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Assessing Jets’ Compensation In Potential Davante Adams Trade

October 3rd, 2024 at 9:15pm CST by Ely Allen

One of the most popular potential new destinations for Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams is New York. The Jets form an obvious connection to Adams due to the presence of a few former Packers, including offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and wide receiver Allen Lazard. But what would it take to make this deal happen? Connor Hughes of SportsNet New York dove into this hypothetical today, looking into just what options were available for the Jets.

For starters, Las Vegas reportedly wants draft compensation. The Jets do not lack for that this year. They currently have their full cache of draft picks in 2025 (minus a seventh-round pick that was sent to Kansas City along with Mecole Hardman in return for a sixth-round pick). In addition to the Chiefs’ sixth-round pick, the Raiders also hold an additional third-round pick from the Lions, who received a fourth-round 2024 draft pick in exchange.

They’ll have six picks in 2026. Their second- or third-round pick will go to Philadelphia depending on the playing time and sack production of Haason Reddick. Based on Reddick’s holdout for a new contract, it’s looking more likely to be their third-round pick that changes hands. The Jets also gave up their seventh-rounder in 2026 along with undrafted rookie cornerback and return man Brandon Codrington in exchange for the Bills’ sixth-round pick, and they sent John Franklin-Myers to Denver for their sixth-rounder, as well.

New York doesn’t just have draft compensation to offer, though. If the Raiders are looking for a receiver in return for Adams, the Jets would likely be willing to part ways with one, since too many mouths to feed on offense can be a detriment at times. Garrett Wilson is surely not on the table, but Hughes notes that Lazard, Mike Williams, Xavier Gipson, and Malachi Corley could all be included in a trade package.

Lazard and Williams aren’t too likely to be included. In a resurgent year with his former Packers quarterback, Lazard leads the team in receiving yards (206) and touchdowns (3). Williams started the season slow as he works his way back from offseason knee surgery but has improved each week en route to eight catches for 120 yards. The young receivers, Gipson and Corley, have been virtual non-factors this year on the offense, but Gipson’s return ability and Corley’s third-round draft stock could both add value to a trade package.

As for Reddick, Hughes reports that there is belief that he could be included, but as of today, that is not the case, though the situation remains fluid.

Another factor in the trade could come from the Raiders’ side of things. Financially, taking on this year of Adams’ contract at this time would require the Jets to pay him around $13MM this year. It’s expected that, in order to lessen the financial burden of taking on Adams, the Jets could request that Las Vegas restructure their deal with Adams before trading him. The request would entail the Raiders converting a portion of his remaining salary for the year into a signing bonus (that would be paid by Las Vegas), lowering the remaining salary for New York to pay. The restructuring part of the agreement would likely need to be compensated for with an additional late-round draft pick.

Like Reddick’s involvement, everything about this situation remains fluid. General manager Joe Douglas has lots of options if he and the Jets decide that Adams is worth pursuing. They won’t be lacking for competition to land the talented wide receiver, though, so every one of those options could prove to be a valuable trade piece in the making.

Cowboys Will Not Pursue Davante Adams Trade

October 3rd, 2024 at 5:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

OCTOBER 3: During an appearance on San Antonio Sports Star, Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones confirmed an Adams pursuit will not be taking place (h/t Jon Machota of The Athletic). With Lamb on the books and Parsons in need of an extension next offseason, taking on Adams’ deal and agreeing to a restructure would be challenging. Adams’ preference is the Jets anyway, and the Raiders will likely have stronger offers than what Dallas would have been willing to make.

OCTOBER 2: In the hours since the Davante Adams trade rumors began to swirl, the Cowboys emerged as a team that inquired about the standout Raiders wide receiver. While that may well be true, Dallas does not appear a serious player.

The Cowboys are not expected to pursue an Adams trade, with All City DLLS’ Clarence Hill going as far as to indicate the team has shown “no interest” in the 11th-year receiver. This comes after the team shot down interest in acquiring a running back or defensive end via trade.

Dallas received strong value from its 2018 trade with Oakland for Amari Cooper, who helped the ’18 Cowboys edition craft a second-half turnaround to the playoffs and stayed through the 2021 season. The Cowboys bailed on Cooper’s five-year contract, dealing it to the Browns, but have been searching for WR help since. Although CeeDee Lamb has soared onto the All-Pro tier post-Cooper, the Cowboys have not possessed too much depth at the position since that swap.

An Adams trade would reunite him with Mike McCarthy, the Packers’ HC for the first four-plus seasons of the All-Pro’s career. The Packers employed McCarthy as HC when they extended Adams in 2017, though his jump onto the All-Pro level came during Matt LaFleur‘s tenure. Adams played as a third wheel behind Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb to start his career but began to ascend in the late 2010s. McCarthy’s current team is not set to be the destination for Adams’ late prime.

This Adams news comes shortly after Brandin Cooks was ruled out for Week 5; the player the Cowboys eventually settled on to replace Cooper is battling a knee injury stemming from an infection. Cooks has not provided the Cowboys with the level of play he reached at his previous four stops, but he has been sporadically effective. The Cowboys have used 2022 third-rounder Jalen Tolbert more this season as well; the South Alabama alum has played 75% of Dallas’ offensive snaps. With Cooks out for the time being, Tolbert will continue to see regular usage. McCarthy said Wednesday he is comfortable with his in-house options at WR, though the fifth-year Dallas HC cannot exactly say he wants Adams in Dallas due to the NFL’s tampering policy.

It cost the Cowboys a first-round pick to acquire Cooper in 2018; Adams may be moved for a second-rounder (or less) due to his age (32 in December) and contract status. Adams is tied to a prorated $16.9MM base salary. Though, the Raiders can follow some recent teams by picking up some of Adams’ tab to increase trade compensation. Two nonguaranteed years remain on Adams’ extension, though the Cowboys just handed out two top-market deals and have another (Micah Parsons‘) on the horizon. Regardless, it appears the Cowboys will not be part of this conversation.

Browns Likely To Inquire On Raiders’ Davante Adams; Jets Viewed As Frontrunners

October 2nd, 2024 at 10:04pm CST by Adam La Rose

To no surprise, several potential suitors have emerged for Davante Adams. The Raiders All-Pro is on board with a trade, and Vegas has begun reaching out to teams which could be interested in acquiring him midway through the campaign.

The Browns should also be labeled as a candidate to add Adams, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com writes. Sitting at 1-3 on the year, the team has work to do on offense to contend for a postseason berth. Adding a premier wideout would certainly help in that regard, although the status of Amari Cooper would become a key factor in any serious Adams pursuit on the part of the Browns.

Cooper’s short- and long-term future was a talking point during the offseason, one in which he agreed to a revised contract. The pending free agent was part of the Browns’ offer to the 49ers for Brandon Aiyuk, but the second-team All-Pro did not want to be dealt to Cleveland. As such, Cooper has remained atop the team’s WR depth chart in 2024, his third season since being dealt by the Cowboys. The 2022 and ’23 campaigns resulted in a total of 2,410 yards and 14 touchdowns, showcasing the former first-rounder’s continued ability to operate as a No. 1 receiver.

Cooper’s contract status makes him a logical candidate to be dealt ahead of the 2024 deadline (November 5), especially if the Browns are unable to rebound from their poor start. Adams will require a reworked deal upon arrival with a new team, however, and any long-term commitments from Cleveland will need to keep in mind the outstanding compensation due to quarterback Deshaun Watson. Two years remain on Watson’s deal, and all of his remaining money is fully guaranteed. Cleveland made a notable receiver addition in the spring by trading for and extending Jerry Jeudy; the former Broncos first-rounder is on the books through 2027.

Elsewhere on the Adams front, both The Athletic’s Dianna Russini and veteran insider Jordan Schultz report the Jets are seen around the league as the frontrunner to finalize a trade. New York represents an obvious landing spot given the mutual interest in a reunion between Adams and former Packers teammate Aaron Rodgers. The pair spent eight years together in Green Bay, and both spoke during the offseason about the possibility of teaming up with the Jets.

As expected, New York is one of the teams which has called about Adams’ availability in a deal. The Raiders – believed to want a compensation package beginning with a second-round pick – have also been linked to the Bills, Saints and Steelers regarding a trade for the six-time Pro Bowler. The Cowboys are not expected to pursue Adams, although Vegas should still have a number of offers to choose from in the near future. Further details have emerged regarding how the situation has reached this point.

Adams was away from the Raiders during training camp due to the birth of his first son. He was absent for 10 days, a period which Vic Tafur of The Athletic notes was longer than the team expected (subscription required). Upon return, Adams made it clear he preferred not to play in Vegas’ second preseason contest. Head coach Antonio Pierce replied that he expected the three-time All-Pro to play if healthy. Adams was listed as injured one day later.

As the Fresno State product rehabs the legitimate hamstring injury which sidelined him for Week 4, Pierce remains at the center of this ongoing saga. The first-year head coach liked an Instagram post suggesting Adams would be dealt, something which sparked the latest round of speculation regarding a move being made. When asked to comment on the matter, Pierce declined (h/t Tafur).

Healthy or otherwise, Adams could easily find himself out of the lineup for Week 5 as the Raiders seek out a suitable trade agreement. The relationship between Adams and Pierce has been strained recently, and a change of scenery for the former could be beneficial to all involved. It will be interesting to see how the trade market emerges over the coming days.

Jets, Cowboys Inquire On Raiders’ Davante Adams; Bills, Saints, Steelers In Mix

October 2nd, 2024 at 10:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

Early in the Davante Adams market, the obvious trade suitor does look to be readying a pursuit. Linked to the wide receiver since acquiring Aaron Rodgers, the Jets are in on the disgruntled Raiders wide receiver.

They have reached out to the Raiders on Adams, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, who adds the Cowboys have done the same in what may be a drawn-out sweepstakes. Adams also would be interested in joining the Jets, as veteran NFL reporter Jordan Schultz indicates they are one of his preferred destinations.

Rodgers has been lobbying the Jets to make the move, per Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline, who indicates teams beyond New York and Dallas are expected to be part of this derby. It is not known how interested other teams are just yet, but Pauline notes the Bills, Saints and Steelers join the Jets in being the most interested parties presently.

Seeking a package worth a second-round pick and change, the Raiders are prepared to wait. While Adams wants out now and has been frustrated about his situation dating back to the Raiders’ Jimmy Garoppolo signing, the team has more than a month until this year’s trade deadline, which was moved back one week — to November 5 — via an offseason vote. It appears unlikely Adams will suit up before that point.

As the Raiders seek a second-rounder-headlined package, Pauline floats that a first-round choice being put on the table would move the deal across the goal line. Though, Adams is a high-priced player who will turn 32 before season’s end. Still, he probably will be the top wide receiver available ahead of this year’s deadline.

Despite looming as an obvious trade candidate dating back to last season, Adams had repeatedly indicated he did not want to be moved. That has since changed, with the situation escalating. Antonio Pierce liking an Instagram post about a potential Adams trade has apparently catalyzed these proceedings. Adams officially requested a trade Monday, per The Athletic’s Vic Tafur. Pierce is set to address this situation later today, but Schultz adds Adams’ camp approached the Raiders about a potential trade last season but stopped short of an official request. Adams played out the season, but the Raiders have drifted further away from the championship radar, which Pauline notes is a lead factor in the WR wanting out.

Adams has appeared out of place in Las Vegas, with the team’s decision to jettison Derek Carr one season into the wide receiver’s tenure planting seeds for this relationship’s deterioration. After spending his entire Green Bay career with Rodgers, Adams has seen the Raiders cycle through a few QBs. The Garoppolo fit, as Netflix’s Receiver showed, proved the most problematic. But the Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew stopgaps — as a Pierce-driven effort to trade up for Jayden Daniels did not come close to fruition — leave the 11th-year wideout in limbo. Teams have undoubtedly observed this as well, and this trade request will ignite one of the most interesting trade races in recent memory.

As the Bills, Saints, Steelers and Cowboys loom as well, the obvious issue that would impede a fit with the Chiefs will make such a move a nonstarter. Kansas City is not expected be an option for Vegas re: Adams, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. While the Chiefs are suddenly in need of a difference-making receiver after losing Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown, the Raiders being division rivals will not lead to any traction with Adams.

The Saints would appeal to Adams, Schefter adds. This would again reunite Adams with Carr, his longtime friend and former Fresno State teammate. New Orleans is 2-2, thanks to two impressive wins and two narrow losses, and a need for a wideout presence alongside Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed has existed dating back to the offseason. New Orleans only holds $2.8MM in cap space, but GM Mickey Loomis has proven adept at working around such hindrances. Adams also counts Saints wide receivers coach Keith Williams, who has been the receiver’s personal coach in the offseason, as a mentor, Schefter adds.

The Bills are also near the bottom in cap space, at $3.7MM. The Raiders can also pick up some of Adams’ base salary (a prorated $16.9MM) to improve trade compensation. Buffalo has attempted to play four weeks without a No. 1-level wide receiver, though Khalil Shakir has been effective and second-rounder Keon Coleman has shown promise. The Bills were in on DeAndre Hopkins before trading Stefon Diggs in 2023, however, and should be expected to kick the tires on receivers before the deadline. The Steelers memorably missed out on Brandon Aiyuk, despite agreeing to trade parameters with the 49ers. Adams would fit on an offense that features only one eight-figure-per-year contract (Pat Freiermuth‘s recent extension). While the Steelers are not known for splashy WR acquisitions, the Aiyuk pursuit shows they were ready to change that reputation.

Dallas has been lacking in CeeDee Lamb support since trading Amari Cooper, with its long-running Odell Beckham Jr. pursuit in 2022 and subsequent Brandin Cooks trade highlighting interest in augmenting its WR situation. Cooks and Adams were 2014 draft classmates, though the latter has proven to be a higher-tier receiver. He would certainly help a team that, thanks to the Lamb and Dak Prescott extensions, carries $23.8MM in cap space. The Cowboys have not shown interest in acquiring high-profile vets at other positions this season, but they appear willing to consider making an exception for Adams.

Circling back to the Jets, their HC-GM combo being on a hot seat — along with the perception this is currently a Rodgers-centric operation — makes them an obvious suitor. It would surprise if the team did not make an aggressive move here, even after signing Mike Williams in March. Rodgers said this summer he was eager to play with his former No. 1 target again, and the QB has not formed strong chemistry with Garrett Wilson just yet. The Jets carry $16.8MM in cap space.

This quintet each making an offer would strengthen the Raiders’ position, and 2025 draft capital would help the franchise’s 2025 QB pursuit. Adams will become $970K cheaper for a team to acquire as the weeks pass — on a contract featuring two high nonguaranteed 2025 and ’26 salaries ($35.6MM, $36.6MM) — and this may well be the top trade sweepstakes to monitor over the next month.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/2/24

October 2nd, 2024 at 8:31pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Practice window opened: T Christian Jones

Cleveland Browns

Green Bay Packers

  • Practice window opened: DT Jonathan Ford

Houston Texans

Las Vegas Raiders

New York Giants

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Today marks most teams’ first practice before Week 5, making it the first date players stashed on IR as teams set their initial 53-man rosters can work out again with their teams. This year’s IR tweak allowed teams to designate up to two players for return August 27, the catch being all players who receive that designation count toward their respective club’s eight-activation total. The batch included in today’s minor moves post consists entirely of players to receive that August IR-return designation.

The IR-return window is unchanged, however, with teams having 21 days from Wednesday to activate these players. Anyone from today’s group not being activated from IR by October 23 must miss the rest of the season. PFR will keep track of all players returning from IR via the Injured Reserve Return Tracker.

Raiders Gauging Interest In Davante Adams; WR Prefers To Be Traded

October 1st, 2024 at 10:13pm CST by Adam La Rose

Davante Adams‘ name has frequently been floated in trade rumors, and that remains the case through four weeks of the season. While nothing is imminent, a deal is at least receiving consideration on the part of the Raiders.

Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports the team is “growing open to the idea” of a trade sending Adams elsewhere, adding the Raiders have reached out to teams to gauge his market.. Such a development was speculated in advance of the 2024 campaign, one in which expectations were low for the Raiders. Sitting at 2-2 on the year, Vegas is certainly not out of the playoff picture; still, a deal involving Adams would not come as a surprise.

[RELATED: Raiders Seeking Second-Round Pick, More For WR]

The lines of communication between team and player appear to be open at this point. Adams has informed the Raiders his preference is to be traded, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network report. Nothing is imminent as things currently stand, but that could could certainly change in relatively short order.

The three-time All-Pro had made it clear multiple times this summer he remained committed to the Raiders. That sentiment was reciprocated by the team, one now led by general manager Tom Telesco and head coach Antonio Pierce. No thought was given to a trade in the build-up to the campaign, and that sentiment reportedly remained the same before Week 4. Adams missed that contest due to a hamstring injury, and the 31-year-old is considered week-to-week.

Despite the desire expressed by both parties in continuing their relationship, Adams was seen around the league as a potential trade target before the season kicked off. Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers remarked about his interest in reuniting with the former Green Bay Pro Bowler in the future, and when speaking about a hypothetical trade Adams named the Jets as a desirable destination. It remains to be seen if New York is among the teams which Vegas has been in contact with while exploring a potential deal, but the Jets are of course a logical suitor.

Three years remain on the Fresno State product’s deal, but only 2024 contains guaranteed salary. Adams’ base compensation for this season is $16.89MM; any acquiring team would take on a prorated portion of that figure before no doubt engaging in talks on a reworked contract covering future campaigns. Adams has yet to go public with any trade request, but actions from Pierce has led to a new wave of speculation on the subject.

The first-year head coach (in a full-time capacity) liked an Instagram post from Sports Illustrated suggesting Adams will be dealt. When asked about the matter during an appearance on the Up and Adams show, the 11th-year veteran said he has not yet spoken with Pierce (video link). Adams added that he is not aware of any actions on the team’s part regarding a trade being sought out.

“I don’t really know exactly what that was about,” he said. “It’s one of those situations where I just keep my head down and keep doing my thing and let the chips fall where they may. There’s been no communication with anybody from the team since that became a thing… It’s always some sort of drama… So, people can say what they want, but I’m just chilling and trying to be the model for not stirring the pot and just locking in and doing what I got to do.”

As noted by Tashan Reed of The Athletic, the Raiders declined to comment on the situation (subscription required). Provided Bonsignore’s report is accurate, though, this situation will become one of the league’s central storylines leading up to the trade deadline. 18 teams currently have eight figures’ worth of cap space to work with, meaning a number of suitors could emerge especially later on in the campaign as Adams’ acquisition cost (in terms of finances) drops.

After a strong campaign reunited with Derek Carr for 2022, Adams’ production dipped last season. Still, his 103-1,144-8 statline demonstrates his potential at this stage of his career, and he would be an attractive trade piece for any number of teams. Whether or not the Raiders proceed with serious talks on a swap in the near future will be worth watching closely.

Latest On Davante Adams’ Trade Potential

October 1st, 2024 at 9:30pm CST by Ely Allen

In a scene that’s been building for quite some time, Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams made it clear today that he prefers to be traded. The timing of today’s events was a bit surprising, but according to Tashan Reed of The Athletic, the situation “has been brewing for a while.” Reed points out that, since Adams’ arrival in Las Vegas, the Raiders are just 16-22 and Adams has been on the receiving end of passes from six different quarterbacks.

One catalyst for the recent developments could have been the official hiring of head coach Antonio Pierce after his term as interim head coach last season. While Pierce’s official promotion was a popular decision among the players in Las Vegas, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that, lately, Pierce’s relationship with the team’s star receiver has been deteriorating. As a result, teams became aware yesterday that Adams could be available in a trade, per The Athletic’s Jeff Howe.

Howe adds that “the general projection so far is” that Adams will draw a third-round draft pick in a trade, perhaps more if a team makes a harder push based on their level of interest. This doesn’t necessarily align with the Raiders’ desires as ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez informed readers that they would consider trading Adams “for a package that would include a second-round draft pick and additional compensation.”

The “additional compensation” part of that package may be a hard one to come by, though, as there seems to be an assumption that acquiring Adams will require some adjustments and restructuring to his current contract. According to Jonathan Jones of NFL on CBS, this would likely require teams to get access to communicate with Adams in order to negotiate a restructure.

Because of the potential commitment of capital that will be required for a restructured deal, it appears that teams are pushing for third-round compensation, as opposed to second-round. NFL Insider Josina Anderson reported that an NFC team has shown interest in acquiring Adams, just not for a second-round pick. Anderson also posited that some teams may push for Las Vegas to absorb some of Adams’ 2024 salary, a sticking point that may make it difficult for Adams to be moved.

It’s an extremely fluid situation and the optics will likely continue to change over the coming days and weeks. For now, though, the Raiders are hoping for a second-round pick with some additional compensation, while other teams are hesitant to commit a second-round pick knowing they’re likely going to have to work out a new contract for the 31-year-old. It’s a situation to watch as things continue to develop.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/1/24

October 1st, 2024 at 7:39pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s practice squad updates around the NFL:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Denver Broncos

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

New England Patriots

  • Signed: WR Jermaine Jackson
  • Released: WR John Jiles

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

  • Released: DT Matt Gotel

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Commanders

The Broncos are bringing in the veteran running back Ahmed after he spent four years in Miami. Ahmed’s biggest role came in four starts as an undrafted rookie back in 2020 in which he rushed for 319 yards and three touchdowns over six games. He served as a reliable backup for the Dolphins for the past few years.

The Chargers released Jefferson yesterday, but they’ll keep him around on the practice squad with today’s signing. The veteran adds some quality depth to the roster.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/30/24

September 30th, 2024 at 8:25pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s practice squad moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers

Las Vegas Raiders

Rashaan Evans has landed in a familiar spot. The veteran linebacker has signed with the Falcons practice squad, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. After spending the first four seasons of his career in Tennessee, the former first-round pick spent the 2022 campaign in Atlanta. He ended up having a career year, compiling a team-leading 159 tackles to go along with two sacks and one forced fumble.

Despite the counting stats, it took Evans until last September to find another gig, this time in Philly. He lasted less than a week with the Eagles before settling in Dallas. He ended up getting into nine games with the Cowboys, but he was waived in December after getting arrested for possession of marijuana.

While it once again took him until September to find a job, he’ll step into a potential role in Atlanta, at least temporarily. The Falcons need a bit of depth following the injury to Troy Andersen. At the end of his standout performance on Sunday (16 tackles and a pick-six), the linebacker suffered a knee injury that’s been deemed day-to-day, per D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. With Nate Landman also sidelined, the Falcons may need some extra bodies when they take on the Buccaneers this Thursday.

Colts LB E.J. Speed A Trade Candidate?

September 29th, 2024 at 11:48am CST by Rory Parks

The Colts’ plans to have linebacker Shaquille Leonard anchor the middle of their defense for the long haul took a sour turn when Leonard proved unable to return to form following offseason back surgery in 2022. Indianapolis ultimately waived Leonard last November, and one of the reasons the team felt comfortable in making that move was the presence of fellow ‘backer E.J. Speed.

Speed, 29, was selected by the Colts in the fifth round of the 2019 draft, and he operated primarily as a special-teamer over the first three years of his career. As a result of Leonard’s health issues, Speed began to see more defensive snaps in 2022, and his performance that season was enough to earn him a two-year, $8MM contract to stay in Indy.

In 2023, Speed started a career-high 11 games and appeared in two-thirds of the Colts’ defensive snaps. HIs 65.0 overall grade from Pro Football Focus was solid, if unspectacular, though he scored very highly in terms of run defense and posted 102 total tackles. Through the first three games of 2024, he has become a true every-down linebacker, enjoying a 99% snap share and recording 34 total stops.

PFF is still not enamored with his work, as the site presently considers him the 46th-best LB out of 75 qualifiers in 2024. The usual small sample size caveats apply here, but the Colts’ defense as a whole has underperformed, ranking 31st in terms of total defense (though they have yielded fewer points than the raw yardage would suggest and are currently 14th in points allowed per game). 

Between the early struggles of second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson and the porousness of the defense, Indianapolis has gotten off to a 1-2 start. And, as Speed is a veteran on an expiring contract, ESPN’s Dan Graziano believes the Tarleton State product is a “name to watch” at the trade deadline if the Colts fall out of contention (subscription required).

Any number of teams would be happy to plug a tackle machine into the second level of their defense at the deadline, even if Speed is far from the complete defender that Leonard was in his prime. Graziano specifically names the Bills, Patriots, and Raiders as possible landing spots, although New England and Las Vegas appear as if they might be deadline sellers as opposed to buyers as of the time of this writing.

As Mike Chappell of Fox 59 observes, Speed has posted at least 10 tackles in seven straight games, dating back to last year. That is the longest such streak for a Colts player since at least 1987, and the second-longest streak for any NFL player since that same year.

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