Oct 30, 2018
NFL Trade Deadline Blog: Rams bolster D-line by adding Fowler Jr.
The NFL's trade window has closed, but we could see some deals still trickle in. TSN.ca's deadline blog takes a look at all of the big deals completed earlier on Tuesday, including a pair of high-profile wide receivers on the move, the Green Packers seeming to sell off and the Los Angeles Rams adding to their already vaunted defence.
TSN.ca Staff
The NFL's trade deadline is Tuesday at 4pm et/1pm pt. Follow all the latest rumours with TSN.ca's deadline blog.
The Window Is Shut
The trade deadline window is closed, but we could see some deals still trickle in provided they were completed prior to 4pm et.
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Rams get DE Fowler Jr.
The Los Angeles Rams are reportedly acquiring former third-overall pick defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Rams are sending the Jaguars a 2019 third-round pick along with a fifth-rounder in 2020 in exchange for Fowler.
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Clinton-Dix to the Redskins
The Washington Redskins have acquried safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix from the Green Bay Packers, reports Schefter, who have stayed busy.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports a fourth-round pick will be headed to the Packers.
Clinton-Dix seemed to confirm the trade himself.
Clinton-Dix has started all seven games for the Packers this season and has three interceptions on the year.
However, Clinton-Dix is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year and it appears the Packers are looking to get a return on their 2014 first-round pick.
The Packers remain just one win back of the Chicago Bears (4-3) for first in the NFC North.
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Ty-ing One On?
On Sunday, Ty Montgomery's decision to run a kick out of the end zone, rather than take the touchback cost the Green Bay Packers an opportunity for a game-winning drive against the Rams when he fumbled. Today, Montgomery is on the move to the Baltimore Ravens.
The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Montgomery is on his way to the Baltimore Ravens.
Adam Schefter reports a 2020 seventh-rounder will be headed to the Packers.
Montgomery reportedly went into business for himself when he took out the kick, rather than take the knee as was the instruction from head coach Mike McCarthy.
"They took him out (the previous drive) for a play and he slammed his helmet and threw a fit," an unnamed Packers player told NFL Network's Michael Silver about the decision. "Then (before the kickoff) they told him to take a knee, and he ran it out anyway. You know what that was? That was him saying, 'I'm gonna do me.' It's a f------ joke."
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Tate to the Eagles
Hours after saying he didn't think he was going to be moved, Golden Tate was proven wrong.
Trade: #Eagles have acquired WR Golden Tate from Detroit. More details to come.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/8PP06yk5RG
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 30, 2018
The Detroit Lions have dealt the former Notre Dame wideout to the Philadelphia Eagles.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that a third-round choice is headed the other way.
For his part, Tate is excited to head to the defending Super Bowl champions.
Tate, 30, is in his ninth season. In seven games this season, Tate has recorded 44 receptions for 517 yards and three touchdowns.
On Monday, Tate was convinced that he wasn't headed anywhere.
"I don't think so," Tate told the Detroit Free Press. "I feel like I'm a huge part of this organization and this offense especially, so hopefully that's not the case. But again, I do understand it's a business and if it happens then, you know, depends on where they send me."
He joins an Eagles receiving corps that also includes Alshon Jeffrey and Nelson Aglahor.
In a somewhat related move, the Lions have also restructured the contract of wide receiver Marvin Jones.
Adam Schefter reports that the amended deal will save the club $2.2 million against the salary cap.
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Thomas a Texan
Demaryius Thomas is staying in the AFC, but he's on his way out of Denver.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Houston Texans have acquired the five-time Pro Bowl receiver for a fourth-round selection.
Terms: The #Texans are trading for #Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas in exchange for a 4th round pick and the teams are also swapping 7th rounders. Big move for Houston.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 30, 2018
The teams will also swap seventh-round picks.
The Texans had been looking for additional receiving options with Will Fuller lost for the season with a torn ACL.
In his ninth season out of Georgia Tech, the 30-year-old Thomas has 36 receptions for 402 yards and three touchdowns this season.
In a coincidence, the Broncos host the Texans on Sunday.
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No Move for Le'Veon?
You can't trade somebody who isn't under contract, so it's highly unlikely the Pittsburgh Steelers move Le'Veon Bell before 4pm.
ESPN's Adam Schefter notes that the 26-year-old running back still hasn't signed reported to the team or signed his franchise tender. Until that happens, the stalement between the Steelers and the player who led the NFL in touches last season continues.
In his stead, James Conner has rushed for 599 yards on 127 carries with nine touchdowns.
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Jenkins a Fit in KC?
It's no secret that the New York Giants are looking to divest themselves of salary and accrue assets ahead of 4pm as already mentioned below, but where could Janoris Jenkins land if the cornerback were to be moved?
The New York Post's Paul Schwartz reports that there is interest from the AFC-leading Kansas City Chiefs.
Jenkins, 30, has two years remaining on a five-year deal signed with the Giants in 2016.
While he might be an upgrade on incumbent options in Kendall Fuller and Tremon Smith, Jenkins has struggled this year. He's allowed 37 receptions on 30 targets for 513 yards and six touchdowns. Jenkins also has two interceptions.
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Garcon Headed for the Exit?
The San Francisco 49ers' season took a turn for the worse when quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was lost to a season-ending injury in Week 3 and it's been downhill ever since, including Sunday's 18-15 loss to the almost as moribund Arizona Cardinals.
Sitting at 1-7, head coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged that general manager John Lynch will be working the phones ahead of this afternoon's deadline and it's likely that he'll be taking calls on veteran wideout Pierre Garcon.
"I think every team around the league is doing a ton, so I know there was a report on Pierre," Shanahan said on Monday. "That is true. He's one of the guys that people have asked about and we have talked about, but nothing is going down right now. We'll see how these next two days play out with Pierre and a lot of people."
In his 11th season and second with the Niners, Garcon has 21 receptions for 230 yards this season. He missed the latter half of 2017 with a vertebrae injury after a bright start and hasn't been able to show the form that marked his early days with the team.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Monday that the team would be looking to recoup draft picks in any move for Garcon.
A native of Carmel, NY, Garcon is set to earn a modest $5.6 million next season, something unlikely to scare off any suitors.
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Defenders on the Block
Along with Clinton-Dix, Rapoport lists Browns linebacker Jamie Collins, Raiders pass rusher Bruce Irvin and New York Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins as defensive players on the trade block heading towards Tuesday's deadline.
Collins, 29, has 55 tackles in eight games with the Browns this season to go along with two sacks and one interception. He was traded to the Browns at the trade deadline in 2016 by the New England Patriots. Rapoport adds the Patriots have had discussions on bringing him back.
Irvin has three sacks and just six tackles in seven games with the Raiders this season. Irvin is set to make $9 million next season in the final year of his current deal. Pelissero reports he could be had for a late-round draft pick.
As for Jenkins, the Giants have declared themselves open for business after trading Eli Apple and Damon Harrison last week. He could be the latest member of the 1-7 team to be traded.
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