by The 2024 NFL trade deadline ended at 4 p.m. today. Teams had their final chance to solidify their rosters to increase their playoff chances. In my opinion, the most notable trade so far has been the Jets acquiring Davante Adams from the Raiders. The trade deadline is always a tense time of year, especially for teams trying to make the playoffs. I am going to break down some of the larger trades.
Davante Adams
The Las Vegas Raiders traded wide receiver Davante Adams to the New York Jets. This was the most obvious trade of the entire year. Davante Adams was unhappy with his position in Vegas and was sidelined with a hamstring injury for multiple weeks. Aaron Rogers and Davante Adams have a history together in Green Bay, so the Jets were the obvious favorite to land him. The Jets have been looking for a good WR2 behind Garret Wilson after Mike Williams did not work out. However, with Rogers and Adams’s history, it is possible for Adams to become the new WR1 for the Jets. The Raiders received a 2025 conditional third-round pick.
Amari Cooper
On October 15th, the Buffalo Bills acquired wide receiver Amari Cooper and a 2025 sixth-round pick from the Cleveland Browns. It was obvious that the Browns and Amari Cooper’s relationship was on the rocks. I had expected Cooper to be traded early. The Bills are trying to make a playoff run but have struggled at the wide receiver position. The Browns received a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 seventh-round pick.
DeAndre Hopkins
The Tennessee Titans have traded wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs. With the Titans season going down the drain and Will Levis being injured, Hopkins was expected to be traded. The Chiefs have been dealing with wide receiver injuries all year, so they were also expected to acquire a wide receiver. The Chiefs gave up a 2025 conditional fifth-round pick.
Za’Darius Smith
The Detroit Lions acquired Za’Darius Smith and a 2026 seventh-round pick from the Cleveland Browns. Smith, who is a defensive end, will be the replacement for Lions star Aidan Hutchinson. Hutchinson fractured his tibia and fibula in a gruesome way on October 13th. The Lions hold the best record in the NFC at 7-1 and are looking to make a deep run into this year’s playoff. The Brown’s season is all but over, with a record of 2-7. The Lions gave up a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick.
Khalil Herbert
The Cincinnati Bengals have acquired running back Khalil Herbert from the Chicago Bears. Bengals running back Zach Moss is dealing with a neck injury that will leave him sidelined indefinitely. The Bengals are fighting for a playoff spot this year. Herbert seems to be a great fit to sit behind Chase Brown for the Cincinnati offense. The Bears used Herbert in the half-back position, and he only has eight carries this season. The Bengals gave up a 2025 seventh-round pick.
Jonathan Mingo
The Dallas Cowboys have traded with the Carolina Panthers for wide receiver Jonathan Mingo. The Cowboys sit at the lower end of the NFC East with a record of 3-5. With Dak Prescott likely to go on IR, most would assume that the Cowboys would either sit tight with what they have or start selling, but Jerry Jones decided to add some help at wide receiver. The Cowboys gave up a 2025 fourth-round pick.
Marshon Lattimore
The Washington Commanders acquired Marshon Lattimore and a fifth-round pick from the New Orleans Saints. A four-time Pro Bowler, Lattimore was traded just three hours before the deadline. Washington is in first place in the NFC East and is confident they can make a deep playoff run. The Saints are the opposite of the Commanders, and their season is all but done. The Saints gave up a third, fourth, and sixth-round pick.
Mike Williams
The Pittsburgh Steelers have acquired Mike Williams from the New York Jets. The Jets hoped to find their answer for WR2 in Mike Williams, but this did not pan out. Instead, Willams was only targeted 21 times this season. When the Jets traded for Davante Adams, it became clear that Williams would either be traded or cut. Pittsburgh has been looking for a solid WR2 and hopes Williams is the answer. The Steelers gave up a fifth-round pick.
Tre’Davious White
The Los Angeles Rams have traded cornerback Tre’Davious White and a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens. The cornerback was a two-time Pro Bowler with the Bills before catching the injury bug. He started four games for the Rams this year. The Ravens are hoping to boost their defense, specifically their secondary. The Rams gave up a 2026 seventh-round pick.
Other Trades
- Defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris traded to the Seahawks
- Running back Cam Akers traded to the Vikings
- Linebacker Ernest Jones IV traded to the Seahawks
- Linebacker Joshua Uche traded to the Chiefs
- Wide receiver Diontae Johnson traded to the Ravens
- Offensive tackle Cam Robinson traded to the Vikings
- Outside Linebacker Baron Browning traded to the Cardinals
- Edge rusher Preston Smith traded to the Steelers
- Defensive tackle Khalil David traded to the 49ers
Conclusion
Overall, the 2024 NFL trade deadline had no completely shocking trades. Davante Adams did end up reuniting with Aaron Rogers. The Lions picked up a replacement for the injured Aidan Hutchinson. The Chiefs got their wide receiver help. One thing that surprised me was that there were no player-for-player trades. Each team is hoping that the trades they completed today will help them make playoff runs.
