Official Trade Approval/Announcement Thread

[JazzMan]

Bears Get Younger By Trading Jerrell Freeman



Jerrell Freeman had a disappointing campaign last year for Chicago.

Bears Trade: MLB Jerrell Freeman
Redskins Trade: MLB Su'a Cravens

Jerrell Freeman had a disappointing year last year for the Chicago Bears, who ended up deciding to move him to acquire a cheaper, younger option at the middle backer spot. Freeman had just 28 total tackles and 2 sacks last season for the Bears in 16 games, which is actually pretty putrid for a middle linebacker of his caliber. The Redskins took advantage of his low trade value by sending Su'a Cravens to Chicago in return for Freeman. The 'Skins are hoping that Freeman can return to his form just a couple years ago, where he regularly finished with more than 150 tackles per year. However, at 31-years-old, it's a bit of a risk for Washington.

Cravens has shown some promise in Washington, as he finished with 48 tackles and a sack last year in 15 games played. He is just 22-years-old, and he's on a team friendly contract of just $690K this year, $690K next year, and $960K in his final year of the deal. Chicago is hoping that he can develop into Danny Trevathan's successor in the middle, and he has all the right tools to do so. Cravens was drafted in the 2nd round in 2016 at pick #22.

[JazzMan]

Patriots Wide Receiver Chris Hogan Traded To Denver



Hogan is a very capable wideout who didn't get much opportunity last season in New England.

Patriots Trade: WR Chris Hogan
Broncos Trade: 2018 4th Round Pick

New England wide receiver Chris Hogan was traded this morning to the Denver Broncos for a 4th round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Hogan had fallen out of Head Coach Shakiraquan T.G.I.F. Carter's depth chart at the wideout spot in favor of young guys Jared Abbrederis and Kenny Bell. However, Hogan is a solid option in the slot due to his size (6'1" 210 lbs) and his route running ability. He's also a very underrated leaper, as he can pinpoint the ball up high and come down with the catch. He had just 9 receptions for 120 yards and a touchdown last season for New England, but I'd expect his role to be bigger in Denver.

Hogan's still on the books for this year and next year, which made it even easier for the Pats to deal him. His $2.19M salary this season and $2.61M salary next season just didn't make sense for New England to hang onto him, especially when they elected to go young with Abbrederis and Bell. This is a deal that works favorably for both parties, in my opinion.

[JazzMan]

Packers Make Move, Send Shields To Philly



Shields is regarded around the league as a very good man-to-man corner.

Packers Trade: CB Sam Shields
Eagles Trade: 2018 3rd and 2018 5th

In a bit of an unexpected move, the Green Bay Packers have moved star cornerback Sam Shields to the Philadelphia for a couple of picks in next year's draft. The 29-year-old Shields has been a mainstay in Green Bay ever since he signed with the team as an undrafted rookie in 2010. He was projected to be a seventh round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, but he instead went undrafted after he was arrested for possession of marijuana. Shields played next to standout corners Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams early on his career, and eventually became the top corner for the Packers. However, it appears those days are over, as he heads to Philly to join the Eagles.

Philadelphia needs a true #1 corner and that's what Shields brings to the table. With his contract expiring, the Eagles will have to pony up to keep him in town this upcoming offseason, otherwise they'll have wasted two draft picks for a rental of a good corner. It will be interesting to see where the Packers go from here with their cornerback group, as Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins look to be the only solid options left at the position.

This trade was initially done with the San Francisco 49ers, but after approval, the 49ers did not have the cap space to trade for Shields and could not make cap room. The Eagles swooped in and made the same offer.

[JazzMan]

Blockbuster Preseason Deal Between Cardinals and Bills

The trade between the Arizona Cardinals and Buffalo Bills, which would have sent Tyrann Mathieu to Buffalo and Sammy Watkins to Arizona, has OFFICIALLY BEEN RESCINDED.

The former Cardinals coach S. Kaufman was fired immediately after he made the trade with Coach Ryan of the Bills, who described Kaufman's behavior as "Very strange, almost drunken..." New head coach of the Cardinals "Coach" Sueppel immediately called the Bills and begged for them to not accept the trade that Kaufman had proposed. Coach Ryan reluctantly agreed, with the sole condition that Sueppel give Rex's, his brother, wife a foot rub and that the two of them get to watch.

Strange conditions, but everything has worked out for both parties. Mathieu and Nkemdiche stay in Arizona, while Watkins and Williams stay in Buffalo. The timing of the news is very poor for the "Honey Badger," who claims that he had already purchased 200 acres for a countryside home in upstate New York. Watkins, however, never took the news seriously, as right after news of the potential trade came up, he said that he would play there when Larry Fitzgerald comes out of retirement.

[JazzMan]

Falcons Acquire CB Colvin From Jaguars



Aaron Colvin will be moving 345 miles north to Atlanta this season.

Jaguars Trade: CB Aaron Colvin
Falcons Trade: 2018 3rd Round, 2018 4th Round

In his 4th year in the NFL, cornerback Aaron Colvin will be moving to a new home to finish the 2017 NFL Preseason. Colvin was drafted in the 4th round of 2014 with the 14th pick of the round, and he has enjoyed success in Jacksonville as a nickel/dime corner. Last season, Colvin had 35 tackles on the year, along with 1.5 sacks, but failed to record his first career interception.

He was in an unfortunate situation in Jacksonville, where they are loaded with good cornerbacks. Jalen Ramsey is a budding star in his second year, Prince Amukamara is a seasoned veteran who enjoyed a career-year in Jacksonville last year, and Davon House is a talented nickel back who at this point is just simply better than Colvin. However, Colvin is a very skilled DB. At 6'0", 194 pounds, he should provide the Falcons with a physical presence on the opposite side of the field of star Desmond Trufant. Though giving up two picks in the upcoming draft is a blow, the Falcons should benefit from this trade given their current cornerback situation. Jacksonville manages to shed themselves of another contract at corner while gaining two picks in the 2018 draft. Everybody wins!

[kui11]

Chiefs Trade WR Conley for Picks


The Arizona Cardinals are hoping WR Chris Conley delivers on his potential

Chiefs Trade: WR Chris Conley, 2018 4th Round Pick
Arizona Trades: 2018 2nd Round Pick


The Arizona Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs have agreed in principle to a trade that nets the Cardinals young wide out Chris Conley and a 4th round pick in the upcoming 2018 draft. For compensation the Cardinals will send 2018 2nd round draft pick.

Local beat writers in Kansas City are wondering why the Chiefs would trade a young receiver with the physical tools that Conley possesses. The team was open to add a #1 option opposite Maclin, and let it known to the media on numerous occasions during the offseason. When asked about the trade Coach Flay mentioned undrafted FA rookie Shaq Roland, who is fighting for the #2 spot, and 2017 3rd round pick Dontre Wilson as reasons Conley was expendable.

The Arizona Cardinals, with a ravaged roster from their former troubled coach S. Kaufman, decided to add some offensive firepower to take the load off newcomers Gronk and Jimmy Garoppolo. He will become the teams number one wide out with the ability to stretch the field. Coad Sueppel was reluctant to trade his 2nd round pick but knew he needed immediate help to stay competitive in the tough NFC West.

Conley a 3rd round selection in 2015 from the University of Georgia has the talent to become a top tier player in the league. During his two year stint in KC he was never a focal point in the rushing attack adopted by Coach Flay. He amassed 28 catches for 597 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2016.

KC will now have 4 picks in the first two rounds in 2018 to reload a roster already filled with playmakers.

[JazzMan]

Sammy Watkins Dealt To Kansas City

Kansas City Chiefs Receive: WR Sammy Watkins
Buffalo Bills Receive: C Mitch Morse, 2018 2nd (34 OVR), 2018 7th (223 OVR)

The offseason started off with a bang, as the talented wideout Sammy Watkins was finally dealt from Buffalo. Watkins, who you may remember was involved in a huge trade with the Cardinals which was later rescinded, is heading to the Super Bowl runner-up Chiefs. Watkins is as talented as they come, as he's a big-bodied wideout at 6'1" 211 lbs, but he also possesses excellent breakaway speed and quickness. In 2016, he put up a fantastic 1,226 yards off of 62 catches, 16 of which were touchdowns. in 2017, though, he struggled with injuries, missing 4 games. He put up just 54 catches, getting 890 yards and 5 touchdowns on the year. Moving to KC, he'll be joining a talented team who could certainly use his explosiveness on the offensive side of the ball.

Coming to Buffalo is Pro Bowl center Mitch Morse, a 2nd round pick, and a 7th round pick. Morse will immediately come in and fill a huge hole up front for the Bills, who struggled to get any semblance of a running game going in their 2-14 season. Morse is a giant at 6'6" 305 lbs, and he's one of the best run blockers in the league today, which should immediately boost the rushing attack for the Bills. His contract ends after this upcoming season, so hopefully Buffalo can extended the talented lineman.

[JazzMan]

Martavis Bryant Sent Back To Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Steelers Receive: WR Martavis Bryant
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Receive: 2018 1st (22 OVR), 2018 3rd (86 OVR)

After spending two seasons in Tampa Bay, Martavis Bryant is returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team he began his career with. Bryant spent 2014 and 2015 with the Steelers, becoming a fantastic 2nd option and red zone target for Big Ben Roethlisberger. When he was traded to Tampa, he struggled with injuries in 2016. Playing just 9 games, the talented receiver finished with 40 catches, 651 yards, and 8 touchdowns. However, last season, he had 58 catches, 857 yards, and 10 touchdowns in 14 games played. Heading back to Pittsburgh, those numbers may continue to improve, as Antonio Brown commands a ton of attention on his side of the field.

In return for dealing Bryant, the Bucs will receive Pittsburgh's 1st and 3rd round picks in the draft, which is a pretty hefty fee for the talented wideout. We'll see if Tampa can replace his production in the draft.