One trade idea for eight Super Bowl contenders at NFL's deal deadline
All in.
Football players typically approach their craft exactly that way given the nature of the game essentially demands as much. And NFL teams strive to make a similar pledge given collective success very much requires the entire roster – and more – to contribute in a way not necessarily needed in other team sports. But one way to truly emphasize being all in for a Super Bowl push is making that additional move at the trade deadline, a last-minute tweak that just might put you over the top while also signaling intention to the locker room.
Last season’s Super Bowl participants, the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, know this all too well and have already gone shopping. Reigning champion K.C. reacquired WR Mecole Hardman, a member of the 2019 and 2022 title-winning clubs, last week from the New York Jets. Meanwhile, Philly fortified its shaky back end by obtaining All-Pro S Kevin Byard from the Tennessee Titans on Monday. No telling if either club is done wheeling and dealing, but with both below the $4 million threshold on available cap space for 2023 – and each enriched its quarterback this year, so don’t expect money-freeing restructures from them right now – that’s probably the case.
Now, for those other Lombardi Trophy-seeking wannabes? It’s time to keep up with the Joneses. Here’s one trade these eight Super Bowl contenders should strongly consider ahead of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline to execute a transaction:
Baltimore Ravens
Their reimagined offense hasn’t looked better than it did in Sunday’s 38-6 walkover against the NFC North-leading Lions – QB Lamar Jackson even extending plays … to pass! Defensively, no team is surrendering fewer points per game.
Trade for – Raiders RB Josh Jacobs: Though Baltimore ranks third league-wide rushing the ball, 36% of that production comes from Jackson’s legs. Jacobs is going nowhere fast with Las Vegas, which franchise-tagged the 2022 NFL rushing champion in the offseason but never extended his deal. Jacobs’ production on the ground is down about 50% this year for a middling-at-best team, but he could really augment a Ravens backfield that lost RB J.K. Dobbins in Week 1 to an Achilles injury. Jacobs, who’s tracking toward his third consecutive season with at least 50 receptions, could also be the safety valve Jackson’s never really reliably had at running back.
Buffalo Bills
Now 4-3, they’re currently clinging to the AFC’s final playoff spot. Playing three of the next four at Orchard Park, where the Bills are the league’s best home team since 2020, should help stabilize what remains one of the NFL’s most dangerous squads. But familiar problems remain, including an inconsistent ground game, suspect blocking and QB Josh Allen’s penchant to press and turn the ball over. But one issue could trump the rest.
Trade for – Buccaneers LB Devin White: The defense has struggled noticeably – and Buffalo has lost two of three – ever since All-Pro LB Matt Milano’s season-ending leg and knee injuries suffered at London in Week 5. White, who expressed a desire for a change of scenery earlier this year, is a playmaker. And if the Bills could channel his estimable athleticism, he might be the guy who can somewhat plug the void left by Milano’s absence.
Cincinnati Bengals
Is it a stretch to deem a .500 team a Super Sunday hopeful? Maybe. But track records count, and Cincy has won three of four and narrowly lost Super Bowl 56 following the 2021 season and almost won a second straight AFC championship game at Arrowhead Stadium earlier this year. But …
Trade for – Bears TE Marcedes Lewis: The remainder of his $1.6 million base salary for 2023 won’t cost much, and the Bengals are getting next to nothing from their tight ends. That said, you wouldn’t bring Lewis in to catch 10 passes a week, not for an offense rolling with probably the best wideout trio (Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd) in the league. You’d ask him in to be a third tackle who bolsters the protection of QB Joe Burrow … and maybe help in the red zone and short-yardage situations.
Dallas Cowboys
Owner Jerry Jones wants nothing more than to end the near three-decade title drought “America’s Team” remains stuck in. Yet he seemed noncommittal Tuesday when asked about making a move, explaining: “The initiation of an opportunity to make a trade at this time that would help us principally has to start on the other end.” But make no mistake, Jerry, as much ability as you have on this roster, it’s not without warts.
Trade for – Colts RB Zack Moss: Dallas has really missed RB Ezekiel Elliott, particularly as it pertains to a red-zone offense that’s scored nine touchdowns during 23 trips inside opponents’ 20-yard line. Probably should have re-signed Zeke – might even still be worth calling New England regarding his availability. And yet Moss, who’s 2½ years younger than Elliott and has nearly 1,800 fewer NFL touches on his odometer, probably has more juice and upside. He’s already put together a career year while filling in for All-Pro Jonathan Taylor in Indianapolis. With Taylor now minted and Moss on an expiring deal, why not snatch him and pair him with Tony Pollard, who was far more effective in his breakout 2022 Pro Bowl season as the change-of-pace back than he’s been as the lead man in 2023.
Detroit Lions
They’re tracking toward their first-ever NFC North crown, but the Week 7 loss at Baltimore essentially served a warning that Detroit might need more firepower – particularly on defense – if the Lions are going to make a deep playoff run.
Trade for – Cardinals S Budda Baker: One of the league’s most versatile defensive backs, he also brings a doggedness – one being squandered in Arizona – that would dovetail seamlessly with the culture Detroit coach Dan Campbell has built. The Lions have been shredded through the air in both of their losses, and it didn’t help that S Kerby Joseph was blocked into the upper deck Sunday by Ravens LT Ronnie Stanley. Baker would be an upgrade schematically as well as in the huddle, and he might really help this unit reach a new level if DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson (pectoral) manages to return this season.
Jacksonville Jaguars
They’ve caught fire, a four-game hot streak pushing them atop the AFC South. The blocking up front is a slight concern, fortunately QB Trevor Lawrence has been able to outrun some of the problems it’s created. And that may not be the Jags’ primary flaw.
Trade for – Commanders DE Chase Young: Only the Chargers have surrendered more yards through the air than Jacksonville. Insufficient pressure seems like the root cause, OLB Josh Allen (7 sacks) the only defender routinely taking quarterbacks down. Adding a player of Young’s caliber, even as a half-season rental, could elevate the Jags’ middling pressure rate to the top of the charts. (And if this sounds familiar, these are the same Jaguars who dinged Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes’ ankle in last year’s playoffs but recorded nary a sack in the divisional-round loss at Kansas City.)
Miami Dolphins
Their inability to hang with quality opponents has been apparent, but a roster featuring so much speed and the No. 1 – by far – offense will almost certainly qualify for postseason again. As for a 21st-ranked defense, it’s bound to get a boost whenever injured Pro Bowl CBs Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard are healthy enough to play. So what’s the problem?
Trade for – Broncos OL Lloyd Cushenberry III: Miami and Denver did a major deal for OLB Bradley Chubb in 2022, so why not get Broncos GM George Paton (and coach Sean Payton) back on the phone? Cushenberry will be a free agent at season’s end but could bring just what the Fins need: interior line help. C Connor Williams (groin) hasn’t played since October 8, and QB Tua Tagovailoa was sacked three times Sunday in Philadelphia while the league’s top-ranked run game was limited to a season-low 45 yards. Offensive balance is always important, but protecting Tagovailoa is paramount – and this line needs better depth to achieve those objectives.
San Francisco 49ers
They’ve hit a speed bump after a dominant 5-0 start, injuries and rookie K Jake Moody playing prominent factors in the Niners’ two-game skid. QB Brock Purdy has also proven human the past two weeks, but he’s justifiably here for the long haul (whenever he clears concussion protocol). When everyone’s healthy, there are All-Pro-caliber players sprinkled through every level of the lineup.
Trade for – Patriots OT Trent Brown: Currently ranked the league’s No. 2 tackle by Pro Football Focus, the 6-8, 370-pound mountain was drafted by the Niners in 2015. Brown has split his career between left and right tackle and could immediately provide an upgrade on the right side for San Francisco. But it’s important to note that all-universe LT Trent Williams, who missed Monday’s loss with an ankle injury, has played a full regular season twice in his 14-year career.
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Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter @ByNateDavis.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL trades: One deal each Super Bowl contender should make at deadline
