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The Los Angeles Rams are a good example of how the NFL trading block changes every week.
The Rams looked like sellers a week ago. Then they brought back Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, beat the Minnesota Vikings to improve to 3-4, and may not be sellers anymore. Although maybe that will change again before the deadline next Tuesday.
With a lot of bad teams in the NFL coming into the deadline, there should be a lot of sellers, a lot of buyers and we should have a lot of action at the deadline. Here are 10 operations that must be performed:
49ers trade for Jets WR Davante Adams
When the Jets traded for Adams, it was a bad idea. Everyone knew it. They were chasing their losses. And now, with the Jets 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 number one 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’s no good reason for the Jets to keep him. Realistically, a trade isn’t going to happen because the Jets are a fire organization, but it should happen.
Lions trade for DE Chase Young
Let’s not entertain fantasies of Maxx Crosby or Myles Garrett being moved. The Raiders and Browns may not be good, but they won’t trade those franchise players unless someone makes a ridiculous offer. That doesn’t mean the Lions couldn’t make a smaller deal to help replace Aidan Hutchinson. There are a few options, but Young offers some advantages. He’s far from perfect, but if healthy and motivated he can be an effective pass rusher for a Super Bowl contending team, as he was for the 49ers last season. And the Saints… well, let’s talk about them.
Saints trade with almost everyone
No team needs a complete reset more than the Saints. They have been stuck in mediocrity for a while and in the last six games they have collapsed. It’s time to tear it down. They have plenty of veterans who could help a team win, such as 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 to Kamara is a sign that the NFL’s least forward-thinking team will hold on to its veterans, which would be really foolish and totally in the Saints’ favor. At the very least, Young and his one-year contract should be negotiated. We’ll see.
Vikings trade for Jaguars LT Cam Robinson
Offensive linemen are hard to find in trades (even bad teams don’t want their quarterbacks destroyed), but the Jaguars have some who could provide a lot of value in a trade. Three names that have been speculated about are tackle Cam Robinson, guard Brandon Scherff and tackle Walker Little. Robinson makes a lot of sense for the Vikings, who just lost left tackle Christian Darrisaw to a season-ending knee injury. The Seahawks should also be in contact with the Jaguars, because they could use some help on the line as well. If the Jaguars decide to trade one or two linemen, they will have plenty of interested teams.
Steelers trade for Panthers WR Diontae Johnson
Yes, it would be strange. This offseason, the Steelers traded Johnson and have been trying to replace him ever since. The Steelers need a receiver and the Panthers should probably trade Johnson. Perhaps last season’s chemistry issues prevented a move. But it seems to fit pretty well, doesn’t it?
Ravens trade for Rams CB Tre’Davious White
The Ravens are a very good team with a big problem. They arguably have the worst pass defense in the NFL. Baltimore has allowed a passer rating of 115.3, second-worst in the NFL and only better than the Lions. The Ravens are allowing an NFL-worst 291.4 passing yards per game, 20 more than any other team. The Rams confirmed they have given White, who was once an All-Pro with the Bills, permission to search for a business. Injuries have sapped much of White’s ability, but it might not take much for the Ravens to figure out if he can help a porous secondary.
Cowboys trade for Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert
The Cowboys’ season appears to be over, but they are only 3-4. It’s not too late. They’re not going “all-in” as was said months ago, but no team needs a running back more than Dallas. They turned down Derrick Henry, saying they couldn’t afford him, and his cheapness in the position shows. The move here should be for Alvin Kamara to go to the Cowboys, but the Saints giving Kamara a contract extension is a sign that they’re going to keep him for some dumb reason. Mostert is 32 years old and cheap enough for Jerry Jones to include him, and the Dolphins should find representatives for rookie Jaylen Wright. And the 2-5 Dolphins shouldn’t keep a 32-year-old running back anyway.
Chiefs trade for Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones
The veteran cornerback is in the final year of his contract, and it’s not like the Patriots should stick with older players. The Chiefs are weak at cornerback, one of the few weaknesses on defense. It would have made sense for the Chiefs and Patriots to find a way to include Jones in the trade when Josh Uche was traded to Kansas City. It would make sense for both parties.
Falcons trade for Browns DE Za’Darius Smith
The Falcons traded for Matthew Judon and still rank near the bottom of the NFL with 15 sacks. Maybe another exchange would be enough. Smith has five sacks this season and the Browns, at 2-6, shouldn’t be convinced they’re in the playoff race. Smith could help a Falcons team that appears to be on track to win the NFC South after sweeping the Buccaneers.
Chargers trade for Panthers WR Adam Thielen
The Chargers are 4-3 and in the playoff mix. They are also one of the leanest teams in the NFL when it comes to receivers. Rookie Ladd McConkey has been good, but Joshua Palmer hasn’t done much and Quentin Johnston faded after a slow start. Thielen could make sense as short-term help for Justin Herbert. The Panthers shouldn’t ask much for a 34-year-old who is having a quiet season, and that would give Thielen a chance to be on a decent team near the end of his career.