This Tuesday was critical for the NFL’s 32 teams, marking the trade deadline at 4 p.m. ET for the 2024 season. As expected, some teams opted out of the trading frenzy entirely, while others made their moves ahead of time.

The final day didn’t see a huge number of big-name players change teams, as many high-profile athletes had already been traded before Week 9. However, there were still several noteworthy transactions that shifted team dynamics.

So, who boosted their chances? Who missed the mark? With all decisions made, here’s a rundown of the winners and losers from this year’s trade deadline:

WINNERS

Happy Wide Receivers

Wide receivers such as Davante Adams, Amari Cooper, DeAndre Hopkins, Diontae Johnson, and Mike Williams have all transitioned from less favorable situations – though Adams replacing Williams on the New York Jets highlights the ongoing issues there. Should the Jets continue their upward trajectory, all these players could end up in the playoffs. Hopkins recently shined with two touchdowns for the Kansas City Chiefs, making him a significant asset after midseason trades.

Andy Reid

The head coach of the undefeated, defending Super Bowl champions has faced challenges, including injuries to key players like WR Rashee Rice and RB Isiah Pacheco, alongside an offense that is only 10th in scoring. Still, Kansas City stands at 8-0. In addition to acquiring Hopkins and linebacker Joshua Uche, the comeback of RB Kareem Hunt has significantly helped the team. Credit goes to Reid and GM Brett Veach for keeping the team in Super Bowl contention.

Russell Wilson

Recently named the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Wilson has revitalized the team’s passing game as they lead the AFC North. On Tuesday, GM Omar Khan added Williams, a tall receiver who could blend well into the Steelers’ offensive plan. Though Williams is still recovering from an ACL injury, he presents a valuable option to complement Wilson’s style of throwing to receivers.

Joe Douglas

The Jets’ GM has built a talented team, but results haven’t always reflected this. However, trading Williams for a fifth-round pick seems smart, especially considering that Hopkins only required a conditional fifth from Kansas City.

Adam Peters

After trading away a third- and fourth-round pick to the New Orleans Saints for Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore, the Washington Commanders’ rookie GM has made a strategic move for the future. Lattimore’s contract extends two years beyond this season, which is crucial as the team faces top-tier receivers regularly. This indicates Peters’ intent to swiftly elevate a team that is already becoming competitive.

Mike Evans

As the leading receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Evans is on track to return from injury. He can also find comfort in knowing he won’t have to face his nemesis Marshon Lattimore for a while since the Bucs have already played against Washington.

Za’Darius Smith

Moving from the struggling Cleveland Browns to the top-performing Detroit Lions, three-time Pro Bowler Smith is set to help fill the gap left by injured DE Aidan Hutchinson. The Lions’ GM made a deal, giving away two late-round picks, to bolster their defense as they push towards a potential top seed in the NFC playoffs.

Minnesota Vikings

Despite low expectations earlier in the season, the Vikings surprised everyone with a strong 5-0 start. GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah showed that the team is aiming for victories, trading for LT Cam Robinson from the Jaguars after losing Christian Darrisaw to injury. They also acquired RB Cam Akers from Houston, demonstrating ambition during a challenging transitional phase.

Cincinnati Bengals

Typically conservative in taking on new players, the Bengals took an unexpected step by acquiring backup RB Khalil Herbert. This move should boost morale after their recovery from a shaky start, with the team winning four out of six matches since their initial losses.

With the Bears, there’s an opportunity for someone to truly shine after being overshadowed on Chicago’s roster.

Lukas Van Ness

Lukas Van Ness was the Green Bay Packers’ first-round draft choice in 2023, praised for his pass-rushing skills. He boasts five sacks over 26 career games without a single start. However, the unexpected trade of Preston Smith to the Steelers on Tuesday opens the door for Van Ness to significantly increase his playing time in one of the league’s most strategic defenses.

Division Leaders

Out of the teams leading their divisions, six of the eight have actively strengthened their rosters. The Bills (adding Cooper), Steelers (gaining Williams and Preston Smith), Chiefs (bringing in Hopkins and Uche), Commanders (acquiring Lattimore), Lions (signing Za’Darius Smith), and Cardinals (trading for OLB Baron Browning) all appear to have improved their positions since last week.

Dan Morgan

In a surprising move, Dan Morgan, the rookie GM of the Carolina Panthers, secured a fourth-round pick in a deal with the Dallas Cowboys for the struggling WR Jonathan Mingo, who was a second-round selection in 2023. (Further details will be shared later.)

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens acquired notable players like Johnson and all-star cornerback Tre’Davious White from the Los Angeles Rams without giving away much in return.

LOSERS

Baltimore Ravens

However, one has to ponder the benefits they’ll gain from a declining player like White or a seemingly unnecessary addition like Johnson, who went unrecognized by QB Lamar Jackson during his 17 snaps in his debut last Sunday. At the very least, acquiring Johnson prevents him from bolstering another AFC rival. Still, it seems GM Eric DeCosta missed an opportunity to strengthen what appears to be his team’s major weakness: the pass rush.

Dan Morgan

On the flip side, Morgan only managed to secure a fifth-round selection and had to trade away a sixth-round pick while moving Johnson, a former Pro Bowler with much more established credentials than Mingo. Given both Carolina’s and Baltimore’s current trajectories, this deal could simply be about gaining a few picks in the later rounds. Why not hold out a little longer for a potentially better offer?

Houston Texans

The Texans, currently leading the AFC South, could have greatly benefited from a player with Johnson’s abilities, especially after revealing serious gaps in their passing game during their loss to the Jets last Thursday, Houston’s first defeat following WR Stefon Diggs’ season-ending ACL injury. Although WR Nico Collins is set to return from a hamstring issue, it raises questions about why GM Nick Caserio—who made numerous significant moves in the off-season, including acquiring Diggs—didn’t act more decisively to help his team and second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud stay competitive in the AFC.

New York Giants

What’s the reasoning behind a team struggling at the bottom of the NFC, likely undergoing a rebuilding phase, holding onto players like OLB Azeez Ojulari and WR Darius Slayton, both of whom are on contracts that are ending and could provide far greater long-term value if traded? If only there were a special episode of “Hard Knocks” (featuring Joe Schoen) to shed light on the reasoning

Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks have plummeted to the bottom of the NFC West standings after a promising 3-0 start, despite their acquisition of LB Ernest Jones IV and DT Roy Robertson-Harris in October. Their late attempts to find suitable players for rookie HC Mike Macdonald’s defensive strategies have not been effective, particularly as the team has allowed at least 26 points in five of the previous six matches, averaging 412 yards given up in that same span.

Jerry Jones

Seriously, Jerry? After months of declaring that both you and the team were fully committed to the 2024 season—yet taking minimal steps to freshen the roster—you opt to invest heavily on an untested player like Mingo all while your franchise quarterback, Dak Prescott, who is currently on a struggling 3-5 team, is set to be sidelined for at least a month due to a hamstring injury? Yes, the Dallas scouting team deserves credit for their past successful picks, but perhaps they believe there’s something special about Mingo that others might not see just yet. However, continuing to throw away fourth-round picks is not a practice that should become a common theme after last year’s similarly wasted pick on current third-string QB Trey Lance.

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