NFL Trade Deadline Autopsy: Why the Biggest Deals Didn't Happen
Jeremy Fowler reported on the 'Cousins fallout for Vikings, Raiders' and 'Inside Chiefs' deal for Downs.'
The NFL trade deadline is basically a holiday where general managers leak how hard they tried to make a deal without actually doing anything. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler just dropped his Week 10 buzz file, and it is a beautiful monument to front-office window shopping.
We finally have the autopsy on why blockbuster deals for , , and Diontae Johnson never materialized. It turns out that asking prices in November are completely detached from reality, and most teams would rather hoard draft picks than pay a premium for a guy who might just pull a hamstring in Week 12.
The most fascinating ripple effect belongs to the fallout between the and . The Vikings are sitting at 6-2 but just got absolutely pantsed 23-6 by the . Meanwhile, the Raiders are 4-5 after getting cooked 38-17 by the . Vegas desperately needs a quarterback, but apparently, the cost of doing business was higher than a casino ATM fee.
While the 6-2 stood pat and the 7-1 Bills plotted a massive swing that never happened, the 6-2 actually pulled the trigger on a deal for Downs. Because if there is one thing the NFL needs, it is getting another weapon right after dropping 35 points on the .
For the fantasy managers and prop bettors who have been refreshing injury reports like maniacs, the real prize in Fowler's report is that receiver is returning. Getting a healthy Nacua back on the field is basically a blockbuster trade that does not require giving up a conditional third-round pick.
Now that the deadline theater is officially closed, these front offices actually have to live with the rosters they built. The need to fix whatever just happened against , and the have to decide if they are trying to salvage a playoff push or just quietly steering the ship toward the draft lottery.