Grading the 5 biggest deals from Tuesday's NFL trade deadline

Eighteen different deals were made between NFL teams in 2026 before Tuesday's trade deadline. With just a few hours before the window slammed shut, several teams made additions to help them get one step closer to the Lombardi Trophy. 

Bills trade a second-round pick for Titans safety Amani Hooker and a fifth-round pick

Buffalo Bills: C

For a safety not named Jessie Bates or Budda Baker, a second-rounder for Tennessee Titans safety Amani Hooker seems like an overpay. This isn’t a slight to Hooker, who leads the NFL in interceptions with five. Hooker is an upgrade at safety and the best in Buffalo since Jordan Poyer. However, the Bills paid too much for a good player on a big deal.

Tennessee Titans: A

The Titans got exceptional value for Hooker. While he was a mainstay on the defense, Tennessee got an offer it couldn’t refuse. The only way to win a trade is to make good on its picks, but for now, they get a good grade.

Vikings trade a third-round pick for Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins

Minnesota Vikings: A-

Getting a top-10 quarterback for a third-round pick is always good business. Their offense is 30th in yards and points per game. Cousins should jump-start this offense. This season, Cousins is fifth in passing yards (2,340), second in passing touchdowns (20), and sixth in completions (202). This is the boost at quarterback the Vikings needed.

Las Vegas Raiders: B

The Raiders cleared the path for 2026 No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, to start Week 10 against the Seattle Seahawks. Moving on from Cousins' massive contract after he gave nine weeks of very good football is good business. Getting value for Cousins is better than releasing him at the end of 2026.

Chiefs trade a fourth- and fifth-round pick for Colts wide receiver Josh Downs and a seventh-round pick

Kansas City Chiefs: B+

Just because he’s not a burner doesn’t mean this isn’t a good deal for the Chiefs. At just 25 years old and still on his rookie deal, this is good business from general manager Brett Veach. Despite limited production this season with just 354 yards and one touchdown, Downs is certainly a needle mover for Kansas City, whose depleted receiving core was in desperate need of reinforcements.

Indianapolis Colts: B

For Indianapolis, the more picks the better. The Colts need all the help they can get in the next couple of drafts. A fourth and a fifth are good value for your second and an expiring contract.

Broncos trade a fourth and fifth-round pick for Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley

Denver Broncos: C

Daiyan Henley is a fine player. Not bad but not that good. Henley’s best as a downhill blitzer, where he’s been pretty successful. Two sacks, a forced fumble, and eight pressures aren’t bad numbers. Even though Henley is just 26 years old, paying a fourth and a fifth for an expiring contract is an overpay. Henley may be a handy player, but Denver gave up too much.

Los Angeles Chargers: A

L.A. is the clear winner of this trade. Henley was good in 2025 with 3.5 sacks and two interceptions. Now, during a down year, flipping him for multiple picks is a good move. Despite being winless this season, this is one of the few positives for LA this season.

49ers trade a sixth-round pick for Colts receiver Keenan Allen

San Francisco 49ers: B+

In a perfect world, Jauan Jennings would be on this team and wouldn’t have declined to be there. In the world we live in, this is a pretty good move for a team desperate for anyone who can catch. Yes, Allen isn’t in his prime, but he was second on the Colts in receiving yards and catches. For a 34-year-old, Allen is playing well and should make an impact with his new team.

Indianapolis Colts: B

Allen was on a one-year deal, so getting any value for the former Charger works. Allen provided a stable and steady target during his eight games in Indy, and now he gets a chance at a Super Bowl. The Colts did right by Allen and made out well themselves.