The NFL Trade Deadline came and went and despite the absence of blockbusters, several contenders made moves to bolster their lineups as they head for the second half of the season and, they hope, a long playoff run.
At first glance, the moves would significantly impact how teams are assessed. Still, they could be important, particularly with teams like Pittsburgh and Baltimore. They need to get through Kansas City to have a shot at the Super Bowl.
Top Contenders Detroit and Baltimore Make Big Moves
The Lions have been looking for defensive help since they lost star defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson with a broken leg. They discussed Trey Hendrickson, but the Bengals held onto him.
Instead, they traded with Cleveland for three-time Pro Bowler Za’Darius Smith. The 32-year-old linebacker/defensive end is not what he was in his heyday with Baltimore, but the change from the last-place Browns to the first-place Super Bowl-contending Lions could wake up his game and fill that crucial hole in pressuring the quarterback and stopping the run.
The Ravens, dead last in the NFL against the pass, acquired cornerback Tre’Davious White from the Los Angeles Rams. White was odd-man-out in Los Angeles and had not played since late September. He was a two-time All-Pro with Buffalo earlier in his career, but injuries — including a torn Achilles and a torn ACL — sabotaged him.
White is the Ravens’ second big acquisition leading up to the deadline. On Oct. 29, they acquired wide receiver Diontae Johnson. Johnson went to the Pro Bowl in 2021 with Pittsburgh. He was trapped in a lost season with Carolina when the Ravens traded for him. He has caught 30 balls this year.
Washington and Pittsburgh Are Cautiously Aggressive
The Commanders are a surprising 7-2 and have decided to go for it cautiously. They traded several 2025 draft picks to the Saints for cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Lattimore is a four-time Pro Bowler with 15 career interceptions. He shores up Washington’s secondary just in time for a rough patch in their schedule with games against Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
Pittsburgh did not make any big moves, but they made what could be accurately described as quintessential “Steelers moves.” They acquired linebacker Preston Smith from Green Bay and wide receiver Mike Williams from the Jets.
Smith, a 10-year veteran, has been on limited duty for Green Bay. His presence adds another concern to protect the quarterback with an already solid Steelers pass rush.
Williams was an extra body for the Jets even before they acquired Davante Adams. Aaron Rodgers was not throwing him the ball. Perhaps Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and quarterback Russell Wilson will get him more involved.
The NFL trade deadline was not always so important. With more games and playoff teams, it is worth it for teams to be willing to try and improve, address needs, and target opponents’ weaknesses.
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