NFL trade deadline: Analysis for every notable deal

Catch up on theScore's running analysis for every notable NFL deal made before this year's Nov. 4 trade deadline.

Completed trades

Nov. 4

Chargers add to O-line

The Chargers had to make a move up front. Justin Herbert has been hit on a league-worst 21.2% of dropbacks through eight games, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. And with Joe Alt now joining Rashawn Slater as the second star tackle to go down with a season-ending injury, the outlook was even more bleak in the second half. Unfortunately, I'm not sure the Chargers can expect this trade to have much of an impact.

Penning is probably worth a swing for a team in this desperate of a position. Former first-rounders almost always are. But there's also a reason he was available in the final year of a rookie contract. Penning really struggled over his first three seasons at tackle. He made the transition inside to guard this season, and it hasn't gone much better. Maybe a new system helps unlock some potential. Penning certainly has the physical skills to be successful. But it seems likely that the Chargers' offensive line is going to remain a mess from here on out. Even at 6-3, that makes it difficult to get excited about their chances of making a run.

Cowboys go big for Quinnen 🚨

I mentioned earlier that the Cowboys should be wary of any short-term fixes, instead focusing only on moves that could help them beyond this year. On one hand, this certainly meets that criteria. Williams is, without question, one of the NFL's premier interior defensive linemen. He's an impact player both as a pass-rusher and run defender. And at 27, he should be a long-term building block for the Dallas defense. All that being said, the price tag is still a little jarring.

Holding on to this year's first-round pick - a selection that could easily end up in the top 10 - is a big win for Dallas. But the second-rounder is tracking to be a pretty valuable pick, and there's no telling where that 2027 first-round pick will end up. Williams should help the Cowboys' defense take a step forward heading into next year, but the move doesn't exactly ease concerns about the way in which this top-heavy roster is constructed. Dallas now has three defensive tackles (Williams, Kenny Clark, Osa Odighizuwa) on the books for at least $20 million in 2026. Looking at this season's big defensive line moves in totality, the Cowboys essentially traded Micah Parsons, Mazi Smith, and a second-round pick for Williams, Clark, and a 2026 first-rounder. I'd rather have Parsons, personally.

As for the Jets: Wow. This is shaping up to be a complete teardown. Williams and Sauce Gardner easily could have been made untouchable heading into the deadline. And perhaps that was the intention. But teams were understandably willing to pay up for a pair of elite talents, and the new regime in New York evidently favored the idea of rebuilding the roster in their vision. What are the chances the Jets find players like Williams and Gardner with those picks? It may not even matter if this all sets them up to find a franchise quarterback.

Seahawks scoop up Shaheed

This is a fun one. Shaheed had been a popular name for teams like the Bills and Steelers leading up to the deadline. The need wasn't as obvious for the Seahawks, with Jaxon-Smith Njigba emerging as an elite target, Cooper Kupp contributing at a decent level, and fifth-round rookie Tory Horton looking like a steal. But you have to appreciate the Seahawks for not sitting back when they have a real chance to make noise. And the fit is just so good with Seattle's big-play passing game.

Sam Darnold has been the NFL's best deep-ball passer over the first half of the season. The veteran quarterback is leading the league with a ridiculous 61.3% completion rate on throws of at least 20 air yards. His passer rating on such attempts (144.8) is the best there's ever been in the TruMedia database, where air yardage is available starting with the 2006 season. This move gives Klint Kubiak another dynamic weapon to take that vertical passing game to even greater heights. Because while Shaheed has quietly been developing into a more well-rounded receiver of late, the ability to beat defenses over the top has always been his calling card. He ranks third among all receivers in air yards per target (13.7) and ninth in yards per catch (14.9) since entering the league in 2022. This new-look Seahawks offense just got a whole lot more difficult to defend regardless of whether the run game can find its desired consistency. With an outstanding defense in place on the other side of the ball, nobody should be sleeping on this team as a legitimate contender in the NFC.

Colts land Sauce in stunner 🚨

Incredible. Just when it seemed like we might be headed for a quiet conclusion to deadline day, the Colts come out of nowhere with an absolute bomb. Cornerback was a painfully obvious need for Indy, so it was reasonable to expect that there would be some sort of move here. But nobody was even considering the possibility that Sauce Gardner might be among the many players the Jets were willing to ship out. And Chris Ballard parting with a pair of first-round picks to get it done is a complete 180 from his typically conservative approach to team building.

Giving up that kind of draft capital for a non-quarterback typically isn't the most sound strategy, but this may be a unique case. Gardner has been one of the NFL's premier cornerbacks from the moment he was drafted in 2022. His ability to take away a team's top target makes him a true game-changer on the back end. That's especially true for a Colts team that has proven incredibly difficult to stop so long as they aren't playing from behind. Gardner is also still only 25 years old. And after signing a five-year megadeal in June, he's under contract through 2030. This addition tremendously boosts their chances of contending both this season and for years to come.

So why would the Jets trade him away? Good question. Gardner certainly isn't the kind of player you want to let out the door if you can avoid it, but everyone has a price. And it's easy to see how this new regime would have had to reconsider any previous plans when the Colts stepped up with a Godfather offer reminiscent of the Micah Parsons deal. Those picks could go a long way toward helping the Jets rebuild this roster. When the time comes, perhaps as soon as April, they'll have all the draft capital they need to move around the board and get the quarterback they want. Don't overlook Adonai Mitchell, either. The first two years of his career have been marred by mistakes, but it's tough to find receivers with his natural separation skills. He's got the potential to develop into a really interesting long-term No. 2 alongside Garrett Wilson. All in all, it's a fascinating deal. We can only hope this new era of ultra-aggressive general managers is here to stay.

Jaguars upgrade at WR

The Jaguars weren't about to let the offense fall apart after Travis Hunter's injury. Staying aggressive with a deal for Jakobi Meyers, who has long been one of the NFL's most underrated targets, provides an strong complement for the field-stretching capabilities of Brian Thomas Jr. Meyers is an excellent route-runner and as reliable as they come at the catch point. He should be quick to emerge as Trevor Lawrence's go-to target over the middle of the field, an area where Thomas has struggled as a sophomore.

Meyers requested a trade when contract talks stalled back in August, so it seemed inevitable that he'd be on the move with the Raiders in the midst of another lost season. All things considered, getting a pair of picks for a player who was nearly certain to leave as a free agent is a solid return. The move also clears the way for rookies Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton to get the reps they need over the second half of the season. Looking elsewhere, it'll be interesting to see whether the Steelers and Bills make moves to fill their needs at receiver. Both figured to be logical landing spots for a reliable veteran like Meyers.

Cowboys add on defense

Jerry Jones teased after Monday night's loss to the Cardinals that he was leaning toward finalizing a trade he had on the table. Unsurprisingly, it's not one that really moves the needle. Logan Wilson may well be an upgrade over Dallas' current starting linebackers, but he had recently been losing playing time on the only defense giving the Cowboys a run for their money at the bottom of the league. Wilson requested a trade in October when the Bengals turned things over to a pair of rookies.

Ultimately, it's a low-risk move on the part of the Cowboys. Wilson is under contract through 2027, due roughly $13.7 million over the next two seasons, but none of that is guaranteed. A seventh-round pick is a reasonable price to pay for a likely starter with multiple years of control. We'll see whether Jones has another trade in the works before the end of the day. After a pair of largely uncompetitive losses, though, the focus should be on impact players who can help the Cowboys beyond this year. It's tough to imagine any one addition, no matter how big the splash, saving this defense.

Nov. 3

Ravens fill a need

Dre'Mont Jones is an interesting pickup to bolster the Ravens' pass-rush unit. The seven-year veteran never really lived up to the big contract he got in Seattle, but he's been decently productive this year with the Titans, tying Jeffery Simmons for the team lead with 4.5 sacks. He could provide some critical rotational depth on the edge while also offering the flexibility to reduce inside on obvious passing downs. That's where he did his best work early in his career with the Broncos.

The pick being sent to Tennessee is a fifth-rounder that could become a fourth if certain conditions are met, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. It's a pretty solid return for a player the Titans signed to a one-year deal in March. This team needs all the picks it can get to continue its rebuild process, so it would be a surprise if there aren't more veterans on the move before the deadline.

Eagles get pass-rusher

Howie Roseman isn't messing around. After a pair of interesting moves to improve depth and competition at corner, the Eagles general manger gets aggressive to make the kind of splash we'd all been expecting. Jaelan Phillips is an excellent fit to potentially address a dire need on the edge. While injuries had kept him from a true breakout over the last two years, the upside has always been evident when he's on the field. The former first-rounder started in each of Miami's first nine games this year, recording three sacks and currently sitting tied for 11th among all edge defenders in pass-rush win rate, according to PFF. He should be an excellent edge complement for what Jalen Carter brings on the inside.

Assuming Nolan Smith can make his return from IR at some point in the second half of the season, and with Brandon Graham currently getting back up to speed after coming out of retirement, this pass-rush unit suddenly has the firepower to recapture some of the magic that helped lead the way to a Super Bowl title in February. And if Phillips cashes in with a big deal as a free agent, the Eagles could end up getting a third-round compensatory pick in 2027. The return probably feels a little light for Dolphins fans still well aware of Phillips' potential. But considering the injury history, and the lack of production that's come with it, Miami should be happy to turn an impending free agent into a Day 2 selection. This team needs all the picks it can get, so this may only be the start of a busy deadline for interim GM Champ Kelly.

Nov. 1

Eagles take swing on Jaire

It turns out the Eagles weren't done at cornerback, and this is a fascinating way to double down. Jaire Alexander did not have the expected impact after joining the Ravens as a free agent in June. He was inactive for six of Baltimore's first eight games, five of which as a healthy scratch. Considering the way the Ravens defense has been playing over the first half of the season, the two-time Pro Bowler not being able to get on the field would appear to be an ominous sign for his career trajectory. Even so, how can you not take this shot if you're Howie Roseman?

A late-round pick swap is a small price to pay for a home-run swing on a player who isn't that far removed from being one of the best cover corners in football. If a fresh start in a different system can help him recapture even a fraction of that form, the Eagles' cornerback issues would effectively be resolved. At the very least, landing both Alexander and Michael Carter II gives Vic Fangio some options when it comes to rounding out this position group.

Oct. 29

Eagles add CB depth

Michael Carter II is an interesting pickup for an Eagles team that was getting desperate at corner. It remains to be seen how he'll fit in, as he's played his entire NFL career in the slot. Would Philly be willing to shift Cooper DeJean to the vacant outside corner spot opposite Quinyon Mitchell? That's certainly possible if Carter forces his way onto the field.

Either way, this was about improving their talent level at an extremely thin position. The fit can be determined in the coming weeks. From the Jets' perspective, Carter became expendable when they acquired second-year player Jarvis Brownlee in a September trade with the Titans. Dealing from that position of strength to improve their non-existent receiver depth is a sensible move.

Oct. 28

Steelers get help in secondary

Pittsburgh had to make a move here. The Steelers defense has posted a 52% success rate through eight games, easily the unit's worst mark at this point in a season since at least 2000, according to TruMedia. And with DeShon Elliott headed to IR with a knee injury, it seemed possible that things were only going to get worse. Dugger probably can't be expected to fully compensate for that kind of loss, but he had long been a reliable contributor in New England before falling out of favor with the new staff. The Patriots reportedly paying the majority of his remaining $5.4-million salary makes this one a no-brainer for Pittsburgh.

The Steelers probably aren't done yet, as they're widely expected to be involved in the receiver market. Personally, I'm curious as to whether they also look to make another move on defense. Because if that group doesn't improve, at least taking a small step back toward this organization's typically high standard, it may not matter whether they get Aaron Rodgers another playmaker.

49ers bolster D-line

The 49ers desperately needed help on the defensive line. White is a sensible gamble to that end. While he was unable to carve out a role for himself under the new regime in New England, he should provide an immediate upgrade as a run defender. I'm also intrigued about the possibility of him shifting inside on passing downs to unlock more upside as a rusher.

Considering that's where he'd be most likely to emerge as an impact player, don't be surprised if the 49ers aren't done making additions on the edge. They could still use a little more juice in that group to help replace Nick Bosa, who will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL.

Oct. 27

Rams upgrade at CB

The Rams probably could have justified standing pat at the deadline. The offense is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous scoring attacks in football, and the defense quietly ranks second in EPA/play through eight weeks of the season. But the cornerback room always seemed a little shaky, and there have been times where opponents found success attacking the secondary. McCreary has the potential to be a really nice value to bolster that group. The former second-round pick might be asked to transition to the outside with Quentin Lake currently occupying his natural position in slot. While that'd be a bit of a risk on the Rams' part, Darious Williams enjoying a second successful stint in L.A. demonstrates that this team isn't one to get too caught up in length concerns at that position. Either way, it can't hurt to add a talented cover man for the stretch run.

From the Titans' perspective, this was clearly an effort to get whatever they could for a player they didn't plan on re-signing next offseason. Fair enough, but was it really going to be all that expensive to work out an extension here? A one-round pick swap on Day 3 isn't exactly a meaningful return for a 25-year-old starting-caliber corner. Dumping young defensive back talents like McCreary and Jarvis Brownlee Jr., who was sent to the Jets in September, only ups the difficulty for the task of restocking this barren roster. It's going to be a long rebuild process for Tennessee.

Oct. 9

Jags, Browns swap corners

It's not too often we see a player-for-player trade at the same position. This isn't exactly a true challenge deal, though, as Campbell and Newsome are very different assets. Newsome is in the final year of his rookie deal, while Campbell is under team control through 2028 after signing a four-year extension in 2024.

The Browns flipping an impending free agent for a similarly talented player and what will amount to a below-market contract (Jacksonville paid a $16 million signing bonus up front) is a savvy piece of business for a rebuilding team. The Jaguars eating a $19.5-million dead money charge for Campbell next year is less than ideal, but Newsome figures to be the better fit in Anthony Campanile's zone-heavy scheme. He'll be an extension candidate if he can help the Jacksonville defense build upon its hot start to the season.

Oct. 7

Chargers, Ravens address needs

Look at the Harbaugh brothers helping each other out. The Chargers fill a glaring need with Oweh, an explosive former first-rounder who broke out with 10 sacks last season. He's not nearly as impactful against the run, so the vision is probably to have him take on a rotational passing-down role once Khalil Mack makes his return. Gilman has been a quietly valuable piece on the back end of the L.A. defense, but the Chargers do have some depth at safety.

The Ravens are presumably planning to have the six-year veteran play alongside rookie Malaki Starks while bringing Kyle Hamilton closer to the line of scrimmage. That'd be an interesting strategy for the struggling Baltimore defense, as shifting Hamilton deep was a catalyst for last year's second-half surge. Oweh's departure hurts an already-thin group on the edge, but the Ravens could justify taking a big swing to upgrade that spot if they can keep their season alive after a shockingly slow start.

Bengals land Flacco

Credit where credit is due. The Bengals easily could have stuck by their frustratingly conservative ways and slowly watched the season slip away with Jake Browning drawing in for an injured Joe Burrow. Something had to be done with the Cincinnati backup ranking 33rd in EPA/dropback through his first four appearances.

While expectations should probably be kept in check here, as Flacco checks in just one spot higher in EPA/dropback rating after four starts with the Browns, his gunslinger play style should allow the Bengals to maximize their All-World receiver tandem in ways that simply weren't possible with Browning. Even if it's not enough to salvage Cincinnati's surprise 2-0 start, the front office owed it to the rest of the team to go down swinging. At the very least, the Bengals just became a whole lot more watchable.

Dan Wilkins is theScore's senior NFL writer.