Grading NFL Trades

The NFL Trade Deadline has come and gone. And there were 20 moves made in the NFL this year. Some of the bigger moves include Christian McCaffrey to San Francisco, Bradley Chubb to Miami, and JT Hockenson to Detroit. For years the NFL just didn't make trades. But over the last 5 years or so GM's have changed their tune on in season moves. There were 19 in season trades this year, up from 14 last season, and 13 in 2020. It seems like more teams are adopting the "F Them Picks" mentality that helped the Rams win the Super Bowl last season. General Managers are adapting to the changing times and it is good business. For years draft picks were thought of as gold. In reality 1st round picks can help, but they are still unknown entities.

When grading NFL trades, teams value different things. Some teams believe they are one player away from becoming a true Super Bowl contender. Other teams are closer to a rebuild and are looking to get future picks or an expiring contract before free agency. I also thing the players mentality has changed over the years. The player power is higher now than ever, and teams do not like to have guys in their locker room who don't want to be there. Whatever the reason for the increase in trades, it's a good thing for fans of the league. Grading NFL trades is tough because you are forecasting the future. Saying "let's see how it plays out" is boring. Let's get into grading NFL trades during the 2022 season.

The move was inevitable for the Panthers. There was no reason to keep an elite back on an offense with little talent surrounding him. By the time Carolina gets back to contender status in the league, CMC will be approaching 30. Getting 4 picks for a running back is good value, but I'm sure they wanted a 1.

GRADE: B-

Kyle Shanahan gets arguable the most versatile back to plug into one of the best running systems in the league. We've been able to see him play in a couple games with the 49ers so far, and 4 total TD's has been the result. San Francisco didn't have a 1st round pick, so they gave up a lot to get him.

GRADE: A

Denver has arguably been the most disappointing team in the NFL this season. Bradley Chubb was on the final year of his rookie deal and it was becoming apparent he was not going to resign with Denver. The 1st rounder in 2023 figures to be in the back half of the league, but it's better than not having one.

GRADE: B

Miami needed a pass rusher to line up opposite Jaelen Phillips. Emmanuel Ogbah, Melvin Ingram, and Andrew Van Ginkle haven't been overly impressive this season. The Dolphins got a true pass rusher for late game scenarios, a true closer. Miami solidified themselves as a team expecting to win games in the playoffs. That's a lot of picks to give up, but Miami is trying to strike while Tua is on his rookie deal.

GRADE: A-

This seems like a small return on a talent like Calvin Ridley. The 2024 pick can become a 3rd round pick based off playing time, and 2nd if Ridley signs an extension with the Jags. This was one of the more surprising moves of the day. I would have loved to see a young QB with Ridley, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Cordarrelle Patterson. But that will not happen now.

GRADE: D+

The Jags think they are a year away from competing for the division. Indy is a mess, so is Houston, and the Titans are good, but not great. Since Ridley is suspended for the 2022 season, this is obviously a move for 2023. But looking ahead to 2023 in Jacksonville: QB Trevor Lawrence, RB Travis Etienne, WR Calvin Ridley, WR Christian Kirk. That looks like the makings of an explosive offense.

GRADE: B+

Ummmmm..... Why? Hockenson is one of the best Tight Ends in the league. He is not perfect, but he is pretty good. At some point Detroit is going to need to keep the talent they draft in the building. Sending him in the division is really strange too. Maybe the Lions are where the Dolphins were in 2021, and close to turning it around. But this was an odd move.

GRADE: C-

This was a great move for the Vikings. They get a top-10 Tight End and give Kirk Cousins another weapon to add to Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, and Adam Thielen. The Vikings have had the least production from the Tight End spot out of every NFL team this season. .Minnesota is one of the teams that will challenge Philadelphia come the playoffs. No more excuses kirk Cousins.

GRADE: A

This was once again smart business by the Steelers. Claypool's contract runs out at the end of the season. And with George Pickens and Deonte Johnson in Pittsburgh, Claypool was excess anyway. Smart business for the Steelers.

GRADE: B+

Look at the Bears buying at the deadline!? Most people would not have expected that at the beginning of the season. However Justin Fields has forced the front office into this move. His elevated play over the last few weeks has shown enough for the team to give him another weapon. Claypool is a solid #2 in the NFL.

GRADE: B

Indy has been another disappointing team in 2022. They don't get a ton back for a solid pass catching back, but with Jonathan Taylor back healthy he was excess.

GRADE: C

One of the few weaknesses in Buffalo this season has been the lack of production out of the Running Back position. Hines doesn't fix all of those issues, but he can help this team in the passing game. Buffalo is in a position where they can afford to take a shot on a talent like Nyheim Hines.

GRADE: B

San Francisco made the biggest move of the trade season acquiring Christin McCaffrey a few weeks back. Wilson has been a very good back since taking over for Elijah Mitchell, but he isn't in McCaffrey league. Mitchell is on track to return in week 10 following the team's bye. This made Wilson expendable in San Francisco.

GRADE: B

Miami needed a back after sending Chase Edmonds to Denver in the Bradley Chubb deal. Wilson has played with Mike McDaniel before, and should be a nice 1-2 combo with Raheem Mostert.

GRADE: B+