Moving Season- Making Sense Of The Big NFL Trades At The Deadline

The New England Patriots have traded backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2018 second-round draft pick. The 49ers (0-8) rank third in pass attempts, but only 22nd in passing yards. The combination of Brian Hoyer and C.J. Beathard combined for six touchdowns and seven interceptions this season. Garoppolo started two games last season and went 43-63 with 502 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions. Head coach Kyle Shannahan saw a chance to get the type of signal caller he envisioned to run his intricate offensive system. Instead of waiting for the draft, he can now groom Garoppolo for the rest of this season and the off-season.

The Houston Texans sent offensive lineman Duane Brown and a fifth-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for a third-round pick in 2018 and a second-round pick in 2019. The Seahawks rank 21st in rushing yards and Russell Wilson has been sacked 16 times this season. In Brown, the Seahawks get a veteran tackle that will make the rest of the line better by default. The three time pro bowler was locked in a holdout battle with the Texans. He has been the most outspoken player in regards to owner Bob McNair’s comments last week.

The Miami Dolphins shipped running back Jay Ajayi to the Philadelphia Eagles for a fourth-round draft pick in 2018. The Dolphins (4-3) are dead last in points scored and yards gained. Ajayi has gained 465 yards on 138 carries with 0 touchdowns. The Dolphins are the first team since the 2013 Los Angeles Rams to not score a rushing touchdown in their first seven games. There seems to be no apparent reason for the trade on Miami’s side. There were a few times Ajayi and coach Adam Gase had little rifts, but nothing serious according to reports. They are trading one of their best players for a low round draft pick. Something doesn’t add up. Philadelphia gains a strong running back who is able to hit the hole with authority and with good speed. Ajayi is shifty enough to make defenders miss tackles.

The Carolina Panthers send wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin to the Buffalo Bills for a third-round and a seventh-round pick in 2018. Bills wide receivers so far this season have 45 receptions for 594 yards, which are the fewest in NFL. The 6′ 5″ 240 pound former first-round pick will provide a huge target for quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Benjamin averages 14.4 yards per catch and 60.6 yards per game. He uses his height well and is very good on catching 50/50 jump balls. After a stellar rookie season in 2014, he missed the entire 2015 season with injury. Questions about his weight and attitude arose upon his return. In Buffalo he can get a fresh start and be the explosive receiver they need.