The NFL trade deadline has come and gone after expiring at 4 p.m. ET on November 1st. Fans of every franchise eagerly watched and waited for the moves they had been hoping for. The Packers, like many other teams, didn’t make any deadline deals. However, that doesn’t mean the moves won’t affect Green Bay.
The rest of the NFC North stayed busy with four total deals among them. One of those deals in particular has the potential to turn a heated rival into a contender.
The New NFC North Landscape
Following the flurry of trades at the buzzer, the rest of the division looks a bit different. Below is a tracker of the assets and players that the Lions, Vikings, and Bears acquired:
- Bears: WR Chase Claypool, 2023 second-rounder, 2023 fourth-rounder, 2023 fifth-rounder.
- Lions: 2023 second-rounder, 2024 third-rounder.
- Vikings: TE T.J. Hockenson, 2023 fourth-rounder, 2024 conditional fourth-rounder.
The Vikings and Lions chose to trade assets in a shocking and rare in-division trade. The Bears were able to snag Chase Claypool away from the Steelers after reports of multiple teams calling for Claypool. The Packers were also reportedly in the Claypool discussions, however, the trade obviously fell through.
While the Lions gave up Hockenson to a shocking team, the move itself made sense. The Bears sat in a similar situation where they understood they couldn’t keep their players. They chose to part ways with Roquan Smith and Robert Quinn in exchange for draft picks.
Which Trade will have the Least Impact on This Season?
Following the Eric Dickerson trade in 1987, there was a long period of boring or unproductive deadlines. That’s not to say there haven’t been blockbuster trades made, like Von Miller or Amari Cooper. However, the deadline is historically unproductive and there might be signs of the same heading forward.
Not Quite the Bad News Bears
As active as teams were sending 12 players away between 10 teams, the players traded may end up being the unproductive ones. The Bears acquiring Chase Claypool is the biggest question mark since he doesn’t solve the issues of the team. Adding Claypool and picks are wonderful pieces for the future, but they may not help Fields succeed. Fields is the most sacked quarterback this year, already being dropped 31 times behind a struggling offensive line.
In two years Justin Fields has developed a favorite target in WR Darnell Mooney. The concerning part for the Bears is the drop-off between his first and second targets. Mooney finished the 2021 season with over 400 more yards than Cole Kmet, who was the second leading receiver with 612 yards. Fields has struggled with his pocket management and accuracy in the Bears’ run-first offense. This has caused a major difference between the usage of his targets.
The Bears are currently not a good team and, clearly, not where they want to be. Their trades on paper may have actually set them back. Essentially giving away their two most efficient defenders in exchange for a receiver. Claypool’s success and production is dependent on the play of Justin Fields. That does not bode well for the new Bears receiver from what we have seen so far.
Which Trade will have the Most Impact on This Season?
It would be difficult to make an argument for anything but the T.J. Hockenson deal. Over the last four years, Hockenson has proved to be an above-average run blocker and a star in the passing game. The Vikings sacrificed a second round draft pick, but with the value they received it is well worth it. The NFC North is weak currently. That doesn’t mean the Packers can’t go on run and be competitive for the division… However, the Vikings are attempting to seize the moment.
The Packers will play the Lions this Sunday, November 6th. It will be Detroit’s first game without Hockenson. Not only should this be a get-right game for the Packers, but it will also test the Lions’ ability to pass without their star TE. Hockenson was their leading receiver this year with 395 yards with an average of 15.2 yards per catch.
Even if the Vikings were at full strength, Hockenson provides a lethal safety valve for Kirk Cousins. His blocking ability isn’t amazing, but it is certainly good enough to help Dalvin Cook. The Lions, on the other hand, will also feel the impact as their starting tight end is now second year player Brock Wright. Losing the production and locker room presence that Hockenson provides causes this trade to have the most impact on the direction of the division.
What will the Trades Mean for the Packers?
The flurry of moves around the Packers while standing still was a bit worrying. The Packers must feel confident in themselves to turn it around, or their chances at signing Odell Beckham Jr. Either way the moves surrounding them look one way on paper, but still need to be seen in action.
The Packers play the Lions twice, and the Bears and Vikings once each. Realistically, the Lions seem to put up points on any team so they cannot be taken lightly, but they are must-win games for the Packers. The Bears defense should be significantly worse now that their two anchors and leaders are gone, which also makes for a must-win game. Claypool may succeed but he likely serves as a bridge receiver.
The Vikings will prove to be the biggest threat to the Packers. The Hockenson, Jefferson, and Cook trio could be fearsome, especially with Adam Thielen and Kirk Cousins still producing. Hockenson will be under contract through 2024 as well.
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