The 2026 NFL Trade Deadline has come and gone, and teams have made huge moves to improve their rosters. Some, on the other hand, are looking to start fresh. Here are the biggest moves from the 2026 trade deadline, and grades for every team.
Jessie Bates III To The Jacksonville Jaguars
In the first of several trade moves, the Jaguars sent a 2027 second-rounder and a 2028 fifth-rounder to the Atlanta Falcons for safety Jessie Bates. Jacksonville is gearing up for a Super Bowl run, and acquiring a three-time second-team All-Pro is a great start.
The Falcons are currently 3-5 on the season. Bates is in the final year of a four-year, $64-million contract. Trading the 29-year-old before he potentially departs in free agency was the best move for the team.
This trade made perfect sense for both teams and the player involved. Jacksonville gets a high-level safety to shore up its secondary, and Atlanta recoups value on a player it was likely to lose regardless.
While the Falcons dealing Bates looks like they’re giving up on a winnable NFC South, they’re accounting for the future. Bates isn’t what they need right now; draft picks are. They’re in a weak division that seemingly never improves; this was a difficult but smart move.
Jaguars Grade: A+
Falcons Grade: A+
Davon Godchaux To The Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars followed up the trade for Bates by targeting depth at the defensive line. They sent a 2028 sixth-round pick to the New Orleans Saints for defensive tackle Davon Godchaux. The pick could elevate to a 2027 sixth-rounder if Jacksonville acquires one.
Godchaux is 31 years old and most likely a rotational player for Jacksonville. The 2017 fifth-rounder has appeared in 128 games through his career, logging 223 solo tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 23 tackles for loss (TFLs). He’s in the final year of a two-year, $11-million contract.
This was likely a case of Jacksonville looking for depth after DaVon Hamilton tore his quad in Week 9. New Orleans gets a late-round pick for a 31-year-old player, and the Jaguars get much-needed depth. This is a win-win, though not extremely consequential.
Jaguars Grade: B
Saints Grade: B+
Andre Cisco To The Detroit Lions
The Lions have struggled with injuries to the defense all season. In a need for depth in the secondary, they sent a 2028 sixth-round pick to the New York Jets for safety Andre Cisco.
Similar to the Jaguars’ acquisition of Godchaux, this is a case of a team recouping value for a player they’re likely to lose this offseason. The difference here: Cisco is only 26 years old. While he hasn’t been outstanding thus far, he’s logged 180 solo tackles, 1.5 sacks, eight interceptions, and four TFLs in 71 appearances.
The Lions’ lack of secondary depth may have landed them a young player with plenty of meat on the bone. Cisco will almost certainly see playing time, and may find new life in Detroit’s system. If he doesn’t, the team won’t miss a sixth-round pick. This is another smart move by both teams ahead of the deadline.
Lions Grade: C+
Jets Grade: C
Jordan Davis To The Jacksonville Jaguars
What was Jacksonville’s last move before the trade deadline was also the biggest. They acquired defensive tackle Jordan Davis from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2027 first-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick.
While this is a great move for Jacksonville, it does feel like a bit of an overpay. Davis’ 13.5% run-stop rate in 2026 ranks 14th among defensive tackles with at least 100 run plays defended. He’s recorded 11 solo tackles, 1.5 sacks, two TFLs, and three QB hits so far this season.
In 2025, Davis recorded 34 solo tackles, 4.5 sacks, nine TFLs, and six QB hits. The Eagles’ defense has dipped in production this year, but in turn, so has his. Jacksonville’s defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile has transformed the unit, and may be able to bring a spark back to Davis.
On Philadelphia’s side, this is a great move with an even better return. There were expectations that general manager Howie Roseman would move DT Moro Ojomo. He instead moved a struggling Davis and gets to hold onto a player who is arguably better. To top it all off, he now has four first-round picks in the next two years.
Jaguars Grade: B+
Eagles Grade: A
Keenan Allen To The San Francisco 49ers
The Indianapolis Colts made their first of two moves on Tuesday by sending wide receiver Keenan Allen to the 49ers for a 2027 sixth-round pick. At 34 years old, the veteran receiver isn’t a good match for a rebuilding team.
The 49ers needed receiver depth coming out of their bye week. Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, De’Zhaun Stribling, Christian Kirk, and Ricky Pearsall have all been dealing with varying injuries. Allen is an easy plug-and-play receiver who serves as a band-aid for the team.
While this move isn’t exactly a needle-mover, it was necessary for both sides. Indianapolis thought a Super Bowl run was on the table, so it acquired Allen in the offseason. The team is now 2-7 and has fired its general manager. He’s on a one-year, $8.32 million contract, and would have likely left in free agency anyway. Recouping a pick for him is smart business.
49ers Grade: B
Colts Grade: B
Amani Hooker To The Buffalo Bills
After trading DT Jeffery Simmons to the Chicago Bears last week, the Tennessee Titans are sending safety Amani Hooker to the Bills. In exchange for the safety and a 2027 fifth-round pick, Tennessee is acquiring a 2027 second-rounder.
The Bills recently let go of C.J. Gardner-Jonson, and their secondary has been a weak point nine weeks into the season. They entered Week 9 ranked 30th in the NFL in passing yards allowed, and Hooker is a great fit for the defense.
In seven games for Tennessee, Hooker has recorded 33 solo tackles, 52 total, six passes defensed, and five interceptions (tied for league-leading). He won’t be the perfect missing piece for Buffalo, but he’s an impact player and still only 28 years old.
In this trade, the Titans essentially moved up in the 2027 Draft, going from a fifth-round pick to a second-rounder. They now have four picks in the first two rounds, giving them plenty to work with in April. This doesn’t make them better today, but they’re looking ahead right now.
Bills Grade: A-
Titans Grade: B+
Kirk Cousins To The Minnesota Vikings
After an abysmal showing from Carson Wentz on Monday night against the Bills, the Vikings knew it was time for a QB change. They sent a 2027 third-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for Kirk Cousins.
Minnesota has struggled since Cousins’ departure in 2024. They acquired Sam Darnold, who led the team to a 14-3 record and a playoff berth. They had drafted J.J. McCarthy 10th overall in 2024 as well, hoping he would be Cousins’ successor. Neither he nor Darnold are on the team today.
Cousins spent two years with the Atlanta Falcons before becoming a Raider in the 2026 offseason. Through nine games, he’s logged 2,340 pass yards for 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions. At 4-5 on the year, with first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza waiting in the wings, Vegas felt comfortable parting ways with the 38-year-old veteran.
In his previous tenure with Minnesota, Cousins only led the team to one season below .500. He led them to two playoff appearances, posting a 1-2 record in the postseason. While they had success with Darnold in 2024, they haven’t won a playoff game since Cousins donned purple.
Overall, this is a great move for both teams. The Vikings are 6-2 with a Super Bowl-caliber defense. The offense, however, is among the worst in the NFL. Cousins should be able to breathe new life into it. For Vegas, they now turn to the 2025 Heisman winner and CFP National Champion Mendoza.
Vikings Grade: A
Raiders Grade: B+
Daiyan Henley To The Denver Broncos
In their only move at the trade deadline, the Los Angeles Chargers sent linebacker Daiyan Henley to the Broncos in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick. Denver needed someone to pair with Alex Singleton, and they’ve seemingly found that.
Henley is in the final year of his rookie contract. In eight games, he’s logged 21 solo tackles, 51 total, one interception, and two passes defensed. While he’s not exactly on pace for his best season, the state of the 0-8 Chargers may be a part of that.
The Broncos have one of the top defenses in the NFL, and adding a player with Henley’s upside is only a benefit. He’s 26 years old, looking for a change of scenery with a playoff contender, and aiming for a new contract. For two late-round picks, this is a great move for Denver.
Broncos Grade: B+
Chargers Grade: C+
Josh Downs To The Kansas City Chiefs
After requesting a trade from the Colts nearly two weeks ago, wide receiver Josh Downs got his wish. The Chiefs sent Indy a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick in exchange for Downs and a 2027 seventh-round pick.
This is a terrific move for the Chiefs, as they desperately need wide receiver help. Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice haven’t been an electric duo, and Patrick Mahomes has struggled to heat up in the pass game.
While Downs isn’t a superstar to this point, he offers depth at a position that needs it. In 2026, he’s logged 33 catches for 354 yards and one touchdown. At his best in 2024, he recorded 72 catches for 803 yards and five scores. At only 25 years old, he can still be that kind of receiver.
The Colts are approaching a rebuild, and Downs is in the final year of his rookie contract. Keeping him on the books may have been too costly for a team loading up on draft picks.
Downs now gets to catch passes from one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. This is a dream scenario for a young receiver looking to earn a new contract. It’s also helpful for a Chiefs team needing an inside receiving threat.
Chiefs Grade: A
Colts Grade: B
End Of My NFL Trade Deadline Rant
The NFL trade deadline was fairly quiet in 2026. Contending teams addressed positions of need while crumbling teams are loading up for the future. Even with a lack of fireworks, some of these squads will see immediate results from their trades, good or bad.
