The NFL trade deadline came and went yesterday, and boy did we have some big time names change teams. I was kind of shocked at the trades that kept scrolling on my phone yesterday. The contenders got better, and the not contenders got some picks. I want to break down the big trades and how I see this shaping up for the second half of the season today.

First off, we have the Jimmy Garropolo trade to the 49ers for a second round pick. This was surprising to me. I wasn't shocked that the Patriots moved Garropolo, I was confused by what they got in return. I thought that they would get a pick, but I also thought they would try and get a defensive player to help them out. All the 49ers had to give up was an early second round pick. Now, the Patriots could still make some offseason moves with this pick, but to get no defensive help, that was baffling. They could have gotten someone from the 49ers unit to help them out. They should have asked for a linebacker to replace Donta Hightower, or a D lineman to add depth, or a corner that can actually cover. They got none of those. And today, since they had no backup QB, they went and signed Brian Hoyer. Why not Kaepernick?! Why in the hell do teams keep giving Brian Hoyer a god damn job?! He is dreadful. Looking at this trade from the 49ers side, they finally have a solid QB. The 2 games that Garropolo started last year, he looked pretty competent. We will see how he does away from the Patriots, but Kyle Shanahan has proven to be a very good QB coach, and I think he has someone that can become an upper tier QB. But, for this season, I do not see Garropolo leading this team to anymore than 2, maybe 3 wins. They really have no threats running or catching the ball. Also, I do not know how the O line will hold up. This is a good start in rebuilding a team, but it will be of no consequence for the second half of this season. I also like this deal because it totally screws over the highly overrated Kirk Cousins. But that is a personal thing for me.

I was absolutely stunned when I saw that Jay Ajayi was traded. I was even more stunned by what the Dolphins got in return, only a 4th round pick. I know that Ajayi was unhappy with his lack of touches, and he was becoming a problem in the locker room, and he may or may not have knee issues, but only a fourth rounder in return? Wow. Ajayi is now joining a very solid running team, with a very good O line. He will bring speed and explosion to the Eagles. Legarette Blount is the big bruiser, and I think he will be fine sharing carries. Wendell Smallwood has been a surprise, and he is pretty solid, but I'd rather have Ajayi if pressed. He, if healthy, brings an entire new dimension to a team that sits atop the NFL right now. While they may not be highly explosive passing the ball, even though Alshon Jeffrey has been great, having this three headed monster in the backfield will be a headache for opposing defenses. Also, they will be able to chew up the clock. I love this move for the Eagles. I do not know what in the hell the Dolphins are doing. But hey, this was the team that went out and signed Jay Cutler this offseason. They cannot be trusted to make good decisions anymore. This feels like a throw in the towel move by them.

The Seahawks went out and finally tried to shore up one side of their offensive line and traded Jeremy Lane for Duane Brown. Duane Brown is a very, very solid left tackle. He can block, and when engaged, he can be great. He has only played one game this season, he was holding out for a contract, so that may slow him down a bit. But, once he gets going, he will be the one and only O lineman that will protect Russell Wilson. That is the down side for the Seahawks in this deal. Duane Brown is only one guy. The offensive line is composed of 5 guys. I still do not trust the other four, but the left tackle spot is on lock now. The Texans got a pretty good safety in return. Jeremy Lane is probably the only guy in the Seahawks secondary that they didn't mind parting ways with. With that being said, he is pretty solid. He can cover and he can hit. He will bring the Texans a toughness that they are lacking in their secondary. This is a very good trade for both teams. I do think it moves the needle a bit more for the Seahawks, but the this could help the Texans push for the title in their god awful division, or a wild card spot. Their offense is set, and adding Lane will help their defense.

When I thought all the madness was done, the Panthers astonished me by trading Kelvin Benjamin to the Bills for a 3rd and 7th round pick. I was floored by this. Benjamin seemed to be finally figuring it out. He was becoming the big time red zone threat that most thought he would be when he came into the league. He is 6'6, his destiny is to be a serious red zone target. Now, the Panthers let that go for 2 picks, none of which are a first, or even a second rounder. That is ridiculous. I think Benjamin will help out the Bills, and more importantly, Tyrod Taylor, a ton. Taylor doesn't have any big time pass catcher, and now, I think he does. The Bills already have a great run game and solid defense, but now they have a big time target at receiver. They are 5-2, and already a tough out for all their opponents. Now, with Benjamin, opposing coaches have to game plan not only for their run game, but also their pass game. This is a solid, solid move for them. The Panthers, I look at this trade like I do with Ajayi to the Eagles. What in the world are the Panthers doing?! They are still in position to compete for a division title and a playoff spot, and they are going to let one of their top receivers go? That is crazy to me. I know they have Devin Funchess, and some rumors are swirling that this trade will push Christian McCaffery to being a full time wide out, but I'd rather have Funchess and Benjamin than Funchess and McCaffery. At least Benjamin, when healthy, put up solid numbers.

The best, and fairest trade was Brown for Lane. All the other trades, Garropolo, Ajayi and Benjamin, they make no sense to me. I may be wrong on the Garropolo trade because the Patriots will most likely do something with that pick. But, the other 2 trades, the Dolphins and Panthers seem to have no idea what they are doing. The Ajayi trade is another death knell in this season for the Dolphins. And, the Benjamin trade to Buffalo makes the Bills better, and really, really hurts the Panthers. I'm excited to see these guys play for their new squads, and for some, it could change their season drastically. This was one of the most fun NFL trade deadlines that I can ever remember. The NFL needed something like this, because it has been a pretty rough year from many different angles. Now someone just needs to sign Colin Kaepernick.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. He was going to talk about the AJ McCarron non-trade, but why point out the ineptness of the Bengals and Browns once again.

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