Bleacher Report 2022 NFL Trade Deadline Grades and Analysis

NFL teams have until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November to execute trades. Some may be planning to make a playoff push, while others should start stacking draft capital for future.

Two weeks ago, the San Francisco 49ers acquired star running back Christian McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers in a blockbuster deal. Last week, the Chicago Bears sent three-time Pro Bowl edge-rusher Robert Quinn to the Philadelphia Eagles, and the New York Giants parted ways with wide receiver Kadarius Toney, their top draft pick from 2021.

Teams hovering around .500 will likely make calls for players who can shore up weak areas on their roster for a midseason run. Even the upper-echelon clubs should stay active, as the Los Angeles Rams demonstrated last year. At 7-1, they acquired edge-rusher Von Miller, who went on to record five sacks in eight regular-season games with the Rams and four more in the 2021 postseason en route to a victory in Super Bowl LVI.

We’ll grade teams that made trades between Monday and the deadline with an assessment of how well rebuilding clubs set up their rosters for the future and how much playoff hopefuls improved with their new acquisitions.

But first, let’s review the transactions from the past few weeks with some honorable mentions.

· Carolina Panthers traded running back Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers for second-, third- and fourth-round picks in 2023 and a fifth-round selection in 2024.

· Chicago Bears traded edge-rusher Robert Quinn to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2023 fourth-round pick.

· New York Giants traded wide receiver Kadarius Toney to the Kansas City Chiefs for third- (compensatory) and sixth-round picks in 2023.

Last week, Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith shed tears during a press conference when he found out edge-rusher Robert Quinn was heading to the Philadelphia Eagles. On Monday, the Bears sent him to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for second- and fifth-round picks in 2023 along with 10th-year linebacker A.J. Klein, per CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson.

This past summer, Smith requested a trade as he sought a new deal, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Chicago might have lost him this upcoming offseason unless it used the franchise tag on him.

Per ESPN’s Field Yates, the Bears now have nine 2023 draft picks (three within the first two rounds) and over $100 million in cap space this offseason. In the near future, they can significantly upgrade their roster around quarterback Justin Fields, specifically the offensive line and wide receiver corps.

Through the first seven weeks of the 2022 season, Fields has taken the most sacks leaguewide (31), and only one of his pass-catchers (Darnell Mooney) has more than 14 receptions.

As for the Ravens, they’ve acquired one of the league’s best off-ball linebackers in Smith, who can play on all three downs, pressure the quarterback, drop back in coverage and help out the run defense. Going into Week 9, he’s recorded a league-high tackles (83) along with 2.5 sacks, five pressures, three pass breakups and two interceptions while allowing a 55.3 percent completion rate in coverage.

Smith should immediately improve the Ravens defense, which ranks 24th in yards allowed. Once his deal expires in March, he’ll likely command a big-money contract because of his strong four-and-a-half year run in Chicago.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Baltimore will only pay him $575,000 for the remainder of the season.

Ravens Grade: A

Bears Grade: A

The 6-1 Minnesota Vikings made a major in-division deal with the Detroit Lions on Tuesday. They're sending second- and fourth-round picks in 2023 to the Lions, while they're receiving tight end T.J. Hockenson, a 2023 fourth-round pick and a conditional 2024 fourth-rounder, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

In their 34-26 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. suffered a high ankle sprain. He's expected to miss eight to 10 weeks, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Hockenson will immediately fill the void at the position in the passing game.

Hockenson is an upgrade over Smith. The 2020 Pro Bowler has caught 186 passes for 2,068 yards and 15 touchdowns across his four-year career, while Smith doesn’t have more than 36 receptions or 365 receiving yards in any of his four campaigns. (He missed the entire 2021 season after undergoing meniscus surgery.)

As wideout Adam Thielen’s production continues to decline in his age-32 season, Hockenson could become the Vikings' No. 2 pass-catcher as a complement to wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Minnesota will have him under contract through the 2023 campaign because the Lions exercised his fifth-year option back in April.

For the most part, the Lions underutilized Hockenson through their first seven games of 2022 season. He eclipsed 48 receiving yards in just two outings and averaged 3.7 catches per contest, which is a drop-off from the 5.1 receptions he had per game last season.

At 1-6, the Lions don’t have a real shot to make the playoffs, so they decided to trade one of their best assets for future draft capital. Detroit now has four picks within the first two rounds of the 2023 draft because of this trade and its 2021 deal with the Los Angeles Rams that involved Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff.

Because Hockenson had an inconsistent role in the Lions’ aerial attack, they won’t miss his production if wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown continues to ascend into stardom and rookie first-round wide receiver Jameson Williams makes an impact once he recovers from a torn ACL.

If the Lions keep Goff beyond this season, they should use most of their draft capital to improve a sieve-like defense that’s allowed the most points and yards in the league going into Week 9.

Vikings Grade: A

Lions Grade: B

After sending star linebacker Roquan Smith to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, the Chicago Bears added a playmaker Tuesday. They acquired wide receiver Chase Claypool from the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a 2023 second-round pick, per ESPN’s Field Yates and Adam Schefter.

The Bears had a pair of second-rounders after their deal with the Ravens, so they flipped their own pick to invest in their passing attack, which has racked up the fewest yards through the first eight weeks of the 2022 season.

Quarterback Justin Fields should be more productive from the pocket with Claypool lining up opposite wide receiver Darnell Mooney. The former could see an increase in his production because he leaves a crowded Steelers’ pass-catching group for a depleted Bears unit.

The 6'4", 238-pound Claypool will serve as a big-bodied target for a passing attack that needed a spark. Thus far, it seems as though the Bears whiffed on rookie third-rounder Velus Jones Jr., who’s more of a special teamer with just three catches for 24 yards and a touchdown and 41 rushing yards.

Pittsburgh signed wideout Diontae Johnson to a two-year extension this past offseason, and he leads the team in targets (76). Meanwhile, rookie second-rounder George Pickens looks like a future star who can make difficult catches. The first-year wide receiver has six fewer receptions than Claypool but 27 more receiving yards. Tight end Pat Freiermuth also makes consistent contributions in the passing game, hauling in 32 passes for 367 yards and a touchdown in seven contests.

Claypool hasn't been stretching the field as much this year as he did in his first two campaigns. He averaged more than 14 yards per catch in both 2020 and 2021, but he's down to 9.7 yards per reception this season.

This deal could work out for all parties involved. Fields gets a playmaker with boom potential, Claypool can see more targets to cash in on a big payday after the 2023 season, and Pickens can grow more chemistry with rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett.

The Steelers used a second-round selection to draft Claypool in 2020, and they received roughly equivalent draft capital for him in this trade. That's an added bonus for Pittsburgh.

Bears Grade: A

Steelers Grade: B+

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio heard that the Denver Broncos were “much more likely” to trade edge-rusher Bradley Chubb if they lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London last week. Well, they won the game and dealt him anyway.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Broncos sent Chubb and a 2025 fifth-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for a 2023 first-round pick (via the San Francisco 49ers), a 2024 fourth-round pick and running back Chase Edmonds.

At 5-3, the Dolphins should go all-in as they push for a playoff spot this season. Heading into Week 9, they have generated the fourth-lowest quarterback pressure rate (14.8 percent), which underscores their need for a pass-rusher.

However, Chubb comes with high risk. He’s missed 24 games in five seasons. Since 2019, he’s registered only 14 sacks. The fifth-year pro has also missed at least 13.3 percent of his tackles every year.

Miami paid a high price for a decent, not-top-tier pass-rusher with spotty availability on an expiring contract.

The Dolphins basically admitted that they whiffed on their decision to sign running back Chase Edmonds to a two-year, $12.1 million contract this past offseason. Raheem Mostert has emerged as the lead ball-carrier in the backfield.

The Broncos traded one of their two sack leaders, but they have depth at the position with Randy Gregory, Baron Browning, rookie second-rounder Nik Bonitto and Jacob Martin, whom they acquired from the New York Jets, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones has provided a consistent pass rush with 5.5 sacks and 11 pressures as well.

In exchange for an oft-injured pass-rusher, the Broncos got back a first-rounder after giving away their own 2023 first-rounder to the Seattle Seahawks in the Russell Wilson deal. On top of that, the club gets a running back to join Melvin Gordon III and Latavius Murray in a platoon to replace Javonte Williams, who’s on injured reserve with a torn ACL.

Dolphins Grade: B-

Broncos Grade: A-

In one of the smaller trade deals before the deadline, the Miami Dolphins sent a fifth-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers for running back Jeff Wilson Jr., per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Dolphins essentially swapped out Chase Edmonds, whom they traded to the Denver Broncos in the deal for edge-rusher Bradley Chubb on Tuesday, for Wilson.

Edmonds had fallen behind Raheem Mostert in Miami, but the Dolphins needed a complementary running back given Mostert's injury history. He has played in eight or fewer games every year since 2020.

With a combination of Mostert and Wilson in the backfield, Miami’s 28th-ranked ground attack should pick up some steam. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, who previously served as the 49ers' run game coordinator, has worked with Wilson in the past.

The Niners could afford to trade Wilson because they acquired star running back Christian McCaffrey two weeks ago. However, McCaffrey has played in only 18 games since 2020.

Until Elijah Mitchell returns from injured reserve (sprained MCL), the Niners will need rookie third-rounder Tyrion Davis-Price, undrafted rookie Jordan Mason and perhaps wideout Deebo Samuel to handle the rushing workload if McCaffrey gets injured again.

Dolphins Grade: B

49ers Grade: C

The Jacksonville Jaguars made a complex trade for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley on Tuesday that may come with a big reward.

Back in March, the NFL indefinitely suspended Ridley because he gambled on games in 2021. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Jaguars sent a conditional 2023 pick to the Falcons that will be a fifth-rounder if Ridley eventually gets reinstated and a sixth-rounder if he remains banned from the league.

Jacksonville also gave the Falcons a conditional 2024 pick that can turn into a fourth-rounder if Ridley makes the team, a third-rounder if he meets a playing-time threshold and a second-rounder if the Jaguars sign him to a long-term deal, according to Rapoport.

Before the NFL suspended Ridley, his receiving-yard total rose in each of his first three seasons. He hauled in a career-high 90 passes for 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns in 2020.

If Ridley plays again, the Jaguars have a potential steal who can lead their passing attack. Jacksonville won't lose much in draft capital if Ridley isn't able to return, though.

Meanwhile, the Falcons are turning the page on a wideout who isn't a lock to play another down. They’ll move on with rookie wideout Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts as their top pass-catchers. If Ridley gets a new deal in Jacksonville, Atlanta would have an additional second-round pick in 2024.

Essentially, the Falcons moved on, and the Jaguars hope they have a new top-tier receiver for quarterback Trevor Lawrence in 2023 and beyond.

Jaguars Grade: B+

Falcons Grade: C

The Washington Commanders dealt William Jackson III and a conditional seventh-rounder in 2025 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a conditional sixth-rounder in 2025, per Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post.

Based on the trade details, Washington didn’t have many suitors for Jackson, who signed a three-year, $40.5 million contract ($26 million guaranteed) in March 2021.

Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Washington likely would’ve released Jackson if it didn’t find a trade partner for him. Pittsburgh swooped in before the deadline to pick up the sixth-year cornerback, who requested a trade because of fit issues with the Commanders' coverage scheme (h/t NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport).

The Commanders didn’t recoup much for Jackson, but they will save $6.75 million on their books in 2023, per Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac.

Jackson has missed the last few games with a back issue. If his injury isn’t serious, the Steelers will have a veteran reinforcement in the secondary to strengthen their 31st-ranked pass defense, though edge-rusher T.J. Watt’s imminent return should help as well.

Steelers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon has missed four games because of a hamstring injury and has struggled while on the field, allowing four touchdowns and a career-worst 126.1 passer rating in coverage. Jackson could play on the boundary opposite Levi Wallace, with Cameron Sutton in the slot.

Steelers Grade: C+

Commanders Grade: D

The Denver Broncos added Jacob Martin along with a 2024 fifth-round pick in exchange for a 2024 fourth-round selection in a deal with the New York Jets, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Despite dealing Bradley Chubb to the Miami Dolphins (h/t ESPN's Adam Schefter), the Broncos will maintain a strong pass-rushing unit. Denver has arguably the league's deepest rotation of edge-rushers with Randy Gregory, Baron Browning, rookie second-rounder Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper and Martin.

In 2021, Martin registered four sacks and 19 pressures with the Houston Texans and then signed a three-year, 13.5 million deal with the Jets. Gang Green didn't have enough room for him in a deep stable of defensive ends, though, and he played less than 27 percent of the defensive snaps in each of the last four weeks.

In a quarterback-driven league, the Broncos have the bodies to disrupt some of the top passing attacks, including the Kansas City Chiefs' second-ranked unit within their division.

The Jets recouped an early Day 3 pick (in two years) for a defender who may have played even fewer snaps once rookie first-rounder Jermaine Johnson II returns from an ankle injury.

Jets Grade: C

Broncos Grade: B-

The Kansas City Chiefs cleared a little bit of cap space, and the Atlanta Falcons added much-needed help in the secondary.

Per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Chiefs traded Rashad Fenton to the Falcons for a conditional seventh-round pick and, in the process, saved $1.4 million in cap room. On Tuesday, Kansas City activated rookie first-rounder Trent McDuffie from injured reserve, which means he'll likely jump back into the starting lineup.

With a pass defense that ranks 30th in yards and has allowed the most touchdowns through eight weeks, the Chiefs need McDuffie to catch up to speed immediately. He made his NFL debut in Week 1, and then the team placed him on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

Perhaps the Chiefs see an improvement in their coverage on the back end with McDuffie and fellow rookie cornerbacks Joshua Williams (fourth-rounder) and Jaylen Watson (seventh-rounder) taking on bigger roles going forward. As a full-time starter, Fenton allowed a 125 passer rating in coverage.

The Falcons had to reinforce the cornerback position with Casey Hayward on injured reserve (shoulder) and A.J. Terrell sidelined last week because of a hamstring injury.

Fenton brings more starting experience than Darren Hall and Cornell Armstrong, the latter of whom played with the first unit for the first time in Week 8 against the Carolina Panthers, but Fenton needs to perform at a higher level for Atlanta than he did in Kansas City.

Chiefs Grade: C-

Falcons Grade: C

The Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts swapped backup running backs Tuesday.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Bills dealt Zack Moss and a conditional 2023 sixth-round pick to the Indianapolis Colts for Nyheim Hines.

Hines stands out in this deal because he can contribute to the short passing game and understands pass-blocking assignments that may be a difficult task for rookie second-rounder James Cook.

Hines won't bring a lot to the ground game, but he's hauled in 235 passes for 1,725 yards and seven touchdowns in five seasons. Quarterback Josh Allen will likely target him on third downs to move to the chains, especially when the Bills struggle to move the ball on the ground.

The Colts get a bruising running back equipped to run between the tackles, which fits the physical identity of the offense, with Jonathan Taylor leading the charge out of the backfield.

With second-year quarterback Sam Ehlinger under center, Indianapolis will likely lean heavily on the run game. To give Taylor a breather, the Colts needed another ball-carrier capable of handling a decent volume of carries. Remember, the 2021 rushing champion has already missed two games because of an ankle injury.

Moss has averaged 5.4 yards per carry this season in a limited role with the Bills.

Colts Grade: C+

Bills Grade: C+

At the trade deadline, the Buffalo Bills brought in Dean Marlowe from the Atlanta Falcons, who received a 2023 seventh-round pick in the deal, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

On the surface, this trade doesn't seem like a significant transaction for either side, but the Bills lost Micah Hyde for the season (neck) in Week 2, and fellow safety Jordan Poyer needed an MRI for an elbow injury.

Marlowe could take on a significant role in the secondary if Poyer misses some time. Over the past three seasons, he's started in 14 games. Buffalo made a shrewd move to address a position of need in the middle of the season.

Atlanta's decision to trade Marlowe likely means safety Jaylinn Hawkins will soon return to start alongside Richie Grant after sitting out with a concussion last week. The Falcons traded one of their core special teamers for a draft pick.

Bills Grade: C

Falcons Grade: C-

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.