5 Trades to look out for ahead of Deadline Day
By Steve Moyse
Whether they’re looking to put the finishing touches on an otherwise playoff calibre roster or stack up on 2024 Draft capital, GMs across the league are exploring various potential trades in order to help their team.
With the trade deadline on October 31st fast approaching, here are 5 trades that would shake up the NFL.
Brian Burns to the Detroit Lions
The resurgence of the Detroit Lions over the last 18 games has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Currently, in 2023, the Lions are dominating the NFC North with a 5-2 record and have their sights set on winning their first playoff game in over 30 years. While their Offense and Run Defense, Week 7 aside, have continued to take over games, their pass-defense still leaves a lot to be desired.
As of right now, the Lions sit in the bottom 6 for Passing Yards allowed and just outside the bottom 10 for sacks – something that teams, just like the Ravens, will be looking to take advantage of.
If the Lions hope to stay atop the NFC going into 2024, bringing in another Superstar Defensive Line talent to pair with Aidan Hutchinson might be the way forward.
Brian Burns is exactly that.
Since joining the Panthers in 2019, the two-time Pro Bowler has racked up over 40 sacks and proved himself more than capable of dominating off the edge.
With a re-build in full swing for the Panthers, after a 0-6 start to the season, spending big money to extend Burns doesn’t look like something GM Scott Fitterer will be particularly keen on.
Add to that their reduced 2024 draft capital, following the trade with the Bears, and the Panthers could be tempted by a nice selection of picks in return for the 5th year man.
Dalvin Cook to the Minnesota Vikings
When the New York Jets signed him to a 1-year deal in August, the expectations were that Dalvin Cook would come in and immediately overwhelm Defenses. I mean, if Breece Hall could shine as a rookie with this team, imagine what the 4x Pro Bowler could do.
A few months later and the Jets are actively fielding calls for Cook after averaging just 2.8 yards per carry over his first 6 games in green.
While less than ideal for New York, could Cook’s struggles in the ‘Big Apple’ be a blessing in disguise for both him and his old team in Minnesota?
Coming off of a 13-4 record last season, a 1-4 start to the year had Vikings’ fans more than ready to forget 2023 and look ahead to 2024. However, after a solid win in Chicago, and an upset against San Francisco, the Vikings might still stand a chance.
What better way to take the comeback to the next level than by bringing back a player who rushed for over 1,100 yards in each of the teams’ last 4 seasons? Not only that, but bringing him back at a considerably reduced rate, compared to that which he requested when he was released.
Courtland Sutton to the New York Jets
When a team with the talent of the Broncos, and a Super Bowl-winning HC, start a season with a 2-5 record, teams enquiring about players availability becomes a regular occurrence. One player that has been front and centre of a lot of trade discussions – wide receiver Courtland Sutton.
When Sutton signed a 4 year $60.8 million deal, just 1 year removed from tearing his ACL, fans, and critics were sceptical as to how that deal would pan out. Over the 2 years following the extension, Sutton averaged around 800 yards for 2 TDs per year and is on track for 850 yards and 12 TDs this season.
This puts the Broncos and Sutton in an interesting position. While the sub-par QB play that Sutton has overcome these last 3 years makes him a very attractive player for other teams, the stats aren’t impressive enough for the Broncos to deem his contract an essential expense.
Enter the New York Jets.
Between trading away Elijah Moore and Corey Davis retiring, the Jets have a clear hole at WR2 – one which they should hope to fill as they look to make a run at the playoffs.
Not only does Sutton’s big frame, clear talent and durability (post-ACL) tick the Jets’ boxes, but they also have the cap space to take on his contract.
Send a selection of picks across to Denver in exchange, and everyone’s a winner.
Chase Young to the Jacksonville Jaguars
Once upon a time, Chase Young was seen as a Hall of Fame level talent, worthy of being selected 2nd overall by the Commanders. After then winning Defensive Rookie of the Year and earning Pro Bowl honours in 2020, Young looked to be living up to those hefty expectations, and with ease.
Then, after a rough start to the 2021 season, Young tore his ACL and was out for not only the remainder of 2021 but almost the entirety of 2022 too – leading to the Commanders declining his Fifth Year option.
So far this year, Young ranks 16th in the NFL for sacks, while helping the Commanders Defense get off to a respectable start. However, with his contract coming to an end, and his injury history, 2023 feels more like an audition for the other 31 teams.
Through the first 7 games of the year, both sides of the ball just seem to be getting better for the 5-2 Jaguars. That said, with Super Bowl aspirations, they will need to find a way of getting more men to opposing QB’s – currently sitting in the bottom 8 for sacks.
With Young still on his rookie deal, you can bring him in without breaking the bank, watch him immediately boost your pass rush and then make a decision on his future at the end of the year. Meanwhile, the Commanders get trade compensation for a player they were likely moving off anyway.
Garrett Bolles to the Green Bay Packers
While Sean Peyton did say that “[the Broncos are] not looking to do business with any of our players”, I’m sure the proposition of various picks in a very talented draft would be rather tempting – particularly when the call is regarding an O-Lineman coming off of a broken leg.
After being drafted in the 1st round of the 2017 draft, Garrett Bolles didn’t exactly have the ideal start to an NFL career, resulting in the Broncos declining his fifty-ear option. However, a drastic improvement in the 2020 season saw him named 2nd Team All-Pro, which convinced the Broncos to give him a 4-year, $68 million extension – in the hopes that Bolles would help solidify their Offensive Line for years to come.
Over the last 2 seasons though, this O-Line has struggled enormously and possibly left the Broncos contemplating just how necessary Bolles is to their future endeavours.
The Green Bay Packers, on the other hand, could be a team that sees Bolles as the answer to a lot of their problems.
Since Jordan Love took over as QB1, this Packers team have been incredibly up and down – not helped by an unrelenting stream of injuries. For a young QB trying desperately to get his feet under him, one of the most devastating injuries was that to star LT David Bakhtiari, who is out for the year after undergoing knee surgery.
While Bolles isn’t as good as Bakhtiari, he would provide the Packers with a much-needed boost on the offensive line.
Feature Image Credit: Sports Illustrated
Steve Moyse
NFL Analyst
Steve Moyse is a Writer, Podcaster and long suffering New York Jets fan. Stay tuned with his content via Twitter – @steve_moyse