We've seen an uptick in trades in recent years and this offseason was no different, thanks in no small part to Eagles coach Chip Kelly taking on the added responsibility of personnel duties. But other teams got in on the fun too, almost always in an effort to shore up an immediate roster shortcoming. Through five weeks, the results have been mixed.
Below, we look as some of the biggest trades and see what impact, if any, they've had through the first quarter of the season.
The details: The Eagles got Sam Bradford and a 2015 fifth-round pick (which they traded), and the Rams got Nick Foles, a 2016 second-round pick and a 2015 fourth-round pick (OT Andrew Donnal).
The early returns: Uh yeah. The best thing you can say about Bradford is that he hasn't gotten injured. And the best thing you can say about Foles is that he's not the financial burden Bradford was. Both quarterbacks have been inconsistent, to put it kindly; Foles is completing 58 percent of his throws with 6 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He has a passer rating of 77.6. Bradford, meanwhile, has been slightly better, completing 63 percent of his throws with 8 touchdowns, 6 interceptions and a 83.7 passer rating.
For what it's worth, Football Outsiders' ranks Bradford slightly ahead of Foles; the former is 22nd in total value among all quarterbacks while the latter is 31st.
The verdict: Looking solely at the stats, Bradford has been marginally better. But when you add in that 2016 second-round pick the Eagles had to give up, coupled with his $12.9 million salary in 2015, things look slightly less rosy. Of course, the Rams signed Foles to a two-year, $24.5 million deal, but he has a manageable cap hit this season ($4 million), though it more than doubles in 2016 ($8.75 million) before hitting $13.2 million in 2017.
The details: This was the first trade of the offseason, and it was a straight-up swap. The Eagles sent Shady McCoy, one of the league's best backs two seasons ago, to the Bills for a young, solid -- but often injured -- linebacker in Kiko Alonso. The move made sense in that the Eagles' defense desperately needed to improve, but no one would call the trade "fair" in terms of what each player brings to the field.
That said, if coach Chip Kelly felt like McCoy wasn't going to bounce back from a subpar 2014 season and he wanted to get out from under that contract, moving him made sense. Particularly when running backs are pretty easy to come by (in theory, anyway) and Alonso had three years left on his rookie deal that will pay him a grand total of $4.3 million.
The early returns: Alonso played in just two games before suffering a knee injury that has kept him sidelined since. But he flashed his skills in those two games, including his Odell Beckham-esque interception of Matt Ryan back in Week 1:
One handed. Diving backwards. In the end zone. Kiko Alonso, you gotta be kidding with this INT. #PHIvsATL http://t.co/U9ei4PenNl
— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2015
McCoy hasn't played the last two weeks and he won't play Sunday while he nurses a hamstring injury. In three games he has 146 rushing yards and is averaging a Trent Richardson-tastic 3.4 yards per carry. He also has 7 receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown. But unlike Alonso, who is cheap, the Bills gave McCoy a contract extension to the tune of $40 million over five years, including $26.5 million in guarantees.
The verdict: In terms of on-field production, it's a wash. But when you include the salary-cap implications the Eagles get the slight edge.
Ryan Fitzpatrick to the Jets
The details: The Texans get a 2016 7th round pick (which could be a 6th-rounder based on playing time)
The early returns: It's not even close. Fitzpatrick is playing his game-managing heart out for the upstart Jets while Texans coach Bill O'Brien can't decide who is worse between Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer. Fitzpatrick is only completing 60 percent of his passes (7 touchdowns, 6 interceptions), but he also has the benefit of that Jets' second-ranked defense. Put it together and the Jets are 3-1 and Todd Bowles is in the Coach of the Year conversation.
O'Brien, meanwhile, could be on the Joe Philbin Memorial Hot Seat if he can't find a quarterback. Mallett ranked 34th out of 35 quarterbacks, according to Football Outsiders (fun fact: you know who was 35th? Peyton Freaking Manning). Hoyer ranked 13th, though it sure doesn't seem like it.
But after benching Hoyer in Week 1, O'Brien returned to him last week. It's the right move, but Hoyer won't magically fix the one-win Texans who also happen to feature the 26th-ranked defense. If it's any consolation, Fitzpatrick would be in the same predicament had he stayed in Houston.
The verdict: The Jets were rolling with Geno Smith before he suffered a broken jaw in August. The injury paved the way for Fitzpatrick, who is an upgrade over last year's backup, Michael Vick. And as long as he manages games and avoids mistakes while the defense dominates, the Jets will be fine.
The Texans have much bigger problems than losing Fitzpatrick, and maybe they can use that conditional 6th-round pick as part of a huge packaged deal to move up and draft a proper quarterback next spring.
Brandon Marshall to the Jets
The details: Marshall and a 2015 seventh-rounder to the Jets and the Bears get a 2015 fifth round pick (safety Adrian Amos).
The early returns: The Jets have struggled to find downfield playmakers in recent years (it's one of the reasons former general manager John Idzik got canned) so Marshall has filled an obvious need. He has 30 catches for 400 yards and three touchdowns, and has brought a toughness to the wide receivers that we haven't seen in some time. He also opens things up for Eric Decker, who is better suited as a No. 2 receiver.
The Bears drafted wideout Kevin White in the first round so it made sense to move the 31-year-old Marshall. Unfortunately, White will miss the 2015 season with a leg injury. Not helping: Alshon Jeffery has missed four games with hamstring injury.
The verdict: The edge goes to the Jets, even when you include the three-year, $26 million contract they gave Marshall this offseason. The Bears' offense could desperately use Marshall's talents; instead the team's two leading receivers are tight end Martellus Bennett and running back Matt Forte. Silver lining: rookie safety Adrian Amos has played in all five games and has made 19 tackles.
Mike Wallace to the Vikings
The details: Minnesota gets Wallace and a 2015 seventh-round pick (LB Edmund Robinson) and the Dolphins get a 2015 fifth-round pick (RB Jay Ajayi).
The early returns: Well, it couldn't have gotten any worse than Wallace's no-show performance in Miami -- after signing that even-at-the-time ridiculous 5-year, $60 million deal. After just two unproductive seasons, the Dolphins shipped Wallace to Minnesota where he joins an up-and-coming quarterback and an all-world running back along with other playmaking pass catchers. And the results have been encouraging. In four games, he has 20 catches for 233 yards and a touchdown, and he ranks fifth in value per play, according to Football Outsiders.
The verdict: Jay Ajayi was placed on injured reserve/designated to return, which means the Dolphins won't see what they have until the second half of the season. For now, the Vikings get the edge, though Wallace's cap hit is $11.5 million in 2016 and 2017, which will have to change unless he returns to the form he flashed in Pittsburgh.
Jimmy Graham to the Seahawks
The details: The Seahawks get Graham and a 2015 fourth-round pick (which they traded) and the Saints get center Max Unger and a 2015 first-rounder (LB Stephone Anthony).
The early returns: The Saints have won just one game and their offense is a mess. It's easy to make the case that Drew Brees misses Jimmy Graham, who has gone missing for long stretches in Seattle, where the offense is based around the running game. For the season, Graham has 21 receptions for 204 yards and two touchdowns. And he's a respectable middle-of-the-pack among all tight ends, according to FO. But middle-of-the-pack isn't worth the $9 million and $10 million cap hits in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
Unger, meanwhile, ranks 13th among all centers, according to ProFootballFocus.
The verdict: Graham is one of the league's most dangerous tight ends ... we just haven't seen it in Seattle. The Saints get a proven center to help their offensive line, and perhaps more importantly, get defensive help from rookie linebacker Stephone Anthony.
The best (and in some cases, worst) of the rest
* Matt Cassel: Traded twice -- first from the Vikings to the Bills, where he lost out to Tyrod Taylor, and then from Buffalo to Dallas, where he'll replace Brandon Weeden. The Vikings received a 2015 5th-round pick (they traded it) and a 2016 7th-rounder from Buffalo, and the Bills got a 2017 5th-rounder from the Cowboys.
* Kenny Stills: He was supposed to help revitalize a stagnant Dolphins offense. Instead, Ryan Tannehill has struggled and Stills has been mostly invisible, though he showed signs of life in Week 4, hauling in 5 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown against the Jets. In the trade, the Saints acquired linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and a 3rd round pick (they drafted CB P.J. Williams). Ellerbe has had little impact and Williams is on injured reserve.
* Haloti Ngata: The Lions defensive tackle ranks 35th, according to PFF, a far cry from his dominating days with the Ravens. Baltimore received a 2015 4th-rounder (which they used on linebacker Za'Darius Smith -- he has 2 sacks through four games) and a 2015 5th rounder (which they traded). The Lions got Ngata and a 2015 7th rounder (which they traded).
* Josh Scobee, Brandon Boykins: The Steelers gave up a 2016 6th rounder for Scobee, who lasted four games. They sent the Eagles a 2016 5th rounder for Boykin, who was supposed to be the nickel back. He has two tackles this season and rarely sees the field.
