It would solely be the second week of preseason, however we will already learn the tea leaves and see the groups who’ve some issues ready on the horizon. Accidents, underperformance, and suspension have coalesced to depart a few of the league’s finest groups missing in key areas, whereas others are coping with a glut of expertise at a place and have the potential to make a deal.
With the NFL transferring to a single lower down day on August 26 it’s meant that we don’t have as a lot in-camp motion as previous years, the place gamers had been launched in levels, permitting for extra pickups in camp. That might imply that we see some important veteran trades executed on, or shortly earlier than the lower down deadline — and there are some offers on the market that simply make an excessive amount of sense.
Adam Thielen to the Minnesota Vikings
It’s wild to take a look at the Vikings as a crew that wants receiver assist, however right here we’re. The paramount concern for Minnesota this yr is to get J.J. McCarthy began off on the fitting foot, and that will probably be extraordinarily troublesome with Jordan Addison serving a 3 recreation suspension, and now Rondale Moore struggling a season-ending knee harm.
Because it stands the opening day receivers for Minnesota will probably be Justin Jefferson, Tai Felton, and Jalen Nailor within the slot. That’s a foul, unhealthy unit.
Enter an outdated good friend in Adam Thielen. The Carolina Panthers love Thielen, however they’ve an issue of their very own at receiver: They’ve too many to know what to do with. All indicators level to Tetairoa McMillan being their No. 1, with Xavier Legette throughout from him, and Thielen within the slot. That leaves 2024 breakout UDFA Jalen Coker, Hunter Renfrow, and promising rookie Jimmy Horn Jr. all driving the pine.
The Panthers have usually stated Thielen is their veteran management, glue man — however relying on how the entrance workplace feels concerning the maturity of the unit, Thielen could possibly be expendable. He could be a great match for Minnesota as a bridge WR, who can provide punch on the surface instantly, and transition to the slot when Addison returns.
Kirk Cousins to the Los Angeles Rams
The Rams season hangs within the stability. Matthew Stafford’s again harm had prevented him from taking snaps for a majority of coaching camp, and there’s little signal that issues will get higher. Because it stands there’s an actual likelihood that Jimmy Garoppolo begins the season, and that’s unhealthy information. Relating to backups you would do loads worse than Jimmy G, however he’s not going to be a participant who provides you an identical playoff influence as Stafford.
Kirk Cousins nonetheless exists. The way in which the Falcons have dealt with Cousins this offseason has been extraordinarily weird, as they now enter the common season with one of many highest paid backup QBs of all time. There have been sporadic reviews that Atlanta has hoped for a very good commerce return, however that’s form of ridiculous. Dumping a big portion of his wage and selecting up a mid-round decide could be a stable transfer for the Falcons to progress and present religion in Michael Penix Jr.
Cousins is way from the proper QB, however he is perhaps sufficient to make sure the Rams get to the playoffs, which is greater than we will say about Jimmy G.
Kayvon Thibodeaux to the Detroit Lions
Yeah, I’ll bounce on this prepare too. As a lot because the Giants need to hold speaking about their move rush trio, it’s an absolute luxurious for New York to maintain Thibodeaux after they have so many different wants that could possibly be crammed.
Enter the Detroit Lions. There’s lengthy been dialogue concerning the Lions needing to improve their move rush, however this has grow to be much more distinguished with accidents to their secondary. It makes lots of sense for the Lions to bolster their move rush and attempt to take down the QB first, quite than making an attempt so as to add one other nook or security earlier than the season begins.
Thibodeux will not be a very good match with Brian Burns, which is why the Giants had been comfy taking Abdul Carter within the draft. Thibodeux and Burns had been a foul duo towards the run, and crammed the same position as pace/finesse move rushers. In the meantime the Lions have somebody sitting on their depth chart the Giants might actually use in veteran OT Dan Skipper.
New York’s offensive line is a multitude. Skipper, a fan favourite, is about to be a backup this season in Detroit. There’s simply a state of affairs the place the Giants might add Skipper and a third spherical decide, getting a lot better within the course of and transferring on. In the meantime the Lions get one other move rusher who might revitalize his profession on the Lions and grow to be an influence participant.
Terry McLaurin to the Houston Texans
Let’s throw one other random one on the market that makes lots of sense when you consider it a little bit deeper. At this level it’s unclear if the Commanders and McLaurin will be capable of work this out. It’s extraordinarily dumb, however it’s what it’s. Whereas there’s little question each these groups want one another greater than they need to admit, this may be the breaking level.
If there’s one factor we all know concerning the Texans it’s that they love the concept of overloading on weapons for C.J. Stroud. To this finish McLaurin could be a significant improve at WR, arguably giving the crew one of many higher models within the NFL with Nico Collins and Tank Dell to accompany McLaurin. Why didn’t I point out WR2 Christian Kirk? As a result of he’s heading to Washington on this state of affairs.
Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury was in a position to unlock Kirk in Arizona and switch him right into a 1,000 yard receiver. No one else has actually been in a position to do that. If the Commanders really feel the necessity to commerce McLaurin, then Kirk seems like a great alternative who can stretch the sphere, do every thing McLaurin does, and maybe even match the Kingsbury system a little bit higher.
In the meantime for the Texans it’s a stable improve that matches their mildew of making an attempt to overwhelm groups by means of the air.
