Poll: Who Fared Best At Trade Deadline?
The NFL trade deadline has trended upward in recent years, and Tuesday resembled — to some degree, at least — the frenzy the NBA or MLB deadlines bring. In the days leading up to Tuesday’s record-setting deadline sequence — a 10-trade day — other teams improved their situations as well.
Although the Broncos received the only first-round pick exchanged during this year’s in-season trade cycle, the 49ers came away with the splashiest addition. San Francisco showed off its Christian McCaffrey move against their rivals and second-place CMC finishers Sunday, with the versatile back joining Walter Payton and LaDainian Tomlinson as the only backs to complete the rush-catch-throw touchdown triple.
On the other end of that deal, the Panthers collected four draft picks for McCaffrey and two from the Cardinals for Robbie Anderson. Carolina now has two additional Day 2 choices from the McCaffrey swap, though the retooling team is believed to have passed on a Rams offer of two first-round picks for edge rusher Brian Burns. Was that the right call? Because the Rams could not acquire McCaffrey or Burns, they ended up as odd bystanders during an action-packed deadline.
The Dolphins sent the 49ers a fifth-rounder for Jeff Wilson, reuniting him with ex-San Francisco OC Mike McDaniel, but Bradley Chubb was Miami’s deadline prize. Seven months after they sent a first-rounder and change to the Chiefs for Tyreek Hill, the Dolphins became the first team since the 2019 Chiefs (Frank Clark) to send over a Round 1 pick for an edge defender. Chubb (5.5 sacks) will step in to take over as Miami’s pass-rushing anchor, while the Broncos obtained more than they did for Von Miller‘s one-time sidekick than they did for the future Hall of Famer. Denver, which collected first- and fourth-rounders and Chase Edmonds in this blockbuster, now has a 2023 first-round choice after previously being without first- or second-rounders next year due to the Russell Wilson trade.
The Bears vacillated between buyers and sellers over the past several days, unloading Ryan Pace-era defensive investments Robert Quinn and Roquan Smith but adding Chase Claypool. Chicago picked up second- and fifth-round picks from Baltimore for Smith but sent its own second to Pittsburgh for Claypool, beating out Green Bay’s offer of a Round 2 choice for the 238-pound wideout. The Bears, who still have a 2023 sixth-rounder left over from the Khalil Mack trade, will have three additional draft choices because of their activity this week.
Pittsburgh did well to obtain a second for Claypool, who turned out to carry considerable value on the market. Known aficionados of Day 2 wideouts, the Steelers can replenish their receiver cadre — or add in other areas — with two second-rounders next year.
Although the Browns nabbed Deion Jones in October for a low cost, the Ravens’ Smith addition headlined the AFC North’s moves. The Ravens had attempted to keep C.J. Mosley in 2019 and made Bobby Wagner a big offer this year. GM Eric DeCosta has his acclaimed linebacker now. Though, the Ravens could be faced with an interesting offseason predicament. They have now acquired a contract-year standout ahead of a franchise tag window in which Lamar Jackson will be expected to receive the tag.
Chicago’s Claypool addition was not the most interesting NFC North move. Due to the scarcity of intra-division trades, the Lions’ decision to send T.J. Hockenson‘s through-2023 contract to the Vikings may linger for a while. While most teams prefer to send key players out of the conference, or at least out of their division, Detroit — which partnered with Minnesota on April’s Jameson Williams trade-up — collected second- and third-round picks for Hockenson and multiple Day 3 choices. The Vikings will return to Detroit with Hockenson Dec. 11 and should be expected to discuss an extension with the Pro Bowl pass catcher, who will team with Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen on the 6-1 squad.
The Bills made two pre-deadline moves, acquiring Nyheim Hines and reuniting with safety Dean Marlowe, while the Falcons added a player (cornerback Rashad Fenton) and dealt away two (Marlowe, Calvin Ridley). Jacksonville’s move qualifies as one of the most unique in recent NFL history, with Ridley suspended for gambling but also now part of a trade that could send a second-rounder to Atlanta if the once-promising receiver re-signs with the Jaguars. Ridley, who totaled 1,374 receiving yards in 2020, could be an interesting piece in the Jags’ Christian Kirk-led receiving corps. But he will apply for reinstatement next year having not played since midway through the 2021 season.
How much will the Chiefs pickup of injury-prone but electric wideout Kadarius Toney move the needle? Will the Jets’ James Robinson get do enough to fill the Breece Hall void? What team improved its situation the most during this year’s leadup to the deadline? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/1/22
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: OL Sage Doxtater, OL Danny Isidora
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DE Amani Bledsoe
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: CB Daryl Worley
Buffalo Bills
- Relased: CB Jordan Miller
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe, RB Nate McCrary
- Released: CB Gavin Heslop, RB John Lovett
Denver Broncos
- Signed: LB Zach McCloud
- Released: LB Kana’i Mauga
Detroit Lions
- Signed: S Brady Breeze
Green Bay Packers
- Released: LB Kobe Jones
Houston Texans
- Signed: LB Buddy Johnson
Miami Dolphins
- Released: QB Reid Sinnett
New England Patriots
- Signed: OL Hayden Howerton, P Michael Palardy
- Released: DL Ron’Dell Carter, K Tristan Vizcaino
New Orleans Saints
- Released: DB Jordan Brown, QB Jake Luton
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Willie Snead
- Released: WR Malik Turner
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Laquon Treadwell
- Released: WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: OT Justin Skule
Rams Offered Two First-Round Picks For Panthers’ Brian Burns
After the Panthers fired head coach Matt Rhule, and especially after they traded away Christian McCaffrey, speculation has continued to swirl with respect to the Panthers’ other franchise players. At the top of that list is Brian Burns, whom the rebuilding team has held on to despite at least one substantial offer for the emerging pass rusher. 
It was reported last week that Carolina received an offer of two first-round picks for Burns, as teams look to take advantage of the Panthers’ sell-off, and, more generally, the 2022 edge rush market. It was not known at the time which team submitted that sizeable proposal, but it has since been reported by SI’s Albert Breer that the Rams made a “substantial offer” for Burns.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler tweets that it is believed the defending Super Bowl champions were indeed the ones who put a pair of Day 1 selections on the table. That would fall in line with general manager Les Snead‘s well-known stance on draft picks, and, as Fowler notes, give the team a Von Miller replacement. Los Angeles sent second- and third-round picks to the Broncos for the latter last year, a move which helped earn the team the Lombardi Trophy.
Burns, 24, would certainly represent another major investment at the position, one with longer-term implications given his age. The Panthers have been very clear, however, that the Florida State product is one of a handful of franchise cornerstones who are highly unlikely to be moved. That, along with the fact that the Rams don’t own their 2023 first-rounder, would explain their reluctance to execute even a deal which would have greatly boosted their draft capital.
Fowler also notes that the Rams included maligned running back Cam Akers in their negotiations with Carolina. Akers has struggled to regain his form after last year’s Achilles tear, and his relationship with head coach Sean McVay has reached the point where both sides are eyeing a change of scenery.
With the door seemingly closed to Los Angeles being able to acquire Burns, their attention will presumably turn even more towards Broncos pass rusher Bradley Chubb. He heads the list of edge rushers believed to be available, and the Rams are among the teams thought to be most active in their pursuit of help at the position. In the coming hours, it will be revealed if they are successful in that endeavor.
Chiefs, Rams Expected To Pursue Pass Rushing Help
The Chiefs and Rams are involved in the Brandin Cooks market, and both clubs are also seeking upgrades to their pass rushing contingent. Per Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, Kansas City and Los Angeles would like to add a pass rusher prior to Tuesday’s trade deadline.
The most notable pass rusher that has the best chance of being moved within the next several days appears to be Denver’s Bradley Chubb. Indeed, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com classifies the 2-5 Broncos as the most likely team to make a trade, and he further reports that one club has offered Denver a package headlined by a first-round pick in exchange for Chubb. Even though two of Chubb’s first four professional seasons were marred by injury, his fifth season has proven that, when healthy, he is one of the game’s better edge defenders. Through seven games in 2022, he has posted 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
As Jones points out, Denver would almost certainly not trade Chubb to the division-rival Chiefs, though the Rams would be a viable trade partner. LA, however, lacks a 2023 first-round pick due to last year’s Matthew Stafford trade, so it remains to be seen if it would be able to present Broncos GM George Paton with a winning offer. Jones says the Rams, as is their custom, are willing to trade future first-rounders.
Since Chubb is in the final year of his rookie contract, any acquiring club would want to work out a contract extension with him, according to Schefter. Of course, if Paton holds onto Chubb, he would want to come to terms on a multi-year pact as well (as Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post writes, Chubb is amenable to a contract that keeps him in the Mile High City for the long haul). Regardless of where he ends up, Chubb’s next deal is expected to pay him more than $20MM on an annual basis.
Other pass rushers that could be available for the Chiefs and Rams include players like the Panthers’ Brian Burns and the Jaguars’ Josh Allen. Jones echoes recent reports that Carolina seems unwilling to move Burns, and the NFL.com trio of Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo report that Jacksonville wants to retain Allen, whom it views as a foundational piece.
While Chubb could be dealt, Schefter says the Broncos do not plan to trade wideouts Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler. Tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, meanwhile, is still likely to be traded, per Troy Renck of Denver 7 (via Twitter). The asking price on Okwuegbunam is “minimal.”
Panthers QB Baker Mayfield Likely To Return In Week 8; P.J. Walker To Start
The quarterback who began the season as the Panthers’ top option appears set to return tomorrow, but not in his previous role. Baker Mayfield worked with Carolina’s scout team during the week in practice, and interim head coach Steve Wilks said he should be available for tomorrow’s game against the Falcons (Twitter link via Joe Person of The Athletic). 
The former Browns starter suffered a high ankle sprain during what was ultimately Matt Rhule‘s final game as head coach. Two weeks was initially considered to be the short end of his recovery timeframe, before further testing revealed a torn ligament. That was expected to delay Mayfield’s return, but he has recovered quickly to the point where he can dress as a backup.
As Wilks suggested on Sunday, however, health would not guarantee Mayfield – or, for that matter, Sam Darnold, who has yet to suit up in 2022 – a first-team spot. The play of fourth-stringer P.J. Walker in the team’s win over the Buccaneers gave him the inside track to start against Atlanta. Wilks said earlier this week, via ESPN’s David Newton, that he “[saw] no reason not to” with respect to keeping Walker in place as the No. 1.
The former XFLer has already matched his career total in starts over the past two weeks from his previous seasons in Carolina. Walker threw for just 60 yards in the Panthers’ loss to the Rams, but had a far more effective and productive game (177 yards, two touchdowns) leading the team to their upset win over Tampa Bay. The decision to trade away receiver Robbie Anderson and running back Christian McCaffrey has left the Panthers’ offense without two notable skill position players, but Walker’s potential upside relative to Mayfield and Darnold make him a logical starting choice in at least the near-term future.
“He understands exactly where we’re going this week and knows his role,” Wilks said of Mayfield (Twitter link via Person). “And he was fine with it.” How much of an opportunity the latter has to retake the No. 1 role after tomorrow will be worth watching as Carolina looks for its second straight victory of the Wilks era.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/29/22
Here are the minor moves leading into Sunday’s slate of games:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Antwaun Woods, T Badara Traore
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed to active roster: CB Cornell Armstrong
- Promoted from practice squad: S Jovante Moffatt, DL Jalen Dalton
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Spencer Brown
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on IR: T Joe Haeg
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed to active roster: RB Malik Davis, TE Sean McKeon
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Qadree Ollison, G Dakoda Shepley
- Placed on IR: LB Devin Harper
Denver Broncos
- Signed to active roster: RB Devine Ozigbo
- Promoted from practice squad: T Quinn Bailey, DE Jonathan Kongbo
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: K Michael Badgley
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Maurice Alexander, WR Stanley Berryhill
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted from practice squad: S Innis Gaines, DE Kobe Jones
Houston Texans
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Jalen Camp, T KC McDermott
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Nickell Robey-Coleman
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from IR: WR Van Jefferson, CB Troy Hill (story)
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Ronnie Rivers, T Chandler Brewer
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted from practice squad: S Verone McKinley, WR Braylon Sanders
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Jacob Hollister
New England Patriots
- Activated from IR: T Yodny Cajuste
- Promoted from practice squad: OL Kody Russey
- Placed on IR: G Chasen Hines
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: S Chris Harris
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Kevin White
- Released: WR Keith Kirkwood
New York Jets
- Promoted from practice squad: QB Chris Streveler, OL Conor McDermott
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: DE Tarron Jackson
- Waived: K Cameron Dicker
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed to active roster: WR Willie Snead
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Tay Martin, DT T.Y. McGill
- Waived: T Blake Hance
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from IR: RB Travis Homer
- Promoted from practice squad: OLB Bruce Irvin, WR Cade Johnson
Washington Commanders
- Promoted from practice squad: FB Alex Armah, WR Kyric McGowan
2022 NFL Cap Space, By Team
Days away from this year’s trade deadline (3pm CT, Nov. 1), a few teams have made some in-season moves to bolster their rosters. Several squads have also restructured contracts this season to create additional space. That extra room will matter as most teams will consider adding or subtracting costs before Tuesday’s deadline.
Here is how teams’ cap-space numbers (courtesy of OverTheCap) look ahead of the deadline:
- Cleveland Browns: $33.72MM
- Las Vegas Raiders: $10.35MM
- Carolina Panthers: $9.79MM
- Atlanta Falcons: $9.71MM
- Philadelphia Eagles: $9.47MM
- Denver Broncos: $7.79MM
- Pittsburgh Steelers: $7.69MM
- Indianapolis Colts: $7.23MM
- Dallas Cowboys: $7.16MM
- Chicago Bears: $7.08MM
- Green Bay Packers: $6.6MM
- Miami Dolphins: $6.16MM
- New York Jets: $5.71MM
- Los Angeles Chargers: $4.97MM
- San Francisco 49ers: $4.95MM
- Los Angeles Rams: $4.93MM
- Arizona Cardinals: $4.76MM
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $4.3MM
- Washington Commanders: $4.26MM
- Kansas City Chiefs: $3.86MM
- Seattle Seahawks: $3.71MM
- Jacksonville Jaguars: $3.67MM
- New Orleans Saints: $3.61MM
- Cincinnati Bengals: $3.31MM
- New York Giants: $3.26MM
- Detroit Lions: $3.25MM
- Baltimore Ravens: $3.07MM
- New England Patriots: $2.19MM
- Houston Texans: $2.09MM
- Buffalo Bills: $1.93MM
- Tennessee Titans: $1.59MM
- Minnesota Vikings: $852K
The Browns have held the top spot for months, and the gulf between their cap-space figure and the field almost certainly stems from a desire to carry over cap space before Deshaun Watson‘s cap number spikes from $9.4MM to a runaway-record $54.99MM. Cleveland has recently been linked to creating more cap space. Interest has come in for Greedy Williams, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, and Kareem Hunt. Although the Browns did not grant Hunt’s summer trade request, it may now take only a fourth-round pick for Cleveland to deal its backup running back.
Another potential seller could move up on this list while creating some additional space in 2023. The Broncos are believed to have made Jerry Jeudy available. Unlike fellow trade chip Bradley Chubb, Jeudy is under contract for 2023 (on a $4.83MM cap number). Denver appears more likely to move Chubb. That departure would remove the franchise tag from the team’s equation in 2023 — barring a tag for fellow 2023 UFA-to-be Dre’Mont Jones — thus freeing up more free agency funds. It will be interesting if the Broncos, if they are to move Chubb, agree to eat much of his fifth-year option salary. George Paton‘s club took on most of Von Miller‘s 2021 money to increase draft compensation.
The Eagles are still near the top despite acquiring Robert Quinn. Philadelphia is paying just $684K of Quinn’s contract, which now runs through 2022 instead of 2024. Chicago is on the hook for $7.1MM. The Bears are on track to have a gargantuan lead on the field for 2023 cap space. They are projected to hold more than $125MM next year, according to OverTheCap.
New Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney checks in at just $784K on their 2022 cap sheet. The former Giants first-rounder’s figures bump to $1.9MM (2023) and $2.53MM (’24). Kansas City recently restructured Travis Kelce‘s deal, creating some wiggle room for the Toney addition. The Chiefs, who did not touch Patrick Mahomes‘ deal this year, restructured Kelce’s contract twice in 2022. Thursday’s trade hit the Giants with a $2.33MM dead-money charge. Toney will count $3.67MM in dead money for the Giants in 2023.
The Panthers picked up nearly $19MM in 2022 dead money via the Robbie Anderson and Christian McCaffrey trades. Unlike the Eagles and Bears, last week’s Panthers-49ers McCaffrey swap did not involve Carolina taking on additional salary. McCaffrey’s offseason restructure dropped his 2022 base salary to the league minimum; the 49ers have him on their books at just $690K. McCaffrey’s record-setting extension will still represent $18.35MM in dead money on the Panthers’ 2023 cap, but his nonguaranteed base salaries from 2023-25 ($11.8MM, $11.8MM, $12MM) transferred fully from Carolina to San Francisco.
On the subject of 2022 dead money, the Bears lead the way with $80.32MM. The Falcons added to their total this month, however, by trading Deion Jones to the Browns. That deal saddled the Falcons with $11.38MM in additional dead money — accompanying the franchise’s record-setting Matt Ryan dead-money hit ($40.53MM) — and ballooned Atlanta’s overall total to $78.57MM. Ryan is off the Falcons’ books after this year, but Jones will carry a $12.14MM dead-money figure in 2023.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/27/22
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: FB John Lovett
- Released: LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DL Gerri Green
- Released: WR Reggie Roberson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Placed on IR: CB Anthony Chesley
Panthers C Pat Elflein Expected To Miss Rest Of Season
It sounds like Pat Elflein‘s season has come to an end. The Panthers center is set to undergo season-ending hip surgery, coach Steve Wilks told reporters today (via Darin Gantt of NBC Sports on Twitter).
Elflein landed on injured reserve on Saturday. The veteran had reportedly been dealing with a hip injury that forced him to miss practice time leading up to Week 7. The IR stint meant the offensive lineman would have been sidelined until at least Week 11, but the veteran will ultimately miss the rest of the season.
The center started 42 of his first 43 NFL games with the Vikings between 2017 and 2019. After splitting the 2020 campaign with the Vikings and Jets, he joined the Panthers on a three-year, $13.5MM deal. He was limited to nine starts during his first season with the Panthers thanks to a hamstring injury that knocked him out for a few months. After Pro Football Focus graded him towards the bottom of the center position in 2021, Elflein ranked 21st among 37 qualifiers in six starts this year.
Bradley Bozeman will likely take over in the starting lineup for the Panthers. The offensive lineman started 48 games for the Ravens between 2019 and 2021, but he’s been limited to a backup role during his first season in Carolina, starting only one of his seven appearances.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/25/22
Today’s minor transactions:
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on reserve/NFI: DE Henry Anderson
- Signed off Dolphins practice squad: OT Larnel Coleman
- Signed to active roster: CB Tae Hayes
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: S C.J. Moore
Houston Texans
- Signed to active roster: WR Tyron Johnson
Kansas City Chiefs
- Released: WR Daurice Fountain
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: G Jeremiah Kolone
New Orleans Saints
- Released from IR: G Forrest Lamp
New York Jets
- Signed to active roster: RB Zonovan Knight
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: RB Tevin Coleman
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Placed on IR: LB K.J. Britt
Tennessee Titans
- Signed off Chiefs practice squad: WR Chris Conley
- Placed on IR: WR Kyle Philips
Washington Commanders
- Signed to activer roster: CB Danny Johnson