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NFL trade deadline: 10 trades that should happen within a week


NFL trade deadline: 10 trades that should happen within a week

The Los Angeles Rams are a good example of how the NFL trading block changes every week.

The Rams seemed like sellers a week ago. Then they got Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp back, upset the Minnesota Vikings and improved to 3-4, and maybe they're no longer sellers. But perhaps that will change before the deadline on November 5th

Since there are a lot of bad teams in the NFL before the deadline, there should be a lot of sellers and buyers and we should get a lot of action before the deadline. Here are 10 trades that need to be made:

The Jets traded for Davante Adams but haven't won a game since. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)The Jets traded for Davante Adams but haven't won a game since. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)

The Jets traded for Davante Adams but haven't won a game since. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)

When the Jets traded for Adams, it was a bad idea. Everyone knew that. They chased their losses. And now, with the Jets sitting at an embarrassing 2-6, it's time to reevaluate everything. Why not trade Adams to a team that needs him? Maybe a team that just lost its No. 1 receiver, like the 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk. The 49ers aren't barren at receiver, but Adams could help. As long as Aaron Rodgers allows the Jets to trade his friend, there is no good reason for the Jets to hang on to him. Realistically, a trade won't happen because the Jets are a tire fire of an organization, but it should.

Let's not entertain fantasies involving Maxx Crosby or Myles Garrett being moved. The Raiders and Browns may not be good, but they won't sell these franchise players unless someone makes a ridiculous offer. That doesn't mean the Lions can't get a lesser deal to replace Aidan Hutchinson. There are a few options, but Young offers some advantages. He's far from perfect, but if he's healthy and motivated, he can be an effective pass rusher for a Super Bowl-contending team, just as he was for the 49ers last season. And the saints… well, let's talk about them.

No team needs a total reset more than the Saints. They have been stuck in mediocrity for some time and have collapsed in the last six games. It's time to tear it down. They have plenty of aging veterans who could help a team win, like defensive end Chase Young, running back Alvin Kamara, linebacker Demario Davis or maybe even defensive end Cam Jordan. But the Saints' recent two-year extension with Kamara is a sign that the NFL's least focused team will hold on to its veterans, which would be really stupid and entirely fitting for the Saints. At the very least, Young and his one-year contract should be negotiated. We'll see.

Offensive linemen are hard to find in trades (even bad teams don't want to destroy their QBs), but the Jaguars have some who could bring back a lot of value in a trade. Three names that have been speculated are tackle Cam Robinson, guard Brandon Scherff and tackle Walker Little. Robinson makes a lot of sense for the Vikings, who were without left tackle Christian Darrisaw on Thursday night due to a season-ending knee injury. The Seahawks should also stay in touch with the Jaguars as they could also use some help from the line. If the Jaguars decide to trade a lineman or two, they will have plenty of teams interested.

There is a rule that teams cannot return a player they have traded away for two years, which rules out the return of Diontae Johnson. In addition to George Pickens, there are other receivers who could fill the large void the Steelers are trying to fill. Williams isn't happy with the Jets and it makes little sense to keep him. He could give the Steelers another option.

The Ravens are a very good team with a big problem. They have arguably the worst pass defense in the NFL. Baltimore has allowed a passer rating of 115.3, second-worst in the NFL and better than only the Lions. The Ravens allow an NFL-worst 291.4 passing yards per game, 20 more than any other team. The Rams confirmed they have given White, once an All-Pro with the Bills, permission to pursue a trade. Injuries have weakened many of White's skills, but it may not cost the Ravens much to see if he can help a porous secondary.

The Cowboys' season appears to be over, but they are only 3-4. It's not too late yet. They're not going “all in” as they said months ago, but no team needs a running back more than Dallas. They waived Derrick Henry, claiming they couldn't afford him, and their equity in the position is obvious. The move here was supposed to mean Alvin Kamara going to the Cowboys, but the Saints gave Kamara a contract extension, a sign that they're going to hold onto him for some stupid reason. Mostert is 32 and cheap enough for Jerry Jones to take him, and the Dolphins should find reps for rookie Jaylen Wright. And the 2-5 Dolphins shouldn't be holding on to a 32-year-old running back anyway.

The veteran cornerback is in the final year of his contract and it's not like the Patriots should hold on to older players. The Chiefs are short on cornerbacks, one of the few weak spots in their defense. It would have made sense for the Chiefs and Patriots to find a way to include Jones in the trade when Josh Uche moved to Kansas City. Nevertheless, it would make sense for both sides.

The Falcons traded for Matthew Judon and are still near the bottom of the NFL with 15 sacks. Maybe another trade would help. Smith has five sacks this season and the Browns shouldn't talk themselves into making the playoffs at 2-6. Smith could help a Falcons team that appears to be on track to win the NFC South after beating the Buccaneers.

The Chargers are 4-3 in the playoff mix. They are also one of the thinnest receiver teams in the NFL. Rookie Ladd McConkey was good, but Joshua Palmer didn't do much and Quentin Johnston faded after a slow start. Thielen could make sense as a short-term help for Justin Herbert. The Panthers shouldn't ask much for a 34-year-old who is having a quiet season, and it would give Thielen a chance to be on a decent team toward the end of his career.

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