Bleacher Report 2023 NFL Trade Deadline Grades and Analysis
In Week 8, we saw some separation between playoff contenders and teams that should focus on the long-term future just in time for the October 31 NFL trade deadline.
Several clubs could make a decision to acquire players in a push for the postseason or trade them to compile draft capital for the next couple of years.
On Tuesday, the Washington Commanders pivoted in their defensive plans, trading a Pro Bowl player to the San Francisco 49ers in a blockbuster transaction and moving another starter who's on track for his best season.
The Minnesota Vikings acquired veteran insurance at quarterback with Kirk Cousins set to start his recovery from a torn Achilles. Is it enough to keep them in the playoff picture?
A few playoff-contending teams opted to strengthen weak areas on the roster—one of those transactions included an All-Pro safety, but don't overlook some of the smaller deals that may help these squads on a postseason run.
We broke down and graded all of the trades over the past week with emphasis on what it means for each team for the remainder of this season and next year.
Bills Acquire CB Rasul Douglas from Packers
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Buffalo Bills Receive: CB Rasul Douglas and 2024 5th-round pick
The Buffalo Bills made a significant move to strengthen the boundary of their secondary as they push for their fourth consecutive AFC East title.
According to CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones, the Bills acquired cornerback Rasul Douglas and a 2024 fifth-round pick from the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a 2024 third-round selection.
Even though the Bills field the 10th-ranked pass defense that's only allowed eight touchdowns in eight games, they added a much-needed starter.
Bills cornerbacks Dane Jackson and Christian Benford have allowed passer ratings of 120.8 and 105, respectively. Meanwhile, 2022 first-rounder Kaiir Elam hasn't been able to crack the starting lineup, which raises concerns about his early progress. Don't forget that Tre'Davious White tore his Achilles in Week 4.
Based on recent production, Douglas will be the Bills' top boundary cornerback. Over three seasons with the Packers, he recorded 32 pass breakups and 10 interceptions. Though Douglas has struggled this season, the veteran cover man can generate more takeaways for an underwhelming cornerback group.
Sure, the Bills gave up an early-round draft pick for Douglas, but they're in win-now mode and needed help on the back end. Buffalo also added a fifth-round pick, which is a plus.
Grade: B
Green Bay Packers Receive: 2024 3rd-round pick
The Packers opted to move on from Douglas, who's under contract through the 2024 season.
For most of his time in Green Bay, Douglas has been a solid defender who can get his hands on the ball, but he's also prone to giving up big plays as well.
In seven games this season, Douglas has recorded six pass breakups and an interception, but he's also surrendered four touchdowns and a 109 passer rating in coverage.
While we can understand the Bills dealing with the good and the bad in Douglas' game, the Packers cannot afford the gamble with an offense that's ranked 21st in scoring.
Green Bay managed to get a solid return for a player who can be hit-or-miss with his coverage.
Grade: B+
Browns Send WR Donovan Peoples-Jones to Lions
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Detroit Lions Receive: WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
Following a Monday Night Football win over the Las Vegas Raiders, the Detroit Lions added depth and perhaps a little more to their wide receiver room.
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Lions sent a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns for Donovan Peoples-Jones.
Detroit has a lead wide receiver in Amon-Ra St. Brown and a decent No. 2 option in Josh Reynolds, but 2022 first-rounder Jameson Williams has come along slowly because of injuries and a four-game suspension, hauling in just seven passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns in 10 career games.
Peoples-Jones, who's from Michigan, can fill a void in the passing game if the Lions have concerns about Williams' development.
Last year, Peoples-Jones caught 61 passes for 839 yards and three touchdowns in 17 contests (14 starts). Thus far this season, he's seen a significant drop-off in his target share with Elijah Moore coming over from the New York Jets this past offseason.
At 6'2", 204 pounds, averaging 15.7 yards per catch for his career, Peoples-Jones can provide the big plays that the Lions hoped to see from Williams on a consistent basis. Detroit gave up next to nothing for a player who can easily climb its depth chart.
Grade: B
Cleveland Browns Receive: 2025 6th-round pick
Last year, Peoples-Jones posted career highs in catches and receiving yards, but he had no chance to match those numbers with quarterback Deshaun Watson battling a shoulder injury, Moore in the fold and David Njoku making contributions as a reliable pass-catching tight end.
On an expiring contract, Peoples-Jones would've likely hit free agency in 2024. So the Browns made the decision to get something for him now, which makes sense, but a late-round pick in two years doesn't move the needle at all.
Cleveland made a logical move that doesn't have any impact on the short-term future, though it's better to get a draft pick for an underutilized player than allow him to walk in free agency for nothing.
Grade: C
49ers Acquire DE Chase Young from Commanders
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San Francisco 49ers Receive: DE Chase Young
While concerns about San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy have surfaced in headlines over the past few weeks, the team took a big swing to bolster its defense.
According to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer, the 49ers acquired Chase Young from the Washington Commanders in exchange for a 2024 conditional third-round pick. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported it's a third-round compensatory pick.
San Francisco's defense isn't as dominant as last year's unit. Some may point to the departure of former defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, who accepted the Houston Texans' head coaching job. For now, the 49ers opted to beef up their defensive front.
Through eight weeks, the 49ers are ninth in pressure rate (25 percent), but they're tied for 18th in sacks (18).
Young, who has recorded 18 pressures and five sacks in seven games this season, should provide an immediate impact opposite 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa.
When the 49ers take the field on the other side of their Week 9 bye, they should have a stout defense that can once again hold opponents to a bare minimum on the scoreboard. Even if Young leaves in free agency, a compensatory third-round pick isn't a big price to pay for a potentially impactful rental.
Grade: A
Washington Commanders Receive: 2024 3rd-Round Pick
The Commanders have hit the reset button on the edges of their defensive line. After they dealt Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears (h/t ESPN's Adam Schefter), this deal came down the pipeline hours later.
In fairness, the Commanders had the 31st-ranked scoring defense with Young and Sweat, so the front office will likely replace them with rookies and veterans on modest deals next offseason.
However, Washington should've kept one of the two productive defensive ends. The club will have a projected $91.5 million in cap space next year, which is the fourth-most across the league, per Over the Cap.
Yes, the Commanders can use their draft capital to rebuild the front end of a disappointing defensive unit, but they could've matched a proven pass-rusher with a young player on the perimeter. Now, defensive tackles Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen must generate most of the pocket pressure.
Washington will need to draft well or spend its money wisely next offseason to replace Sweat and Young.
Grade: D
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Vikings Send G Ezra Cleveland to Jaguars
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Jacksonville Jaguars Receive: G Ezra Cleveland
The Jacksonville Jaguars reinforced their offensive line with a young guard who can upgrade their interior pass protection and run blocking.
According to CBS Sports' Josina Anderson, the Jaguars traded a 2024 sixth-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings for starting left guard Ezra Cleveland.
Cleveland has started in 49 out of 53 games in four seasons with the Vikings and has experience on both sides of the line. He's earned a solid overall grade (73.8) from Pro Football Focus while allowing just one sack this season.
Once Cleveland recovers from a foot injury, he'll likely start over Tyler Shatley, who's earned a poor overall grade (46.5) from Pro Football Focus for the 2023 term.
If Cleveland starts and plays well in Jacksonville, the team could offer him an extension before he hits free agency in 2024. The Jaguars potentially acquired a long-term piece for their offensive line, which would benefit franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Grade: A
Minnesota Vikings Receive: 2024 6th-round pick
Cleveland hasn't played since Week 6 because of his foot injury, which allowed Dalton Risner to play at left guard and start at the position last week.
For the Vikings, this transaction makes sense if the front office believes it can sign Risner to a cheaper deal than what Cleveland would've commanded on the open market next year. Otherwise, Minnesota is looking at a reset for one of its guard spots.
Following a decent start against the Green Bay Packers, Risner will likely hold on to the starting left guard job for the remainder of the season.
The Vikings didn't hurt their ability to compete for a playoff spot with this transaction, and if they plan to re-sign Risner on a modest extension, the front office will save some money. Yet Minnesota takes a risk with an older guard who didn't generate a ton of buzz on the free-agent market this past offseason.
Grade: C-
Vikings Acquire QB Joshua Dobbs from Cardinals
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Minnesota Vikings Receive: QB Joshua Dobbs and 2024 7th-round pick
The Minnesota Vikings have patched up their quarterback situation, potentially for the remainder of the season.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Vikings acquired Joshua Dobbs from the Arizona Cardinals.
In the absence of Kirk Cousins, who tore his Achilles last Sunday, Dobbs can stabilize the Vikings offense with his starting experience if rookie fifth-rounder Jaren Hall isn't ready to take over the huddle. Dobbs opened the season under center for the Cardinals as the fill-in replacement for Kyler Murray, who is close to a return from a torn ACL.
This season, Dobbs has thrown for 1,569 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions with a 62.8 percent completion rate and rushed for 258 yards and three touchdowns. Based on those numbers, he's a decent stopgap quarterback who can add another wrinkle to the Vikings offense with his legs.
In the first few weeks of the season, Dobbs helped a rebuilding Cardinals squad stay competitive in games and even led the team in an upset victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3.
However, he's struggled in his last four starts, throwing for four touchdowns and five interceptions with a completion rate below 58 percent in three of those outings.
If called upon to start over Hall, perhaps Dobbs sees a spike in passing production with emerging rookie wide receiver Jordan Addison and star wideout Justin Jefferson, who could return from a hamstring injury at some point this season.
Grade: C
Arizona Cardinals Receive: 2024 6th-round pick
As Murray prepares for his season debut, the Cardinals prepared to pivot away from Dobbs in the coming weeks.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Arizona planned to start Murray or rookie fifth-round quarterback Clayton Tune in its next matchup with the Cleveland Browns.
Dobbs' struggles in recent weeks coupled with Murray's imminent return are clear reasons it makes sense that the Cardinals moved on from the former.
Moreover, Dobbs has an expiring contract, so it's unlikely that the Cardinals had him in their long-term plans. They flipped a journeyman quarterback into draft capital, which will go toward Year 2 of a rebuild under a new regime led by general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon, which is a small win for Arizona.
Grade: C+
Commanders Deal DE Montez Sweat to Bears
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Chicago Bears Receive: DE Montez Sweat
The Chicago Bears had to fill a major void in their punchless pass rush. Through Week 8, they have the fewest sacks (10) and the third-fewest pressures (46) in the league.
On Tuesday, the Bears addressed that issue by sending a 2024 second-round pick to the Washington Commanders for edge-rusher Montez Sweat, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
In eight games this season, Sweat has recorded 6.5 sacks and 19 pressures. He's on pace for career highs in both categories. On top of that, Sweat has registered 10 tackles for loss, which is only five shy of his career-best mark.
Assuming the Bears plan to keep Sweat beyond his 2023 contract year, he's a potential building block for defensive-minded head coach Matt Eberflus' front line. They're projected to have the most cap space ($110-plus million) in 2024, so the club has the resources to sign Sweat to a long-term contract.
For now, Chicago has a solid edge-rushing duo with Sweat set to join forces with Yannick Ngakoue.
Though the rebuilding Bears gave up a second-round pick, they needed another playmaker for their 30th-ranked pass defense, especially since they're allowing cornerback Jaylon Johnson to seek a trade, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Sweat is certainly worth the cost.
Grade: A
Washington Commanders Receive: 2024 2nd-round pick
The Commanders had two edge-rushers on expiring contracts in Sweat and Chase Young, and they traded both players on Tuesday.
The Commanders signed defensive tackle Daron Payne to a four-year, $90 million extension this past offseason. They likely wanted to avoid investing a ton of money into their front line with a defense that's allowing the second-most points and fourth-most yards per game.
Initially, it seemed as though Washington chose Young over Sweat, but they're going to completely start over on the edges, which makes this a questionable deal.
The Commanders will likely use one of their five picks between Rounds 1 and 3 on an edge-rusher as they look to revamp their defensive line in the offseason.
Though they received a solid return for Sweat, the front office decimated the strength of the defense with the first of two significant trades.
Grade: C-
Eagles Trade DL Kentavius Street to Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons Receive: DL Kentavius Street and 2025 7th-Round Pick
In a light splash before the deadline, the Atlanta Falcons added depth to their defensive front.
On Monday, the Philadelphia Eagles announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that they traded Kentavius Street and a 2025 seventh-round pick to the Falcons.
Atlanta needed help up front after defensive tackle Grady Jarrett tore his ACL on Sunday. At 6'2", 287 pounds, Street can line up inside and shift outside in odd-man fronts. In a rotational role, he can generate pocket pressure and make plays in the backfield.
In stints with the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers between 2021 and 2022, Street recorded 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss.
Assuming Street sees the field right away, he'll complement Calais Campbell and David Onyemata on the defensive line.
Nonetheless, Street isn't quite a needle-mover who will significantly boost Atlanta's sack total (15), which is tied for the second-lowest across the league.
Grade: C+
Philadelphia Eagles Receive: 2024 6th-Round Pick
The Eagles have a surplus of defensive linemen/pass-rushers with Haason Reddick, Fletcher Cox, Jalen Carter, Josh Sweat, Jordan Davis, Brandon Graham and Derek Barnett.
In eight games, which included one start, this season, Street only played 17 percent of the team's defensive snaps. He needed a change of scenery to get more time on the field.
Philadelphia packaged a player who didn't have a steady role among a crowded defensive line with a late 2025 draft pick to acquire Day 3 capital in next year's draft, which is a decent move.
Grade: C+
Seahawks Acquire DL Leonard Williams from Giants
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Seattle Seahawks Receive: DT Leonard Williams
According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Seattle Seahawks sent a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fifth-rounder to the New York Giants for Leonard Williams. Pelissero also noted that the Giants will rework Williams' contract to facilitate the transaction.
Atop the NFC West, the Seahawks are clearly in win-now mode. That explains why they made a move for Williams, who's in the last year of his contract.
Seattle could afford to give up a second-round pick because it has an extra 2024 third-rounder from a 2023 draft-day trade with the Denver Broncos. Still, the Seahawks gave up premium compensation for a defensive tackle who turns 30 in June and whose production has dipped over the past few seasons.
Perhaps the Seahawks can get more out of Williams than the Giants did over the past two seasons. Pete Carroll, a defensive-minded head coach, may be able to help the versatile defensive tackle play at a high level again.
The Seahawks can only hope Williams provides a boost to their middling 21.1 percent pressure rate, which ranks 15th leaguewide. They gave up a premium pick for a player at a non-premium position, but the move makes sense.
Grade: B-
New York Giants Receive: 2024 2nd-round pick and 2025 5th-round pick
At 2-6, the Giants should be holding a fire sale at the trade deadline. General manager Joe Schoen must get the best deal possible for players who won't be around beyond the 2023 season.
Schoen did the best he could with this transaction, which is a big plus for a Giants squad likely headed for a rebuild on his watch.
Williams is set to become a free agent next offseason and was likely on his way out of New York one way or another. Rather than risk losing him for nothing, the Giants flipped him for a second-round pick this year and a Day 3 selection in 2025.
The Giants can use that second-round pick to address one of their many needs on either side of the ball. They're now in line to have four top-70 picks in the 2024 draft.
Grade: A
Eagles Acquire S Kevin Byard from Titans
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Philadelphia Eagles Receive: S Kevin Byard
The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported that the Philadelphia Eagles sent safety Terrell Edmunds along with 2024 fifth- and sixth-round picks to the Tennessee Titans for two-time All-Pro safety Kevin Byard.
Eagles executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman has developed a reputation for striking aggressive deals to improve his roster in the short term. He hit this one out of the park.
Roseman swapped out Edmunds, a solid safety who's at his best in the box, for one of the league's best cover safeties. Though Byard has yet to pick off a pass this season, he logged 27 interceptions and 59 pass breakups between the 2017 and 2022 seasons.
Byard will provide an immediate boost to the Eagles' 18th-ranked pass defense. Furthermore, Philadelphia needed help at the position with Reed Blankenship battling a rib injury, which forced him to sit out in Week 7.
Eagles Grade: A
Tennessee Titans Receive: S Terrell Edmunds, 2024 5th-round pick, 2024 6th-round pick
The Titans made the first transaction to initiate a youth reboot for an older roster. After this move, the front office may continue to shift its focus toward the future. Tennessee gave up one of its top defensive playmakers, who's in his age-30 term, for a 26-year-old safety on an expiring deal
Remember, the Titans approached Byard about a pay cut this past offseason, and he refused to reduce his salary, per NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe. Months later, the club restructured his contract, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Essentially, the Titans moved on from an expensive, aging safety as new general manager Ran Carthon prepares to reshape the roster. At least he acquired a young player to evaluate at the same position along with draft capital, but the Titans should've been able to get at least a fourth-round pick for an All-Pro player, so they get a C for this transaction.
Titans Grade: C
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