NFL Trade Deadline Reactions

 

    November 1, 2022 will go down as one of the biggest and busiest trade deadlines in all of NFL history. There were a record eleven trades made on deadline day, not to mention a few big trades that happened days prior to the deadline. Let's take a look at the big trades that have happened and see who the winners and losers could potentially be in each scenario.

Nov. 1: Historic 11-trade Deadline Day

Ravens Receive:

• Linebacker Roquan Smith

Bears Receive:

• Linebacker A.J. Klein
• 2023 second-round pick
• 2023 fifth round pick

    This trade is a win for the Ravens as they get a sold run-stopping linebacker. In 2021, Smith had 163 tackles, 85 of them being solo tackles. While his sack numbers and interceptions may not be high, he is a sure tackler who can help an already strong Ravens defense. On the other side of the trade, the Bears get a solid return on a linebacker who is in the last year of his contract, and who will be looking to be paid based on his solid performances in the last few seasons. The Bears are in major rebuild mode, and getting an experienced linebacker who can help the team this year and two draft picks for Smith instead of riding out the contract, was very smart on the Bears' part. We will see how these picks pan out for the Bears to truly know if they got a good deal.

Vikings Receive:

• Tight end T.J. Hockenson
• 2023 fourth-round pick
• 2024 conditional fourth-round pick

Lions receive:

• 2023 second-round pick
• 2024 third-round pick

    This trade was a big trade for both of these teams, the Vikings needing a tight end as their ever-improving option Irv Smith Jr. went down with an injury that will keep him out for 8-10 weeks. The Vikings are currently 6-1 and in first place in the NFC north and seem playoff bound if the season continues the way it has. Getting a pro-bowl caliber tight end in Hockenson helps them exponentially, not to mention gaining a couple of picks as well. The Lions unload an expiring contract in Hockenson and cut some payroll for the coming offseason and add two more draft picks. This trade gives the Lions have 5 picks in the top 65 picks, three of which coming in the first round, the Dolphins having to forfeit their first round pick for the Brian Flores scandal. As it sits currently, this will give them the number 1, 14 and 32 picks of the first round. This will give Brad Holmes and company a chance to show that he really is the draft guru that he is touted as being. This is another win-win trade, if the draft picks pan out.

Bears Receive:

• Wide receiver Chase Claypool

Steelers Receive:

• 2023 second-round pick

    This is going to be a one-sided trade in my opinion as Claypool takes a slight downgrade at the quarterback position from Kenny Pickett to Justin Fields. The only winner in this trade are the Steelers who receive draft capital, and good draft capital at that. Overall, a very low-impact trade that doesn't change much for all parties involved.

Dolphins Receive:

• Linebacker Bradley Chubb
• 2025 fifth-round pick

Broncos receive:

• Running back Chase Edmonds
• 2023 first-round pick
• 2024 fourth-round pick

    This trade will most definitely be a win in the immediate future for the Dolphins, who are looking at making a playoff run this season. This trade bolsters their defense while also unloading a running back that may not fit in their future plans. However, this trade is a loss for one person in particular, Edmonds, as he goes to team who already has a running back committee of Melvin Gordon III and Javonte Williams, providing a steep decline in his production opportunities this season.

Jaguars Receive:

• Wide Receiver Calvin Ridley

Falcons Receive:

• 2023 conditional fifth-round pick
• 2024 conditional second-round pick

    This trade is a win for both of these teams. The Falcons are able to unload the suspended Ridley, who was suspended for the entire 2022 season for gambling on games, and the Jaguars pick up a young 27-year old wide receiver who will get a quarterback upgrade in Trevor Lawrence upon his return in the 2023 season. While this does nothing for either teams 2022 season, it could potentially pay major dividends at in the future. 

    Overall, with 11 trades happening, the day didn't see many big trades. While we only covered the most notable of the trades that happened, it was a historical day for all involved as it was the most trades made on a trade deadline day in NFL history. Watching the rest of the season play out and how these teams will make the most of their draft picks and free agency in the offseason will be fun, stay tuned for more content!