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Best landing spots for top trading targets

VaselineOctober 25, 2024

0 5 minutes read

Best landing spots for top trading targets

We’ve reached the time of year when some players in the NFL change addresses.

There have already been a slew of moves ahead of the NFL’s Nov. 5 trade deadline. More deals could be on the horizon as teams try to prepare for the long haul.

Davante Adams, Amari Cooper and DeAndre Hopkins have already moved on. Rarely do players with a resume of that caliber end up in new uniforms this time of the season. That could mark the start of a busy trade deadline season.

What are some ideal transactions we would like to achieve? USA TODAY Sports explores the best fit for players who could be on the move before the NFL trade deadline:

NFL trade deadline is the best fit

Best fit: Los Angeles Chargers

The Jets demoted Williams to their fourth wide receiver after the team acquired Davante Adams this month. The chemistry between Aaron Rodgers and Williams is off. Rodgers even threw Williams under the bus after the team’s Week 6 loss.

Williams ranks fifth on the Jets in both catches (11) and receiving yards (160). In his first season in New York, he has become an afterthought. One concern is whether Williams is still working on a torn ACL from 2023. He hasn’t shown much talent since his knee injury that occurred during Week 3 of last season while he was a member of the Chargers.

The Chargers desperately need an X receiver that Justin Herbert can go to on third down and in the red zone. Los Angeles ranks in the bottom half of the league in passing yards and 30th in red zone efficiency. Williams collected 309 catches, 4,806 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns in a Chargers uniform. A reunion would be mutually beneficial.

BEST FITS: Where could Cooper Kupp and other top WRs land?

Best fit: Dallas Cowboys

The emergence of Tank Bigsby has made Etienne expendable. Bigsby leads the Jaguars in both rushing attempts and yards. Additionally, he has produced four plays of 20+ yards, while Etienne has only two.

Etienne is a versatile running back who can catch passes out of the backfield, but Jacksonville prefers to pass Bigsby the football between the tackles on the run.

The Jaguars are on the road to an inevitable rebuild. An Etienne trade could provide Jacksonville with additional depth compensation. The running back has trade value around the NFL. He has surpassed 1,400 yards from scrimmage in his first two seasons and he is still only 25 years old.

The Cowboys rank last in the NFL in rushing. They are only averaging 3.5 yards per carry. Ezekiel Elliott is past his prime and Rico Dowdle is not a starting caliber running back. The Cowboys are missing Tony Pollard, who they let walk in free agency. Etienne would immediately step in and fill the void at RB.

BEST FITS: Where might some of the best RBs land?

Best fit: Detroit Lions

Cleveland’s actions indicate they are sellers as the trade deadline approaches. The Browns’ decision to trade Amari Cooper preceded Deshaun Watson’s season-ending Achilles injury. There are rumors that the Browns are also shopping Smith.

Smith’s four sacks are tied for a team-high with Myles Garrett. Smith and Garrett are a formidable tandem, but the Browns need to secure trade capital and shed future salary.

The Lions have a hole in defense after Aidan Hutchinson’s brutal leg injury. Smith isn’t the pass rusher that Hutchinson is, but he is capable of applying pressure. The Browns and Lions both play a basic 4-3 defense, so Smith would have a fairly seamless transition. Additionally, he is well-known in the NFC North division, having played for the Packers and Vikings during his ten-year career.

Best fit: Los Angeles Rams

Young will start this week against the Denver Broncos, but that’s only because veteran QB Andy Dalton sprained his right thumb in a car accident.

The Panthers are said to have a plan for Young following the quarterback’s demotion after Week 2. He appeared in garbage time, including during the fourth quarter of Carolina’s 40-7 loss to the Commanders.

Young will get a chance to audition for other teams in Denver or prove he’s worthy of being promoted back into Carolina’s starting lineup.

A change of scenery could be beneficial for Young and McVay’s guidance could do wonders for the 2023 overall No. 1 pick; McVay has improved every quarterback he coaches. Young’s accuracy, precision passing and pocket presence were traits that made him the best quarterback in the 2023 draft. However, he has struggled in all three areas during his NFL career. McVay is the type of coach who can unlock Young’s potential and restore the quarterback’s confidence.

Best fit: Baltimore Ravens

Uche had a career-high 11.5 sacks in 2022. Since then, he has had a total of five sacks.

The Patriots outside linebacker hasn’t played more than 20 snaps in the last two weeks. He is more of a situational pass rusher, but can play a wide range of snaps in the right system. His name has been mentioned frequently in trade rumors in recent weeks.

The Ravens have a history of reviving the careers of veteran pass rushers. Kyle Van Noy, who has a team-high seven sacks this year, is the most recent example. But the Ravens can’t expect Van Noy to maintain high levels of production at this stage of his career. Josh Uche would be a nice addition to the Ravens’ Odafe Oweh, two edge rushers under the age of 27.

Best fit: Pittsburgh Steelers

Davis started the year as the starter, but was benched after Week 2. The Bears made him inactive in Week 6, a sign that he has dropped significantly on their depth chart.

The Bears signed the former Titan to a three-year contract worth $30 million in March 2023. He would be a key piece on Chicago’s offensive line, but the Bears are apparently ready to move on. Davis is a talented offensive lineman, but his pass and run blocking declined during his two seasons in Chicago.

The Steelers have been dealing with injuries along their offensive line since the start of the regular season. Pittsburgh is rumored to be looking for a wide receiver. The Steelers could also look to add offensive line depth.

Best fit: Atlanta Falcons

Ogbah’s produced at least 5.5 sacks in a season five times in his career. The ninth-year veteran has high motor skills and a strong gait. He has played a bigger role this year after Jaelan Phillips’ season-ending knee injury. But Ogbah will turn 31 a day after the trade deadline, his contract expires after this year and the team recently signed veteran Tyus Bowser from the Seahawks’ practice squad.

Tua Tagovailoa is on his way back, but the Dolphins could be losing talent if they feel like this season is getting away from them.

The Falcons have an NFL-low six sacks this season. Atlanta traded for Matthew Judon in August. Judon, however, only collected 1.5 sacks. Judon has seen his fair share of chip blocks and the occasional double team. The Falcons can help Judon by adding another veteran pass rusher opposite him.

Best fit: The heads of Kansas City

Could Jacksonville be saying goodbye to its longest-tenured starter? The Jaguars have placed Robinson’s under the franchise tag twice. It seems like he’s constantly on his way out of Jacksonville.

Robinson, 29, is in the final year of his contract. The struggling Jaguars could trade the eighth-year tackle and add future draft picks. Additionally, Jaguars 2023 first-round pick Anton Harrison played left tackle in college before switching to the right side in the NFL. He could be Robinson’s successor.

Wouldn’t it be such a move for the Chiefs to add a starting level tackle before the trade deadline ends? In need of a wide receiver, the Chiefs aggressively pursued DeAndre Hopkins. Kansas City had a revolving door at left tackle with Wanya Morris and rookie Kingsley Suamataia. Robinson could bring stability to the position for the rest of the season.

Follow Tyler Dragon of USA TODAY Sports on X @TheTylerDragon.

VaselineOctober 25, 2024

0 5 minutes read

NFL trade deadline is the best fit

Vaseline

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