One deal each NFL contender should make ahead of trade deadline: Ravens land Derrick Henry, Chiefs acquire WR

The NFL trade time limit is speedy coming near and groups already seem to be wheeling and working. Leading into the Oct. 31 time limit, now we have already noticed a couple of offers cross down, together with the Eagles touchdown superstar protection Kevin Byard in a trade with the Titans. This transfer fills a obvious want for a professional Super Bowl contender and leads us effectively into our recreation of matchmaker. 

Below, we’re going to determine a handful of playoff contenders and recommend one trade they should attempt to pull off through the 4 p.m. time limit on Halloween. 

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The Niners had been gashed in the course of the air on Monday evening of their loss to Minnesota, which simplest provides to the wish to bolster the secondary. The Carolina Panthers are 0-6 heading into Week 8 and can possibly be one of the principle dealers on the time limit, so cornerback Donte Jackson is usually a practical possibility. The 27-year-old performed below present 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks for the closing two seasons, so there will likely be familiarity along with his general defensive machine. Over that reach below Wilks, Jackson posted 4 interceptions and 13 go breakups in 21 regular-season video games. 

Jackson could also be below workforce keep watch over in the course of the 2024 season, however there’s a possible out of his contract with palatable wage cap implications. 

Hollywood Brown is one of the extra attention-grabbing gamers to watch on the time limit. He is within the ultimate 12 months of his rookie contract and set to hit unrestricted unfastened company this offseason. He now performs for a Cardinals franchise below a brand new basic supervisor and head trainer who did not draft or trade for him, calling into query if they would be prepared to pay him as soon as he hits the open marketplace. That’s in particular true taking into consideration that Arizona is in a rebuild and Brown won’t have compatibility its general timeline. 

If they do pay attention to gives on him, the Chiefs will be the splendid touchdown spot. They’ve but to discover a top-tier No. 2 possibility within the passing recreation at the back of tight finish Travis Kelce and the large receiver unit is in large part middling. Brown, 26, would no longer simplest in an instant spice up the Kansas City offense, however he may doubtlessly be the highest possibility for Mahomes going ahead with Kelce in his age-34 season. With Brown’s velocity, he might be used in a similar fashion to Tyreek Hill within the Chiefs offense. 

The AFC East is open for the Dolphins to take and Miami has the equipment to doubtlessly make a deep playoff run. The Dolphins are set to get each cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard again from damage over the following few weeks, so the secondary is probably not the most important want because it pertains to the time limit. However, within the playoffs, a dominant go rush may also be the variation between hoisting a Lombardi Trophy or looking at any person else experience that honor. With that during thoughts, the Dolphins should cross all-in in this season and upload every other possible superstar go rusher into the rotation of Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, Andrew Van Ginkel, and others through dealing for Commanders defensive finish Chase Young. 

Young is within the ultimate 12 months of his deal after the Commanders declined to select up his fifth-year possibility this offseason. Washington is probably not keen to offer him a monster contract within the spring, particularly after paying Daron Payne and in addition having Montez Sweat due for a deal as neatly. If that is the case, it might be smart for them to deal him for belongings as an alternative of shedding him at the open marketplace. 

This season, Young has 5 sacks via six video games performed and 9 quarterback hits.

The Cowboys won’t make the most important splash on the time limit, however their secondary may use some lend a hand, in particular within the aftermath of shedding Trevon Diggs (torn ACL) for the season. Calling up Bill Belichick and inquiring about Mills is usually a savvy choice for Jerry Jones to deepen that phase of the secondary with a veteran participant who has Super Bowl-winning revel in. 

Mills has seemed in all seven of New England’s video games this season however has simplest performed 26% of the defensive snaps after enjoying in 90% and 75% within the earlier two seasons with the franchise. The 29-year-old prior to now posted on social media his displeasure along with his function at the workforce, so a transformation of surroundings might be excellent for the veteran nook. 

When firing on all cylinders, Mills could be a treasured piece to a secondary who has proven the facility to play nook and protection. In his 10 video games performed for New England in 2022, he allowed opposing quarterbacks to finish 60.9% of their throws in opposition to him in protection and registered an 83.4 passer ranking.

Sunday’s loss to the Ravens apart, the Lions are taking part in an incredible season that has them within the dialog as a professional NFC contender. In a identical sentiment to what we famous with Miami, the font place of job should praise Dan Campbell and the remainder of the roster through appearing them they’re all-in in this season with a trade for Panthers superstar go rusher Brian Burns. 

The 25-year-old is within the ultimate 12 months of his present contract however is usually a long-term piece inside of this protection if Brad Holmes used to be additionally in a position to have him conform to an extension. Burns will be the splendid working mate reverse of Aidan Hutchinson and shape one of the easier pass-rushing duos within the league upon arrival. Through six video games this season, Burns already has 4 sacks, 20 tackles, 9 quarterback hits, and a pressured fumble.   

With the Panthers off to an 0-6 get started, they’re most likely going to be listening on so much of gamers, together with Burns. He would possibly not come reasonable for Detroit, however he’s the kind of participant you make investments closely for.

The Bills had been gashed at the damage entrance, shedding a number of key items on protection. One of the most important losses used to be linebacker Matt Milano. That damage, coupled with the Bills shedding Tremaine Edmunds in unfastened company closing offseason, does create a vital hollow at linebacker, which might be stuffed through Minnesota’s Jordan Hicks. 

Following their Week 7 win over San Francisco to carry them to 3-4 at the 12 months, it’s going to be attention-grabbing to look what the Vikings make a decision to do on the time limit. If they’re dealers, Buffalo swooping in for a work like Hicks to stabilize its linebacker function could be a wise maneuver. While it is inconceivable to be expecting a participant to return and entirely fill Milano’s footwear, Hicks is a cast veteran within the heart of a excellent season with the Vikings. Through seven video games, he has 61 tackles, 3 go breakups, a pressured fumble, and an interception. 

Baltimore Ravens trade for Derrick Henry

After the Titans had been prepared to deal away Kevin Byard, it sort of feels like each participant at the roster is at the desk to be traded, which contains superstar working again Derrick Henry. Tennessee is lately 2-4 at the season and turns out headed for a complete rebuild within the coming seasons. The Titans may start that procedure now through buying and selling away their foundational piece on offense in Henry to a contender like Baltimore. 

The Ravens could be an unbelievable touchdown spot for Henry as they’ve been starved for a working again of his caliber to enrich quarterback Lamar Jackson’s speeding skill. Not simplest would that take some of the power off of Jackson, however the two would make arguably essentially the most electrical QB-RB duos that the league has to provide. 

The Jaguars are within the motive force’s seat within the AFC South at 5-2 at the 12 months and are only a recreation at the back of the Chiefs within the loss column for the most efficient report within the convention. Offensively, Trevor Lawrence and the remainder of the skill-position gamers do appear to be discovering their stride. If there used to be one house for Jacksonville to check out to make a touch on the time limit, it would come at the defensive facet through including go rusher Danielle Hunter. 

Coming into Week 8, the Jaguars rank twenty seventh within the league in power fee and thirtieth in sack share, in step with True Media. For a workforce to make waves within the playoffs, it wishes as a way to disrupt the quarterback, which is one thing the Jaguars battle to do. With that during thoughts, dealing for Hunter makes all of the sense on the planet. He’s set to turn out to be a unfastened agent at season’s finish and seems to be at the block with the Vikings reportedly taking calls on him. 

Through seven video games, Hunter has 9 sacks and 12 tackles for a loss.