The NFC East-leading Washington Commanders made a move to help them stay in first place. The Detroit Lions got their edge rusher. The injury-plagued Dallas Cowboys as well as the Pittsburgh Steelers added receivers.
Hours before the NFL's trade deadline at 4 p.m. EST on Tuesday, the Commanders (7-2) got four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore from the struggling Saints (2-7), three people with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams have not announced the deal.
Lattimore bolsters a defense that's already No. 5 against the pass. The Saints are getting a third-round pick, a fourth-rounder and their own sixth that they previously sent to Washington. The Commanders also receive a fifth along with Lattimore.
The NFC North-leading Lions (7-1) kicked off deadline day by acquiring defensive end Za’Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns. The three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher helps fill the void created by the loss of star Aidan Hutchinson, who suffered a leg injury.
The 2-7 Browns, already looking to rebuild in a disappointing season, are sending Smith and a seventh-round pick in 2026 to Detroit for a fifth-round pick in 2025 and a sixth-round pick in 2026.
The Steelers (6-2) got wide receiver Mike Williams from the New York Jets for a fifth-round pick in next year’s draft, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. Williams, who signed with New York in the offseason as a free agent, had 12 catches for 166 yards in nine games with the Jets.
He goes from catching passes from Aaron Rodgers to playing with Russell Wilson. The Steelers have been seeking a wide receiver since the offseason.
The Cowboys (3-5) agreed on a deal with Carolina (2-7) to acquire wide receiver Jonathan Mingo and a seventh-round pick in 2025 for a fourth-round pick next year, two people with knowledge of the trade told the AP. Both people spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams haven't announced the deal.
Mingo, a second-round pick last year, only has 12 receptions for 121 yards in nine games. He won't be catching passes from Dak Prescott for a while. Prescott is expected to miss several games with a hamstring injury.
The Cincinnati Bengals (4-5) added depth at running back following an injury to Zack Moss, getting Khalil Herbert from Chicago (4-4) for a 2025 seventh-round draft pick. Herbert had just eight carries for 16 yards and one touchdown for the Bears. He'll join leading rusher Chase Brown to give the Bengals another option in the backfield.
The Chiefs (8-0), Bills (7-2), Ravens (6-3) and Jets (3-6) have already added playmakers, acquiring wide receivers over the past month. The Vikings (6-2) filled a big need on the offensive line last week and the Cardinals (5-4) got defensive help on Monday.
Two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City has been a top buyer. The Chiefs already added three-time All-Pro receiver D’Andre Hopkins and edge rusher Josh Esche.
Hopkins made his presence felt in Monday night’s 30-24 overtime victory over Tampa Bay. He caught eight passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns in his second game with Patrick Mahomes.
The Jets acquired three-time All-Pro Davante Adams three weeks ago. He caught seven passes for 91 yards and one TD in New York’s 21-13 win over Houston last Thursday.
Amari Cooper had a TD reception in his first game with Buffalo two weeks ago. Diontae Johnson played 17 snaps in his debut with Baltimore, a 41-10 win over Denver.
Left tackle Cam Robinson had a solid first start in Minnesota’s 21-13 victory against Indianapolis. Arizona picked up outside linebacker Baron Browning from Denver for a sixth-round pick, a day after taking over first place in the NFC West.
The NFL pushed the trade deadline back an extra week this year, giving teams more time to improve their rosters.
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AP Sports Writers Tom Withers, Stephen Whyno and AP Pro Football Writers Dennis Waszak and Schuyler Dixon contributed to this report.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Rob Maaddi, The Associated Press
