In a way, the NFL trade deadline is the same this year as any other year – you’ll hear plenty of names available before Tuesday’s cutoff at 4 p.m. ET without many players being moved from here. the.
In another way, it’s different.
This year, for one reason or another, buyers are focusing on premium passers. It’s hard to say — with the three-day deadline — whether anyone will be able to pull Brian Burns from the Panthers, Bradley Chubb from the Broncos or Josh Allen from the Jaguars. But two things are certain: the teams will try, and it will not be easy to win one.
It won’t be easy for a team to land Burns or other premium pass rushers before Tuesday’s trade deadline.
Jim Dedmon/USA TODAY Sports
Chubb, 26, has 5.5 sacks in seven games and is in a contract year. Allen, 25, has just three sacks in seven games but has played well and has this year and next year’s option on his rookie contract. And Burns, 25, the best of the bunch, has five sacks and, like Allen, is under contract through the 2022 season.
The usual suspects are in hot pursuit. The Rams were looking for a pass rusher to replace production they lost with the departure of Von Miller, have first rounds in 2024 and 25, and have already made a substantial offer for Burns. The Chiefs have checked Allen’s availability and are also looking for another top rusher, although they may be a little more reluctant to part ways with their 2023 first-rounder. precipitate. Chubb would be a good pick, but they’ve been more conservative with the picks.
Then you have the Eagles, and while they just acquired Robert Quinn, and don’t need a ton more up front, it’s still hard to rule out general manager Howie Roseman making another move.
So why so much heat on the teams to pass the rushers? Well, there’s always been a premium for guys who can make it to quarterback (hence the contracts approaching $30 million a year for these players). But, lately, these are also the investments that pay off when it matters most. It’s Aaron Donald’s game to close out the Super Bowl against the Bengals. It’s Miller’s game to set up the Bills’ winning campaign in Kansas City earlier this month. In an era marked by bloated scorecards, these are the guys who serve as human tiebreakers.
That’s why it will be so expensive to get the Panthers, Jaguars and Broncos to consider dealing their star pass rushers. It’s also why someone may be willing to go the distance to get one.
It will also make the next few days more interesting.
Here are a few more nuggets before the deadline…
• Given that Denver has the franchise tag to keep Chubb and more than two years of control over receiver Jerry Jeudy, I don’t think GM George Paton will feel pressured to deal with those two, in the absence of a major bid and regardless of Sunday’s result. in London. One name that might be interesting, if less important, to watch over the next few days would be third-year tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, who has generated some interest and has good potential. But the Broncos have told teams they won’t be doing a fire sale.
• The Rams’ radar is, again, available for pass-rush assist and offensive line assist as well. But there could also be pieces coming out. Safeties Terrell Burgess and Taylor Rapp, and running back Cam Akers, could be had, and corner David Long is another name to watch.
• Chiefs landing Kadarius Toney is not an acknowledgment that the Chiefs have exited Odell Beckham Jr., but I think it is a sign that their highest priority would be to find another passer at this stage. For a team not working with a ton of headroom, Toney represents a more affordable way to add to Patrick Mahomes’ weaponry.
• The Packers have asked for receivers and yes, Chase Claypool of the Steelers could be available. Other teams feel like a third round might do it. Offloading Claypool would create more opportunities for rookie George Pickens on the Steelers offense.
Would the Saints really trade Alvin Kamara? Yes, and the Eagles could be in the game.
Matt Kartozian/USA TODAY Sports
• There have been conflicting reports on Alvin Kamara, but a general manager told me he thought the Saints would consider moving him to the Eagles if Philadelphia returned the first round they traded in April.
• The Saints are in an interesting position, with a very talented formation and a record that does not reflect it. And so Mickey Loomis got calls. It remains to be seen whether he would be ready to really listen to Kamara or Michael Thomas. But there are second-tier guys like Nick Vannett and Marquez Callaway who could be misplaced.
• The Patriots are another team that could add an off-ball linebacker or offensive line assist or subtract before the deadline. They have certainly been open to moving Nelson Agholor and Isaiah Wynn, who are both under contract and have a lot of money to earn for the rest of the season.
• The Bengals and Bills face each other, but have a few players who could be traded: Isaiah Prince and Brandon Wilson for Cincinnati, and Zack Moss for Buffalo. The Cowboys are also in that category, with Trysten Hill and Tarell Basham available for teams that need help on the defensive line.
• The Browns have received calls about running back Kareem Hunt and corner Greedy Williams, and are ready to discuss them. The Jets were a team that investigated Hunt before landing James Robinson. My guess is that the cost would be around a fourth round for Hunt.
Hunt is another running back who could be on the move after seeing limited use with the Browns.
Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports
• The Jets have shown a willingness to add more, but also have a few pieces they could move—receiver Denzel Mims, defensive end Jacob Martin and corner Bryce Hall are in that group.
• The Raiders, under a new regime, have some former first-round players from the old regime in contract years who are available in Johnathan Abram and Clelin Ferrell.
• Thanks to the progress of rookie corners Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant, the Seahawks have explored veteran Sidney Jones.
• And the Commanders Williams Jackson is also available. Washington has sought to deal with it, and some teams believe commanders will eventually cut it if they can’t move it.
• The Texans have been in talks about moving wide receiver Brandin Cooks, but Houston’s asking price (a second-round and Day 3 pick) and Cooks’ $18m guarantee for 2023 has prevented anything happening. pass so far. It’s also possible they’ll get calls on Laremy Tunsil in the coming days, with ’23 a year left tackle contract, but that would likely cost a plot to get him out of Houston, assuming the Texans would listen to the offers this soon.
More NFL coverage:
#NFL #trade #deadline #buzz #players #potential #landing #spots