For better or worse, trades are a big part of the sports world. Every season we see big names on the move whether through free agency or being sent packing by a sudden and unexpected trade. In the real world when we make trades it is generally an even value swap proposition. After all, no kid is going to trade their lunch for a snack they don't enjoy. However, when it comes to professional sports, trades are much more akin to mutual gambles two or more teams decide to take together. Here are the Top 5 recent trades that paid off (for someone) in the NFL.
5) DA BEARS SEND THE NUMBER ONE OVERALL PICK TO THE PANTHERS
Currently, this is number 5 on our list but it very well could turn out to be one of the best trades ever made for Chicago and one of the worst for Carolina. The Panthers used the pick to draft Bryce Young first overall, and while he is still young it is looking very much like bustville for Bryce. Meanwhile the Bears received star receiver DJ Moore and picks that they used to select a solid offensive tackle and starting cornerback Tyrique Stevenson. And then the cherry on the sundae is the 2024 first round pick the Bears received in return was used to draft Caleb Williams first overall, and the jury is very much still out on the OU star, but he has already put up better numbers than Bryce Young. Did we mention they still have a 2nd round pick upcoming as well?
4) TEXANS SEND DESHAUN WATSON TO CLEVELAND
What's better than a quarterback with a bevy of inappropriate conduct allegations against him? Sending his bum ass to the epitome of NFL hell - Cleveland. In exchange for the much maligned Watson, the Texans received 3 first round picks which were used to draft the defensive rookie of the year and an absolute stud wide receiver in Tank Dell. Meanwhile Cleveland has received mediocre performances out of Watson including getting trounced by the Texans in the wild card round. Oh, and they have to pay him 230 million dollars for the pleasure.
3) LIONS TRADE LONGTIME QB STAFFORD TO THE LA RAMS
Remember when we said NFL trades were mutual gambles that teams take? Here is one that paid off for both sides. The Rams were over their young QB Goff and sent him to Detroit along with a few draft picks. In return they received an aging Stafford who was able to help them capture their first Super Bowl win. Since then however, the Lions have steadily developed into a team that the rest of the league dreads coming up against. They've yet to reach the big show, but it is looking more like when and not if.
2) RAVENS TRADE UP IN THE 2018 NFL DRAFT
The 2018 NFL draft featured a handful of highly regarded quarterbacks including 4 who were selected within the first ten picks. The Heisman winner, however, had to wait a while for his name to be called on draft night. He almost had to wait until round 2 until the Ravens decided to send 3 other picks to Philadelphia for the 32nd overall pick which they used to bring in Lamar Jackson. While he still has more than his fair share of detractors, the numbers do not lie. Lamar Jackson is one of the top players in the league today consistently breaking records and earning MVP honors twice. Philadelphia fared pretty well in this trade as well as they used their newly gotten picks to draft Dallas Goedert and Miles Sanders and taking their existing 2nd rounder to draft the most infamous tushy in the NFL, Jalen Hurts. So far, Hurts has been to two Super Bowls and won one, while Lamar has yet to cross that threshold despite the better individual stats. This is another one we would say has worked very well for both teams.
1) KANSAS CITY TRADES THEIR WAY INTO A DYNASTY
The Buffalo Bills seem to be intent on helping Kansas City become a perpetual thorn in their side. Everyone who knows football lamented the trade they made in last year's draft sending their pick to Kansas City for them to draft the speedster Xavier Worthy. Why the Bills would be so intent on helping their conference rival fill a need following the loss of Tyreek Hill is beyond me. However, that's not the first trade Buffalo has sent to Kansas City which has paid off for the arrowheads. A side effect of being one of the most unique players to ever play the game is you have more than a few doubters, and the Bills were just not willing to take the risk to draft Mahomes first overall. Instead, they sent their pick to Kansas City in exchange for three future picks - two of whom are no longer with the team. The third, Josh Allen is their franchise quarterback who has yet to beat Mahomes in the conference championship. While it is hard to call a trade that ultimately nets you Josh Allen a bad deal, the other side has seen three Lombardi trophies in a jaw-dropping FIVE trips to the big game.
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