2018 NFL Trade Deadline Tracker: Amari Cooper to Cowboys, Eli Apple to Saints, plus latest trade rumors



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The 2018 NFL trade deadline promises to be unlike anything we've ever seen before. This offseason provided a fl ight of trades around the NFL, with a combination of cap-and-trade and free-agent market enabling teams to move mid-level veterans at will.

The same combo is going to create new opportunities for you. Teams making a push will be much more willing to sacrifice assets – like a fourth – or fifth – round pick – in – order to get veterans who provide upside down and depth, because they have to make the moves.

My colleague Sean Wagner-McGough did an excellent primer on the 2018 NFL trade deadline here, and if you're just thirsty for Steelers-specific news and updates, I'm tracking all the Le'Veon Bell news and rumors here.

Below we'll detail each and every trade and perhaps even after it happens.

Done Deals

Browns trade Carlos Hyde to Jaguars

Hyde, who has the Browns signed in free agency, was shipped to Jacksonville for a fifth-round pick.

For the Browns: This makes sense because they have Nick Chubb and Duke Johnson. Chubb, a second-round pick this year, has been running last season with 80 yards and a touchdown. Cleveland was going to cut off this offseason anyway, so they shave a few million in dead money off their salary cap and get a fifth-round pick out of it.

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For the Jaguars: This makes sense because Leonard Fournette is hurt and T.J. Yeldon is not a workhorse answer. Hyde is a little redundant with a healthy supply, but Jacksonville wants to stack some wins and can not do it by leaning on Blake Bortles. Hyde is insurance.

Who wins? Both teams. Fair price for a cheap, effective player who fits a scheme, yet Captain Hindsight would like to know why the Jags did not draft Deshaun Watson and pay Hyde in free agency instead of doing what they did.

Amari Raiders trade Cooper to Cowboys

Shocker of a deal in that it actually happened and included a first-round pick. Less shocking because Jerry Jones trades for a big-name wide receiver.

For the Raiders: This is a MASSIVE win. Getting a first-round pick for Cooper, who had just one year left on his rookie deal plus his fifth-year option at more than $ 13 million guaranteed, is a really nice haul. When the Raiders floated their preference for a first-round pick, we're going to be scoffed, but it's going to be crazy. A first for Cooper mitigates the Khalil Mack trade to some degree, it feels like. It's very clear the Raiders are putting their chips in their Vegas move.

For the Cowboys: This is a risky move that could be expensive. Dallas definitely made the mistake of not investing in this position; you can not come into a make-or-break year for a young franchise quarterback with Allen Hurns and Michael Gallup at the top of the depth chart. But giving up is a high price to pay. The Cowboys would be surrendering the 10th overall pick of their head bye. They have to win a lot of games at this point, and they can not give any more Cooper an extension at this point. He'll already be owed $ 13 million in 2019, which is a top 10 or top 15 wideout salary. If they make the playoffs, this was worth it.

Who wins? The Raiders by a significant margin in my book.

Giants trade Eli Apple to the Saints

After the Giants lost on Monday night to the Falcons, it became clear they were not making a playoff run and as such they were dumping any and all talent that teams are interested in. This includes Apple, the first-round pick, who was shipped to New Orleans for a 2019 fourth-round pick and a 2020 seventh-round pick.

For the Giants: This is just part of their fire sale. They're willing to move everyone as they rebuild after convincing themselves they just did not need to do that that offseason. Denial is not just a river in Egypt after all. Getting picks is important and Apple's been … rotten at times in New York, both on and off the field. Apple is one of the players, so this move should not be surprising.

For the Saints: This is a cheap move to a young veteran with a pedigree who gives them depth in the defensive backfield. They have Marshon Lattimore and Ken Crawley, but the defense has struggled to maintain last year's success, so they might view Apple as a potential upgrade. Worst case he gives them depth and insurance on a cornerback at a really cheap cost.

Who wins? The Saints but not in a landslide – Giants need picks

Rumor Mill

Patrick Peterson on the block

CBS Sports NFL Jason La Canfora Insider Cardinals cornerback wants to be dealt, and it would have been cleared that Arizona would acquiesce. CBS HQ Sports Bryant McFadden – Peterson's cousin! – reports the Saints would be the destination of choice, and they are interested, the Eagles and Patriots are also in hot pursuit.

Giants holding a fire sale

The Canfora reports the Eli Apple deal was just the tip of the iceberg for New York, and the Giants could ultimately set up shop on the side of the Turnpike and try to dump off as many players as possible.

Semi-serious inquires only, please. (Also do not ask for Saquon Barkley or Odell Beckham.)

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