Numerous well-known players were traded to winning teams, including Tre’Davious White, Preston Smith, Mike Williams, Za’Darius Smith, and Marshon Lattimore. Khalil Herbert and Jonathan Mingo, on the other hand, are moving to areas where they will have more playing time.
Prior to Tuesday’s 4 p.m. EST trade deadline, NFL teams—particularly those expecting to compete—were very busy. In an attempt to improve their standing, the NFC East-leading Washington Commanders acquired Lattimore from the floundering New Orleans Saints (2–7).
The defense, which is already rated fifth in the league against the pass, receives depth from Lattimore, a four-time Pro Bowl cornerback. A third-, fourth-, and sixth-round pick that the Saints had previously sent to Washington will be received in return.
Along with Lattimore, the Commanders also get a fifth-round pick. On the other hand, Smith was acquired from the Cleveland Browns (2-7) by the Detroit Lions (7-1) to begin the day of the trade deadline.
Smith, an edge rusher who has been to three Pro Bowls, will assist cover for star Aidan Hutchinson, who had a leg injury on October 13. With seven and a half sacks, Hutchinson continues to lead Detroit.
In return for a fifth-round pick in 2025 and a sixth-round pick in 2026, the Browns, who are trying to rebuild after a poor season, are sending Smith and a seventh-round pick in 2026 to Detroit.
The Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) made some significant additions, including Smith to bolster their pass rush and Williams to provide Russell Wilson with an additional receiving option.
Williams, who had 12 receptions for 166 yards, was traded by Pittsburgh, which leads the AFC North, to the New York Jets (3-6) for a fifth-round pick in the upcoming draft.
The Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) made some significant additions, including Smith to bolster their pass rush and Williams to provide Russell Wilson with an additional receiving option.
Williams, who had 12 receptions for 166 yards in nine games, was traded by Pittsburgh, which sits atop the AFC North, to the New York Jets (3-6) in the fifth round of the draft the following year.Smith, who had 2 1/2 sacks this season after averaging 8 1/2 sacks annually over the previous three seasons, was also selected in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft by Green Bay (6-3).
White was acquired by the Baltimore Ravens (6-3) from the Los Angeles Rams to strengthen their secondary. White, a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback, has not played in the Rams’ previous four games.
According to two individuals familiar with the agreement, Baltimore traded White and a seventh-round pick in 2027 for Los Angeles’ seventh-round pick in 2026. Since the teams did not make the complete circumstances public, both spoke on condition of anonymity.
According to two individuals familiar with the trade, the injury-plagued Cowboys (3-5) struck a deal with Carolina (2-7) to acquire Mingo and a seventh-round pick in 2025 in return for a fourth-round pick the following season. Since the teams have not formally confirmed the deal, these individuals spoke on condition of anonymity.
Last year, Mingo was selected in the second round, but in nine games, he has only caught 12 passes for 121 yards. Given that Dak Prescott is anticipated to miss multiple games due to a hamstring injury, he will not be receiving passes from Prescott for some time. Dallas has dropped their last three games.
After Zack Moss’ injury, the Bengals (4-5) acquired Herbert from Chicago (4-4) for a seventh-round pick in 2025 to bolster their running back depth. With the Bears, Herbert had eight carries for 16 yards and one touchdown. He will give Cincinnati another backfield option by joining top rusher Chase Brown.
In return for a 2026 seventh-round pick, the San Francisco 49ers (4-4) acquired defensive tackle Khalil Davis from Houston. In nine games this season, Davis has nine tackles and one sack. Prior to the deadline, some of the largest trades occurred.
The Jets, Ravens, Bills, and Chiefs have acquired wide outs in the past month, adding important players. The Cardinals (5-4) added defensive support on Monday after the Vikings (6-2) filled a significant offensive line need last week.
Josh Esche, an edge rusher, and three-time All-Pro receiver D’Andre Hopkins were added by Kansas City, the two-time reigning Super Bowl champions.
In Monday night’s 30–24 overtime victory over Tampa Bay, Hopkins made an instant impact. In his second game under quarterback Patrick Mahomes, he caught eight catches for 86 yards and two touchdowns.
Three weeks ago, Davante Adams, a three-time All-Pro, was signed by the Jets. Last Thursday, Adams caught seven passes for 91 yards and one touchdown in New York’s 21–13 victory over Houston.
Two weeks ago, Amari Cooper caught a touchdown in his first Buffalo game. In his debut, Diontae Johnson played 17 snaps as Baltimore defeated Denver 41–10.
The first start for left tackle Cam Robinson was impressive as Minnesota defeated Indianapolis 21–13. Just one day after winning the NFC West, Arizona (5-4) acquired outside linebacker Baron Browning from Denver for a sixth-round pick.
This year, the NFL gave teams one extra week to improve their rosters by extending the trade deadline.
