Speaking of Which, Trade Deadline Edition

With roughly three minutes left before the trade deadline as of this writing, it’s highly likely the AFC North won’t see any more trades of any impact.  Most of the “transacting” has already been done, and while every AFC North team still has glaring weaknesses, few of the discussed remaining trade scenarios are likely to make much difference.  Speaking of which…

Despite a respectable game last week, Bengals starting quarterback Andy Dalton has been benched, and there’s some speculation that this was done to make him available in trade.  Of course, this would imply there’s a team that’s willing to take Dalton as anything more than a backup, and it’s hard to envision a team being that needy.  Speaking of which…

The Browns are negotiating for the guy pictured above, Redskins’ pro bowl LT Trent Williams, and it appears the Redskins are finally naming terms (Browns CB Denzel Ward and draft picks for Williams).  These terms, to be gracious, are unworkable, and it’s further indication (as though we needed it) that the Redskins may be the most dysfunctional franchise in the NFL, since it’s taken them this long to realize a sitting-out, disgruntled Williams was giving them no return.  Speaking of which…

The almost-as-dysfunctional Bengals haven’t traded oft-injured star wideout A.J. Green yet, and there’s little indication they will, despite the fact that this winless team is apt to remain that way with or without Green.  Potential suitors have been spotted all over the NFL, and it’s widely believed the Bengals could net a second-round pick at minimum.  For a team in (what should be) an obvious rebuilding situation, this would seem to be an easy decision.  As history shows, no decision is easy where Bengals owner Mike Brown is involved.  The final word appears to be that the Bengals are standing pat.  Speaking of which…

The Steelers, on the heels of last night’s win over the hapless Miami Dolphins, most likely won’t do anything else today, having traded their 2020 first-round pick to those same Dolphins for CB/S Minkah Fitzpatrick.  Given the impending multiple-week loss of starting RB James Conner, it’s possible the Steelers will make a move for some depth, but it appears doubtful.  They’ve resisted adding a quarterback in the wake of starter Ben Roethlisberger’s season-ending injury, so it it appears they’re comfortable with their roster, or constrained by finances, or both.  Speaking of which…

The Ravens, despite numerous inquiries, appear poised to move ahead without acquiring any pass rush assistance.  While their pickup of CB Marcus Peters has already paid a few dividends in the secondary, their defensive front seven remains arguably the team’s weakest collective area, and unless it’s addressed in some fashion, the Ravens wont get far, beginning this week against the Patriots, where any chance of winning has to involve creating pressure on venerable QB Tom Brady.  Speaking of which…

In possibly the last 2019 transaction in the AFC North, the Browns traded promising LB/DE Genard Avery to the Philadelphia Eagles for an undisclosed draft pick (supposedly a 2021 fourth-rounder).  I can’t say I understand why they did this – the draft capital means little and will probably be moved in another trade, and quality defensive depth is hard to come by in the NFL.  My guess is that the Browns are eminently comfortable with the pass rushing tandem of Myles Garrett and Olivier Vernon, but should either need a breather or need to go on IR…well, you get the idea.

Enjoy the week!