The NFL’s trade deadline used to be a ghost town. Between an early cutoff and reticent teams, few players were dealt while the regular season was still in progress.
That’s changed in recent years. Over the last decade, stars like Christian McCaffery, Von Miller and Jalen Ramsey have been forced to relocate — heck, Amari Cooper’s had to do it twice. 2024 threatens to push that trend to new heights. A robust market of veteran wideouts has meant October has been especially spooky for pass catchers afraid to search for rental properties in a new location.
More than a half dozen-trades filled dead air on sports radio with more than a week before the league’s November 4 deadline. We’ll break every in-season trade down here, along with links to our full grades for the bigger deals. Newer trades are on top, sliding all the way down to the Davante Adams deal that kicked off 2024’s frenzy.
The Vikings find a Christian Darrisaw replacement
Oct 5, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Purdue Boilermakers tight end Max Klare (86) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Minnesota Vikings acquire: OT Cam Robinson, conditional 2026 seventh round pick
Jacksonville Jaguars acquire: 2026 fifth round pick that can become a fourth-rounder depending on incentives
Vikings grade: B+
Jaguars grade: B-
Diontae Johnson to the Ravens
Aug 14, 2019; Mason, OH, USA; A view of the ATP logo on an official net on the grandstand court during the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Baltimore Ravens acquire: WR Diontae Johnson, 2025 sixth round pick
Carolina Panthers acquire: 2025 fifth round pick
What we wrote:
Johnson hasn’t been great in Carolina but still leads the Panthers in receptions (30) and receiving yards (357). His 1.76 yards per route run rank 38th among NFL wideouts, right in front of Bateman and ahead of similar trade bait like DeAndre Hopkins and Christian Kirk. While not a deep threat or a jump ball savant, he’s capable of thriving in the short or intermediate ranges to keep the chains moving — see his 52.9 percent success rate when targeted in his final season as a Pittsburgh Steeler last fall.
Click here for the full breakdown.
Ravens grade: A-
Panthers grade: C
Josh Uche to the Chiefs
Oct 5, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Purdue Boilermakers tight end Max Klare (86) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Kansas City Chiefs acquire: EDGE Josh Uche
New England Patriots acquire: 2026 sixth round pick
What we wrote:
This is a “why not?” move for an undefeated Kansas City team that hasn’t even reached its potential yet. Uche has two sacks this season, but he reached 11.5 sacks in a breakout 2022 campaign before falling back to Earth in 2023 (three sacks). Having a player like Uche coming off the bench is exactly what contending teams want.
Click here for the full breakdown.
Chiefs grade: A
Patriots grade: B+
The Titans and Seahawks swap linebackers
Mar 16, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (1) and center Deandre Ayton (2) on the bench in the final few minutes of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Seattle Seahawks acquire: LB Ernest Jones IV
Tennessee Titans acquire: LB Jerome Baker, 2025 fourth round pick
What we wrote:
[Jones will] be an asset for Mike Macdonald’s 18th-ranked run defense. He’s three years younger than Baker and has never had a missed tackle rate above 6.4 percent — Baker, for comparison, clocked in at 9.1 this fall. The price is steep for a player headed to free agency next offseason, but it’s a smart acquisition for a team in the playoff hunt.
Click here for the full breakdown.
Seahawks grade: B
Titans grade: A-
DeAndre Hopkins to the Chiefs
Oct 30, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Georges Niang (20) celebrates after hitting a three point basket as Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) reacts during the second half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Kansas City Chiefs acquire: WR DeAndre Hopkins
Tennessee Titans acquire: Conditional 2025 fifth round pick (could become a fourth-rounder if Hopkins plays 60 percent of the team’s regular season snaps and Kansas City reaches the Super Bowl)
What we wrote:
Not much to say here. Hopkins was never going to fetch a huge price. [The Titans are] in sell mode, as they should be when they’re in the hunt for the top pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, so a fire sale works nicely. You’d hope for more compensation than what could be a fourth-rounder, but alas.
Click here for the full breakdown.
Chiefs grade: B+
Titans grade: B
The Vikings reunite with an old running back friend
Example of professional cricket equipment, including leg pads, a bat, a helmet, gloves and balls, are set up on Sunday, September 11, 2022, at Kenny Anderson Park in Sioux Falls. Cricket 004
Minnesota Vikings acquire: RB Cam Akers, 2026 seventh round pick
Houston Texans acquire: 2026 sixth round pick
Vikings grade: C
Texans grade: B
Amari Cooper to the Bills
Oct 30, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) shoots the ball as Washington Wizards forward Corey Kispert (24) defends in the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Buffalo Bills acquire: WR Amari Cooper, 2025 sixth round pick
Cleveland Browns acquire: 2025 third round pick (via Detroit Lions), 2026 seventh round pick
What we wrote:
A five-time Pro Bowler, Cooper has languished in the Browns’ morose offense over the last few seasons. Now, he gets one of the NFL’s premier quarterbacks going out of his way to find him downfield 10-15 times a game. He gives Buffalo a much-needed dimension to really compete with the big boys and pursue the organization’s first-ever Lombardi Trophy in earnest again.
Click here for the full breakdown.
Bills grade: A
Browns grade: A
Davante Adams to the Jets
Oct 30, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards (4) drives past Toront Raptors guard forward Gradey Dick (1) during the first half at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
New York Jets acquire: WR Davante Adams
Las Vegas Raiders acquire: Conditional 2025 third round pick (could become a second-rounder if Adams is an All-Pro or is active for the AFC championship game or Super Bowl)
What we wrote:
Now: CAN [the Jets] contend? That’s a really good question. I don’t see it, to be honest. But this offense now gets two really good wideouts in Adams and Garrett Wilson, and a happier Rodgers is a good thing given that the Jets are stuck with a past-his-prime QB.
With all that context and the fact that it may end up as a second-round pick, it’s a good, not GREAT trade.
Click here for the full breakdown.
Jets grade: B
Raiders grade: A-
