NFL trade deadline: Running analysis for all notable deals

Follow along for analysis of every notable deal made before this year's Nov. 4 trade deadline. Click here to check in on theScore's NFL trade tracker and an updated big board of players who could be available.

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. All things considered, 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.