NFL Trade Deadline: Who Came Out on Top
Did anyone see that coming? Dramatic, last minute trades occur more often in basketball or baseball. The NFL mid season trade deadline usually passes by without anything exciting happening. All of that changed yesterday, as veterans like Jimmy Garoppolo, Duane Brown, Jay Ajayi and Jeremy Lane switched teams.
After the action went down to the deadline, here are the biggest winners of the mid season trade window.
New England Patriots and Tom Brady
After Jimmy Garoppolo was traded to the San Francisco 49ers, Tom Brady became the only quarterback in the New England roster. The 40-year-old wants to play for another five years, and now his starting place is secure. The Patriots have a problem on should he get injured, but as we know, they won’t win a Super Bowl without Brady regardless. New England effectively traded the 62nd pick in the 2014 draft for what could be the 33rd pick in 2018. A good piece of business for a player who clearly wasn’t in the Pats plans for the future.
Philadelphia Eagles and Jay Ajayi
The Eagles, despite having the best record in the NFC, now look even stronger with the addition of running back Ajayi. They see a real chance to come out on top in the NFC this year. Ajayi, while not an immediate replacement for LeGarrette Blount, will provide extra pass protection for Carson Wentz, an MVP candidate. Ajayi also has the ability to catch the ball out of backfield. This should be a good move personally for Ajayi, who wasn’t fitting in in Miami. He will feel that in the aftermath of their 40-0 wipeout to the Baltimore Ravens, this was a good time to move. Although, his injury record casts a doubt over whether he will be a long term pick for the Eagles.
Seattle Seahawks and Russell Wilson
Following the Seahawks victory over Deshaun Watson’s Texans, Seattle invested in their offense at long last. Left-tackle Duane Brown arrives from Houston ready to contribute to Seattle’s lacking run game. This is sure to please Russell Wilson, who has been crying out for some protection all season. The Seahawks knew that if they wanted to make it to a 3rd Super Bowl in 5 years, they needed reinforcements. At 32, Brown might not be the most exciting option, but he’s a big upgrade on what Seattle have been using in his position over the last few years.
Buffalo Bills and Tyrod Taylor
The Bills are 5-2 for the season and chasing down the Patriots to end their 17-year run without making it to the playoffs. The signing of wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin from the Florida Panthers will be seen as a big win. Experienced players usually leave Buffalo, not the other way around. This trade deadline, Buffalo has got a world class wide receiver to help quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who has been good this year. Benjamin will enhance the Bills’ passing game and is on his way to a 1,000 yard season. Will it be enough to end the longest post-season drought in the NFL?
Click here to find out how the trade deadline affect your futures bets.
