2023 NFL Trade Deadline Recap

The NFL trade deadline has come and gone, and now some new NFL players find themselves in a different home.

At this year's deadline, contenders loaded up at positions of need, teams that are seemingly out of the playoff hunt traded away some key contributors for draft picks and the 2-6 Chicago Bears landed one of the biggest names traded this season.

Here is how the trade deadline shaped up:

Kevin Byard → Philadelphia Eagles

Eagles Get: Safety Kevin Byard

Titans Get: Safety Terell Edmunds, 2024 fifth-round pick (Via TB), 2024 sixth-round pick (Via Ten)

The Eagles needed help at the safety position, and they did just that when they made a deal with a familiar team, the Tennessee Titans.

The Eagles went and picked up a solid starter, and a Philadelphia native, in Kevin Byard, hoping to solidify that secondary for the rest of the season.

The 30-year-old safety has not caused a turnover yet this season, but that is not what he does. He is a reliable defender deep in the secondary who does not let much past him, and that is what the Eagles were looking for.

Leonard Williams → Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks get: DL Leonard Williams

Giants get: 2024 2nd-round pick, 2025 fifth-round pick

The Seattle Seahawks run defense sat among some of the worst in the league last season,

being the third worst in the league, allowing 151.9 yards per game on the ground last Season.

In the 2023 season, it has almost been an entirely flipped script, as they are currently the best-run defense in the league, allowing 96.9 yards per game this season.

After improving from last season, the Seahawks were looking to tighten up their run defense and did just that.

Leonard Williams is another big body to bolster that Seahawk front four, as they look to continue being a top-10 rush defense.

Mecole Hardman → Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs Get: WR Mecole Hardman, 2025 seventh-round pick

Jets Get: 2025 sixth-round pick

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has had a thin wide receiver core to throw the ball to this season.

With the exception of tight end Travis Kelce, Mahomes has not had the same reliable receiving core that he has had in the past.

The Chiefs added a familiar face to help bolster that receiver room, trading for wide receiver Mecole Hardman.

Hardman was drafted by the Chiefs in 2019, where he spent his whole career prior to signing with the Jets this past offseason.

After eight weeks in New York, Hardman found his way back to Kansas City.

William James is a fourth-year Print/Digital Journalism student. To contact him, email wmj5101@psu.edu.

Josh Dobbs → Minnesota Vikings

Vikings get: QB Josh Dobbs, Conditional 2024 seventh-round pick

Cardinals get: 2024 sixth-round pick

Vikings starting quarterback, Kirk Cousins, has been ruled out for the season after tearing his Achilles in Week 7 against the Packers. With these circumstances, this trade could not be more fitting for the Vikings' needs.

Josh Dobbs was previously the second-string quarterback for the Cardinals but stepped up for starter Kyler Murray as he is still recovering from his torn ACL. This week, Murray was taken off of the injury report as is expected to play very shortly.

Dobbs started in the Cardinals first eight games of the season throwing for 1,569 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions.

With the Vikings on a three-game winning streak, second in the NFC North and finally finding their groove, this was the best move to make to keep their season alive.

Chase Young → San Francisco 49ers

49ers get: DE Chase Young

Commanders get: 2024 third-round pick

The 49ers added to their elite roster with 2020 second-overall pick, Chase Young. The defensive end found success in Washington in his first two seasons in the league but he is destined for greatness in San Francisco.

Young will help improve their already furious defensive line and hopefully take pressure off their secondary who has struggled to remain consistent during their three-game losing streak.

Not only does Young get to reunite with his former Ohio State Buckeye teammate Nick Bosa but this change of scenery might be beneficial for Young as his playoffs and possibly Super Bowl hopes look more realistic.

Gia Sabatino is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email gms6168@psu.edu.

Rasul Douglas → Buffalo Bills

Bills get: CB Rasul Douglas, 2024 fifth-round pick

Packers get: 2024 third-round pick

The Bills despite losing CB, Tre’Davious White earlier in the season to a torn Achilles, have still managed to maintain a solid pass defense and adding Rasul Douglas will only improve Buffalo on that end.

Douglas has 10 interceptions in his last three years with the Packers and will continue to contribute with the existing core of the Bills secondary.

This addition will hopefully help keep the Bills' window of contention for a Super Bowl open until other key players return from injury while also only having to give up a third-round pick while getting some draft capital back in return.

Ezra Cleveland → Jacksonville Jaguars

Jaguars get: OG Ezra Cleveland

Vikings Get: 2024 sixth-round pick

The Jaguars have seen much more success than anticipated this season sitting atop the AFC South at 6-2 and with one of their glaring weaknesses being their offensive line Ezra Cleveland helps in that department.

Cleveland this season has played 372 offensive snaps and has only allowed one sack in eight games. Obtaining a solid starting guard drafted in the second round by only giving up a sixth-rounder definitely has the Jags as the winner of this trade.

John Maldonado is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email jim6132@psu.edu

Kentavius Street → Atlanta Falcons

Falcons get: DL Kentavius Street, 2025 7th round pick

Eagles get: Conditional 2024 sixth-round pick (turns into a seventh-round pick if Street does not play in six or more games for the Falcons)

The Falcons get a defensive lineman that can make an instant impact without giving up much. A conditional sixth-round pick for a defensive lineman that will play immediately is very good value.

Street saw significant action in each of the last two seasons while playing for the 49ers and Saints. However, in a very loaded Eagles defensive front, it was difficult for Street to see the field consistently.

Up to this point, Street has four total tackles and no sacks. The stats don’t show it all, however. Street will make a much bigger impact in a needy Falcons defense.

Injuries on the front to Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree made it more reasonable for the Falcons to go out and get the defensive lineman.

Montez Sweat → Chicago Bears

Bears get: DE Montez Sweat

Commanders get: 2024 second-round pick

The Bears are a team sitting at 2-6, looking to continue their rebuild. However, acquiring a young defender could catapult the rebuild slightly. Chicago clearly does not like second-round picks. They have given it up for the past two years.

This trade, however, gets the Bears more value. Montez Sweat is much more proven than Chase Claypool was a year ago.

Through the first half of the season, Sweat is on pace to surpass his single-season high of nine sacks. The Bears fill a major need on the defensive line with a player who is already proven.

The key for the Bears will be to re-sign Sweat in the offseason to be a centerpiece of the future for Chicago.

Donovan Peoples-Jones → Detroit Lions

Lions get: WR, Donovan Peoples-Jones

Browns get: 2025 sixth-round pick

The Detroit Lions are the shock of the NFL this year. The expectation was for them to be good, not this good. The Lions entered the trade deadline with a 6-2 record.

The Lions get another weapon for Jared Goff while giving up very little.

Donovan Peoples-Jones saw an increase in targets, receptions and yards in each of his first three seasons. However, he has lost his role in the Browns system since the acquisition of Elijah Moore.

Peoples-Jones only has eight catches for 97 yards. A new look for the receiver in a high-octane offense could mean some serious problems for defenses.

Andrew Deal is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email asd5765@psu.edu