Dianna Russini of The Athletic has been especially prolific with respect to trade deadline reporting. As we approach the October 31 cutoff, here are a few of Russini’s latest updates from around the league (subscription required):
- Broncos wide receivers Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy have once again featured prominently in this year’s trade rumors. However, a deal has never felt imminent, and none of the current offers that Denver has received have come close to the club’s asking price. One general manager who has spoken with the Broncos told Russini that the team is not “selling cheaply.” Russini confirms previous reports indicating that cornerback Patrick Surtain is not available, despite understandable outside interest in his services.
- We heard yesterday that the Bills could be looking to move 2022 first-rounder Kaiir Elam, and Russini reports that Buffalo is looking into cornerback additions. She does not say so specifically, but it could be that the Bills are looking for a replacement for Elam, who has not yet lived up to his draft status.
- Rich Cimini of ESPN.com confirms that Jets GM Joe Douglas is willing to move running back Dalvin Cook and edge defender Carl Lawson, especially after both players recently expressed frustration with their current roles. Unsurprisingly, though, Russini reports that Douglas is not getting many calls on either player. Lawson is a healthy scratch for today’s game against the Giants.
- Echoing her report from earlier this month, Russini writes that the Cardinals are still not looking to trade wideout Marquise Brown, even though they have received trade interest in the contract-year speedster.
- They might be low on cap space, and they might have already made one significant trade acquisition in safety Kevin Byard, but Russini says the Eagles are still looking to buy and are interested in a linebacker. The 49ers are also working the phones and have interest in an edge rusher and a cornerback.
- Unlike the Eagles and Niners, the Chiefs, Falcons, and Texans are among the clubs that are expected to stand down at the deadline.
If youre Dallas. Circle back to Dalvin Cook if you can’t get a Henry trade.
If youre the Broncos. Take a 2nd and 3rd for Sutton and get his contract off the books. Trade Jeudy to the Panthers for a 2nd and Mingo or Marshall Jr.
If you’re the Broncos, that leaves you with nobody to throw to next year. You’ll use those picks on receivers and hope that they’ll at least be as good as who you dealt-Sutton in particular.
The Panthers are keeping Mingo, and Marshall hasn’t shown any consistency. It’s an unnecessary risk for negligible gain. But, if you are trading receivers, it has to be Jeudy, and not both, and it has to be a good pick that will actually get you a starter in the end, not simply a depth piece. Maybe a second is fair, but I doubt that Carolina will offer that.
Leaves Mims
Leaves Patrick
Leaves money to sign guys for 2024
Mike Evans
Tee Higgins
Pittman Jr
2nd round picks typically yield starters if you draft right. So do rounds 1-4 depending on position.
Patrick will be coming off a second major injury, and Mims has not established a consistent role on offense. It’s probably not his fault, but Mims hasn’t seen much time there and Denver has played a lot of receivers this year. That’s a huge gamble to bet that either can carry the offense.
What do the Broncos gain by betting on signing Higgins, an aged Mike Evans, or Pittman? Would one of them give them better production than both of their lead receivers? Theoretically, but it’s no sure guarantee. Is a drafted player going to be better? There’s no guarantee there either. It would be one thing if both Sutton and Jeudy were actively hurting the team, but that’s not the case (at least with Sutton, who is possibly one of the top red zone receivers this year).
Higgins and Pittman probably are going to be re-signed by their respective teams in all likelihood, and even if they aren’t, they’re going to require a significant financial commitment. Evans is most likely leaving Tampa, but he is already 31, and is not looking for a small time deal. How many seasons is he going to be a top receiver? Denver could trade Sutton (who is actually playing very well, despite Wilson’s ineffectiveness) and Jeudy, but they still have to bet on outbidding other suitors for those receivers if they eve hit the open market. The last time that Denver gambled on a big free agent becoming available to save them, it ended up backfiring.
So basically no one is getting traded lol.
Why the hell is everyone holding on to their players??