With the start of the M21 cycle, it is officially trade szn. Lets review some of the day 1 trades and see how they are shaping the league.
Trade 1
NE: Richard Sherman, Trent Taylor
SF: Future 1st Rounder
These two teams are on two different wavelengths here. One is feeling the win now pressure, while the other is trying to build for the post Jimmy G era. This trade makes the Patriots secondary clearly the best in the league and it looks like Trent Taylor may be next in line for the Patriots white slot boi role that has developed over the last decade. Among this pick, SF also received a C2, F2, C4 in various trades to really stock up on picks.
Trade 2
CLE: 1st Rounder
GB: David Njoku
Green Bay replaces the departed Jace Sternberger (shipped to AZ) with an elite athlete in David Njoku. We saw what Njoku did last madden and between this move and the other acquired weapons, the Packers are looking to explode on the offensive side of the football to make sure young Jordan Love gets the dev upgrade he needs to be competitive. The Browns gain one of the easiest first round trades for them as not many can net that return with their TE2.
Trade 3
DEN: Jaquiski Tartt
SF: C2
The first Sub LB eligible player traded sets a good precedent for the move. Tartt is fast, powerful, and excellent in all phases of the game. He is a great rotational safety behind Simmons and the Warden, but make no mistake…he will play most his snaps at sub lb ball hawking any and all underneath routes.
Trade 4
DAL: C1 C6 F3
OAK: Chidobe Awuzie
When you play Tyreek, Jeudy, Mecole, Keenan, Hamler, Watkins, and Sutton multiple times every year, it’s important to have elite cornerbacks. Ptown catches onto this early and makes the move to secure his future at corner. Similar to SF, DAL also may be looking to replace their QB in the draft and that means he needs draft stock.
Trade 5
AZ: Malik Jackson, C3
PHI: Jalen Thompson
An easy trade for the Cardinals to build the interior DL while they have the cap space to do so. The Eagles really need the relief and get secondary depth in the process.
Trade 6
NE: John Ross III
CIN: JC Jackson
Is this the first trade for cheese receiver of the cycle? With the addition of Sherman, JC is the odd man out but finds a new home and a new deal in Cincinnati. Ross is expected to thrive with a change of scenery that will hopefully keep him healthy and on the field.
