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Free agency in March brings a flurry of activity, but the NFL trade deadline in October keeps people guessing. Rumors usually seem to indicate there'll be a lion of a deadline, but the actual moves tend to resemble a lamb.
But the league's approach continues to change as younger and more aggressive general managers are no longer afraid to strike deals. Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline could be particularly active.
"Going to be an interesting and it sounds like consequential 24 hours in the NFL," former NFL executive Joe Banner tweeted Monday.
The league's version of Let's Make a Deal is about more than just improving a roster. The psychological impact a big trade makes on a team can't be overlooked.
Two weeks ago, the Los Angeles Rams landed the biggest name on the market in cornerback Jalen Ramsey. His new teammates were giddy.
"Players loved it," quarterback Jared Goff said, per NBC Sports' Peter King. "Going out and seeing him at practice the other day—wow. That's something players really like."
With multiple high-profile players possibly on the trade block, Bleacher Report's team of NFL writers took a look at the moves with the most potential to shape the league. We predicted which organizations will or will not spring into action.
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The Washington Redskins are clearly stubborn. And while deadlines often bring about action, they know left tackle Trent Williams will probably return by Week 10 in order to earn an accrued season.
At this point, I'm wondering if the organization would prefer to wait it out this year, see if it can change his mind and possibly replace the current medical staff as part of an offseason overhaul. That might be enough to convince Williams to stick around, and Washington can always trade him in the offseason.
He wouldn't be significantly less valuable in 2020, and the Redskins might not be in a big rush considering their 1-7 record.
Someone could blow them away with an offer they can't refuse, but the market is pretty limited. I think he's staying put.
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Jeff Haynes/Associated Press
The Cleveland Browns' desperate search for offensive line fortifications is the league's worst-kept secret as the trade deadline nears.
The coaching staff—or was it general manager John Dorsey?—benched previous starting left tackle Greg Robinson during the Week 7 bye. Justin McCray, a career backup guard/right tackle, took over blindside duties Sunday against the New England Patriots.
McCray performed well, but he's not the long-term answer at a premium position.
The Browns have been the most persistent suitors for Trent Williams. According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, Dorsey called Washington every week for the last month-plus to check on Williams' availability.
"But [Redskins president] Bruce Allen just refuses to trade him," a league source told Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson. "It's all Bruce. He won't do it."
Alternative options will likely be necessary for Cleveland to upgrade its trenches.
Two obvious candidates have come to the forefront: New York Giants left tackle Nate Solder and Philadelphia Eagles swing tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai. The Browns pursued Solder in 2018 free agency before he signed with the Giants, per Ben Volin of the Boston Globe. More importantly, Cleveland can absorb the rest of his four-year, $62 million contract. Meanwhile, Vaitai is a versatile blocker who can start at multiple positions.
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The Philadelphia Eagles came into the season with Super Bowl aspirations. To date, 2019 hasn't gone according to plan. Still, they are 4-4 after downing the Buffalo Bills in Week 8 and just a game off the pace in the NFC East.
Philly has some glaring holes, though. The receiving corps has struggled since DeSean Jackson went down in Week 2. The pass defense has also had its problems, ranking 20th while allowing about 256 yards per game.
Fortunately, there are players who are reportedly available and could help in both areas.
The Denver Broncos have already dealt wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders to the San Francisco 49ers and, per Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, may be willing to move cornerback Chris Harris Jr. With their season coming off the rails, the New York Jets are rumored to be shopping a number of players, including vertical threat Robby Anderson, per Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
Both players would fill needs for the Eagles, and with nearly $25 million in cap space, the team has plenty of room to take on another salary. Maybe two.
Hey, why add one when you can add both?
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The future of Cam Newton has been hotly debated. Do the Panthers move on from him? Do they trade him? Do they stick with Kyle Allen?
What the Panthers' loss to San Francisco showed was Newton isn't going anywhere, and he may never go anywhere.
Allen has demonstrated he's solid. A healthy Newton is spectacular.
Newton's injury history is scary. He missed a chunk of last season with a shoulder injury and most of this year with a foot injury. I think the Panthers will switch to Newton when they feel he's completely healthy, which could be this week.
Yet, it's more than that. Allen's performance showed the team that Newton is likely its best chance not just this year but also for the near future.
Newton's not going anywhere.
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Rick Scuteri/Associated Press
Vic Beasley Jr.'s career has been in steady and precipitous decline since his 15.5 sack 2016 season. Of course, the entire Falcons organization has been in steady and precipitous decline too, especially the defense.
Edge-rushers on bad defenses can develop lots of bad habits: pressing, going through the motions, doing a little of both depending on the situation and so forth.
Ship Beasley to a contender with a clever scheme and other pass-rushing weapons and recast him as a situational mismatch guy, and he could have a much greater impact than Dante Fowler Jr. has had for the Rams since moving on from the Jaguars.
After all, he has proved that he can play at an All-Pro level. A change of scenery and fresh start may be just what he needs.