The trade deadline has struck and now no more trades are allowed in the NFL this season. With all the commotion around the NFL, who were the real winners and losers of the trades after everything went down Tuesday?
Although the Raiders got rid of their 2015 first round pick, by trading away Amari Cooper, the Raiders received a 2019 first-round pick. Adding to their two they already had in 2019, they are set for an outstanding rebuild- if they choose right. The Raiders clearly won in this deal. They received a first-round pick when other teams are lucky to get a third.
Even though Amari flew the Coop, quarterback Derek Carr still has star wide receiver Jordy Nelson, Seth Roberts as well as Martavis Bryant. The Raiders might only have one win so far this season but they are set for the next two season with the five first rounders they have.
The Rams are still undefeated. Although they struggled against the Packers they are still the number one ranked team in the NFL weekly power rankings for the fifth straight time. They acquired defensive end Dante Fowlers in exchange for giving away two draft picks, a third and a fifth rounder.
The Rams defense is already stacked with Donald, Suh, and Brockers. Fowler has the ability to play the 3-4 outside linebacker or in different formations rush from the defensive end spot. That is three first-round picks since 2010 waiting to sack a quarterback. The Rams defense is ranked 15th in total yards allowed, but Donald leads the NFL in sacks with eight although the team in total has 17.
The Redskins sit atop of the NFC East right now with a 5-2 record. Although their defense has struggled, they are ranked second overall right now. The addition of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix will be tremendous for the team, especially since they already have another top safety on the field. D.J. Swearinger is among the top-rated safeties in the league right now and so is Clinton-Dix.
This defense has the potential to break out. Clinton-Dix can bring speed and takeaways to the Redskins’ defense. Something they have struggled with all season. The Redskins offense is looking good with Alex Smith and Adrian Peterson. This team could be an all-around threat soon enough.
The loss of Will Fuller was a hit so the Texans needed another outside receiver to take his place. The addition of Demaryius Thomas was an outstanding move. He is a top receiver and will fit in well with Watson and his team. The Texans, at 5-3 have a great chance of winning the AFC South as of right now.
Thomas’ ability to catch slants is perfect for Watson, especially to move the chains. Especially since Watson is working with an injured rookie slot receiver Keke Coutee, and doesn’t have a reliable tight end. The Broncos’ number two all-time leading receiver will add depth and reliability to the Texans on-the-move offense.
Amari Cooper (Photo by thesportspost.com)
The Cowboys receiving core has had their troubles all season. It was a great move to pick up Cooper knowing that they needed the help. He is able to get yards after the catch and make big plays that other Cowboy receivers are unable to make. Yet they gave up the most important draft pick they have for him.
A first round pick is a bit extreme for a receiver they don’t even know will fit in yet. Cooper does struggle with wide open drops, which is the last thing the Cowboys need. They could have easily used that to draft a top college receiver that could grow with the team from the beginning or also draft a tight end that could have filled a wide open gap that is in the Dallas offense.
The Lions have already struggled this season. Although they looked good against the Patriots at the beginning of the season, they have some problems with unable to catch wide open balls. Golden Tate was their leader in receptions and yards. The third round pick is an acceptable trade, but the 3-4 Lions need more than that pick to help them get to where they want to be.
The trade inevitably makes the Lions team worse and puts way more pressure on Stafford for the rest of the season. The trio of Tate, Jones and Golladay is gone. Fifth year option T.J. Jones will need to step up and take Tate’s place, but that is a pretty steep fall from the leading receiver.
Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine has worked very well with this defense. He is putting on the heat and able to get turnovers. But the trade of top safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is like a punch in the face to Aaron Rodgers. He already has to carry the team most of the way. Although he can do it, the defense has to be able to give him help.
Clinton-Dix sits in second for most interceptions on the season with three. He spent three and half years with the Packers and had recorded 5.5 sacks as well as 14 interceptions. He is one of the top graded safeties in the league right now. Letting him go will be a big loss for the Packers’ defense. The young secondary will become even younger next season. It is hard to tell if the fourth-round pick was worth it for a team trying to make their way into a playoff spot.
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