The NFL trade deadline ended at 4 p.m. ET today, and it did not disappoint. Several teams made essential moves in the final days to gear up for a playoff run while other teams were surprisingly quiet. Here are your biggest winners and losers of the trade deadline.
Winners:
Dolphins
Traded:
- RB Chase Edmonds
- 2023 first-round draft pick
- 2024 fourth-round draft pick
- 2023 fifth-round draft pick
Received:
- LB Bradley Chubb
- RB Jeff Wilson Jr.
- 2025 fifth-round draft pick
The Dolphins made the biggest move of the deadline by acquiring pro bowl linebacker Bradley Chubb from the Denver Broncos. Miami desperately needed another pass rusher to help a defense that is tied for sixth-worst in sacks with 15. The Dolphins intend on signing the 26-year-old to an extension when his contract expires after this season. Additionally, Miami offloaded Chase Edmonds who has been a massive disappointment this season, leading the NFL in dropped passes. Stepping in his place will be 26-year-old Jeff Wilson Jr., who has been very efficient with his opportunities and has familiarity with coach Mike Mcdaniel’s offense. The Dolphins did exactly what they needed to do to make their playoff run while also securing a franchise pass-rusher for years to come.
49ers
Traded:
- 2023 second-round draft pick
- 2023 third-round draft pick
- 2023 fourth-round draft pick
- 2024 fifth-round draft pick
- RB Jeff Wilson Jr.
Received:
- RB Christian McCaffrey
- 2023 fifth-round draft pick
The 49ers gave up a fortune to acquire a running back which is definitely a risk, but one worth taking. McCaffrey proved his worth last Sunday, becoming the first player since LaDainian Tomlinson to score a passing, rushing, and receiving touchdown in the same game, according to ESPN Stats Info. The 49ers may have the scariest offense in the league, with elite weapons at every skill position. Fortunately, no other NFC West teams made any big moves to compete with them, making the 49ers the favorite to win their division.
Jaguars
Traded:
- 2023 conditional fifth-round draft pick
- 2024 conditional second-round draft pick
Received:
The Jags made one of the surprise moves of the deadline, acquiring wide receiver Calvin Ridley from the Falcons. Ridley—who is suspended for the 2022 season—will be eligible to return to play next season. The former first-round pick is in his prime and will have plenty of time to recharge and learn Doug Pederson’s offense before making his debut. Acquiring the 27-year-old was a great move to now give Trevor Lawrence two explosive receivers on the outside with his Clemson teammate Travis Etienne in the backfield. If you’re a Jaguars fan, you have to be excited about the future of this team in a pretty weak AFC South.
Bears
Traded:
- 2023 second-round draft pick
- LB Roquan Smith
- DE Robert Quinn
Received:
- LB A.J. Klein
- WR Chase Claypool
- 2023 second-round draft pick
- 2023 fourth-round draft pick
- 2023 fifth-round draft pick
The Bears were one of the most active teams at the deadline, trading two important defenders for a huge haul of picks. Star linebacker Roquan Smith is off to Baltimore while defensive end Robert Quinn gets shipped to Philadelphia. Chicago also traded their own second-round pick to the Steelers for wide receiver Chase Claypool. Trading Roquan Smith was a good move for both sides, but the Bears got the better end of this deal. They received a second and a fifth-round pick for a linebacker with a year left on his deal. Moreover, Smith is reportedly asking for an extension worth upwards of $20 million a year. Although the Bears have the cap room to make this deal, it’s a large price to pay for his positional value.
Adding Chase Claypool for a second-round pick is also a large price, but one they could afford to make for a receiver with that much potential. Claypool could immediately emerge as Field’s favorite target in an offense desperately in need of weapons on the outside. In conclusion, the Bears have tons of flexibility going into next year with over $100 million in cap space. Expect them to load up on talent while Justin Fields is still on his rookie contract.
Panthers
Traded:
- RB Christian McCaffrey
- WR Robbie Anderson
Received:
- 2023 second-round draft pick
- 2023 third-round draft pick
- 2023 fourth-round draft pick
- 2024 fifth-round draft pick
- 2024 sixth-round draft pick
- 2025 seventh-round draft pick
The Panthers’ were another seller at the deadline that made some good moves to acquire lots of picks. What’s most surprising is that Christian McCaffrey was one of the players moved instead of DJ Moore and/or Brian Burns. They received offers for both but decided to hang on to those key pieces while also rebuilding for the future. Carolina could have completely torn it down, but this gives them an opportunity for a quicker rebuild if they can find their quarterback in next year’s draft.
Losers:
Packers
Probably the most surprising team to not acquire anyone, but the least surprising as well. The Packers just continue to not help Aaron Rodgers for whatever reason. Rodgers is struggling, and it’s pretty clear to everybody why that is. Green Bay needed to acquire a veteran wide receiver at the trade deadline and I’m left dumbfounded as to why that was not Brandin Cooks. It made perfect sense for both sides, but now an angry Cooks is still a Texan while a frustrated Rodgers still has Romeo Doubs as his top target. The Packers reportedly made an offer for Chase Claypool but were beaten out by their divisional rival, Chicago. Is Green Bay trying to win now or build for the future? If it’s the ladder, why even extend Rodgers? Packers fans have every right to be angry about how this organization is mishandling itself right now.
Broncos
Traded:
- LB Bradley Chubb
- 2024 fourth-round draft pick
- 2025 fifth-round draft pick
Received:
- RB Chase Edmonds
- DE Jacob Martin
- 2023 first-round draft pick
- 2024 fourth-round draft pick
- 2024 fifth-round draft pick
Things continue to get worse for the Broncos before they get better. Former pro bowl pass-rusher Bradley Chubb was traded to the Miami Dolphins for a first-round pick. The good news is they acquire a first-round pick and receive some much-needed draft capital after their Russell Wilson trade. The bad news is this wasn’t supposed to be a rebuilding season and Chubb was supposed to stay for at least the rest of the year, while possibly getting an extension done in the offseason. Instead, the Russell Wilson trade looks like a total disaster, coach Nathaniel Hackett looks in over his head, and Bradley Chubb is the mid-season sacrifice as a result.
Giants
Traded:
Received:
- 2023 third-round draft pick
- 2023 sixth-round draft pick
The Giants—who are now 6-2—were another team that many expected to add a receiver at the deadline. Daniel Jones has been getting it done this year with very little help on the outside. Jerry Jeudy was at the center of most of those trade rumors, but nothing ever came of it. I’m left a bit puzzled as to why the Giants didn’t give Jones some more help, especially after trading their former first-round pick Kadarius Toney to the Chiefs. I don’t necessarily hate the deal there, but it’s a big loss to give up on a receiver that early when they could’ve really used him as he returns from his injury. I believe Jones has shown enough this year to be their franchise QB and I’m disappointed in the Giants for not being committed to helping him lead them to the playoffs.
Rams
The Rams are in an odd situation right now. They’re a team that went all-in last year and won the Super Bowl but are now sitting at 3-4 overall and third in the NFC West. LA made has limited draft capital in next year’s draft, and they could have dealt what remained for a running back like Kareem Hunt. The Rams’ relationship with Cam Akers has soured recently, and Hunt would have made a big difference for an offense that runs solely through Cooper Kupp. Meanwhile, their divisional rivals acquired an elite running back of their own. The Rams could’ve made this situation a bit less tricky but will opt to play the rest season out with this one-dimensional offense.
Buccaneers
The Bucs might be playing in the easiest division in football yet are second behind the 4-4 Falcons. Defensively they’ve dropped off big time and losing linebacker Shaquille Barrett in last week’s game makes things much worse. Tampa Bay lost out on Bradley Chubb to their neighbors across the state largely due to cap restraints in 2023 that would prevent Chubb from being extended. The defense hasn’t been the only problem, however. The offense under Brady ranks 18th in the league and will have to simply turn things around in order to make the postseason. Luckily, the Bucs can take this gamble since they play in a division with two rebuilding teams and whatever the New Orleans Saints are.
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