The NFL trade deadline is less than 24 hours away.
Some deals have already taken place. Three of the most notable trades were the New York Jets acquiring wide receiver Davante Adams, the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs trading wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, and the Minnesota Vikings acquiring wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, and the Minnesota Vikings acquiring wide receiver Davante Adams. The acquisition of Cam Robinson.
More trades are expected as the NFL trade deadline approaches. Will more big players be transferred?
Other players who could change things include Browns rusher Za’Darius Smith, Jaguars running back Travis Etienne and Jets wideout Mike Williams. If that happens, Tuesday could be very busy.
USA TODAY Sports is looking at some trades we’d like to see happen heading into Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline at 4 p.m.
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Tee Higgins to Steelers
The Steelers are seeking wide receiver help before the trade deadline, a person familiar with the matter told USA TODAY Sports. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not yet been completed.
Higgins is a strong receiver with good catch range and is comfortable playing as an X or Z receiver.
Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin has previously said he’s not in the business of making other teams better and that the Bengals certainly don’t want to do business with their division rival. . However, Higgins would be a great fit for Pittsburgh’s offensive system and would form a great duo with George Pickens.
Higgins, who is playing on a one-year franchise tag tender, will likely play his final year in Cincinnati. The Bengals risk losing Higgins for nothing during free agency, but will likely keep the wideout for the rest of the season.
Trade Deadline: Perfect for Tee Higgins, Mike Williams, and other top WRs
Anthony Richardson to Rams
Did we lose some of the locker room when Richardson voluntarily left the game in Week 8?Richardson was benched in favor of 39-year-old QB Joe Flacco. That raises questions about the young quarterback’s future in Indy.
The city of Indianapolis’ response to Richardson is puzzling. The Colts drafted a raw quarterback, potentially fourth overall, in the 2023 draft. They let him play prematurely and only allowed him a total of 10 starts to develop before pulling the plug.
Sure, the Colts could eventually go back to Richardson. However, some fences need to be repaired. A change of pace may be best for both parties.
Rams coach Sean McVay has elevated every quarterback he’s ever had the opportunity to coach. But no QB was as athletic as Richardson. Additionally, Matthew Stafford restructured his contract and waived his guaranteed money in 2025. The Rams ultimately have to think about their future quarterback.
Bryce Young to Raiders
Youngs started the Panthers’ last two games after being benched after the team’s Week 2 loss to veteran QB Andy Dalton, who sprained his right thumb in a car accident. Young has improved his decision-making and accuracy in his last two starts. His quarterback ratings in Weeks 8 (76.9) and 9 (77.6) were the two best for a starter this year. Panthers coach Dave Canales even said Young was playing faster and more decisively.
However, Canales did not commit to Young as the Week 10 starter.
The Panthers say they have plans to acquire Young. But perhaps their plan is to trade him and recoup some of the draft money they lost to acquire him. Carolina lacks talent on both sides of the football. Without good athletes, it is difficult for any quarterback to be successful.
The Raiders have benched Gardner Minshew multiple times this year and haven’t committed to Aidan O’Connell either. The Raiders could get a fresh start at QB with Young, while also giving the second-year QB a fresh start. Young rookie TE Brock Bowers is expected to improve offensively.
Travis Etienne Jr. joins Cowboys
Veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott was inactive in Week 9 for disciplinary reasons. Starting running back Rico Doodle has not rushed for more than 90 yards in a game this season. The Cowboys have the worst rushing attack in the NFC.
The Cowboys’ offense this season has been one-dimensional. The situation could get even worse with quarterback Dak Prescott expected to miss several weeks with a hamstring injury.
Dallas’ season appears to be heading in the wrong direction, but they still need help for the present and future. Etienne can provide that. He has over 1,400 yards from scrimmage in his first two seasons and is only 25 years old. His current contract runs through the 2025 season.
The Cowboys will miss running back Tony Pollard, who was let go in free agency. Etienne could step in and fill the void at running back.
Greg Newsome to the Commander
Recent decisions show the Browns are sellers. Wide receiver Amari Cooper is leaving and defensive end Za’Darius Smith is rumored to be on the move before Tuesday’s deadline.
The team is always interested in secondary support. The Commanders defense has no shutdown corners. Newsome will undoubtedly be Washington’s top cornerback when he arrives. When he achieved his goals, he achieved a 61% success rate.
Rookie QB Jayden Daniels helped revitalize the Commanders. ESPN reported that Washington has become a preferred destination for players. The managers have a golden opportunity to aim for a legitimate playoff spot.
Mike Williams to Chargers
Williams is designated as the Jets’ fourth receiving option and hasn’t been able to establish good chemistry with Aaron Rodgers. Despite WR Allen Lazard being placed on injured reserve, Williams only had one catch for 6 yards in Week 9. He ranks fifth on the Jets in both catches (11 yards) and receiving yards (160).
Multiple teams are interested in signing Williams, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
A reunion with the Chargers seems like an obvious destination. The Chargers haven’t filled the X-receiver hole since releasing Williams in the offseason.
Williams was one of Justin Herbert’s favorite targets. He has a large catch radius and is good at 50-50 balls. He had 309 catches, 4,806 receiving yards, and 31 touchdowns in a Chargers uniform.
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