2024 NFL Trade Deadline Winners, Losers: Chiefs, Lions Get Richer; why did Giants stay put?
The NFL had a lot of action at this year’s trade deadline, Tuesday at 4:00 PM ET.
A year after 15 deals took place, 19 players changed teams during the 2024 trade period. Wide receivers were in high demand, as were pass rushers, and in many cases this was an example of the rich getting richer.
Here’s a look at the winners and losers of the trading window.
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Injuries have plagued the wide receiver unit of the defending Super Bowl champions. So general manager Brett Veach went out and got Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid a new weapon in the form of five-time Pro Bowl/three-time All-Pro wideout DeAndre Hopkins. It appears Hopkins is making a seamless transition from Tennessee to Kansas City. He had eight catches for 86 yards and two touchdowns in Monday night’s win over Tampa Bay. And if that wasn’t enough, Veach also worked to strengthen the Chiefs’ already stout defense by acquiring pass rusher Josh Uche from New England. Veach only had to give up a conditional fifth pick for Hopkins (the pick could end up being a fourth-rounder, but that’s worth it for a receiver of his caliber) and a sixth for Uche. The only negative for Kansas City: It didn’t provide any help on the defensive line, another area of real need.
Loser: AFC Challengers
Rampant injuries seemed to leave the Chiefs susceptible to a dethronement by AFC foes Baltimore, Buffalo or Cincinnati. They absorbed every blow and still racked up wins to remain undefeated, but there were plenty of questions about sustainability. Now, however, after acquiring reinforcements on both sides of the ball, Kansas City could very well have everything it needs for a historic Super Bowl three-peat. The only saving grace for the Bills and Ravens is that they both addressed their needs by adding wide receiver help as well.
They lost top passer Aidan Hutchinson to a tibia and fibula injury and their defense remained disruptive in the three weeks that followed. However, it was no secret that the Lions wanted pass rushers to help fill the massive void. On Tuesday, they landed one of the top edges of the trade block with Za’Darius Smith, who recorded five sacks, seven quarterback hits and 23 tackles for Cleveland this season. Count Smith also as winner. He goes from the Browns, who could suffer double-digit losses this season, to the Lions – legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
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The Lions remained formidable without a top-level replacement for Hutchinson and STILL picked up wins over NFC North challengers Minnesota and Green Bay, improving to 7-1. Now defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn will get extra help going after Sam Darnold and Jordan Love as the Lions look to extend their lead in the division.
Winner: Pro Bowl wide receivers
Hopkins, Davante Adams, Amari Cooper and Diontae Johnson all found themselves stuck in disastrous, dead-end situations in Tennessee, Las Vegas, Cleveland and Carolina, respectively. But the football gods smiled on them, and eventually all four were traded to better situations. Well, Cooper, Hopkins and Johnson did. It’s questionable whether the Jets will go anywhere, but at least Adams can now catch passes from a friendly face in Aaron Rodgers. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh acquired veteran receiver Mike Williams from the Jets, making him a winner as well. He never made it to the Pro Bowl, but Williams can certainly help the Steelers, breaking out of New York, where he struggled to connect with Rodgers on the field.
Winner: Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens scored on multiple fronts. First, the Panthers were so desperate that they were willing to part with Johnson for virtually nothing (a late-round pick swap). Johnson, who earned Pro Bowl honors with Pittsburgh in 2021 after recording 1,161 receiving yards, averaged 873 receiving yards per season in 2024 and should help improve a unit featuring Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. Second, the Ravens also got help for their defense by acquiring Tre’Davious White from the Rams. White earned Pro Bowl honors in 2019 and 2020, but has struggled with injuries since. The 29-year-old has played just four games this season, but could add depth to Baltimore’s secondary if he can stay healthy. If not, Baltimore gave up virtually nothing (seventh-round pick) to get him.
Other teams were interested in pass rusher Azeez Ojulari, but none of the offers satisfied the Giants enough to pull the trigger on a deal. Ojulari could have helped someone else. He has six sacks despite playing behind Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, and the Giants could have used the future picks to strengthen their weak roster. Instead, Ojulari will stay put and New York won’t add any resources.
Winner: Pittsburgh Steelers
First, they got some much-needed help at receiver, landing veteran Williams from the Jets. Then they got a durable pass rusher to face TJ Watt by acquiring Preston Smith from Green Bay. The Steelers are working hard to maintain their lead over Baltimore in the AFC North standings.
On the one hand, acquiring Marshon Lattimore from the Saints helps fill a real position of need. On the other hand, Washington gave up a third-, fourth- and sixth-round pick for a player who hasn’t played a full season since 2021. But if Lattimore can stay on the field and play at his four-time Pro Bowl level, this move will make Washington better. If his playing time remains sporadic, giving up third- and fourth-round picks (potential core players) will sting a bit. But the Commanders had an extra third-rounder thanks to the trade of Jahan Dotson to Philadelphia, so they essentially flipped a first-round failure for a potential No. 1 veteran cornerback. That’s not bad at all.
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Loser: New York Jets
Yes, they have Adams, which makes Rodgers happy. But was it really worth it? A dramatic turnaround seems highly unlikely for the 3-6 Jets, who would have been better off firing veterans outside of Williams and getting more picks for the future, even if GM Joe Douglas might not be around next spring to make those picks to use.
(Top illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletics; photos by Azeez Ojulari, Diontae Johnson and Za’Darius Smith: Cooper Neill/Getty Images, Nick Wass/Associated Press and Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
