NFL Trade Deadline 2022: projecting three exciting moves that would shake up the entire league

Current+Panthers+running+back+Christian+McCaffrey+attempting+to+break+free+from+a+Grady+Jarrett+tackle.

NFL Analysis Network/USATodaySports

Current Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey attempting to break free from a Grady Jarrett tackle.

Ethan K.

The NFL trade deadline is just about two weeks away and, while most years it ends up being very anticlimactic, it is always interesting to contemplate the bizarre player exchanges that could happen in order to give teams a spark heading into the latter half of the 2022 season.

Patriots send Mac Jones to Carolina for draft picks

After going down with an ankle injury following a Week 3 loss to the Ravens, Patriots quarterback Mac Jones has been out of action. Veteran Brian Hoyer started in Jones’ absence initially, but fourth round draft pick Bailey Zappe has taken over and won over the New England fan base. Zappe has shown plenty of flashes of the skill that allowed him to dominate in college. He had a fantastic performance in a surprisingly dominant win over the Browns on Sunday, making it seem as if the starting job, even when Jones comes back, will be all his. Another great performance could solidify his role on the team, making it necessary that the Patriots get something in return for their 2021 first round draft pick, Jones. With Carolina still needing a capable starter, giving up a few Day 1 and Day 2 selections for Jones could be well worth it.

Projected trade details: 

  • New England receives: 2023 1st Round Draft Pick, 2024 3rd Round Draft Pick
  • Carolina receives: QB Mac Jones

Panthers and Bills swap running backs in blockbuster deal

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Carolina was looking to dish superstar running back Christian McCaffrey off to another franchise. Years of battling off injury seemingly made McCaffrey too much of a project for the Panthers to handle as they look to rebuild their lineup for future success. Buffalo, on the other hand, is in a win-now situation. With a roughly five-year window open at possibly winning a championship, the Bills must do everything in their power to garner enough talent to get there. Acquiring a star back like McCaffrey could be just enough for Buffalo to return to the Super Bowl and cement themselves as the most well-rounded and elite team on both sides of the ball in football. As for Carolina, they would acquire a younger running back with potential in Devin Singletary, a veteran leader—to help the development of younger edge rushers—in Shaq Lawson and a plethora of draft picks to help build the future. Overall, moving on could be perfect for both sides in this deal.

Projected trade details: 

  • Buffalo receives: RB Christian McCaffrey 
  • Carolina receives: RB Devin Singletary, DE Shaq Lawson, 2023 1st Round Draft Pick, 2023 6th Round Draft Pick, 2024 2nd Round Draft Pick

Michael Thomas gets a fresh start in Baltimore

In an all-too-familiar story, Michael Thomas’ last four years in New Orleans have been as injury-ridden as McCaffrey’s time in Carolina. Rookie Saints wide receiver Chris Olave has broken out and appears to be one of the league’s up-and-coming stars. Jarvis Landry has looked well following mediocre years in Cleveland, making it apparent that not only can the Saints produce in Thomas’ absence, but with him back, they have a top five receiving group in the league. However, with Thomas being plagued by the injury bug and knowing that they have reliable receivers behind him, getting immense value out of him could be very helpful for New Orleans’ future. As for Baltimore, giving up a bundle of picks for a receiver that may miss a lot of time is bold, but I think that the risk is well worth the possible bargain. Thomas is a top ten receiver in the entire NFL when healthy and giving QB Lamar Jackson a solid weapon could be the key to Baltimore’s return to the biggest game in sports. Rashod Bateman has looked very good to start the 2022 season, when healthy, making the possibility of a phenomenal tandem of the former and Thomas too good to pass up. The latter’s previously-mentioned injury concerns knock the value of the trade down some, but this is a perfect low risk, high reward move that could elevate the Baltimore offense to a new level.

Projected trade details: 

  • Baltimore receives: WR Michael Thomas 
  • New Orleans receives: 2023 2nd Round Draft Pick, 2023 3rd Round Draft Pick, 2024 5th Round Draft Pick