​NFL trade deadline grades: Live analysis for Kirk Cousins, Jordan Davis and more 2026 deadline deals originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.There used to be crickets around the NFL’s midseason trade deadline. That has been replaced by a swarm of cicadas, with teams buzzing about making plenty of deals, big and small.In 2024, the league saw 13 in-season trades. Last year, that number skyrocketed to 22 such trades, with 27 players changing teams. This year, going back to the Giants getting J.J. McCarthy from the Vikings, seven trades were executed before November. Five more have already gone down this month.With the 2026 deadline here on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, there is still the expected big splash of a three-time Pro Bowl running back leaving a hard-fading AFC team to a strong contending NFC team. Although Indianapolis has already been busy selling, several other teams, led by Jacksonville, got focused on buying. Here is a breakdown of all the deals, going back to mid-October.LIVE:Follow latest NFL trade rumors, updatesNFL trade deadline grades Imagn Images Vikings trade for Raiders QB Kirk CousinsGrade: A+Minnesota needed to part with only a 2027 third-round pick to make a dramatic upgrade to its struggling quarterback position. Cousins gives the Vikings a familiar option who will go right back to thriving in Kevin O’Connell’s system to unlock Justin Jefferson and the rest of the weapons again. He makes the QB situation in the NFC North a lot tighter vs. Jordan Love, Jared Goff and Caleb Williams.Jaguars trade for Falcons S Jessie Bates IIIGrade: A+The Jaguars were fully expected to get a safety after Eric Murray (elbow) went down for the season, with rumors swirling most around Derwin James and Budda Baker. Once Bates was available from Atlanta, however, he had to be the move to pair him with Antonio Johnson. Bates is a flat-out playmaker and joins an Anthony Campanile defense built on getting takeaways. This is a huge impact at a position of need for a true Super Bowl contender.MORE:Jaguars’ updated defensive depth chartJaguars trade for Eagles DT Jordan DavisGrade: BThe Jaguars completed their strong defensive line with Davis joining Arik Armstead in the middle between Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen. Davis adds a needed extra inside disruptor to join the big-play mentality of coordinator Anthony Campanile. Jacksonville is definitely trying to load up with a championship-level defense.MORE:Inside Eagles’ draft pick stashRavens trade for Cardinals QB Jacoby BrissettGrade: BBaltimore needed to do something to be respectable at quarterback for the sake of the offense. The timing of Brissett’s benching in Arizona was ideal. Brissett will at least facilitate a legitimate passing game with Baltimore’s weapons. Reunited with his former Cardinals QB coach Israel Woolfork, Brissett can quickly learn the offense ahead of a winnable home Monday game against the