A Financial Recap of the NFL Trade Deadline

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertNovember 06, 2024
© USA TODAY Sports

The November 5th trade deadline has come and gone, but not without a few eye-raising moves across the league. Spotrac dives into every official trade over the course of the last month, offering up the full details, updated player contracts, and financial ramifications for each.

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Commanders acquire CB Marshon Lattimore from the Saints

Conceivably the biggest move based on compensation, Washington shored up their secondary with a splashy addition on deadline day.

TRADE DETAILS

Washington Acquires
Marshon Lattimore (CB)
2025 5th round pick

New Orleans Acquires
2025 3rd round pick
2025 4th round pick
2025 6th round pick

UPDATED CONTRACT


Lattimore brings over a $605,000 salary for the remainder of 2024, then $18M in 2025, & $18.5M for the 2026 season. None of the future salary is guaranteed right now, though a $2M roster bonus is set to vest on March 16th. It stands to reason that, based on the compensation given up, Washington has its eyes set on at least one more year out of this contract.

The Saints take on a whopping $45.6M of dead cap per this move, including just over $14M in 2024, & $31.6M in 2025. New Orleans already has $48M+ in dead cap allocated to next season.

Lions Acquire D Za’Darius Smith from the Browns

Rumored for a few days now, the Lions sealed the deal with Cleveland Tuesday morning, bringing over edge rusher Za’Darius Smith to help fill the hole left by Aidan Hutchinson’s long-term injury.

TRADE DETAILS

Detroit Acquires
Za'Darius Smith (DE)
2026 7th round pick

Cleveland Acquires
2025 5th round pick
2026 6th round pick

UPDATED CONTRACT


Smith brings over a $605,000 salary for the rest of 2024, then $11M of non-guaranteed compensation slated for 2025, including a $2M roster bonus due March 14th. The void years on the contracts are in place for a $6.99M option bonus that Detroit can exercise in 2025. However, Smith can be released/traded after 2024 with no dead cap left behind.

Ravens Acquire CB Tre’Davious White from the Rams

The former 1st round pick has battled injuries since 2021, and was a part-time contributor for the Rams through 9 weeks. With Los Angeles likely on the brink of releasing him, the Ravens swept in with a 7th round pick swap to add a little depth to their secondary.

TRADE DETAILS

Baltimore Acquires
Tre'Davious White (CB) ($1,220,588)
2027 7th round pick

Los Angeles Acquires
2026 7th round pick

UPDATED CONTRACT

The Ravens acquire a $750,000 guaranteed salary for the remainder of 2024, plus $58,823 per game that White is active for them. The 29-year-old is slated for free agency again next March.

The 49ers Acquire DT Khalil Davis from Houston

Davis took 32% of the Texans’ snaps through 9 weeks, compiling 9 tackles & a sack during that timespan. He doesn’t figure to carry a larger role in San Francisco, but should give the Niners needed depth after the loss of Javon Hargrave for the season.

TRADE DETAILS

San Francisco Acquires
Khalil Davis (DT) ($620,588)

Houston Acquires
2026 7th round pick

UPDATED CONTRACT
Davis brings over a $550,000 base salary for the next 9 weeks, plus $8,832 per game active through the regular season.

Steelers Acquire EDGE Preston Smith from the Packers

The rich got a little richer here, as the phenomenal Steelers’ defense added another experienced, productive weapon in Smith, who is under term through the 2025 season if all goes well. A combination of Green Bay’s interest in moving off of Smith’s contract + the $2M and change remaining made this a potential steal price for Pittsburgh.

TRADE DETAILS

Pittsburgh Acquires
Preston Smith (DE) ($2,023,529)

Green Bay Acquires
2025 7th round pick

UPDATED CONTRACT

Smith brings over $1.6M of fully guaranteed salary remaining for the next 9 weeks, plus $52,941 per game active. The contract holds a non-guaranteed $13.4M in 2025, & another $14.1M in 2026 if the Steelers want to continue this marriage.

The Packers take on just over $12M of dead cap in 2024, plus another $9.8M for the 2025 season.

Steelers Acquire WR Mike WIlliams from the Jets

The Steelers have been in search of another experienced wideout since May, and that finally came to fruition with the acquisition of Williams, who had quickly fallen out of favor in Aaron Rodgers’ offense. He’ll join George Pickens & Van Jefferson as the primary wide receivers for Russell Wilson going forward.

TRADE DETAILS

Pittsburgh Acquires
Mike Williams (WR) ($627,500)

New York Acquires
2025 5th round pick

UPDATED CONTRACT

The Steelers take on $627,500 of remaining salary for the next 9 weeks, as the Jets had converted the Williams contract into a signing bonus based structure prior to the start of the season. The maneuver means dead cap hits of $2.1M this year, and another $5.8M in 2025, but it helped secure a strong 5th round pick for the Jets per this move. Williams is slated for free agency once again next March.

Cowboys Acquire WR Jonathan Mingo from Carolina

Dallas appears poised to begin reconstructing their underwhelming roster early on this time around, taking a flier on a former #39 overall pick who has done little to establish himself in the league. Many will point to the 4th round pick compensation as an overpay here - and by all accounts it likely is - but a 23-year-old top draft pick with $4M remaining over the next 2 ½ years could end up being a steal, if a lot of things go right.

TRADE DETAILS

Dallas Acquires
Jonathan Mingo (WR) ($576,286)
2025 7th round pick

Carolina Acquires
2025 4th round pick

UPDATED CONTRACT

As noted above, Mingo is under contract through the 2026 season, including $576k for the remainder of 2024, a fully guaranteed $1.5M through 2025, and $1.95M through 2026, of which $812k is fully guaranteed. 4th round pick notwithstanding, this is a low financial risk move for Dallas.

Bengals Acquire RB Khalil Herbert from Chicago

A season-ending neck injury for Zack Moss, and a bruised rib or two for Chase Brown put Cincy in a position of need at running back. Herbert, who was relegated to minimal snaps in Chicago behind D’Andre Swift & Roschon Johnson, should slot into the RB2 role immediately, and could provide late season value at a $527,500/7th round pick cost.

TRADE DETAILS

Cincinnati Acquires
Khalil Herbert (RB) ($527,500)

Chicago Acquires
2025 7th round pick

UPDATED CONTRACT

Herbert brings over a prorated $527,500 minimum salary for the remainder of 2024, and is slated for unrestricted free agency next March. The Bears retain $560,177 of dead cap per the move.

Cardinals Acquire OLB Baron Browning from Denver

Browning figures to slot into a starting SAM linebacker role for Arizona, a team lurking around the playoff conversation, desperately trying to improve on the defensive side of the ball. The former 3rd round pick was going to be the odd man out in Denver next March, so the Broncos did well to free up $1.6M of cap/cash, while also securing themselves an additional 6th round pick.

TRADE DETAILS

Arizona Acquires
Baron Browning (OLB) ($1,558,000)

Denver Acquires
2025 6th round pick

UPDATED CONTRACT

Arizona takes on $1.558M for the rest of 2024, and still boast around $21M of cap space after the move. Denver retains a little over $1.76M in dead cap to move on from Browning at the deadline.

Vikings Acquire LT Cam Robinson from Jacksonville

The long-term loss of Christian Darrisaw (ACL/MCL) forced the 6-2 Vikings to take a big swing prior to the deadline. Robinson has a wealth of experience as a blindside tackle, but his $16.25M base salary for 2024 made him an expensive trade option. The Jaguars fixed that by retaining all but $2M of that salary to facilitate a trade that scored them a conditional 5th round draft pick (can convey to a 4th based on unknown playing time thresholds).

TRADE DETAILS

Minnesota Acquires
Cam Robinson (LT) ($2,117,651)
2026 7th round pick (Conditional based on playing time)

Jacksonville Acquires
2026 5th round pick (Can convey to a 4th Rd pick based on playing time)

UPDATED CONTRACT

As noted above, Jacksonville retained all but $2M of Robinson’s base salary for the rest of the season. Minnesota will also be on the hook for $58,823 per game active going forward. The 29-year-old is slated for free agency next March.

The Jaguars take on a $19.8M dead cap hit per the move, all in 2024.

Ravens Acquire WR Diontae Johnson from Carolina

Baltimore appears poised to double-down on the offensive side of the ball (despite boasting a lackluster defense through half of 2024). Johnson joins the lot of Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, & Nelson Agholor to give QB Lamar Jackson plenty of speedy, versatile weapons down the stretch. The Ravens also acquired a 6th round pick from Carolina in return for a 5th round pick in next year’s draft. Based on current standings, Baltimore’s 5th and Carolina’s 6th round picks could be fairly close in line.

TRADE DETAILS

Baltimore Acquires
Diontae Johnson (WR) ($625,000)
2025 6th round pick

Carolina Acquires
2025 5th round pick

UPDATED CONTRACT

In order to secure a 5th round pick out of the deal, Carolina retained all but $625,000 of Johnson’s remaining salary, making this a financial steal for Baltimore over the course of the next 10 weeks. The pending free agent leaves behind a $9.375M dead cap hit to the Panthers per the move.

The Chiefs Acquire DE Josh Uche from New England

Kansas City made a great defense even deeper by acquiring Uche for their (latest) stretch run. The 26-year-old cost the Chiefs a 6th round pick, but that could be superseded by a compensatory draft pick if Uche does well in free agency next March.

TRADE DETAILS

Kansas City Acquires
Joshua Uche (OLB) ($1,022,220)

New England Acquires
2026 6th round pick

UPDATED CONTRACT

Uche brings over a $722,220 guaranteed salary, plus $30,000 per game active to the Chiefs for the remainder of 2024. There are also attainable sack incentives built into his deal that KC may need to account for next year.

The Patriots free up about $1M of cap/cash space here, furthering their position in 2025, where they currently project to hold a league high $137M of cap room.

Seattle & Tennessee Swap Linebackers

The Seahawks acquired Ernest Jones from the Tennessee Titans, who take on Jerome Baker and a 4th round pick in the deal. Jones, a cast-off from the LA Rams, slots into an immediate starting role in Seattle, and could be considered an extension candidate before he’s allowed to hit the open market next March. Baker slides into a reserve role in Tennessee, but the Titans were likely much more concerned about banking another 4th round pick in this move.

TRADE DETAILS

Seattle Acquires
Ernest Jones (ILB) ($1,904,221)

Tennessee Acquires
Jerome Baker (ILB) ($1,810,971)
2025 4th round pick

UPDATED CONTRACT
Ernest Jones

Jones brings a $1.9M salary with him to Seattle for the remaining 10 weeks of the 2024 season, and is scheduled for free agency next March.

Jerome Baker

Baker brings along $1.23M of guaranteed salary with him to Tennessee, plus $57,500 per game active for the remainder of the 2024 season. The 28-year-old is slated for free agency next March.

Chiefs Acquire WR DeAndre Hopkins from Tennessee

The expected big splash from Kansas City came on October 23rd, when Tennessee shipped their WR1 to the Chiefs in exchange for a conditional 5th round pick. Hopkins has already made an immediate impact in the KC offense, showing seemingly instantaneous chemistry with QB Patrick Mahomes.

TRADE DETAILS

Kansas City Acquires
DeAndre Hopkins (WR) ($4,368,610)

Tennessee Acquires
2025 5th round pick (Conveys to a 4th if KC makes the Super Bowl & Hopkins plays 60% regular season snaps)

UPDATED CONTRACT

The Chiefs take on a total of $3.87M cash for Hopkins out of the gate, though it stands to reason that the 32-year-old could hit an incentive threshold or two over the next 10 weeks. Kansas City converted about $2.4M of his salary into a signing bonus to reduce the cap hit the rest of the way, so they’ll be stuck with around $1.85M of dead cap next year once the contract officially voids.

Tennessee takes on dead cap hits of $11.9M this year, and $10.9M next year, and could be headed for a much bigger rebuild starting next March.

Vikings Acquire RB Cam Akers from Houston

Minnesota brought back a familiar face to help handcuff Aaron Jones for the rest of the 2024 season. Houston & Minnesota processed a late round pick swap (7th for 6th) to facilitate this trade.

TRADE DETAILS

Minnesota Acquires
Cam Akers (RB) ($770,587)
2026 7th round pick

Houston Acquires
2026 6th round pick

UPDATED CONTRACT

Akers brings over $750,000 in remaining salary, plus $2,941 per game active the rest of the way. With 53 yards from scrimmage in his Vikings debut, he’s already providing value.

Bills Acquire WR Amari Cooper from Cleveland

It took the Bills 7 weeks to decide that they simply didn’t have enough pass-catching firepower for Josh Allen to properly produce with. That changed on October 15th, when Buffalo swiped Cooper from a sinking Browns team in exchange for a 3rd round pick and a late round swap.

TRADE DETAILS

Buffalo Acquires
Amari Cooper (WR) ($806,667)
2025 6th round pick

Cleveland Acquires
2025 3rd round pick ((from DET))
2026 7th round pick

UPDATED CONTRACT

If you think the Bills gave up a lion’s share to bring in Cooper - now you know why. The Browns had previously paid out $19.2M of salary to Cooper, leaving just $806k remaining per the trade to Buffalo. The 30-year-old is slated for free agency next March.

Cleveland takes on dead cap hits of $7.9M this season, and $22.5M for 2025, thanks to remaining proration of salary converted to signing bonuses.

Jets Acquire WR Davante Adams from Las Vegas

The thing we all thought should happen, then could happen, did happen. Adams reunites with Aaron Rodgers for the final 11 weeks of the season, bringing over a contract with 2 ½ years remaining on it. In return the Raiders secure a 3rd round pick that can convey down to a 2nd if Adams or the Jets do special things.

TRADE DETAILS

New York Acquires
Davante Adams (WR) ($11,870,000)

Las Vegas Acquires
2025 3rd round pick (Conveys to a 2nd Rd Pick if Adams is an All-Pro, or active for the AFC Championship Game/Super Bowl)

UPDATED CONTRACT

The Jets take on $11.87M of remaining salary for Adams, but they quickly converted $10.45M of that into a signing bonus for cap purposes. Going forward, Adams holds non-guaranteed salaries of $36.25M in each of 2025 & 2026, making it highly unlikely that the Jets keep him on this contract after the 2024 season (even if they plan to keep him around longer).

The Raiders now take on dead cap hits of $13.57M for 2024, and $15.7M in 2025. They paid Adams almost $56M for 2 ½ years of service.

Seattle Acquires DT Roy Robertson-Harris from Jacksonville

The first big move of the trade season, Seattle bolstered their defensive line while Jacksonville started their breakdown process when the 31-year-old defensive tackle was traded on October 14th.

TRADE DETAILS

Seattle Acquires
Roy Robertson-Harris (DT) ($1,392,156)

Jacksonville Acquires
2026 6th round pick

UPDATED CONTRACT

As you can clearly see, this has the potential to be much more than a half-year rental for Seattle. Robertson-Harris brings over $1.13M of salary, plus $23,528 per game active for 2024, with reasonable salaries of $6.6M & $6.8M through 2026 respectively. If it’s a one-and-done plan, Seattle can walk away from this contract after 2024 with no dead cap to take on.

The Jaguars retain $3.4M of dead cap this season, plus another $6.9M next season.


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