Usually the NFL trade deadline is a relatively quiet affair, with few consequential moves. This year feels different. A combination of a strange 2020 season, significant injuries and off-field problems in the league, as well as many organizations watching their windows close with the hope of a playoff final push could make it one of the most memorable deadlines in the last memory.
Rather than focusing on pure trade rumors that are everywhere, let’s break down a few important steps that could not only happen, but should also happen before the league closes the store for the day.
The Bengals should trade AJ Green.
On paper, it may seem ridiculous to take a gun away from Joe Burrow, but it’s about consolidating Cincinnati’s future and not playing for now. The Bengals will be a very good team going forward, but realistically that won’t happen for a few more years. Still a few years, everything is Green has left realistic.
Considering he has a one-year contract, the best thing that would benefit both teams would be to send Green to a candidate who has the chance to win a Super Bowl while having a few choices to play in the draft. For a team like the Bengals that need upgrades to multiple positions, a shotgun approach to design is your best bet to beat Gold. While you are about to get a 4th or 5th. getting a rounder for the 32-year-old receiver gives you something back while you use the rest of the season to better evaluate your team and give more player rehearsals with Burrow.
Landing places that make sense: Saints, Packers.
New England should move Stephon Gilmore.
This is the great rumor that enters the trade every day, and rightly so. At this point, a first-rate corner really won’t solve the Patriots ‘ problems, but if the marbles are right and the team wants a first-round and a defensive player, that could be a big question.
Nevertheless, we know that winning in the modern NFL is about succeeding in football and stopping it in kind. There are teams this season who have come up with the idea of winning the moment and worrying about the future after. To that end, there will certainly be interest from a team that believes Gilmore would be the difference between a playoff run and a possible Super Bowl win.
Gilmore is 30 years old, still a few years ago in the tank, and due to a manageable M next season, the last of his contract. It’s a fascinating combination and there are places where this stage would be great.
Landing Sites that make sense: Buccaneers, Seahawks, Saints.
Minnesota should get what it can for Kyle Rudolph.
A victory over Green Bay is not enough to justify the attempt to hold this leaky ship together. Thanks to the team’s contract extension to Kirk Cousins, the Vikings are in a deep hole and a more effective rebuild is on the horizon.
The prospect of a near end is difficult, even for Rudolph’s caliber. There just aren’t many in the league that have a big impact to get a high return in a trade scenario, which means Minnesota may have to settle for a third-or fourth-round pick. Still, reversing course and adding it to your variety of choice in the 2021 project is the right step, the goal is to find a team ready to do the trick.
Landing places that make sense: Cardinals.
Mike Davis showed enough to garner interest.
There’s a bigger point about the best teams in the NFL to do without good running backs, while the best backs are locked on bad teams. Nevertheless, this year, some of the contenders will probably want to compensate for their attacks on the track.
Step into Mike Davis, whom no one really talked about until Christian McCaffery was injured for the Panthers. Davis came in and not only remarkably well filled, but showed there was still plenty in the tank. Davis is rushing for 4.2 yards per carry and 350 yards, Davis is in the final year of his contract and could add a pop to a team in need. It’s a strong, short yardage back that can give balance to an attack.
Carolina doesn’t need to carry two backs, especially considering McCaffery will return soon. The Panthers will also not participate in 2020. This scenario is perfect for coach Matt Rhule to get something for a player who might otherwise be replaced in the draft anyway. Davis is worth throwing a after selection.
Landing sites that make sense: Bears, tickets, Steelers.
Someone should roll the dice on Dwayne Haskins.
It’s clear that the Washington football team has no interest in developing Haskins, and it’s likely that Ron Rivera will instead be looking for “his guy” in 2021 and beyond. This is a unique matter where a young passerby could be had with a lot of promise for a steal, and there are teams of quarterback in need who might believe the problem was Washington, not Haskins.
