There used to be crickets around the NFL's midseason trade deadline. That has been replaced by a swarm of cicadas, with teams buzzing about making plenty of deals, big and small.
In 2024, the league saw 13 in-season trades. Last year, that number skyrocketed to 22 such trades, with 27 players changing teams. This year, going back to the Giants getting J.J. McCarthy from the Vikings, seven trades were executed before November. Five more have already gone down this month.
With the 2026 deadline here on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, there is still the expected big splash of a three-time Pro Bowl running back leaving a hard-fading AFC team to a strong contending NFC team. Although Indianapolis has already been busy selling, several other teams, led by Jacksonville, got focused on buying. Here is a breakdown of all the deals, going back to mid-October.
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NFL trade deadline grades
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Jaguars trade for Eagles DT Jordan Davis
Grade: B
The Jaguars completed their strong defensive line with Davis joining Arik Armstead in the middle between Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen. Davis adds a needed extra inside disruptor to join the big-play mentality of coordinator Anthony Campanile. Jacksonville is definitely trying to load up with a championship-level defense.
MORE: Inside Eagles' draft pick stash
Jaguars trade for Falcons S Jessie Bates III
Grade: A+
The Jaguars were fully expected to get a safety after Eric Murray (elbow) went down for the season, with rumors swirling most around Derwin James and Budda Baker. Once Bates was available from Atlanta, however, he had to be the move to pair him with Antonio Johnson. Bates is a flat-out playmaker and joins an Anthony Campanile defense built on getting takeaways. This is a huge impact at a position of need for a true Super Bowl contender.
MORE: Jaguars' updated defensive depth chart
Ravens trade for Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett
Grade: B
Baltimore needed to do something to be respectable at quarterback for the sake of the offense. The timing of Brissett's benching in Arizona was ideal. Brissett will at least facilitate a legitimate passing game with Baltimore's weapons. Reunited with his former Cardinals QB coach Israel Woolfork, Brissett can quickly learn the offense ahead of a winnable home Monday game against the Chargers.
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Bears trade for Titans DT Jeffery Simmons
Grade: A
Simmons was a literal massive splurge by Chicago, but they got the same outstanding, dominant force he was in Tennessee. He made an immediate impact, getting his first sack for his new team in Week 9 as his front crushed the Seahawks. The Bears gave up two first-rounders as part of the blockbuster, but this is the type of move that can elevate them from a strong playoff team to a Super Bowl favorite.
Lions trade for Jets S Andre Cisco
Grade: A
The Lions needed to further beef up safety after the impactful return of Brian Branch. Cisco provides a run-support and pass-rush upgrade from Chuck Clark at the other safety. Detroit's defense is enjoying a big midseason turnaround and Cisco will add to that boost.
Jaguars trade for Saints DT Davon Godchaux
Grade: C
Godchaux is a solid depth tackle, but this is about as average a trade can get. It was still good to bolster the backup situation with Davis now starting on the front line.
Seahawks trade for Colts G Quenton Nelson
Grade: B+
The Seahawks got Nelson, Taylor's former teammate, to boost their run blocking for their remixed rushing attack, timed with Zach Charbonnet and rookie first-rounder Jadarian Price being healthy together. The price was also reasonable, in exchange for a third-round pick and a fifth-round pick. The knock on the grade is the fact that he's missing new-team time with a minor knee injury.
49ers trade for Colts DT DeForest Buckner
Grade: B
The Niners drafted Buckner No. 7 overall in 2016 and traded him to the Colts for a first-round pick while he was in his prime in 2020. The Colts got great inside pass-rush play from him through the middle of this season, when he gave them four more sacks. The 32-year-old has slowed down but fills a need as a natural fit on San Francisco's front.
Texans trade for Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
Grade: C
The dubbed "Maserati Marv" from Ohio State reunited with his college QB C.J. Stroud, but his price was rather high (second-round pick, seventh-round pick) for Houston, given how much Harrison disappointed as Arizona's No. 4 overall pick in 2024. The Texans were battling injury issues at wideout outside opposite Nico Collins after losing Jayden Higgins to a torn ACL. Health is better now with Tank Dell back. This was an average move for what's now a 2-5 team.
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