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Jeremy Fowler
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Jeremy Fowler
senior NFL national reporter- ESPN staff writer
- Previously a college football reporter for CBSSports.com
- University of Florida graduate
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Dan Graziano
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Dan Graziano
senior NFL national reporter- Dan Graziano is a senior NFL national reporter for ESPN, covering the entire league and breaking news. Dan also contributes to Get Up, NFL Live, SportsCenter, ESPN Radio, Sunday NFL Countdown and Fantasy Football Now. He is a New Jersey native who joined ESPN in 2011, and he is also the author of two published novels. You can follow Dan on Twitter via @DanGrazianoESPN.
Week 8 of the 2023 NFL season is here, and league insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano are breaking down the biggest questions, latest news and most notable buzz of the week. Plus, they pick out which teams are on upset watch and which players should -- or shouldn't -- be in your fantasy football lineups.
But the focus this week is the looming NFL trade deadline 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday -- less than a week away. Who will get traded, and which teams might be the most active? Could a contender add a talented pass-rusher? Will an under-the-radar team emerge and make some deals? It's all here, as Dan and Jeremy answer the big questions and empty their notebooks with everything they've heard heading into Week 8.
Jump to a topic:
Hunter vs. Young | Big names on the move
Teams that need to deal | Sneaky teams to watch
Upset picks | Fantasy tips | Latest buzz
Which pass-rusher is most likely to be dealt this week, Danielle Hunter or Chase Young?
Graziano: Young. I was going to say Hunter, but then the Vikings upset the 49ers on Monday night to improve to 3-4, and my sense of things is that this means they're not going to be sellers. They're two games out of first place in a division they won last year, and I don't think they're up for trading their best pass-rusher.
Young is a hot name right now, and teams have absolutely been calling the Commanders to see what they want to do with him. In Young and Montez Sweat, Washington has two edge rushers slated to be unrestricted free agents at the end of the year, and the presumption around the league is that the team can't or won't be able to keep and pay them both. (You can only franchise one player per year.) But under new ownership and with uncertainty surrounding head coach and chief organizational decision-maker Ron Rivera, the Commanders might not be in position to have decided what to do with Young yet. Heck, it's not out of the question they could trade Sweat instead, if the offers are better.
The reason I was going to say Hunter is because the Vikings were having serious conversations about trading him last offseason before they reworked his contract to get him into camp. They had multiple teams interested and at one point, according to sources, the Jaguars were believed to be on the verge of a deal to get him. That deal and all of their other Hunter conversations fell apart, and they threw him an extra $11.5 million to keep him happy.
He has performed well, but while the Vikings' season appeared a couple of weeks ago to be in bad shape and he might or might not be in their plans for next year, I think they're focused on staying in this thing. They have a $15.1 million dead-money cap charge for Hunter in 2024 whether he's on the team or not. He turns 29 on Sunday, and Minnesota looks like it might be a rebuilding project in 2024 and beyond. So if you can get something of value for him now, it kind of makes sense. But this is an example of why the NFL trade deadline is too early. Not enough teams are out of it yet.
1:46
Chris Canty: The Vikings are going to the playoffs
Chris Canty believes the Vikings are playoff-bound after Jordan Addison's performance against the 49ers.
Fowler: I'm leaning Hunter, Dan, though there are so many layers to this -- mainly, which player would garner the highest draft pick? There's no question both could net their respective team a high Day 2 pick. Would it take a first-rounder to pry either? Possibly. That was the going rate for Bradley Chubb last year, and Hunter is generally seen as a better pass-rusher than Chubb. Meanwhile, Young, coming off a strong rookie year, was considered a top-10 rusher in the league, on the Nick Bosa track to greatness. And what's scary is he's getting back to that mode, looking spry with five sacks in six games after an injury-riddled past two years.
With Hunter, there's a history of trade dialogue from the offseason, so interested teams can pick up where they left off, even though it's important to remember Minnesota hasn't been shopping him lately. It would probably take a sizable offer for the team to consider. But enough teams love his game that I could see an aggressive push. Washington has given the impression behind the scenes that it would like to keep Young, who still needs a full, healthy season to prove he's back to form. And after all, Young is cheaper and younger with more upside, right, Dan?
Graziano: Yes. To be clear: Young is the one of the two I'd prefer to trade for. He's only 24, and you only have to pay him $61,111.11 per game the rest of this year as opposed to the $643,555.55 per game you'd have to pay Hunter. If you're trading a valuable pick or picks for a player, you'd ideally like him to be more than a two- or three-month rental. And while both of these guys are free agents at the end of the year, the younger one is generally the player you'd feel better about committing to for the long term.
Anyone who acquires Hunter or Young knows they'll be confronted with a long-term contract decision at the end of the year, if not before. If I'm giving away high picks or players I like at the trade deadline, I'd prefer to be negotiating with an incoming player who has as much upside as possible.
Fowler: That's another layer to consider, Dan, because my sense after asking around is Young wants to play out this season regardless. Then, he's set up nicely for free agency or gets the franchise tag. I was told recently that games seven and eight were big for Washington's potential plans at the deadline. Had the Commanders beaten the Giants, they'd be sitting at 4-3 entering a crucial matchup with the Eagles. Now, if they lose to Philly, they will be sitting at 3-5 at the deadline, with the chance to inherit valuable draft capital to restock in 2024. It would become more tempting at that point.
Plus, the Vikings are already without Marcus Davenport at the edge rusher spot due to injury, so trading Hunter leaves the proverbial cupboard extremely bare. At least with Washington, the defensive line trio of Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne and Sweat could offset the loss of Young.
What are the other names you've heard the most in the trade deadline conversation?
Fowler: Wide receiver has been a popular position of late, though the supply might outweigh the demand. Denver's Jerry Jeudy, Las Vegas' Hunter Renfrow and Carolina's Terrace Marshall Jr. are among available players at that position. The Jets dealt Mecole Hardman Jr. and might not be done, with pass-rusher Carl Lawson and running back Dalvin Cook playing minimal roles at this stage.
It feels like Tennessee isn't done after the Kevin Byard trade, too. The Titans have gotten calls on their defensive line. Perhaps a veteran such as Denico Autry can help a contender. It's clear Denver is open for business, and Carolina could be active if the Panthers receive enough interest in corner Donte Jackson and safety Jeremy Chinn.
Graziano: The big name in Carolina is edge rusher Brian Burns, but teams are being told he's not available. The Byard trade has people wondering how far Tennessee will take this. We heard Derrick Henry's name, for example, kicked around a bit on the offseason rumor mill. He's a free agent at year's end. Would Tennessee unload the remainder of his $10.5 million salary? Would they move Ryan Tannehill to make room for one of the two QBs they've drafted the past two years?
And I'm with you on Denver. Its guys seem to be the ones I'm hearing the most about, with Jeudy feeling like the most likely to get moved. They were asking for a first-round pick for him in the offseason, but I can't imagine they still are.
0:40
Why Marcus Spears wants the Cowboys to go after Derrick Henry
Marcus Spears explains why Titans running back Derrick Henry would be a good fit for the Cowboys.
Fowler: Teams I've talked to say even a Day 2 pick in exchange for Jeudy could be a hard sell, though others disagree. Jeudy's $13 million salary next year on a fifth-year option is a consideration for teams, too. Baltimore tried to get Courtland Sutton ($14 million) last offseason, so maybe a contending team will make a run at him.
As for Tennessee: Autry, who's in the final year of his deal, would have a market if the team engages. And, yes, I do think they would consider unloading Henry. There are some people in the league who believe Tennessee at least entertained it in the offseason. Not sure how much of a market Tannehill, with a bad ankle, would have at this point. The Jets would have made sense, but Zach Wilson is surviving on the job.
Graziano: Indeed. I actually wonder if the Titans (assuming Tannehill is out this week) might use this last game before the deadline to showcase their young quarterbacks. I still think it's more likely they move Malik Willis than Tannehill, but that assumes someone wants to take a shot on the 2022 third-round pick.
As for Henry, I do think the price tag might be high for some teams. When I've brought up his name to executives, they've all brought up the salary. Even $5 million for a half-season rental feels like a lot to teams in the current running back market. If the Titans really wanted to unload him, they might have to pay some of the salary, and it would surprise me if they wanted to unload him that badly, if at all.
Which team has to make a deal over the next week?
Graziano: While I trust Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes to figure it out even if they do nothing, I do think the Chiefs still could stand to add a veteran wide receiver. Hardman coming back is nice, but the Chiefs know better than anyone that Hardman isn't a guy you can count on for consistent health or production. I can't see the Broncos dealing one of their guys to a division rival, and the same goes for the Raiders and Davante Adams.
So how about someone like Arizona's Marquise Brown, who's making $13.4 million this year and is eligible for free agency when the season is over? I don't know that Arizona is looking to move Brown, but it hasn't extended him yet, and for a future-focused team looking to amass draft picks, it might make sense to see what's out there. The fifth-year speedster would bring some experience to a relatively young Chiefs' wide receiver room.
Fowler: Definitely a good on-field fit. Knowing the Chiefs, though, Dan, they would want Arizona to cover just about all of that salary, which could be a nonstarter.
I'll go with Seattle adding a pass-rusher. Uchenna Nwosu going out for the season with a pectoral injury is a massive blow to a steadily improving defense. Second-year man Boye Mafe is coming on, but the Seahawks' top three healthy edge rushers (Mafe, Darrell Taylor and Derick Hall) are all on rookie contracts. Perhaps a veteran at a reduced rate could bolster the room. Or, if they want to go young, they could inquire on the Patriots' Josh Uche, considering 2-5 New England might sell.
Graziano: Can't have too many edge rushers, and the Nwosu injury definitely makes it feel like Seattle might not have enough of them. So that's definitely a spot to watch. What do you think about the chance of Baltimore adding a running back? We mentioned Henry earlier. If he's available, how scary would he make that offense look around Lamar Jackson? And if not, are the Ravens a smart Dalvin Cook landing spot? I don't think the Giants are trading Saquon Barkley, and in general teams aren't into paying big prices for backs, but I wonder if we could see one or two move. The Browns are also at the point where it feels like they could stand to add one.
Fowler: Agreed, though the Browns wouldn't relinquish significant capital for that position. It would have to be a late-round deal. Cleveland wouldn't have traded for Jonathan Taylor, for example. I like the idea of the Ravens adding a back to replenish for injury purposes. But they rank second in rushing offense (1,015), so any addition would be a late-season luxury play.
Philadelphia's backfield could be one to watch, too. Rashaad Penny and Boston Scott aren't in the rotation.
Name a team that might have sneaky intrigue around the deadline
Fowler: Saints. The offense needs a spark, and perhaps a wide receiver who can connect with Derek Carr is on the way. I've talked to a few teams who believe New Orleans is at least monitoring wideouts. On paper, it has more than enough at that position with Chris Olave, Michael Thomas and Rashid Shaheed. But the offense is still very much in get-right mode. Renfrow would make some sense here, given his history with Carr, though he might be redundant with Thomas manning the slot. Also watch for San Francisco, which needs slot corner help.
Graziano: San Francisco was going to be my answer here. We're a year removed from them swinging that massive deal for Christian McCaffrey, and the Niners are a team that I think perceives itself as in a somewhat narrow win-now window. No one in the league is getting more production for less money at quarterback, and they will confront some big-money roster decisions next offseason. We just saw the Eagles make a rich-get-richer move in their secondary. When the team that kept you out of the Super Bowl last year is making moves, you have to be thinking about what you can do to counter.
We haven't talked much about Buffalo, but the Bills have dealt with some big-time injuries so far this year. You see them making a move? Maybe on defense?
Fowler: Buffalo is fairly light up the middle due to injuries at defensive tackle and linebacker, so finding some juice there would make sense. But there aren't many available options that make sense. Minnesota linebacker Jordan Hicks would provide experience and leadership at a young spot. The Bills do like their young linebackers and want to see them develop. Once Ed Oliver returns, the defensive tackle spot will have a four-man rotation. So, leaning no on a Buffalo move, but GM Brandon Beane has shown the willingness to be bold late in the window.
Buffalo's Thursday night opponent, the Bucs, rank 29th in rushing offense. Wonder if they would entertain a move at running back. Penny was effective in Seattle and has ties to offensive coordinator Dave Canales.
Graziano: I do think Tampa Bay would look to upgrade at running back. Rachaad White hasn't been what they'd hoped in terms of taking the No. 1 job and running away with it. And it doesn't feel like Ke'Shawn Vaughn is the answer. They did open the 21-day practice window for Chase Edmonds, so maybe they can solve the problem internally. If not, would Leonard Fournette go back there even without Tom Brady there anymore?
What's your top upset pick for Week 8?
Fowler: Panthers (+3) over Texans. No team needed a bye week more than Carolina, which saw Frank Reich relinquish playcalling duties to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown. Expect the offense to refocus the running game to help Bryce Young while Reich manages in-game situations. Young showed signs of life in his last outing vs. Miami, and he has a chance to outplay draft mate C.J. Stroud, who has been excellent. Plus, winless Carolina is simply due. Several 1-5 teams got a win in Week 7, for example.
Graziano: Bengals (+5.5) over 49ers. Yeah, it's a road game for a Cincinnati team that hasn't looked like itself just yet. But it's also a short week for a banged-up 49ers team and the Bengals are coming off a bye. Joe Burrow should be the healthiest he's been all year, and if the Bengals are going to assert themselves as real Super Bowl contenders the way they were the last couple of years, they're going to have to win games like these. Tough one, but if it happens, remember where you heard it first. (And if it doesn't, please forget ...)
What's your fantasy football call of the week?
Graziano: If someone in your league dropped the Eagles' defense last week because they were playing the Dolphins, do whatever you can to get them on your team for this week. That's because they play Sam Howell and the Commanders, who are giving up sacks at a ludicrous rate.
The Giants entered Sunday with five sacks for the entire season and sacked Howell six times. The week before, the Falcons played Washington and got five sacks. They have a grand total of eight sacks in their other six games. Sensing a trend? The Bears have 10 sacks this year; five came against the Commanders. The Eagles (who have 24 sacks) got five against the Commanders the first time they faced them this year. The Bills collected nine of their 25 sacks against Washington in Week 3. The Broncos, who only use nine players on defense, got four of their 14 sacks when they played Washington in Week 2. The Cardinals got six against them in the opener and have a total of 14 since.
This is not a coincidence. This is not a fluke. This is not a bug, it's a feature. Haason Reddick, Jalen Carter and the gang are here to help you win your Week 8 matchup. Go get 'em.
Fowler: Buffalo receiver Gabe Davis seems poised for another big game. The formula seems simple enough: When Davis gets involved, good things happen for the Bills offense. In Davis' four games with a touchdown, the Bills are averaging 35.8 points. Davis caught 16 passes for 288 yards in those games. In three games without a score, the scoring pretty much cuts in half (18.3), with Davis catching six passes for 59 yards in that action.
With tight end Dawson Knox out indefinitely with a wrist injury, the Bills need a high-level producer opposite Stefon Diggs. So, Davis is a classic boom-or-bust player right now. But Tampa Bay has given up big receiver yardage at times this year.
1:45
Who's the most disappointing team in the NFL this season?
Booger McFarland and Herm Edwards discuss who they think the most disappointing teams in the NFL are this season.
What else are you hearing this week?
Fowler's notebook:
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Multiple sources maintain that Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts' knee injury from last week is not serious. There's no structural damage to the knee. He was managing some discomfort in Sunday's win over Miami and thus wore a knee brace in the second half, which was considered a precautionary measure. The team will monitor how he feels during the week to determine whether he needs the brace Sunday against Washington. Either way, the situation is considered minor and Hurts will remain in the lineup barring surprise.
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While Justin Fields remains doubtful for Sunday vs. the Chargers, the Bears quarterback is determined to get back as early as Week 9, according to people with the team. "He's definitely working toward that," a source said. Fields' availability hinges on his ability to grip and throw a football, which could take time. But he's been diligent in his rehab and game prep and hopes to avoid injured reserve. As for his fill-in, Tyson Bagent, the Bears believe he might stick in the league for a long time as a quality backup. As one team source told me, Bagent's football curiosity is strong -- he's constantly asking questions and figuring out the "why" in a play or plan of attack. He picked up the offense quickly in camp and he makes quick decisions. His traits are not considered high level by NFL standards, to be sure, and the Raiders' defense was largely unimpressive last week against Chicago. But the Bears feel they have something here.
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The Bucs are hoping to get their running game back on track starting Thursday night at Buffalo. After two 100-yard rushing games through the first four weeks, Tampa Bay has a total of 113 yards through the past two weeks. Lead back Rachaad White is averaging 3.2 yards per carry. The Bucs are hopeful to break out soon, and Chase Edmonds could be activated off IR in time for Thursday night. Offensive guard Matt Feiler is likely out for the game, which affects the interior push. Veteran Aaron Stinnie could start in his place. A stronger running game helps offensive coordinator Dave Canales' system, a blend of the Rams and Seahawks attacks, run smoothly and alleviate pressure on quarterback Baker Mayfield. The Bills have a top-five run defense but are missing players up the middle, including defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, linebacker Matt Milano and possibly Ed Oliver. The Bucs hope to capitalize by gaining tough yards.
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Jalen Ramsey continues to impress in his recovery from a meniscus tear, which leaves the Dolphins with a decision to make sooner than later. One consideration, I'm told, is to bring back Ramsey coming out of the bye, for the Nov. 15 game against the Raiders. The Dolphins travel to New England this week, then host the Chiefs before the bye. Ramsey's 21-day practice window began last Wednesday, so the Dolphins would have time to do this should they so choose. Perhaps Ramsey's progress prompts Miami to activate him earlier, of course, but these are the dynamics in play.
Graziano's notebook:
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I referenced Seattle earlier, wondering whether it would look for edge rusher help following the season-ending injury to Nwosu. But checking in on that situation Tuesday, it sounds like Seattle isn't in a rush to go out and make a trade to plug that hole. The Seahawks will surely listen to ideas, but they still feel pretty good about their three-man edge rotation led by Boye Mafe. They could add a body, but at this point I don't expect an aggressive move to bring in, say, one of the Washington guys.
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The Pats are very high on rookie wide receiver Demario "Pop" Douglas, who caught four passes for 54 yards and also had a 20-yard carry against Buffalo. The sixth-round pick out of Liberty is someone they see as a spark and a playmaker. The problem they've had is getting him the ball, in part because of the overall struggles of the offense and in part because he basically plays the same position as veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster, whom they signed in free agency a month before the draft. Smith-Schuster missed Sunday's game with an injury, but when he comes back, it's possible Douglas takes on a larger role and JuJu fades a little more into the background. Right now, if you can make plays in the Patriots' offense, they're going to keep you on the field.
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The Raiders are hopeful of getting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo back from his back injury in time for Monday night's game in Detroit, but as of Tuesday he had yet to be medically cleared to return to practice. Las Vegas' first official practice of the week won't be until Thursday, so there's extra time this week with the Monday game. But if Garoppolo can't go this week, expect to see rookie Aidan O'Connell in his place instead of veteran Brian Hoyer, who struggled against a vulnerable Bears defense in Week 7 and was replaced with O'Connell late in the game.
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