Sorting through the fallout from the NFL trade deadline in real time can be as complicated as orchestrating the deals themselves.
The annual cutoff for swaps arrives 4 p.m. ET Nov. 4, and an event that’s taken on added significance in recent years could once again prove plenty meaningful for contenders and rebuilding teams alike. So far, the action leading up to the deadline itself has been relatively muted. But that could change in the final stretch as teams mull whether to sell off – or buy – major contributors ahead of the stretch run.
With that said, here are our initial grades from all the deals completed during the week of the NFL trade deadline:
Los Angeles Chargers’ grade in Trevor Penning trade: B-
There’s probably no way to cobble together a viable protection plan for Justin Herbert after losing both Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater for the season. It was a good idea for the Bolts to try something, though.
Penning was moved to left guard by the Saints, but he should get another shot at sticking at his more natural position of offensive tackle. He can be a bit penalty-prone and wild as a pass protector, but he fits the Chargers’ style of play and has shown promising play in the run game. Given the shortage of other moves at the Chargers’ disposal, it was worth it to at least take a shot.
New Orleans Saints’ grade in Trevor Penning trade: B
Another expiring contract, another deal. The Saints didn’t have much reason to forge on with a former first-round pick who’s been a disappointment at multiple spots, and his departure shouldn’t set rookie quarterback Tyler Shough back considerably. Getting any draft return back for him was worthwhile.
Dallas Cowboys’ grade in Quinnen Williams trade: B+
After trading Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, Jones made it known that he had inquired with the Jets about Williams in a possible deal that would have included both the star edge rusher and defensive tackle. Turns out he just needed to circle back.
The Williams deal will no doubt be evaluated in tandem with the Parsons swap. Regardless of whether Dallas is actually better off this way, it’s clear that this was Jones’ preferred route. He lands one of the league’s best defensive tackles in Williams, who meets the owner’s marks as both an elite run stuffer and pass rusher, while putting him alongside another stout interior figure in Kenny Clark. (There’s the little matter of how to deploy the two along with Osa Odighizuwa, but Jones, coach Brian Schottenheimer and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus will sort that out later.) There’s also much better financial flexibility here, with Williams signed through 2027 on a deal that has him as just the seventh-highest-paid defensive tackle.
The question here is the draft capital. The Cowboys are set to send the higher of their two 2027 first-round picks to the Jets, according to multiple reports. If that ends up as a top-10 or top-15 pick, it’ll be hard to swallow. But Dallas still has two first-rounders this year thanks to the Parsons deal, and it could be well-positioned to land a needed edge rusher to help the defensive front get its full reset.
There might be too much work to be done on the 31st-ranked scoring defense for Williams’ arrival to save a 3-5-1 campaign. But the move changes the complexion of a unit short on any hope of a turnaround, and the future is bright.
New York Jets’ grade in Quinnen Williams trade: A-
So much of Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey’s beginning with the Jets seemed to entail the new regime fighting against the current of the roster’s existing setup. Tuesday marked an abrupt shift, with the organization essentially conceding that it was going to take a much longer view in getting Gang Green to a point of competitiveness.
In a trade deadline that seemed to lack buzz due to a shortage of sellers, the Jets changed everything by essentially declaring everything – or at least their most valuable assets, including cornerback Sauce Gardner – must go. And at 1-7 with myriad problems, Gang Green had every reason to confront the full scope of its problems.
Williams had relatively modest production this season. His 10% pass-rush win rate ranks just 17th among defensive tackles, according to ESPN, while he’s notched just one sack. But it’s impossible to separate his play from the lack of support around him, with teams able to frequently double-team him and cater their game plans toward neutralizing him.
What matters now for New York, however, is that the team owns five first-round draft picks in the span of the next two years. There’s essentially a blank slate in Florham Park, and Jets brass will have immense resources in shaping their future to their liking.
Seattle Seahawks’ grade in Rashid Shaheed trade: B
This move might not have the same degree of necessity and urgency as others completed today. But it’s unquestionably fun.
The Seahawks have bombarded opponents with their deep passing game, with Sam Darnold leading the pack with 9.6 average intended air yards per attempt, according to Next Gen Stats. Between having the NFL’s leading receiver in Jaxon Smith-Njigba and several other solid targes, Darnold wasn’t hurting for weapons. But there’s little question that Shaheed can do immense damage in Klint Kubiak’s system with his downfield speed. Expect his 11.3 yards per catch this season to tick way, way up – perhaps closer or even past the 17.5 he posted in 2024.
Giving up fourth- and fifth-round picks might seem like a little bit much, but a player who can fly like this is worth the flier.
New Orleans Saints’ grade in Rashid Shaheed trade: B
The Saints have long resisted a full-scale rebuild. But with the team sinking to 1-8, it was high time to sell off some pieces that didn’t figure into the long term for Kellen Moore and Co.
With Chris Olave trending toward an extension candidate, New Orleans is able to avoid a complete reconfiguration of its receiving corps as it tries to get a half-season look at second-round quarterback Tyler Shough. But Shaheed’s ability to stretch the field made him a popular option for contenders, so selling him to the highest bidder was good business.
Indianapolis Colts’ grade in Sauce Gardner trade: C-
Where did this version of Chris Ballard come from?
Getting uncharacteristically bold has served the Colts general manager extremely well in the past few months, as his more aggressive moves helped set the table for Indianapolis’ resurgence. This, however, is the kind of move that Ballard might have laughed off as pure fantasy or speculation in previous years. Now, it’s his reality.
There’s strong incentive for Indianapolis to try to fully capitalize on what it has this season. And at 25, Gardner can be an asset for years to come. But this was an exorbitant price to pay for a player already due a massive sum.
If Gardner had lived up to his first two seasons in which he quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier cover men, there would be no pushback. But he’s surrendered a 118.8 passer rating when targeted this season, according to Next Gen Stats. Indianapolis is clearly buying that any issues are the product of the Jets’ wider defensive shortcomings. That might be at least partially true, but it’s a substantial gamble to make.
Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has done impressive work to revitalize what had been a static unit, and getting more reliable coverage on the back end could make Indianapolis a much more legitimate threat in the AFC. Yet cornerback play is inherently volatile, which typically means heavy investments there can quickly prove regrettable. If this leads to a deep playoff run, Ballard will be celebrated. But if he doesn’t, he’ll be hearing for quite a while that he got lost in the Sauce.
New York Jets’ grade in Sauce Gardner trade: A
Moving on from Gardner less than six months after making him the league’s highest-paid cornerback seems like an almost unfathomable outcome for the Jets, even amid what’s shaping up to be an expansive rebuild. But with this return, there’s little question that it was the right decision.
The Jets’ problems are far bigger than any one player, and there’s no ending the league’s longest playoff drought without substantial upheaval. The new regime clearly thought Gardner would be a cornerstone, but maybe something changed along the way in the first half of the season. Regardless, the list of players who are worth at least two first-round picks is extremely short, and it’s hard to say that Gardner belongs on it given the nature of his position and how he’s fared as of late.
Amid plenty of unrest with a 1-7 start, Gang Green now truly can preach patience. The Jets can target their quarterback of the future early this year while still using a premium pick elsewhere to boost the roster. And New York will also be able to allot much of the money and cap space that was set to go to Gardner in the coming years elsewhere.
Getting Mitchell, a talented wideout who needed a change of scenery after his regrettable goal-line fumble earlier this season, is icing on the cake.
Jacksonville Jaguars’ grade in Jakobi Meyers trade: B
James Gladstone is at it gain.
The Jaguars’ hyperaggressive general manager took another page from the Los Angeles Rams’ playbook and pursued a veteran at a key spot at the trade deadline. The splash factor doesn’t measure up to what Les Snead has delivered in previous years, but it still aids Jacksonville’s surprise resurgence in the AFC South.
For all of the progress the Jaguars have made in Liam Coen’s inaugural season at the helm, the passing attack still hasn’t clicked. Jacksonville ranks just 25th in expected points added per pass play at -0.11, according to Next Gen Stats. That’s primarily a Lawrence problem, but it’s also clear he hasn’t gotten the support everyone expected from Brian Thomas Jr. in the receiver’s wildly disappointing second pro season. Meanwhile, Travis Hunter has yet to fully take off on either side of the ball and is now on injured reserve.
Las Vegas Raiders grade in Jakobi Meyers trade: B+
When the Raiders refused to grant Meyers his preseason trade request, it served as the franchise’s latest commitment to competing in the near term. That plan has obviously gone awry in a 2-6 campaign in which Las Vegas remains a distant fourth in the AFC West. Now, however, the Silver and Black confront a harsh reality: This season is beyond saving.
Getting a fourth- and sixth-rounder for Meyers, who didn’t figure to be back in 2026, is a nice return for a team with abundant needs. With a massive war chest of cap space for 2026 – currently projected to be more than $100 million, per Over The Cap – the Raiders also couldn’t expect to capitalize off Meyers’ likely departure in free agency with a compensatory pick.
For the short term, this remains the Brock Bowers show, with the All-Pro tight end sure to vacuum up plenty of targets from Geno Smith. There’s a chance for Las Vegas to bring along Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Jack Bech, but both rookies are off to slow starts and could face competition from veteran Tyler Lockett, who signed with the team last week.
Dallas Cowboys’ grade in Logan Wilson trade: C-
It’s not quite the equivalent of a defensive version of the Jonathan Mingo trade, but this seems like an awfully big kerfuffle for a so-so return.
Yes, Jones gets a proven entity and team captain who just a year ago was a formidable presence against the run. A hard-nosed and savvy approach on that front no doubt endeared Wilson to Jones, especially amid the defense continuing to be gashed in the ground game. But it was clear before his benching that the 29-year-old had fallen off, whether it was getting to plays a step later or whiffing on tackles more often once he was in position to do something.
Most of all, it’s difficult to see how this move does much to transform a unit that has so far to go before it can offer up any kind of consistent resistance under coordinator Matt Eberflus. The post-Micah Parsons pass rush isn’t where it should be, and Wilson’s blitzing skills won’t significantly shift the outlook there. The coverage problems extend far beyond one player, and that’s far from Wilson’s strong suit.
Maybe the veteran adds a degree of stability to a unit that’s been far too shaky while leaning on Kenneth Murray. But the eventual return of DeMarvion Overshown seems like the change that’s actually going to make a difference here.
Cincinnati Bengals’ grade in Logan Wilson trade: C
Can’t fault Cincinnati for trying something different amid its defense’s historically woeful run. At the same time, though, it’s hard to square exactly what this does for the Bengals in both the short and long term.
One thing is clear: It’s now up to Barrett Carter, who bumped Wilson from his starting role, and fellow rookie Demetrius Knight Jr. to lead the second level of this unit given that there’s no support coming from anywhere else.
“I see a very high ceiling in Barrett,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said last month. “I see qualities in him I wanted to see more of. The only way to do that is expand the role.”
It’s one thing to clear a path to playing time for the fourth-round pick. But Wilson was still the most reliable presence for a linebacker group that has been badly out of sorts, with the Chicago Bears’ 283-yard rushing effort against the Bengals on Sunday marking a new low.
Taylor had previously said that Wilson handled his demotion ‘really well” and had ‘done a great job with the young linebackers.’ What, then, is the upside to a split that netted a seventh-round draft pick? Unless the Bengals are also preparing to deal Trey Hendrickson and look ahead to 2026, not much is truly gained here.
A third-round pick in 2020, Wilson helped fuel the Bengals’ emergence alongside his more heralded offensive teammates. As Cincinnati tries to build up on defense, it’ll need to find more mid-round his like him in the near future.
Baltimore Ravens’ grade in Dre’Mont Jones trade: B
The seventh-year veteran probably doesn’t move the needle much for a team that looks poised for a potential second-half rally. Still, even if Jones becomes a serviceable part of Baltimore’s pass-rushing rotation, this move might be well worth it. The 6-foot-3, 281-pounder can be an inside-outside threat for a defensive front that’s clearly smarting from Nnamdi Madubuike’s season-ending neck injury. If Baltimore truly wanted to transform a pass rush that has bagged just 11 sacks in eight games, it might need to take an additional step before Tuesday’s cutoff. But adding depth and flexibility was a smart move.
Tennessee Titans’ grade in Dre’Mont Jones trade: B+
The fire sale is on in Nashville, and it was wise for Titans brass to make Jones their latest veteran flip after also dealing cornerback Roger McCreary to the Rams. Tennessee was able to sell somewhat high on Jones after he posed 1 1/2 sacks and eight pressures against the injury-ravaged Los Angeles Chargers. Given the veteran pass rusher’s ceiling, a fifth-round pick was a fine return. The compensation pick math is squarely working against Tennessee for 2027, so recouping value here was the right choice.
Philadelphia Eagles’ grade in Jaelan Phillips trade: B-
Howie Roseman wasn’t going to toil in the bargain bin of trade deadline action for long. After bringing aboard cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Michael Carter II last week, the architect of the Eagles once again got bold with what could be one of the most sizable moves before Tuesday’s cutoff.
Phillips is plenty talented and legitimately changes the outlook of an edge-rushing group that still sorely misses the injured Nolan Smith – as well as the departed Josh Sweat. Philadelphia will add more juice to a defense that has yet to reach anything close to last season’s championship form.
The incentive here is understandable, with Philly wanting to give itself every edge – wordplay not intended – to repeat. But the price is steep for getting either a half-year rental or a jump on a player set to hit the open market anyway. Fangio surely was drawn to a player whom he helped reach 6 1/2 sacks in eight games in 2023, when the defensive coordinator held the same position for the Dolphins. But Phillips isn’t the same player that Fangio last coached given that each of his last two seasons has ended with a significant injury (torn Achilles and torn anterior cruciate ligament). There’s also some potential to mitigate the cost here by playing the comp pick game as adeptly as Roseman tends to do, but there aren’t many sure things about this swap.
Phillips might reconfigure the Eagles’ pass rush, but he seems unlikely to revolutionize it. But with no Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby or (potentially) Trey Hendrickson within reach, this was likely the Eagles’ best option before February.
Miami Dolphins’ grade in Jaelan Phillips trade: B+
The calculus here isn’t nearly as complicated for Miami. A non-contender that’s in the process of bottoming out clearly needed to take advantage of a sellers’ market. The only question was whether the Dolphins would actually pull the trigger on moving one of its most valuable assets.
For a long stretch, it appeared as though the answer was no, given how the franchise’s embattled leadership appeared intent on clawing back to some semblance of relevance this season. But things shifted significantly with Friday’s parting with general manager Chris Grier. The timing seemed to suggest an interest in changing approach before the trade deadline and capitalizing on a potential sell-off.
Re-signing or franchising Phillips didn’t seem to make much sense for an organization that could be facing an extended timeline before it’s competitive again, so facing reality and selling him off to the highest bidder was the best option for getting a rebuild going. A third-round pick was likely the ceiling for a gifted player who has an injury history and is on an expiring contract.
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