The NFL trade deadline for 2024 has passed. Teams had a final opportunity to either acquire talent to support their individual playoff efforts or sell players if they were performing poorly.
While the Dallas Cowboys made a trade that probably didn’t make enough of an impact, the Detroit Lions added a star pass rusher to improve their chances in the NFC. Despite the involvement of three potential AFC North rivals, the majority of AFC teams completed their transactions before Tuesday’s deadline.
WINNER: Lions replace Aidan Hutchinson
Dan Campbell received a stellar reinforcement in the form of Za’Darius Smith after Detroit lost Aidan Hutchinson for a considerable amount of time; if the team takes a deep playoff run, there is some potential that he will return. With the Cleveland Browns underperforming and seemingly out of the running for a postseason berth, Smith was among the top rushers available. The 32-year-old has five sacks under his contract, which is about to expire. In addition to acquiring a 2026 seventh round pick, Detroit sent a 2025 fifth and 2026 sixth round pick to acquire Smith. It’s a low-risk, high-reward agreement for a club looking to advance this season and make it to the Super Bowl.
LOSER: Cowboys don’t move the needle
Due to Dak Prescott’s injury, which may place him on injured reserve for a few weeks, the Cowboys, who are currently 3-5, could see their season further deteriorate. They only ended up adding wideout Jonathan Mingo, despite the fact that they needed more defensive and offensive skill players. Mingo, a 2023 second-round selection of the Carolina Panthers, finished his rookie season with just 43 receptions on 85 targets for 418 yards and no touchdowns. In nine games as a sophomore, he has only caught 12 passes on 26 targets for 121 yards and no touchdowns. Dallas moved, but it was for a receiver who hasn’t demonstrated much promise and didn’t seem as desirable—especially since Diontae Johnson, who was on the same club, was rumoured to be going.
WINNER: AFC North contenders get involved
The Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Baltimore Ravens are all anticipated to stay competitive in the AFC now that the Browns appear to be out of the picture. The Bengals made the first move on Tuesday after acquiring Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert in the 2025 seventh round. Pittsburgh acquired two acquisitions: edge rusher Preston Smith from the Steelers (2025 seventh round) and wide receiver Mike Williams from the New York Jets (2025 fifth round to N.Y.). Tre’Davious White and a 2027 seventh-round pick were subsequently acquired by Baltimore in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick from the Los Angeles Rams.
LOSER: New Orleans Saints lose star
The Saints’ promising 2-0 start soon backfired, as head coach Dennis Allen was sacked after the team lost seven straight games. However, New Orleans’ problems extend beyond their on-field performance. The Saints’ salary cap situation is far from ideal, and as they lose important players, they’ll probably suffer much more. The Washington Commanders acquired cornerback Marshon Lattimore in the fifth round of the 2025 draft. Three picks—a 2025 third, fourth, and sixth round pick—were sent to New Orleans by Washington. New Orleans may lose its best players in exchange for a number of draft picks in the future.
WINNER: 49ers stay active
Under Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers typically make at least one trade before the deadline, and Tuesday’s deal was a buzzer-beating one. For a 2026 seventh-round pick, San Francisco acquired defensive tackle Khalil Davis from the Houston Texans, providing Kris Kocurek with a system-savvy player who has experience working with former 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans. Despite freshening up the centre of a defensive line that lost Javon Hargrave for the season, Davis might not make as much of an impact on paper as Chase Young’s acquisition did the previous season.
Even while Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings are still available and rookies Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing have shown promise with extra touches, it’s possible that the opportunity to add a wideout following Brandon Aiyuk’s ACL tear was lost.