With the November 10 NFL trade deadline approaching, there have been some hefty trades going through earlier than we expected. These trades are already making an impact on their new teams and shaking the foundation of the league. Let’s take a look at some of these impactful trades and see how some of them performed in their debuts for their new destinations.
Quentin Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks
OT Quentin Nelson was the first victim of the Indianapolis Colts’ fire sale. The Colts traded Nelson to the Super Bowl-defending Seattle Seahawks for a third- and fifth-round pick. Nelson got right into the action on primetime Monday Night Football at Lumen Field against the Chicago Bears. They placed him at the LT spot. Although it was in a loss, he was his usual reliable self. He allowed only one pressure and no sacks. He did have a whistle, but recorded a season-high run-block grade of 92.6. Against a newly enhanced Chicago defense, as we will see later, that is as good of a game as you can ask for from the six-time Pro Bowler.
Photo Cred: Yahoo Sports
DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers
The Colts’ fire sale continues with the shipping off of DE DeForest Buckner back to his former team, the San Francisco 49ers. The three-time Pro Bowler was dealt for only a fourth-round pick. This deal also came at a great time for the 49ers because they were on their bye week. That gives Buckner time to practice and mesh with this defense. Of course, that means nothing until we see how he plays on the field. However, these factors give me reason to believe that he will be just fine.
Photo Cred: NBC
Joey Porter Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys
The lockdown CB from the Pittsburgh Steelers was moved in the first significant deal during the regular season. The Dallas Cowboys gave up a sixth-round pick next year and a second-rounder the year after that. Overall, in the first few games he has played for the Cowboys, he has been decent in coverage, allowing only three receptions on 11 targets. However, he has been flagged three times, resulting in 47 yards of free offense for their opponents.Porter Jr. has had penalty issues in the past, but if those can get cleaned up, this will be a great acquisition for this Cowboys secondary.
Photo Cred: CBS Sports
Jeffery Simmons to the Chicago Bears
The Monsters of the Midway now have their monster. In the biggest deal so far, the Chicago Bears gave up a haul for one of the best DT in the NFL in Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans. The Titans received two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick for Simmons and a fifth-round pick.
Photo Cred: NFL
Simmons has been a four-time Pro Bowl selection, and he brought that immediate impact to a much-needed Bears defense. Against his former in-division rival, Quentin Nelson, and the Seattle Seahawks, he played his first primetime game in a while and had a great performance. He accumulated six tackles, two of those for a loss, a sack and a pass breakup. His presence on this defense is a league shaker, and it elevates this team to potentially the top five in the NFL.
