NFL trade deadline 2017: The good, the bad, and the ugly
A recap of the hectic and entertaining NFL trade deadline
WOW.
Did Netflix buy the rights to the NFL trade deadline this year? Because it was incredibly entertaining.
Traditionally, the NFL trade deadline is the metaphorical snooze button that most GMs simply ignore. However, this season, there were a good handful of hefty headlines worth noting.
The Good
Dolphins trade RB Jay Ajayi to Eagles for fourth-round pick
As if the 2017 Philadelphia Eagles weren’t good enough already. The Eagles are currently ranked 4th in the league for points and 5th in the league for rushing. Oh, and did I mention Carson Wentz is currently tied for first in the league (with Deshaun Watson) for passing TD’s with 19? Adam Gase said he was fed up with his offense — do y’all believe him now?
Patriots deal QB Jimmy Garoppolo to 49ers for 2018 second-round pick
Despite the Patriots having a Target cashier as their backup QB right now (after dealing Jacoby Brissett to the Colts earlier this season), I actually like this move for both sides. The Pats tried to work out a long-term deal with Jimmy G during the offseason and were unable to make it work (maybe he wanted Von Miller money too). Either way, at this point, the heir apparent to the Pats dynasty was destined to become an free agent this offseason. So, for his next trick, the Hoodie turned a huge offseason loss into a second-round pick in 2018 (which would’ve essentially been a compensatory pick if they lost him, much less attractive). Oh, and I guess Kyle Shannon finally was given a serviceable QB to work with. I’ll believe it when I see it, thank Brock Osweiller for that one.
The Bad
Bills acquire WR Kelvin Benjamin in trade with Panthers
Don’t get me wrong, I’m as excited as anybody to see Benjamin reunited with former Panthers coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane (said no one ever). But, in all seriousness, this is a great move for the Bills, who are currently rolling with Shady McCoy. However, what the hell were they thinking in Carolina? Currently contending for a playoff spot in the NFC South at 5–3 (with a 4–1 record on the road), the Panthers decided that they were no longer in need of the services of the former first round, 6’5, 240 lb, wide receiver.
The Ugly
AJ McCarron reportedly was nearly traded to Browns before deadline
The Browns CANNOT do anything right. According to NFL insiders, the deal got close to completion but was never finalized. Apparently, the Bengals approved the deal five minutes before the deadline at 5 p.m. Enter, Browns mentality. The Cleveland front office started dancing with joy and celebrating their biggest accomplishment so far this season, which is sad but true (that one was for you, Metallica fans). They started popping so many bottles of cheap and disgusting sparkling cider that they FORGOT TO CALL IN THE TRADE BEFORE THE DEADLINE. It’s almost more comical because this is what we’ve come to expect from the Browns, yet it never gets old.
Aaron Lieberman is a cofounder of The Ocho, as well as our fantasy editor. You can catch him (almost) every week on The Ocho Podcast on Thursday nights with fellow cofounder Riley Nicklaus Evans. Follow Aaron on Twitter at @aliebs93.
