In recent years, NFL teams have become much more active at the trade deadline and more often than not, we see these moves end up playing a big role in the larger playoff picture. Last year, it was Christian McCaffrey to the 49ers—who will it be this year?
Let’s take a look and rank every move at the 2023 NFL Trade Deadline.
20. Chicago Bears (2024 second-round draft pick for DE Montez Sweat)
This was a very puzzling move from Chicago, a team that needs all of its draft capital. Sweat is still set to be a free agent at the end of the year and resigning him is far from a guaranteed proposition.
19. Tennessee Titans (S Kevin Byard for S Terrell Edmunds, 2024 fifth-round draft pick, 2024 sixth-round draft pick)
I don’t love this move from Tennessee. Byard was one of the best safeties in the league and the haul hardly seems worth it, even on an expiring deal.
18. Philadelphia Eagles (DL Kentavius Street and 2025 seventh-round draft pick for 2024 sixth-round draft pick)
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Kentavius Street may have been on the outside looking in for Philly, but it is risky to part ways with that depth for just a sixth and seventh-round pick swap.
17. Minnesota Vikings (OL Ezra Cleveland for 2024 sixth-round draft pick)
I understand that Minnesota is in a strange position at this trade deadline following the injury to Kirk Cousins, but this was a bad move. A sixth-rounder isn’t nearly enough for Cleveland.
16. Cleveland Browns (WR Donovan Peoples-Jones for 2025 sixth-round pick)
Peoples-Jones had clearly run his course in Cleveland, the Browns had no choice but to try and get some value out of him.
15. Atlanta Falcons (2024 sixth-round draft pick for DL Kentavius Street and 2025 seventh-round draft pick)
After the Grady Jarrett injury, this was a move that Atlanta had to make. Street isn’t the perfect piece, but it is good they did something.
14. Minnesota Vikings (2024 sixth-round draft pick for QB Joshua Dobbs and 2024 seventh-round draft pick)
It isn’t clear what the play was here from the Vikings. Losing Kirk Cousins is obviously devastating, but the team is still in a position to win if they’d brought in a more capable quarterback. The Dobbs trade is puzzling.
13. Detroit Lions (2025 sixth-round draft pick for WR Donovan Peoples-Jones)
Detroit was wise to roll the dice on Peoples-Jones. He has shown flashes and a sixth-rounder is low enough buy-in to make it a worthwhile gamble.
12. Washington Commanders (2024 third-round draft pick for DE Chase Young)
Chase Young may be on an expiring deal, but Washington really should have gotten a bigger haul for a former No. 2 pick in the draft considering he’s having a career year.
11. Kansas City Chiefs (2025 sixth-round draft pick for WR Mecole Hardman and 2025 seventh-round draft pick)
Bringing Mecole Hardman back into the mix wasn’t the worst idea for a Kansas City Chiefs team that has really struggled at wide receiver.
10. New York Jets (WR Mecole Hardman and 2025 seventh-round draft pick for 2025 sixth-round draft pick)
Mecole Hardman clearly wasn’t working out in New York, so netting a seventh to sixth-round pick swap wasn’t the worst idea. Based on how he’s looked, getting anything out of him is a win.
9. Buffalo Bills (2024 third-round draft pick for CB Rasul Douglas and 2024 fifth-round draft pick
Rasul Douglas isn’t a perfect player by any stretch, but he’s been solid for the Packers thus far this year. But let’s face it, the Bills are in win-now mode and they needed to bolster their secondary, so it is a good move.
8. Arizona Cardinals (2024 sixth-round draft pick for QB Joshua Dobbs and 2024 seventh-round draft pick)
Arizona was smart to package Dobbs to move up a round in the draft. He was starting to bottom out for the Cards and getting any value out of his is a win.
7. Washington Commanders (DE Montez Sweat for 2024 second-round draft pick)
It is tough to part ways with Montez Sweat, but Washington did a good job selling high on him before he can leave for nothing in the offseason.
6. Seattle Seahawks (2024 second-round draft pick and 2025 fifth-round draft pick for Leonard Williams)
Seattle is sitting at five and two and looking poised for a serious postseason run. Bringing in another talent on their defensive line like Leonard Williams was a great strategy.
5. Green Bay Packers (CB Rasul Douglas and 2024 fifth-round draft pick for 2024 third-round draft pick)
Green Bay was wise to start selling off parts at the deadline. This team has holes all over the roster and getting some more mid-round draft picks is the way to go.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (S Terrell Edmunds, 2024 fifth-round draft pick, 2024 sixth-round draft pick for S Kevin Byard)
The Eagles are looking like a juggernaut so far in 2023 and they’ve now plugged what might’ve been their lone weakness, the defensive secondary.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (2024 sixth-round draft pick for OL Ezra Cleveland)
Jacksonville is playing its best football in years and was wise to add some reinforcements to their offensive line as they head into the stretch run. Cleveland should be a nice addition that can make a difference in the running and passing game.
2. San Francisco 49ers (2024 third-round draft pick for DE Chase Young)
The 49ers have been on a little skid of late, but fantastic move for them to roll the dice on a physical specimen like Chase Young. Plugging the former Defensive Rookie of the Year into that defense is a scary proposition.
1. New York Giants (DL Leonard Williams for 2024 second-round draft pick and 2025 fifth-round draft pick)
The Giants defense has been looking great of late and Leonard Williams is a big reason why. Obviously, in a perfect world New York wouldn’t be parting ways with him, but this is a good haul for a player on an expiring deal.
