This year’s NFL trade deadline was quite different than years past. Traditionally, sports like MLB and NBA have huge blockbuster deals at the deadline because it is much easier to insert a new player into a lineup late in the season than it is for the NFL. But in 2017, we saw a handful of big trades and we will we do fantasy football analysis of each.
Duane Brown to the Seattle Seahawks
Coming into the season, the Seattle Seahawks seemed destined for another deep playoff run. They seemingly had a dynamic offense and took their defense to the next level when they acquired Sheldon Richardson early in the season. Unfortunately, their offensive line has hampered them to start the season as they have been unable to open holes for their backs and keep star QB Russell Wilson on his feet. Insert Duane Brown from the Houston Texans who has been a solid as a rock and has gone to three pro bowls during his time there. Brown will provide quality and certainty to a Seattle offensive line that has looked lost to start the season. Look for things to change for them in the second half of the season.
Jay Ajayi to the Philadelphia Eagles
Jay Ajayi was one of the most hyped players entering the 2017-2018 NFL season. He was repeatedly being drafted as top five fantasy football running back and the Dolphins were a sexy pick to make the playoff this year. Unfortunately, Jay Cutler has been quarterback for every game this season so it is safe to say that narrative has changed in the beginning of the season. Now Ajayi will have a plethora of opportunities in a high powered Eagles Offense lead by MVP front-runner Carson Wentz. The Eagles hold the most record in the NFL but have been ineffective at the goaline and in the red zone. Enter Ajay who has the physicalness and strength to move piles and break tackles to get into the endzone.
Jimmy Garoppolo to the San Francisco 49ers
This was a classic New England move. It was rumored that Jimmy G was going to be moved to the niners during the offseason in exchange for a first round draft pick. Instead, New England had some concerns with Tom Brady’s health at 40 years old so they wanted to keep their insurance for as long as they could. They started that by dealing third string QB Jacoby Brissett to Indianapolis because of the nagging injury to Andrew Luck. Look for this move by San Francisco to be the cornerstone of their rebuilding process.
Kelvin Benjamin to the Buffalo Bills
One of the biggest surprises in the NFL season is the success that the Buffalo Bills have been enjoying. This team was pegged as one of the worst in the league at the beginning of the season and they shrugged off the haters by starting the season with a 5-2 record. Now they bolstered the pass attack with a big bodied possession receiver who can go up and get the ball in Kelvin Benjamin. Benjamin is still in his early years in the league and was constantly one of Cam Newton’s favorite playmakers when he was healthy during his days in Carolina. If he can stay healthy, this move can pay big dividends for a team that has had a lackluster passing attack when looking at them with daily fantasy football analysis.
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