• A homecoming for Maxx Crosby: The Raiders already moved Davante Adams, and the Lions could be an ideal match after dropping Aidan Hutchinson.
•Fixing the Cowboys‘ working sport: Travis Etienne Jr. hasn’t been as efficient as Tank Bigsby, however he’d be a significant improve for Dallas.
• Unlock your edge with a PFF+ subscription: Get full entry to all our in-season fantasy instruments, together with weekly rankings, WR/CB matchup charts, weekly projections, the Start-Sit Optimizer and extra. Sign up now!
Estimated Reading Time: 11 minutes
The NFL commerce deadline has already delivered fireworks regardless of being over three weeks away. Receivers Davante Adams and Amari Cooper headed to the AFC East, though each appeared very doubtless candidates to be moved.
It’s not usually that uncommon suspects across the NFL discover new groups halfway by way of the season, however once in a while, a stunner — suppose Christian McCaffrey to the 49ers, Roquan Smith to the Ravens or Von Miller to the Rams — goes down. What if normal managers across the league determined to go all in, a la Madden Franchise mode with the sliders turned down?
The chance of the trades under typically isn’t very excessive — or, in some circumstances, fathomable in any respect — however these 10 strikes could be desires come true for groups buying the participant.
Edge Maxx Crosby to the Lions
The Raiders already moved on from the disgruntled Adams, leaving them with one celebrity: Crosby. The all-world edge rusher has remained loyal to the franchise however just lately quipped that he’s “not right here to rebuild.” It nonetheless appears unlikely that Las Vegas will transfer Crosby, however there’s no higher touchdown spot than Detroit.
The Lions misplaced Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner Aidan Hutchinson to a damaged tibia/fibula in Week 6, which put a untimely finish to the most effective defensive begins in PFF historical past. Detroit nonetheless boasts line of defense expertise in Alim McNeill and D.J. Reader, however its edge place is now skinny.
Crosby’s 1.33 PFF WAR over the past three years ranks fourth amongst all edge rushers. Despite battling an ankle harm, he’s nonetheless put collectively one other spectacular marketing campaign. Crosby has registered 23 pressures, 15 stops and a 14.1% pass-rush win fee.
Lions GM Brad Holmes must give up doubtless a number of first-round picks to deliver residence the Eastern Michigan alum, however it could be an epic add.
Dl Dexter Lawrence to the Texans
The Giants haven’t been as disappointing as anticipated, partially because of a protection that ranks 12th in EPA per play. At the middle of that’s Lawrence, the second-highest-graded inside defensive lineman within the NFL. The 26-year-old has totaled a prolific 93.5 total grade over the past three years, tallying 164 pressures and 24 sacks.
It could be extremely unlikely for New York to maneuver Lawrence, even when the workforce continues to lose. But, one hypothetical touchdown spot might be Houston.
The Texans are positioned extremely properly at edge rusher with Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., however the inside of its line of defense has been shoddy. The Texans rank 26th in total grade by defensive linemen, with their highest-graded IDL being Mario Edwards Jr. at a 61.9 total mark.
GM Nick Caserio pulled off a splash to draft C.J. Stroud and Anderson back-to-back in 2023, and this is able to be equally as inconceivable. But boy, wouldn’t it be an insane acquisition.
CB Denzel Ward to the Commanders
The Browns have already dealt Cooper, however there’s nonetheless a plethora of expertise left on the roster — and no viable path to contending given the workforce’s 1-6 file and the state of its offense. That may make some proficient Cleveland defenders out there, together with Ward.
Ward hasn’t been spectacular in 2024, recording solely a 72.2 total grade. Those perils have largely been because of issues wrapping up: his 23.7% missed deal with fee is the ninth-highest amongst certified cornerbacks. Still, Ward is an asset in protection, posting a 76.0 protection grade over the past 4 seasons whereas compiling 45 compelled incompletions — the seventh-most amongst qualifying corners in that span.
Despite beginning 5-2, the Commanders are in determined want of defensive — and secondary — assist. The workforce ranks 28th in workforce protection grade and 26th in EPA per play. Not one Washington nook has notched an total grade above 64.8 this yr, nor a protection grade above 66.5.
If Washington needs to make a severe push in Dan Quinn’s first yr, giving Cleveland a name about Ward (or Greg Newsome II) doesn’t appear far-fetched.
Edge Carl Granderson to the Bears
After beginning 2-0, the Saints have plummeted to 2-5, wanting like a workforce in determined want of a rebuild (albeit one depleted by accidents). Since it’s wanting like an uphill battle to contend in 2024, transferring an asset like Granderson could be clever.
Over the final three years, Granderson has quietly change into one of many extra stable edge rushers within the NFL. His run protection has been a calling card, however he’s honed his go rush in 2024. Granderson’s 29 pressures are tied for sixth amongst edge rushers, and his 17.2% pass-rush win fee is tied for 12th.
The Bears could be an ideal match. Chicago has hit its stride at 4-2 regardless of a go rush that’s typically struggled this season. No Bear has tallied greater than 18 pressures, and Andrew Billings is the one common line of defense starter with a pass-rush grade above 69.0.
Ryan Poles already swung a commerce for Darrell Taylor earlier than the offseason. While a stable get up to now, he’s nowhere near Granderson (and in addition value far much less, too). At the very least, that is an pleasing aspiration for a franchise that’s been devoid of hope for some time.
WR Cooper Kupp to the Steelers
At 2-4, the Rams face a little bit of an injunction relating to their present roster development. The nucleus from the Super Bowl 56-winning workforce is both gone or getting older; accidents have depleted the present roster; and the protection has been abysmal. Could that make Kupp out there?
The 31-year-old has been beleaguered with accidents ever since his record-setting 2021 season. In that stretch, Kupp has completed with a receiving grade over 74.0 only one time whereas not exceeding 767 offensive snaps in a yr. He regarded improbable to open the 2024 season in Detroit — posting 14 catches for 110 yards and a 72.8 receiving grade — however missed 4 straight video games with an ankle harm.
If Les Snead wished to deal Kupp, Pittsburgh could be an ideal associate. The Steelers have typically struggled on offense in Arthur Smith’s first yr calling performs, particularly by way of the air. Pittsburgh ranks 13th in EPA per play, primarily to a receiving corps that sits 13th in receiving grade. Not having a viable No. 2 reverse George Pickens has actually restricted the group’s ceiling.
Omar Khan has looked for a complementary piece to Pickens over the past yr, however has repeatedly struck out on massive names like Brandon Aiyuk and Adams. Maybe Kupp will lastly be the reply.
Dl Jeffery Simmons III to the Jets
At 1-5, the Titans’ first yr beneath Brian Callahan hasn’t gone wherever near plan. Although the offense has a myriad of questions, the protection has been stable, rating ninth in EPA per play. Simmons has lengthy been a cornerstone, however possibly Tennessee would minimize ties in an effort to rebuild.
The 27-year-old was spectacular in 2022 and hasn’t been fairly as superb since, recording total grades of 68.4 and 70.1. Although his strain numbers have dwindled this yr — notching solely 9 pressures on 137 pass-rushing snaps — his run protection has truly improved, climbing over 17 factors. Plus, Simmons has accrued 44 or extra pressures in every of his final 4 full years.
The Jets have already made their intentions clear: do no matter it takes to win in 2024. The workforce’s protection has remained stout, however the line of defense has truly been one of many worst within the NFL. Quinnen Williams is Gang Green’s highest-graded inside defender at solely a 66.6 total mark — a far cry from his previous couple of years — and Javon Kinlaw hasn’t carried out properly.
Pursuing an edge rusher may be in play for Woody Johnson, however Simmons would quietly be a shrewd add to a workforce pushing all its property on the desk.
RB Travis Etienne Jr. to the Cowboys
The Jaguars have remained one of the crucial complicated groups within the NFL over the past two years, and issues seem to have hit a boiling level beneath Doug Pederson. What must be a playoff-caliber roster is now a disjointed workforce, and that doubtless means items might be moved.
Jacksonville sits eighth in speeding EPA per play, partially as a result of breakout of Tank Bigsby, whose 82.5 speeding grade ranks ninth amongst gamers with 50-plus carries. In flip, Etienne might be expendable.
Etienne hasn’t regarded as efficient in 2024. His speeding grade has dropped 13 factors; solely eight of his 55 carries have gone for 10-plus yards; and his Elusiveness ranks forty second out of fifty ‘backs with 30-plus carries.
Still, a workforce that might love including a participant like Etienne is the Cowboys. Dallas’ speeding sport has been woeful all season, rating 29th in workforce speeding grade with the second-fewest explosive rushes within the NFL. The mixture of Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott has fared as most anticipated, with neither recording a working grade above 69.0.
Given that Etienne is simply beneath contract for another yr, the chances of Jacksonville buying and selling him are greater than others on this checklist. If he had been to be dealt, Jerry Jones would positively be lining up.
LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah to the Bills
If the Browns actually wished to reset, transferring Owusu-Koramoah might be good. The linebacker signed a three-year extension in August, however transferring him isn’t as onerous as it could look. According to Over the Cap, Cleveland would eat solely $7.5 million in useless cash if Owusu-Koramoah had been traded earlier than June.
The 25-year-old has blossomed into one of many higher linebackers in soccer. He’s constructed off a stable 2023 with a wonderful 2024: Owusu-Koramoah’s 86.6 total grade ranks fourth amongst linebackers to play 100 or extra snaps, and his 92.4 run protection grade is well a profession excessive.
Buffalo added Cooper to its beforehand unimpressive receiving room, however holes nonetheless exist at positions like linebacker. Without star Matt Milano, Buffalo’s linebackers have posted a 53.4 total grade, which ranks twenty eighth. The workforce’s highest-graded linebacker is Dorian Williams at a really pedestrian 65.0 total mark.
Cleveland and Buffalo already did enterprise as soon as, so possibly making one other change isn’t completely out of the query.
S Budda Baker to the Bengals
Not a ton has gone proper in Jonathan Gannon’s second yr in Arizona. The Cardinals are 3-4 because of an offense that may present some punches, however the protection is the antithesis, sitting 27th in EPA per play. While the unit doesn’t possess a lot expertise, Baker would positively have suitors.
The 28-year-old has established himself as one of many higher safeties within the NFL. Over the final six years, Baker’s 0.88 WAR ranks 17th. Coverage has by no means been a significant sturdy swimsuit, however Baker has repeatedly play properly towards the run, as evidenced by him notching a 74.9 run protection grade or higher in 5 of his seven seasons.
The Bengals are nonetheless clawing for his or her 2024 playoff lives, however the protection wants particular redeviceing. The main lacuna has been security, the place Cincinnati ranks thirtieth in workforce grade. Free agent addition Geno Stone has underperformed in a significant method, whereas Vonn Bell hasn’t fared amazingly, both. Neither has posted an total grade above 61.3.
Given Cincinnati’s offensive efficiency, it’s nonetheless too early to wave the white flag on this yr. Making a push for a participant like Baker may assist.
WR DeAndre Hopkins to the Ravens
There’s no solution to sugarcoat it: Tennessee’s offense is a large number. The workforce sits twenty second in EPA per play, and its marquee receivers — Hopkins, Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd — have all carried out under expectation. Hopkins leads Titans receivers with solely a 67.2 receiving grade, however he nonetheless has worth.
His metrics will not be as environment friendly this yr, however the 32-year-old bounced again in 2023 to the tune of an 82.3 receiving grade. His resume speaks for itself, rating 17th amongst receivers in PFF WAR since 2019. In some methods, his ails will be attributed to easily not getting the ball: he’s been focused solely 21 occasions in six video games, and he’s dropped simply considered one of them.
The Ravens already rank second in receiving grade, however the workforce’s wideouts haven’t been on par. Zay Flowers (75.8 receiving grade) has solidified himself, however no different Baltimore receiver sits above a 75.0. Isaiah Likely and Justice Hill have been precious pass-catchers for Lamar Jackson, however not perimeter receivers like Hopkins.
Baltimore simply prolonged Rashod Bateman, so relegating him isn’t essentially very doubtless. Still, that’s why this is able to be a “fairytale”: having Jackson, Derrick Henry and Hopkins on the identical offense is each Madden participant’s dream.