The agent’s take: Kareem Hunt and other players who should have been dealt before the trade deadline

10 deals were made at the trade deadline. Most notably, the Dolphins sent running back Chase Edmonds, a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 fourth-round pick to the Broncos for edge rusher Bradley Chubb and a 2025 fifth-round pick.

Rare insider trading took place. Tight end TJ Hockenson is out of the NFC North. The Vikings, who have a 6-1 record, traded a 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick to Detroit for the former Pro Bowler, a 2023 fourth-round pick and a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick.

Here are three more trades worth checking out before the deadline that could improve teams’ postseason chances. The financial problems of the movement were highlighted. Salary cap space is based on NFLPA data.

An acquiring team needs enough salary cap space to absorb the remainder of a player’s current salary. Since the trades take place after Week 8, the winning team will be responsible for 10/18th of a player’s 2022 base salary and other applicable salary components in the contract.

Trades cannot be executed again until the 2023 league year begins on March 15.

• Trade compensation; 2023 fourth round pick and 2024 sixth round pick
• Remaining 2022 Salary: $622,222 (Texans’ 2022 salary cap savings)
• Packing Unit 2022: 6.4277 million dollars
• Texas 2023 Dead Money: $16,220,741 ($10,389,629 salary savings)

Making moves at the trade deadline is uncharacteristic of the Packers, relying primarily on a draft-and-develop-roster-building philosophy. An attempt to address the glaring need at wide receiver was made by pushing for Chase Claypool. The Steelers traded Claypool to the Bears for a 2023 second-round pick.

The Cowboys, who are competing for the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft with a 1-5-1 record, and the Texans have negotiated a deal for Brandin Cooks until the trade deadline. The Texans signed Cooks to a two-year extension that runs through the 2024 season, averaging about $20 million per year. Cooks is slated to earn $35 million over the next two years. The problem was that his 18 million 2023 base salary was fully guaranteed in the extension.

The Texans are reportedly seeking a second-round pick for Cooks. The rest of the contract, especially the salary guarantee, was supposed to be the 2021 first-round pick (20th overall) Kadarius Toney, who acquired the trade compensation from the 2023 third-round pick and 2023 sixth-round pick from the major league leaders. It is on a cost-controlled starter contract.

Adding Cooks, who was unhappy the Texans didn’t trade him, would have been a challenge against the salary cap due to salary guarantees. The Packers already have $222.7 million in 2023 obligations with 47 players under contract.

Aaron Rodgers, 38, is in the quarterback of his $50 million NFL contract signed in March, guaranteeing some flexibility with his approach. With a 3-5 record, the Packers have lost more games than 2021. Despite the record, the Packers aren’t rebuilding like the Bears.

Cooks, 29, has been traded three times in his career. The last trade was in 2020 when the Texans traded him and a 2022 fourth-round pick to the Rams for a 2020 second-round pick. Cooks was productive everywhere he played. He amassed 1,000 yards receiving in one season with the Saints, Patriots, Rams and Texas.

• Trade compensation; 2023 compensatory fifth-round pick and RB Cam Akers
• Hunt’s remaining 2022 salary: 3.1 million dollars
• Akers’ remaining 2022 salary: 650,659 dollars
• Browns 2022 salary cap segment: $33.23 million ($2,449,341 in salary savings)
• Rams 2022 Salary Cap Section: $4,515,663 ($2,449,341 in salary cap expenses)
• Browns 2023 Dead Money: None (expiring contract)
• Rams 2023 Dead Money: $512,371 ($1,451,779 salary savings)

An upgrade at running back was on the Rams’ radar screen. A few weeks ago, there was a run by Christian McCaffrey, but the Rams were denied by the 49ers. The Rams rank 31st in both the NFL in rushing (68.4 yards per game) and yards per carry (3.3).

The Browns were reportedly willing to part with Hunt for a fourth-round pick. Hunt was probably the next best running back option.

The required draft compensation did not reflect the latter trade market. James Robinson was acquired by the Jets from the Jaguars for a 2023 sixth-round pick, a potential fifth-round pick. The 49ers traded Jeff Wilson to the Dolphins for a 2023 fifth-round pick. The Bills acquired Nyheim Hines from the Giants for running back Zach Moss and a conditional 2023 sixth-round pick for a fifth-round draft pick.

Having acquired Sony Michel from the Patriots in the 2021 preseason trade, the Rams do not have a 2023 fourth-round pick. The 2023 fifth-round pick went to the Browns during this year’s draft for cornerback Troy Hill. The Rams, however, are projected to receive two 2023 compensatory fifth-round picks.

Hunt, who requested a trade during the preseason after the Browns refused to extend his contract, is expected to leave in free agency after the season. It’s possible the Browns could get a compensatory fourth-round pick for Hunt for the upcoming release period in 2024, depending on the contract he signed on the open market.

An unhappy Akers has no interest in continuing to play for the Rams. He could provide the Browns with depth at running back behind Nick Chubb next season. Akers is under contract in 2023 at $1,451,779, while Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson have expiring deals.

Acquiring Hunt wouldn’t solve all of the Rams’ problems. The offensive line could be more of a concern and lacks a consistent pass rush. The Rams, who have a 3-4 record, could become the first Super Bowl winner since the Broncos in 2016 to miss the finals.

• Trade compensation; 2023 Conditional sixth-round pick (fifth-round if Giants win playoff game)
• Remaining 2022 Salary: $575,000 (Titans 2022 salary cap savings)
• Giants 2022 Salary Cap Section: 3,118,856 dollars
• Titans 2023 Dead Money: $3.31 million (2023 and 2024 opt-out contract years)

The Giants’ 6-2 record is one of the highlights of the 2022 season. Fourth-round pick Daniel Bellinger is out indefinitely after suffering an eye injury in Week 7 against the Jaguars. Chris Miarik and Tanner Hudson are the other tight ends on the roster.

Austin Hooper doesn’t seem like a great fit in Tennessee’s run-centered offense. Geoff Swam leads the Titans tight ends at 65.2% per game.

Hopper signed a one-year, $6 million deal in 2021 that includes a $4.965 million signing bonus to add dimension to a Tennessee offense missing after John Smith left for the Patriots in free agency. Outside of catching a career-high three passes for 56 yards in the Week 7 win over the Colts, Hopper’s impact has been minimal. Has 10 catches for 116 yards (on 15 targets) in seven games. Hooper in 2011. It’s his slowest start to a season since he was a rookie in 2016.

The Titans have four tight ends on the roster. Hopper’s departure could also open the door for 2022 fourth-round pick Chigozim Okonkwo to get more playing time.