Drake to Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals get: Kenyan Drake

Dolphins get: Conditional 6th Round Pick

This trade is an absolute win for the Cardinals. Their two starting running backs are hobbled as of now so trading for a handcuff at the position was very smart of them. Personally, I would have liked to see Arizona get some O-line help to protect their future in Kyler Murray. But as far as this trade goes, good job Arizona. Drake was having a hard time finding running room behind Miami’s atrocious offensive line, so his value dropped significantly this season. Miami only getting a sixth for someone with Drake’s talent is a bad omen for their front office. The pick does have the potential to become a fifth, but even that seems a little low.

Verdict

Cardinals: Win

Dolphins: Lose

Aqib Talib to Miami Dolphins

Dolphins get: Aqib Talib + 2020 5th Round Pick

Rams get: Future Late Round Pick

This move for the Rams was purely a salary cap dump; presumably with the intent of inking new acquisition, Jalen Ramsey, to a long-term deal. They did give up a fifth just to get rid of Aqib Talib and while he may not be what he once was, he can still be a valuable piece to a good defense. The problem is that Miami is not anywhere near a good defense. Though this trade was not about getting better for Miami, it was about acquiring draft capital; and they did just that.

Verdict

Dolphins: Win

Rams: Ehhhh

Trades That Should Have Happened

Trent Williams; Anywhere but Washington

Trent Williams is an All-pro left tackle who is stuck “playing” for a sorry team and an even sorrier franchise. He has publicly (and privately) expressed his desire to play anywhere except for Washington. Why should a player as talented as Williams be stuck in a situation that he does not want to be in? His skillset would have been better utilized on a team such as the Cleveland Browns, who were rumored to have significant interest in Williams. Nevertheless, Williams has ended his holdout and reported back to the team; but it has since been reported that he will not play a snap for Washington.

Chris Harris Jr. to New England

As if the New England Patriots need any more help. Yet Harris would be the missing piece to their record-setting defense. The Pats are strong at every position, including corner; but they lack a true slot corner. Assuming the Broncos would have wanted a first for him, I think that New England should have let it fly. Pairing Harris with Stephon Gilmore would have been terrifying for the rest of the league. Oh well, the Patriots will just have to settle for having one great corner instead… poor Bill Belichick.