Exciting Deals Before the Deadline
With three weeks until the deadline, fans and analysts alike are watching closely. The Buffalo Bills have made their move for Amari Cooper, but the Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Washington Commanders are still hunting for wide receiver upgrades. It's clear the contenders are getting ready to make a splash. Then there's the Detroit Lions, who desperately need to address their pass rush after losing defensive star Aidan Hutchinson to a season-ending leg injury. But let’s focus on the moves already happening.
Here’s where things get interesting: Davante Adams, one of the league’s premier wide receivers, is swapping his black and silver Raiders jersey for the green and white of the New York Jets. That’s just the tip of the iceberg in what's already shaping up to be a wild trade season.
October 15: Bills Grab Amari Cooper From the Browns
- Bills Grade: A+
- Browns Grade: B-
Buffalo didn’t wait long to jump into the trade waters. Just hours after their AFC East rival, the Jets, secured Davante Adams, the Bills landed wide receiver Amari Cooper from the Cleveland Browns. And make no mistake—this is a big win for Buffalo.
Sure, this move might be a short-term rental, but it’s one that could have a huge impact on their playoff chances. The Bills sent a third-round pick to Cleveland and received a 2025 sixth-rounder in return. They also tossed in a 2026 seventh-round pick, but that’s a small price to pay for a receiver of Cooper’s caliber. Seven 1,000-yard seasons on his resume and a base salary of less than $1 million for this season? That’s a deal!
Buffalo has been struggling with their receiver group this year, and it became obvious they didn’t have enough playmakers on the outside. While Khalil Shakir has done a solid job in the slot, Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Mack Hollins haven’t consistently been able to create separation. Bringing in Cooper solves that problem in a big way.
For Cleveland, this trade was all about cutting their losses. At 1-5, the Browns’ season is all but over, and Deshaun Watson hasn’t panned out as they’d hoped. Trading Cooper, who would have likely left in free agency, for a top-100 pick was a smart move. Though it stings to lose a star player, this was a deal the Browns needed to make.
Jets Make a Questionable Play for Davante Adams
- Jets Grade: D
- Raiders Grade: F
Now, let’s talk about the trade everyone’s buzzing about—Davante Adams to the New York Jets. Normally, when a team is struggling midseason, the strategy is to unload talent for future draft picks, not add more high-priced players. So, what are the Jets thinking here?
New York sent a conditional third-round pick to the Raiders for Adams, with that pick upgrading to a second-rounder if the Jets reach the AFC Championship or if Adams makes All-Pro in 2024. But here’s the problem: The Jets are underperforming, not because of a lack of weapons, but due to poor coaching, mediocre run defense, and overall lack of discipline. While Aaron Rodgers is still a solid quarterback, he’s not playing at his MVP level from a couple of years ago.
By taking on Adams, the Jets inherit an expensive 31-year-old receiver with a contract that runs through 2026. Sure, Adams is still talented, but New York will likely either have to restructure his deal and commit more guaranteed money or cut him after the season, getting little return on their investment.
As for the Raiders, this trade is an all-out disaster. They could have sweetened the deal by taking on some of Adams’ salary and gotten a better draft pick in return. But instead, they ended up with a questionable return. Let's not forget, they gave up first- and second-round picks to get Adams in the first place, then signed him to a massive five-year, $141 million deal. They even let go of his former college teammate, Derek Carr, just one season into their partnership, and have cycled through quarterbacks like Jimmy Garoppolo and Aidan O’Connell since. It’s safe to say the Raiders botched this situation from every angle.
Vikings Reunite With Cam Akers
- Vikings Grade: C-
- Texans Grade: B+
Over in Minnesota, the Vikings made a move for running back Cam Akers—again. Yep, this marks the second straight year the Vikings have traded for Akers, sending a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick to the Houston Texans for Akers and a conditional seventh-rounder. It’s essentially a repeat of last year’s deal when the Rams traded Akers to Minnesota under nearly identical terms.
So why did the Vikings do this? Well, part of it likely comes down to depth. Their star running back, Aaron Jones, is battling a hip injury, though he was spotted at practice earlier this week. Akers is familiar with the Vikings' system, having played under coach Kevin O'Connell when O'Connell was the offensive coordinator in Los Angeles. That familiarity could prove valuable, especially if Jones is slow to return to form.
Akers will have to compete for playing time, especially with Ty Chandler, who has struggled to get going this season. But Akers has made the most of his chances when other running backs have gone down with injuries. Now that Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce are healthy again for Houston, the Texans decided it was a good time to flip Akers for a better draft pick.
For the Vikings, it’s a low-risk move that gives them some extra depth. For the Texans, it’s a smart trade that nets them a higher pick for a player they didn’t have much room for in their crowded backfield.
What’s Next?
The trade deadline is still weeks away, and with teams like the Chiefs, Steelers, and Commanders still in need of offensive firepower, don’t be surprised if we see more big moves soon. Whether it’s a blockbuster deal or a smart, low-key trade, teams are hustling to bolster their rosters for the stretch run. Stay tuned, because things are just heating up.
So, there you have it—the first wave of major trades in the NFL, and there’s surely more drama to come. Which of these moves will pay off in the long run? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: The NFL trade market is as thrilling as ever.
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