Davante Adams is on the transfer, making it time to interrupt out the 2024 NFL commerce tracker.
With the Nov. 5 NFL commerce deadline nonetheless three weeks away, there’s ample time for a slew of offers to be made. Wanting on the contenders, there needs to be a bevy of them. The Buffalo Payments made a transfer for Amari Cooper, however the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs nonetheless want a receiver. The identical could be stated for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Commanders.
In the meantime, the Detroit Lions desperately need assistance for his or her cross rush after dropping star defensive finish Aidan Hutchinson for the 12 months to a damaged tibia and fibula.
Whereas we’ve already written about some potential matches, we’ll begin our commerce tracker with the primary main transfer of the season, with Adams turning within the Silver & Black to hitch Gang Inexperienced.
October 15
Payments grade: A+
Browns grade: B-
Solely hours after their division rivals made a transfer to safe Davante Adams, the Payments received busy. Buffalo landed Amari Cooper from the Cleveland Browns, bringing in probably the greatest on the receiver market.
For Buffalo, that is probably a rental, however an impactful one. The Payments are sending a third-round decide to Cleveland whereas getting again a 2025 sixth-rounder, after which additionally parting methods with a ’26 seventh-round selection. Nonetheless, that’s a small value to pay for a receiver who has seven 1,000-yard campaigns and fewer than $1 million in base wage for this season.
After six weeks, it turned more and more clear that Buffalo didn’t have sufficient on the surface. Whereas Khalil Shakir is a pleasant slot presence, the conglomerate of Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Mack Hollins weren’t getting separation on a constant foundation, and Cooper fixes that.
As for Cleveland, the season is misplaced. The Browns are 1–5 and floundering with Deshaun Watson underneath middle. To get a top-100 decide for Cooper, who was probably going to depart in free company anyway, was the best transfer. —MV
Jets grade: D
Raiders grade: F
When was the final time a crew two video games underneath .500 made a big midseason transfer to amass expertise as an alternative of offloading it for future draft capital? Can’t bear in mind? No person can.
The Jets acquired Adams on Tuesday morning, sending a conditional third-round decide to the Raiders. Vegas would obtain a second-rounder if the Jets attain the AFC championship sport, or if Adams earns All-Professional standing in 2024.
Right here’s the problem for either side. New York isn’t good, not as a result of it doesn’t have sufficient weapons, however as a result of the teaching is abysmal, the run protection is common and the self-discipline is missing. And whereas Aaron Rodgers stays a top quality quarterback, he’s a far cry from the participant who gained consecutive MVPs with the Inexperienced Bay Packers in 2020 and ’21.
In buying Adams, the Jets are taking up an costly 31-year-old receiver who will wish to restructure his deal (he has two non-guaranteed seasons left), which runs by way of the 2026 season. So both New York will launch him after the season and get a smaller return on its funding, or must pack the contract with extra assured cash. Not superb.
As for the Raiders, why not tackle some wage and get a greater decide in return? Proprietor Mark Davis doesn’t have the money available like different homeowners across the league, however he was slated to pay Adams anyway. Good enterprise says tackle an excellent chunk of wage to sweeten the deal.
Additionally, Vegas can’t declare this can be a good commerce. The Raiders traded for Adams earlier than the 2022 season, giving up first- and second-round picks earlier than signing him to a five-year, $141 million deal. Las Vegas then launched Adams’s faculty teammate, quarterback Derek Carr, after one 12 months, changing him with Jimmy Garoppolo, Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew II over the previous two seasons.
Finally, the Raiders failed on each degree, with Adams losing years of his prime, whereas the Jets received a terrific but getting old participant. —MV
Vikings grade: C-
Texans grade: B+
Both the Minnesota Vikings actually like operating again Cam Akers or Aaron Jones may not be near returning to the sector.
The Vikings acquired Akers in a commerce for the second consecutive 12 months after sending a conditional 2026 sixth-round decide to the Houston Texans. Minnesota additionally gained a ’26 conditional seventh-round decide from Houston.
It’s basically the identical phrases as final 12 months’s commerce—simply with a distinct crew. Final 12 months, the Los Angeles Rams despatched Akers and a conditional 2026 seventh-round decide to the Vikings in alternate for a ’26 conditional sixth-round choice.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell has expressed optimism about Jones, who’s coping with a hip harm. The 29-year-old operating again was additionally seen on the observe subject on Monday, maybe an excellent signal for him being out there for Sunday’s showdown towards the Detroit Lions. Touchdown Akers may be extra about depth and including a participant who’s accustomed to O’Connell’s offensive scheme. Akers performed six video games with the Vikings final season and labored with O’Connell in Los Angeles when O’Connell was the offensive coordinator.
Akers might want to earn snaps in Minnesota as a result of the crew additionally has Ty Chandler, who has struggled a bit this season. However Akers made probably the most of his alternatives when accidents hit the Texans’ operating backs room. Now with Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce wholesome once more, the Texans gained the next draft decide merely for already having loads of depth and high quality choices on the place. —GM