NFL Trade Deadline: Grading Every Deal

The NFL trading deadline came and went, but not before we actually got to see a couple of big names on the move. 

The Oakland Raiders obtaining quarterback Carson Palmer was obviously the biggest deal, and you could argue this move was the biggest we've seen at the deadline in a long time. But other significant moves were made outside of just Palmer.

Let's grade every move that was made before the deadline.

QB Carson Palmer to Raiders

No matter what the compensation, you have to credit the Raiders for going after the best answer at the quarterback position in Carson Palmer. Their hand was forced when Jason Campbell went down for the season with a broken collarbone.

If the Raiders don't make a move, they had to trust the 2011 season in the hands of Kyle Boller. That's essentially admitting a lost year. With Palmer on board, the Raiders now have a legitimate shot at getting to the playoffs.

They had to pay more than what Palmer was worth, but at least they are giving themselves a chance this season.   

Grade: B+

LB Aaron Curry to Raiders

Oakland has never been weary of adding former first round picks who haven't lived up to expectations, and some have even thrived with the Raiders.

Curry fits that bill. Physically, he is everything you could want in a linebacker. But in his three season in Seattle, it never came together like most thought it would. If you remember back, Curry was thought of as one of the safest picks in the 2008 draft.

But for what the Raiders paid for him, giving a former top 5 pick a second chance definitely seems a low-risk, high-reward type of move. 

Grade: A-

WR Brandon Lloyd to Rams

Sure, the Rams are 0-5. But I love this deal for St. Louis. 

Not only are they getting Sam Bradford a Pro Bowl-quality receiver, but they are also reuniting Lloyd and Josh McDaniels, who coached Lloyd just a season ago in Denver. The finest season of Lloyd's career occurred in McDaniels' offense, where he caught 77 passes for 1,448 yards and 11 touchdowns. 

And while Lloyd is a free agent after this season, you'd have to think that St. Louis will get a decent shot at retaining him long term with McDaniels on the staff. 

Grade: A

RB Ronnie Brown to Lions

The Lions are preparing for the impending loss of Jahvid Best, who suffered yet another concussion and could be gone for a significant period of time. 

Brown isn't going to be a guy who steps in and immediately takes over the starting role, but he can add a steady presence for a team that doesn't rely on the running game to move the chains. And really, it's a win for Brown, too, as he wasn't seeing many touches behind LeSean McCoy in Philadelphia.

Brown to the Lions isn't a huge deal, but it's one that seemingly works for both parties. 

Grade: B

Bengals Receive 2 High Picks for Palmer

We're doing this a little differently, as there is no mention of the compensation in any of the other four trades. But it would be terrible to talk about the trading deadline without addressing the highway robbery that Mike Brown and the Bengals committed on Tuesday.

By sending Palmer to Oakland, the Bengals got a guaranteed first round pick and at least a second rounder for a guy who was never going to touch the field for Cincinnati this season. They also clear him off their books financially and can officially turn the page on the Palmer era. 

With six high picks in the first two rounds over the next two years (at least three first rounders, at least three second rounders), the Bengals can put the finishing touches on a franchise that's still in rebuilding mode.

There's really no other way to put it: This was a huge win for the Bengals at the trading deadline.  

Grade: A+