Dawgs By Nature
The NFL trade deadline hits later this afternoon but rumors have been flying especially around Za’Darius Smith
NFL trade deadline day is upon us. Unlike most trade deadlines around professional sports, the NFL’s version tends to be a little quiet. That could be especially true this year with deals done weeks ago, including the Cleveland Browns trading away WR Amari Cooper.
Saddled with a 2-7 record and an expensive roster, the NFL trade deadline rumors around the Browns have been swirling. During their Week 9 loss came a report that DE Za’Darius Smith would be headed to the Detroit Lions on Sunday or Monday.
Sunday night came a rumor that TE David Njoku was also available off Cleveland’s roster.
The report on when and where Smith would be traded has proven to be untrue as we woke up Tuesday morning with him still on the Browns roster and with something to say:
Smith has since deleted the following post:
There are lots of ways to read into the post including that Smith isn’t getting traded or isn’t getting traded where he wants to be traded.
What we have heard over the last few days is that at least three teams are interested in Smith including the Atlanta Falcons and Lions. At one point since Sunday, the Falcons believed they had the best offer to Cleveland but no deal was done.
The Browns have placed a 4th round value on Smith for a trade but have not yet received that value offered as of Monday night. While Smith is likely to hit free agency at the end of the year, GM Andrew Berry holding to their value is not just about this trade but about future negotiations as well.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN had similar information:
Other quick NFL trade deadline things we’ve heard:
We will keep you up to date with everything we are hearing as NFL trade deadline day goes on
