NFL trade deadline grades, reactions and tracker for every major deal that gets done.
Will the 2020 NFL trade deadline follow recent history or revert back to the old ways? That’s the question at hand on Tuesday, Nov. 3 when trades must be filed to the league by 4:00 p.m. ET. While the past couple of years have seen a lot of player movement highlighted by big names, the NFL trade deadline has traditionally not been a particularly eventful moment.
Coming into Tuesday, we’ve already seen a number of trades with some notable names on the move. But the question now becomes what else will happen. Rest assured, though, we’re going to be here to break down any trades that do happen and offer some analysis.
With that, let’s go down below as we’ll be tracking every major trade at the NFL trade deadline and handing out grades and reactions to every deal that’s made.
Grades for every big trade at the NFL trade deadline
Tennessee Titans grade: A+ | Los Angeles Chargers grade: C-
While this might be some recency bias, the Tennessee Titans trading for Desmond King is going to be among the best deals made at the NFL trade deadline. Despite a 5-2 start, the Titans secondary has been hit hard with injury, causing problems for the whole defense. King is a versatile former All-Pro who can help tremendously.
Though the Chargers are rich at defensive back, I don’t get why King fell out of favor in Los Angeles or why they felt compelled to move him. Their opinion diminished the value of a player who, based on his talent, could’ve gotten a bit more than a sixth-rounder.
New Orleans Saints grade: B- | San Francisco 49ers grade: B+
This strikes me as a trade that, more or less, didn’t need to be made. Yes, the Saints could use a quality linebacker and Kwon Alexander is a fine player — but is he worth the salary and this move? I’m not sure. For the 49ers, though, I do somewhat like the idea of an injury-ravaged team shedding some money and recouping a bit of value for the player in a move like this.
Pittsburgh Steelers grade: A- | New York Jets grade: B+
Avery Williamson is not the player that Devin Bush was prior to the latter’s injury. Having said that, with Bush out, the Steelers needed a replacement and getting one for such a solid price is a nice move for Pittsburgh. I’m also high on the Jets selling off parts and, frankly, think they should do more of it. They are going nowhere and need as much draft ammo to help the future as possible.
Seattle Seahawks grade: A | Cincinnati Bengals grade: B
Considering the fact that the Seattle Seahawks already gave up a first-round pick for Jamal Adams, they needed to be smart about making any trades. This was that. Carlos Dunlap is a player who can immediately give the pass-rush some life, which they need, and it only cost them a seventh-rounder.
In the case of the Bengals, they had a disgruntled player who is on the wrong side of 30 years old and doesn’t fit their timetable. They had to deal him, so getting something at all in return is a modest win for Cincinnati.
Detroit Lions grade: B+ | Dallas Cowboys grade: B
People ran the Cowboys for having to make this trade but they wanted to get something for a lost investment beyond their control. The Dallas defense has been awful but the Dak injury led to a lost season. For the Lions, they are hoping Griffen can help with a playoff push and addressing an area of weakness with a proven veteran who’s familiar with the division.
Baltimore Ravens grade: A+ | Minnesota Vikings grade: C+
Though not the first trade in the lead-up to the deadline, the Ravens getting Yannick Ngakoue for this price was an absolute fleecing of the Vikings on their part. They get an impact pass-rusher when they need one for less than what Minnesota paid this offseason in their own trade.
For the Vikings, it’s a bad look for the front office to make a big splash trading for Ngakoue only to bottom out this season so badly that it’s wise to trade him away. Props to them for getting some return but it’s still not the best look for Minnesota.