The NFL Trade deadline feels like the least talked about across the main three American sports.
The NBA trade deadline and MLB version routinely see blockbuster names moved right before the cutoff, and feels more impactful with regards to how their seasons play out.
However, leading up to this particular NFL trade deadline, there was a lot of discussion and buzz surrounding a bunch of players.
We had one blockbuster trade and a couple of others that could move the needle with regards to how the rest of the season will play out.
1. Von Miller To The Los Angeles Rams
The headliner move of the 2021 NFL trade deadline was the Rams’ acquisition of vaunted pass rusher Von Miller from the Denver Broncos.
It’s not often that an already ferocious defense gets to add a former Super Bowl MVP who still figures to have a lot of gas in the tank.
Opposing offenses already had a devil of a time trying to gameplan against the likes of Aaron Donald, who sees double teams on virtually every play.
Couple that conundrum with the fact that Jalen Ramsey is one of the best ball-hawking cornerbacks in the NFL, and Miller’s arrival in Los Angeles becomes a full-blown headache for the rest of the NFC.
Miller and fellow adept pass-rushing linebacker Leonard Floyd should be free to roam as they please, and will often meet at the quarterback down the stretch.
— Von Miller (@VonMiller) November 5, 2021
2. Melvin Ingram To The Kansas City Chiefs
Speaking of sack generating prospects, the Chiefs hope to have bolstered their defensive attack by bringing in edge rusher Melvin Ingram.
His best days appear to be behind him, but Kansas City bore witness to Ingram’s best NFL campaigns first-hand.
He spent the first nine years of his career with the Chargers, so the organization likely recalls what it was like to deal with his exploits as a division foe.
Ingram was not having a stellar season with the Pittsburgh Steelers before the trade and has had trouble staying on the field in recent years.
However, the Chiefs are likely looking for him to make an impact in January and February against the likes of Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Ryan Tannehill, and it’ll be interesting to see how much he’s used in the near term.
3. Mark Ingram To The New Orleans Saints
There’s another Ingram trade that makes our list.
This time, it’s running back Mark Ingram, who was acquired by the New Orleans Saints in trade with the Houston Texans.
The deal happened a few days before the trade deadline, and Ingram actually appeared in New Orleans’ Week 8 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Ingram’s acquisition takes on greater importance now than when the move was made.
New Orleans lost starting quarterback Jameis Winston to an ACL injury against the Bucs and will have to move forward with the likes of Trevor Siemian and/or Taysom Hill.
Neither player offers the same level of downfield passing ability as Winston, so head coach Sean Payton will likely lean on the run even more.
Having a familiar face returning to the backfield in Ingram, who played his first eight seasons in the league with the Saints, will help them double down on a style they’ll need to deploy.
Bring that same energy Sunday 🗣 🗣🗣 pic.twitter.com/lVCUMUaBSW
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 2, 2021
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