NFL trade deadline closes at 4 p.m. ET Tuesday
Assessing the needs for the 32 teams as the National Football League hits Week 8.
The NFL’s annual trade deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET ... likely leaving just enough time for even the busiest league executives to get to the Election Day polls. But first they’ll likely be weighing several considerations that could make this year’s cutoff for deals especially intriguing.
• COVID-19: If you’re looking to get a difference-maker in your building, it makes sense to pull the trigger on a deal well before Nov. 3. New players have to go through virus protocols while onboarding to a new team and likely wouldn’t be eligible to play in Week 9 if moved on deadline day. The Ravens were wise to acquire DE Yannick Ngakoue during their bye week. Similarly, by signing Antonio Brown well before his eight-game suspension ends, the Bucs could have him in uniform Nov. 8 – assuming the NFL reinstates him rather than extending his punishment, pending further findings of misconduct.
• Expanded playoffs: This will be the first postseason featuring 14 teams after the league opted to add two to the field starting this year. More clubs may view themselves as viable for a seventh seed and actively shop – the Lions, 3-3 and in 10th place overall in the NFC, sent a sixth-rounder to the Cowboys on Tuesday for veteran DE Everson Griffen. By the same token, teams like Detroit – or maybe the Raiders or Dolphins, also .500 teams – may be more reluctant to offload players.
• 2021 salary cap: Due to projected revenue losses caused by the pandemic, the cap will shrink next year – an unfamiliar challenge to GMs accustomed to seeing it grow exponentially year over year. Spending could be limited to $175 million after each club was allocated a record $198.2 million this year.
With that backdrop in mind, let’s explore all 32 teams’ outlooks and make some pre-deadline assessments ...
AFC East
Buffalo Bills (5-2): They’re on track to win the division for the first time in 25 years but increasingly appear headed to the same one-and-done playoff finishes they experienced in 2017 and last year. Adding talent will probably be challenging given Buffalo is tight against the cap this year and next. An affordable running back – Todd Gurley, Duke Johnson or Melvin Gordon – could really help a team getting next to nothing on the ground.
Miami Dolphins (3-3): They’re in a weird spot, winning three of their last games in impressive fashion yet opting to replace veteran QB Ryan Fitzpatrick with rookie Tua Tagovailoa. The Fins denied shopping high-priced CB Xavien Howard and have plenty of cap space to absorb more veterans. But probably best to see how things unfold with Tagovailoa ... though listening to offers for Fitzpatrick, who’s unsigned beyond this season, might make sense.
New England Patriots (2-4): Maybe they’ll get back on track in Year 1 A.B. (after Brady). But there don’t appear to be any quick fixes here, and this isn’t the easiest place to plug and play newcomers – remember the ill-fated swap for WR Mohamed Sanu last year, the one that cost the Pats a second-rounder? A selloff doesn’t seem that realistic given Bill Belichick’s unique way of maximizing talents other teams don’t seem to see. However – accepting offers for CB Stephon Gilmore, the reigning defensive player of the year, does make sense given the bounty he could fetch. He’s signed through next season, when he’s owed $7.5 million but no guarantees. He could definitely be the final piece to a championship equation.
New York Jets (0-7): Credit GM Joe Douglas for getting table scraps by dealing DL Steve McLendon and Jordan Willis. Maybe Douglas can extract more draft currency by putting DBs Marcus Maye and Brian Poole and ILB Avery Williamson – all will be free agents next year – and/or WR Jamison Crowder on the block given New York’s rebuild is effectively only beginning and should hit high gear next year with two first-round picks and loads of cap space. Crowder is owed no guaranteed money in 2021, but $10.5 million is a lot to pay a slot receiver – and retaining him should help with the development of QB Sam Darnold ... or whomever is under center in a year.
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-0): The last unbeaten, this group is obviously in good shape. Might be nice to pick up some help at inside linebacker after losing Devin Bush. The Jets’ Avery Williamson is a pending free agent making just $2.75 million in 2020, but the Steelers are cap-strapped in 2021.
Baltimore Ravens (5-1): Really no glaring holes, especially after the addition of Ngakoue. And though the Ravens are in good shape cap-wise, they need to re-sign LT Ronnie Stanley and will enter an extension window for QB Lamar Jackson in 2021.
Cleveland Browns (5-2): They project as the AFC’s sixth seed. But if they want to end the league’s longest current playoff drought (2002), the Browns may need to start maneuvering, especially as it pertains to shoring up a shoddy pass defense. The Jets’ Brian Poole, Giants’ Logan Ryan, Vikings’ Anthony Harris and Broncos’ Justin Simmons would all provide an instant boost to the secondary. Approaching former coach Bill Belichick about CB Stephon Gilmore would be a real game changer.
Cincinnati Bengals (1-5-1): They’re rarely active when it comes to wheeling and dealing veterans. However, they sent DE Carlos Dunlap to Seattle on Wednesday and should strongly consider liberating thirty-something stars like WR A.J. Green and DT Geno Atkins – like Dunlap, both are dealing with reduced roles anyway.
AFC South
Tennessee Titans (5-1): They are average at best defensively and should probably be exploring help at every level. But the overriding concern should be the loss of LT Taylor Lewan to an ACL tear. Getting Broncos LT Garett Bolles in the short term, even though he’s unsigned for 2021, might be a pipe dream – but an exploratory call couldn’t hurt. Adding someone like Panthers LT Russell Okung for the remainder of this year seems more realistic.
Indianapolis Colts (4-2): QB Philip Rivers is coming off his best game, so definitely no need to float a ridiculous notion like trading for Matt Ryan. But what about pursuing another battletested veteran like Vikings S Harrison Smith? Malik Hooker didn’t work out, so why not take on a five-time Pro Bowler for the remainder of this season and all of 2021? The near $11 million Smith is owed next year would easily integrate into Indy’s payroll.
Houston Texans (1-6): No question they should be rebooting – and that means replenishing draft resources surrendered by ousted coach/GM Bill O’Brien, who already divested next year’s Round 1 and 2 picks. RB Duke Johnson and WRs Will Fuller V, Randall Cobb and Kenny Stills might bring value. But bigger picture, whither DL JJ Watt? The aging superstar might love the opportunity to make a Super Bowl run with, say, Seattle and letting him leave could accelerate a rebuild.
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-6): Probably not much to discuss here unless someone comes calling for one of their veteran blockers, namely Andrew Norwell or Brandon Linder.
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs (6-1): The reigning champs are as good as anybody, especially after adding RB Le’Veon Bell to the mix. But given an overextended cap situation in 2021, tough to justify any further moves of significance.
Las Vegas Raiders (3-3): Only the Cowboys are surrendering more points than Vegas’ 32.8 per game. GM Mike Mayock doesn’t have the cap space to go after a player like Watt, who doesn’t have an expiring contract. But that doesn’t mean he couldn’t pursue shortterm help, pending free agents like Washington pass rusher Ryan Kerrigan or Giants DL Leonard Williams.
Los Angeles Chargers (2-4): They’re unlikely to be buyers in light of their rough start. But given the holes about to open on his offensive line, maybe GM Tom Telesco should consider pursuing the Jaguars’ Andrew Norwell or Brandon Linder. Falcons C Alex Mack or Washington G Brandon Scherff could also bolster protection for rookie QB Justin Herbert, who looks like a gem. On the other side of the ball, it might make sense to float the names of soon-to-be free agents like DE Melvin Ingram, LB Denzel Perryman and/or CBs Desmond King and Michael Davis.
Denver Broncos (2-4): LT Garett Bolles, RB Melvin Gordon, S Justin Simmons and DL Shelby Harris might all fetch intriguing value – each of them scheduled to be free agents except Gordon, who’s signed through 2021. Bolles’ fifth-year option was declined in May; however, he’s currently rated as Pro Football Focus’ top tackle and seems to have actually played his way back into the Broncos’ long-term future. Denver looked like a potential wild-card outfit entering the season, but injuries and uneven play currently have them ranked 11th among the AFC’s 16 teams. Focusing on the long-term future seems like the best bet here.
NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles (2-4-1): The division is a mess, but so is Philly’s 2021 cap – GM Howie Roseman looking at a $69 million overdraw, per overthecap.com. Despite their record, the Eagles seem to have the inside track to the division crown even as they’re presently constructed. But if Roseman is thinking of fortifying one area, O-line makes the most sense.
Washington Football Team (2-5): First-year coach Ron Rivera pulled the plug on QB Dwayne Haskins believing Washington could make a serious push for the division crown. Entering Week 8, the Football Team is a half-game out of first place ... and yet it seems folly to be in anything other than a sell mode. The long view dictates the team should strongly consider leveraging aging vets like Scherff and Kerrigan, neither signed beyond this year.
Dallas Cowboys (2-5): Beat the Eagles on Sunday night, and Dallas is alone in first place. However, it seems misguided to think this spiraling club can legitimately contend amid its copious issues, namely the absence of QB Dak Prescott and a quickly fraying group of blockers. The Cowboys might be wise to dangle the likes of DE Aldon Smith and S Xavier Woods considering they’ll likely have to create cap space to accommodate another franchise tag for Prescott in 2021.
New York Giants (1-6): Given the hole they’re in, why wouldn’t embattled GM Dave Gettleman be trying to accumulate draft capital by offering DL Leonard Williams and Dalvin Tomlinson, DB Logan Ryan, TE Evan Engram or OLB Kyler Fackrell given all but Engram are eligible to leave in a few months?
NFC North
Green Bay Packers (5-1): Not much cap flexibility here. But seriously, after ignoring the receiver position in the draft, shouldn’t GM Brian Gutekunst at least make serious inquiries for players like Will Fuller V or Green to help QB Aaron Rodgers and complement No. 1 WR Davante Adams?
Chicago Bears (5-2): Their record suggests contender status. The on-field product indicates otherwise. Green, Fuller V or Stills could almost surely assist an offense thirsty for firepower. But GM Ryan Pace and coach Matt Nagy really have to ask themselves if it’s worth gambling much to bolster this squad.
Detroit Lions (3-3): They’ve won three of four, and the schedule seems to pave the way for a promising second half. The acquisition of DE Everson Griffen suggests Detroit views itself as a factor – but it’s also worth noting GM Bob Quinn and coach Matt Patricia are fighting for their jobs. Defensive linemen like Kerrigan, Leonard Williams, Shelby Harris or New England’s Lawrence Guy would further bolster the Lions’ front ... though what they could really use is a cover guy like Logan Ryan, Brian Poole or Desmond King. But successfully stalking Gilmore would be a real coup. Patricia and Quinn have studded their roster with ex-Pats, and the notion of combating Aaron Rodgers with Gilmore and rookie Jeff Okudah would be quite enticing.
Minnesota Vikings (1-5): Flipping Ngakoue to Baltimore after just six games served as the Vikes’ white flag on the 2020 campaign. Now it remains to be seen what, if anything, they do with Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris, a sterling safety combo.
NFC South
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2): They really aren’t lacking for much. If anything, an ideal course of action might be targeting one more run stuffer, perhaps the Giants’ Dalvin Tomlinson, in a continued effort to spackle over the loss of injured Vita Vea.
New Orleans Saints (4-2): Sean Payton says they’re not trading WR Michael Thomas, so there’s that. Though a halfgame out of the playoff picture, New Orleans appears to be in solid shape – especially with Thomas likely returning to the lineup soon. Projected to be a league-worst $78 million over the cap next year, a major transaction probably isn’t feasible.
Carolina Panthers (3-4): Rookie coach Matt Rhule has had a nice debut, but hard to see this team’s ceiling exceeding a .500 finish. Okung could be a commodity. But the deft move might be peddling RB Mike Davis coming off his series of strong performances given Christian McCaffrey’s return from injury appears imminent.
Atlanta Falcons (1-6): Like the Texans, another team that’s out of it but unlikely to execute a massive fire sale before a new coach and GM are hired. It’s fun to speculate about megadeals involving QB Matt Ryan or WR Julio Jones, but Arthur Blank should strongly consider letting Gurley, C Alex Mack, S Keanu Neal or DE Takk McKinley go if they generate passable offers.
NFC West
Seattle Seahawks (5-1): A defense ranked last in the league – and one that’s managed a mere nine sacks – was wise to bolster its line rotation by importing Dunlap, 31, from Cincinnati on Wednesday. Why stop there? Pass rushers such as Ingram or Kerrigan would be manna from heaven. However, for the dreamers, it’s worth noting the Seahawks have the cap room in 2021 to realistically take on a player like JJ Watt, due $17.5 million in the final year of his contract.
Arizona Cardinals (5-2): If it turns out Watt is in play, they’ve also got room to incorporate him into their salary structure – and imagine him paired with OLB Chandler Jones next year. (Though after losing WR DeAndre Hopkins, Houstonians probably couldn’t stomach any more dealings with Arizona.) But if the Cards do anything, they might be wiser to look for blocking help or tailback depth.
Los Angeles Rams (5-2): They’ve already mortgaged several draft picks and will have to slash salaries to be capcompliant next year. Upgrades at linebacker would help, but this somewhat surprising squad is on solid ground regardless.
San Francisco 49ers (4-3): Despite a winning record, the Niners are mired in last place – which could still mean a playoff trip in a 14-team field. A depleted D-line could use reinforcements – maybe former Washington LT Trent Williams should start back-channel recruitment of Kerrigan. But the reality is that GM John Lynch doesn’t have much room to fiscally maneuver as much as a player like Kerrigan or Melvin Ingram might help.