The NFL Trade Deadline is less than a week away and rumors are starting to speculate on potential star players that could get moved. In the next few days teams have to decide whether they should buy, sell, or stand pat at the deadline. The deadline is November 3 at 4pm Eastern time. There has already been two major trades where the Minnesota Vikings sent Yannick Ngakoue to the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys sent Everson Griffen to the Detroit Lions.
Both the Cowboys and Vikings may not be done trading their veterans this season as both are rumored to want to move a few more veterans. Here are deals that teams in the NFC North should do before the trade deadline.
Chicago Bears bolsters their offensive line
Chicago Bears receive: Kevin Zeitler
New York Giants receive: 4th round pick
The Chicago Bears started the year red hot winning five of their first six games. But now the team is 5-3 and are struggling to overcome their major flaws. Their defense has been one of the consistently better units in the league, But their offense has showed weaknesses in both the passing and running game. Once Nick Foles took over for Mitch Trubisky at quarterback their passing game got slightly better but still isn’t better than average on a good day. While the running game has been brutal. David Montgomery doesn’t look like he’ll ever become a breakout star and the offensive lines bad play has not helped.
The New York Giants are looking to unload a few of their veteran players after a rough start to the year. One of the surprising veterans that the team is looking to move is offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler. Zeitler is not a free agent until after next season and he is one of the better interior offensive lineman in the league. The reason the Giants may be looking to move him is because they are trying to get younger and because he would be valuable to a few teams.
Two weeks ago the Bears lost former second round pick James Daniels for the season to a torn pec. Since then the Bears offensive line has looked like one of the weakest units in the league. Zeitler is the best available option for the Bears. He could fill Daniels void and then when he becomes healthy remain a starter on the opposite side of the center as Daniels. A pick up like this could keep the Bears competitive enough to get a wildcard spot in the NFC.
Green Bay makes an aggressive trade
Green Bay Packers receive: Will Fuller and 5th round pick
Houston Texans receive: 3rd round pick and 4th round pick
Last season the Green Bay Packers had a 13-3 record and went to the NFC Championship because of their strong run game and defense despite their sloppy play overall. This season they have fixed their sloppy play, regained faith in Aaron Rodgers and the passing game, and has looked better this year. The Packers have a Super Bowl team but can add a piece or two in order to cement their place as a Super Bowl contender.
The Houston Texans are falling a part at the seems. Bill O’Brien messed this team up as the general manager. He traded away too many assets and added pieces that didn’t work for this team. It’s the reason why he was let go so early in the year. However now that he is gone the team they have to deal with what he’s done. The biggest issues with the team going forward is the lack of early draft picks and limited cap space. But the team has enough movable veteran players to try and acquire as many assets as possible.
Rumors started last week that the Packers were interested in trading for former first round pick Will Fuller. Fuller is a deep threat that was thrusted into the number one receiver role now that the team has traded DeAndre Hopkins. However despite how well he has played, Fuller will likely be leaving the team in the offseason as a free agent due to lack of cap space to retain him. But Green Bay is in need of a high end complimentary receiver. Davante Adams has looked like the best wide receiver in football the past couple of weeks, but Aaron Rodgers needs more than Adams to get the Super Bowl. Fuller would be a perfect fit for this team and they have the cap space to resign him in the offseason.
Detroit moves a veteran receiver who was likely going to leave in free agency anyways
Detroit Lions receives: 3rd round pick
New England Patriots receive: Marvin Jones Jr.
Despite the teams reputation the Detroit Lions are only 3-4 this season and have been competitive in their games as of late. This current regime is on the hot seat after a few rough years and could be looking to buy at the deadline. However if the team can get a valuable asset for a veteran player who is likely not going to resign with the team they should make that move.
It is not an overstatement to say that this is the worst start for the New England Patriots of the century. It is the first time this century that the New England Patriots are three games under .500. But despite their rough play the team may look to buy at the deadline, especially at the skill player positions. The Patriots should be asking teams specifically about veteran receivers that could stretch the field.
Marvin Jones can be a perfect fit for the Patriots once he gets acquainted with Josh McDaniels complicated offense he can easily be promoted up to #2 receiver. If the Cam Newton-Marvin Jones connection proves to be something special text team has the space to resign Jones in the offseason. Jones currently leads the Lions wide receivers in snaps, but that is only because Kenny Golladay missed time because of injury. If the teams was to trade Jones, former first round pick T.J. Hockenson would be solidified as the teams #2 receiver while Qunitez Cephus and Marvin Hall compete for Jones reps. The Lions rebuild isn’t complete and could still use draft picks to build this roster.
Minnesota gets a mid round pick for a solid offensive tackle
Minnesota Vikings receive: 5th round pick
Baltimore Ravens receive: Riley Reiff
Despite losing multiple veteran starters on both sides of the ball, many expected the Minnesota Vikings to be competitive this year. However the team has had a major regression starting the year 2-5. The Vikings are reportedly shopping multiple of their veterans. But after winning their last game against the Packers it shows that they are still extremely talented and shouldn’t sell away their roster just yet. If the Vikings were to making a move it would be a player at a position which is easily replaceable or has a younger replacement on the roster.
Even though Lamar Jackson has regressed, the Baltimore Ravens have started the year 5-2 and will most likely be a playoff team again this year. But last week the Ravens lost their franchise left tackle Ronnie Stanley for the season to an ankle injury. Since the team is trying to be competitive this year they should attempt to trade for his replacement. The Ravens finished their game last week with stating right tackle Orlando Brown on the left side and former first round pick D.J. Fluker on the right.
The Vikings are still starting Riley Reiff at left tackle, but have drafted the future of the team at the position Ezra Cleveland in the second round. Since their season appears lost it seems like a good time to move off of Reiff’s contract and start giving Cleveland starting reps at left tackle. During the week Baltimore could tinker around with their offensive line to see if the offensive line is better with Reiff at left tackle rather than shifting Brown over and plugging in Fluker on the other side. Even if it isn’t the case, Reiff provides great depth at the position and has an easy contract to take in and is easily cuttable after this season if his price tag is too much.
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NFC South
NFC West
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AFC East
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AFC North
AFC South
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