Several NFL teams are working across generations to satisfy their desires seen with the Nov. 5 industry deadline approaching. The Crows, Expenses and Bosses They recently made moves to give their squads a boost.but several other playoff contenders haven’t begun to do the same.
Several teams need help at receiver, but Diontae Johnson’s recent arrival in Baltimore, Buffalo’s acquisition of Amari Cooper and Christian Kirk’s late-season shock have limited the industry’s most conceivable options. On the other hand, there are several receivers who could still be traded, including Giants receiver Darius Slayton.
With the industry deadline approaching, let’s take a look at five watched trades that are supposed to happen someday over the next few days.
The Steelers may need help at receiver, although Russell Wilson appears to be making the most of Pittsburgh’s tidal corps that includes George Pickens, Calvin Austin III and Van Jefferson. At the very least, the Steelers could still struggle to find the intensity of a receiver who can complement that trio.
One player who might fit the bill here is Jacksonville Jaguars playmaker Devin Duvernay, who was recently injured and came close to injuring his hamstring three weeks ago. Duvernay, a two-time Pro Bowler as a returner, had some luck as a receiver during his four years in Baltimore, which recently advanced its receiving corps by acquiring Johnson, a former Steeler.
In addition to his versatility, Duvernay has an alternate trait that the Steelers covet: pace. Duvernay, the high school champion in the 100-meter dash, clocked a time of 4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Mix.
As for imaginable alternative options, Pittsburgh got a close look at Slayton during Monday night’s win over the Giants. Slayton had four passes for 107 yards against Pittsburgh that included a 43-yard reception that set up a Giants score. Jets wide receiver Mike Williams, who the Steelers noticed a while ago, is every other possibility imaginable.
After a 3-0 start, it seemed like Seattle’s rebuilt offensive shape was assured. But that early luck was a mirage, as the unit has struggled to overcome the team’s recent 1-4 fall. In particular, the Seahawks’ best form simply hasn’t been up to par, with injuries playing a big role.
Veteran quarterback Geno Smith is thriving under first-year offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, but a lack of cross coverage has prevented Smith from having any more luck. More form games would surely help Smith. It will also help solve specific problems for Kenneth Walker III, who hasn’t had a 100-yard game since Seattle’s season-opening win over Denver.
Sarcastically, the Titans, a team Seattle recently negotiated with, have a player who can help in this area. That player is interior lineman Daniel Brunskill, a veteran who has experience on offense, middle and defense. He also has plenty of playoff experience dating back to his years with the 49ers.
Although Brunskill is no longer a starter, Titans manager Brian Callahan remains a big fan of his, so it’s hard to be surprised that Tennessee would later even consider buying and selling him. But the Seahawks will have to at least do their due diligence and see if there’s a chance to land a flex lineman who has 56 jobs under his belt.
A routine theme this season has been Jerry Jones protecting himself by not doing more to strengthen the Cowboys’ backfield this week in the offseason. In particular, Jones has received heat for not following Derrick Henry, who was looking to sign with Dallas but is playing an MVP-caliber year in Baltimore.
It would make sense for Jones to propose a call to Panthers general manager Dan Morgan to gauge interest in a potential endorsement deal for Chuba Hubbard, who has been one of the NFL’s most underrated players since entering the league in 2021.
Hubbard, just 25 years old, has been one of Carolina’s only bright spots this season. He’s had a few 100-yard rushing performances, two alternate games with at least 92 yards and is averaging a significant 5.0 yards per carry. He also scored 24 of 26 goals with a landing.
Stefon Diggs’ late-season shock has created a void that the Texans will surely struggle to fill before the deadline. This won’t be easy, however, as they will likely be competing with several different teams to fight to find the best receiver available in what is a shrinking market.
The storage capacity may be low, but the storage facility is not limited to just the receivers. Slayton is a conceivable possibility, along with Panthers veteran Adam Thielen. Another imaginable possibility is Williams, who was unsuccessful in New York and became non-returnable after the Davante Adams industry.
Detroit has not been revealed to have been available to take advantage since Aidan Hutchinson suffered a concussion that will sideline him for the final months of the regular season. There were reports that Hutchinson could return for the Super Bowl, but for that to happen, the Lions need help at running back right now.
One name that has been circulating is Za’Darius Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler who is in his second season with the Browns. Smith, the closest to having a regular season in 2023, has returned to fashion this year. His 5.5 sacks in eight games are more than double what the Lions’ sack leader (Alim McNeill) has with Hutchinson out. The Lions will have to see if the Browns (who recently traded Cooper to the Costes) would be interested in moving another top player before the deadline.
