The NFL trade deadline came and went on Nov. 1, and as usual, not much happened. Midseason trades usually don’t bring much excitement in the NFL. Last season, there was some talk of Cleveland Browns left tackle Joe Thomas getting traded to the Denver Broncos, but it never happened.
2016 NFL trade deadline tracker: The Lions got a new cornerback and that’s pretty much it
At least there was one blockbuster trade the day before the deadline.
Photo by Cliff McBride/Getty Images
Thomas found himself the subject of trade rumors this season, too, and once again, he stayed with the Browns.
This year, there was only one trade on deadline day, and a few more — including one that surprised everyone— leading up it.
Lions acquire CB Johnthan Banks from the Bucs
The Lions got a new cornerback on Tuesday. At the time it was reported as though Banks had been released, but no, he was dealt for a conditional seventh-round pick in 2018.
It’s an important depth move for the Lions. The most intriguing part of it is that he’ll be reunited with his former college teammate from Mississippi State, Darius Slay.
Jamie Collins, the newest Cleveland Brown
A day before the deadline, the New England Patriots traded star linebacker Jamie Collins to the Cleveland Browns for a compensatory third-round draft pick.
Collins, a 2015 Pro Bowler, has 42 tackles and two interceptions midway through the season. This blockbuster deal is one that no one saw coming. New England traded one of its best players due to stalled contract talks.
Detroit ships Kyle Van Noy to New England
Just last week, the Patriots acquired linebacker Kyle Van Noy and a seventh-round draft pick from the Detroit Lions. New England sent a sixth-round draft pick to Detroit in exchange. The Patriots have been active over the past six days.
A.J. Derby is now in the Mile High City
Last week, the Patriots shipped tight end A.J. Derby to the Denver Broncos for a 2017 fifth-round draft pick. New England is already loaded at the tight end position with Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett. Who needs three tight ends when you have those two, right?
New England is no stranger to trading players or receiving players before the trade deadline passes. It has a history of reaching out to teams around the league to negotiate trades.
Knile Davis acquired by RB-needy Packers, then released two weeks later
The Kansas City Chiefs shipped running back Knile Davis to the Green Bay Packers, but two weeks later, he was released. The Jets claimed in the next day.
Since Packers running back Eddie Lacy is dealing with a lingering ankle injury, Green Bay was looking to provide a spark to its rushing attack. Like Lacy, Davis is a powerful runner who has the ability to race past defenders and use his strength to churn out tough yards. But in two games with the Packers, Davis carried the ball five times for just 5 yards.
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