NFL trade deadline winners, losers: 49ers make buzzing deal originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The 2024 NFL trade deadline is in the books.
Teams had their last chance to sell players if they were underperforming, or to recruit talent to help their respective playoffs.
In the NFC, the Detroit Lions added a star pass rusher to boost their chances, while the Dallas Cowboys made a deal that probably didn’t move the needle enough.
AFC teams mostly completed their deals before Tuesday’s deadline, although three AFC North hopefuls got involved.
Let’s analyze the 2024 deadline with winners and losers:
WINNER: Lions replace Aidan Hutchinson
After Detroit lost Aidan Hutchinson for a significant period — there’s some hope he could return if it makes a deep playoff run — Dan Campbell got a star addition in the form of Za’Darius Smith.
Smith was one of the best rushers available while the Cleveland Browns were struggling and seemed unlikely to make a playoff run of their own.
The 32-year-old is on an expiring contract and has five sacks to his name. Detroit sent a 2025 fifth rounder and a 2026 sixth rounder to get Smith, along with receiving a 2026 seventh rounder. For a team looking to take the next step and reach the Super Bowl this season, it’s a low-risk, high-reward deal.
LOSER: Cowboys aren’t moving the needle
The Cowboys are 3-5 and could see their season evolve further after Dak Prescott’s injury, which could put him on injured reserve for a few weeks.
They needed additional offensive skill players and defensive talent, but in the end they only got Jonathan Mingo at wide. A second-round pick by the Carolina Panthers in 2023, Mingo had just 43 catches on 85 targets for 418 yards and no touchdowns in 15 games as a rookie.
As a sophomore, his production stands at just 12 catches on 26 targets for 121 yards and no touchdowns in nine games. Dallas has made a move, but it’s for a receiver who hasn’t shown much upside and hasn’t come across as coveted, especially with Diontae Johnson on the same team that sparked rumors of a departure.
WINNER: AFC North contenders enter
With the Browns seemingly out of the picture, the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals are all expected to remain in contention in the AFC.
All three made moves Tuesday, with the Bengals going first after adding running back Khalil Herbert from the Chicago Bears for a 2025 seventh-round pick.
Pittsburgh made two moves, eventually adding a wide receiver in Mike Williams from the New York Jets (fifth rounder 2025 to NY), while edge rusher Preston Smith came from the Steelers (seventh rounder 2025).
Baltimore then added a corner, landing Tre’Davious White and a 2027 seventh rounder from the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a 2026 seventh rounder.
LOSER: New Orleans Saints lose star
A promising 2-0 start quickly fizzled, as the Saints lost seven in a row and fired head coach Dennis Allen.
But the woes for New Orleans go beyond the product on the field. The Saints’ salary cap situation is far from ideal and they will likely suffer even more if they lose key personnel.
That started with cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who went to the Washington Commanders along with a 2025 fifth rounder. Washington sent New Orleans three picks: a 2025 third, fourth and sixth rounder.
Losing stars for a collection of draft picks could be a theme for New Orleans going forward.
WINNER: 49ers remain active
The San Francisco 49ers have tended to make at least one deal before the deadline in the Kyle Shanahan era, and that included a huge deal on Tuesday. San Francisco added defensive tackle Khalil Davis from the Houston Texans for a seventh-rounder in 2026, giving Kris Kocurek a player familiar with the system after working with former 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans.
Davis may not move the needle on paper like the addition of Chase Young did last year, although it freshens up the middle of a defensive line that lost Javon Hargrave this season.
Perhaps there has been a missed opportunity to add a wideout in the wake of Brandon Aiyuk’s ACL tear, although Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings are still available, while rookies Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing have shown promise with additional accents.
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