Teams to Fade or Back After the NFL Trade Deadline
Roquan Smith to Baltimore
Chicago traded linebacker Roquan Smith to Baltimore for a second-round draft pick, a fifth-round draft pick, and veteran linebacker AJ Klein.
A Difference-Maker
A two-time Second Team All-Pro selection, Smith is a difference-maker.
This is apparent in several games.
For example, he was listed as 'questionable' to play against Houston but managed to play, anyways.
He made a key stop at the goal-line and procured what turned out to be the game-deciding interception.
Smith can do many things very well: he is great in pass coverage, he is an avid pass rusher, and he excels in pursuit.
This multiplicity of skills is evident in the following stats from Next Gen Stats:
Since his entrance to the NFL in 2018, among linebackers, he ranks first in defensive stops, first in sack rate among linebackers who accrued at least 200 pass rushes, and fourth in yards per target.
Upcoming Game
Currently, Baltimore is a slight favorite in New Orleans.
Smith's arrival will make an immediate impact in Baltimore's favor that will show in the betting results.
The main reason why ties to his skill as a pass defender.
He has the speed and general coverage ability to stick with opposing running backs.
This skill is crucial against the Saints because they rely heavily on running back Alvin Kamara's pass-catching ability.
Kamara ranks second in the team in targets.
So, Smith's elite ability begs consideration of an investment in the Ravens to cover the small number.
Bradley Chubb to Miami
Miami traded a 2023 first-round draft pick, a 2024 fourth-round pick, and running back Chase Edmonds for Bronco star pass-rusher Bradley Chubb and a 2025 fifth-round draft pick.
Chubb is well-worth the investment.
As one expects from him, he is having a great season.
So far, he has six sacks and 15 quarterback hurries.
Needed Help
Miami needed an edge rusher badly.
Its lack of pass rush has created a significant defensive strain compounded especially by injuries to members of its uniquely expensive secondary.
Emmanuel Ogbah has been having an awful season, mounting very few pressures, while Melvin Ingram's presence is limited.
Given these issues, and despite the productivity of pass-rusher Jaelan Phillips, Miami ranks 25thin sack rate.
Now it has a weapon to help Phillips and Miami's entire defense.
Upcoming Game
Currently, Miami is favored by less than a touchdown in Chicago at BetOnline.
The Bears, in their first game without Robert Quinn after his trade to Philadelphia, gave up 49 points to Dallas.
Chicago's defense is demoralized by its loss of leadership and has lost its top players.
This gives the Dolphins a great chance to cover the spread if only their defense performs sufficiently well.
Crucially for Miami, the Bears rank dead-last in the rate at which they limit opposing sacks.
Look for Miami's newfound edge-rushing ability to easily prove decisive given the favorable matchup.
Big Losers: Green Bay
It's absurd that Green Bay didn't trade for a wide receiver.
Especially since Davante Adams departed, the lack of talent in Green Bay's wide receiver group is appalling.
Former undrafted wide receiver Allen Lazard sadly leads the team in receiving yards.
This dearth in talent explains why quarterback Aaron Rodgers is having one of the least productive seasons of his career.
Strategy
Given Green Bay's lack of wide receiver talent, look to go against the Packers when they face strong run defenses because the Packers will have to rely heavily on their rush attack.
Circle, for example, their game on November 17 when they face Tennessee with its second-ranked rush defense.
Roquan Smith to Baltimore
Chicago traded linebacker Roquan Smith to Baltimore for a second-round draft pick, a fifth-round draft pick, and veteran linebacker AJ Klein.
A Difference-Maker
A two-time Second Team All-Pro selection, Smith is a difference-maker.
This is apparent in several games.
For example, he was listed as 'questionable' to play against Houston but managed to play, anyways.
He made a key stop at the goal-line and procured what turned out to be the game-deciding interception.
Smith can do many things very well: he is great in pass coverage, he is an avid pass rusher, and he excels in pursuit.
This multiplicity of skills is evident in the following stats from Next Gen Stats:
Since his entrance to the NFL in 2018, among linebackers, he ranks first in defensive stops, first in sack rate among linebackers who accrued at least 200 pass rushes, and fourth in yards per target.
Upcoming Game
Currently, Baltimore is a slight favorite in New Orleans.
Smith's arrival will make an immediate impact in Baltimore's favor that will show in the betting results.
The main reason why ties to his skill as a pass defender.
He has the speed and general coverage ability to stick with opposing running backs.
This skill is crucial against the Saints because they rely heavily on running back Alvin Kamara's pass-catching ability.
Kamara ranks second in the team in targets.
So, Smith's elite ability begs consideration of an investment in the Ravens to cover the small number.
Bradley Chubb to Miami
Miami traded a 2023 first-round draft pick, a 2024 fourth-round pick, and running back Chase Edmonds for Bronco star pass-rusher Bradley Chubb and a 2025 fifth-round draft pick.
Chubb is well-worth the investment.
As one expects from him, he is having a great season.
So far, he has six sacks and 15 quarterback hurries.
Needed Help
Miami needed an edge rusher badly.
Its lack of pass rush has created a significant defensive strain compounded especially by injuries to members of its uniquely expensive secondary.
Emmanuel Ogbah has been having an awful season, mounting very few pressures, while Melvin Ingram's presence is limited.
Given these issues, and despite the productivity of pass-rusher Jaelan Phillips, Miami ranks 25thin sack rate.
Now it has a weapon to help Phillips and Miami's entire defense.
Upcoming Game
Currently, Miami is favored by less than a touchdown in Chicago at BetOnline.
The Bears, in their first game without Robert Quinn after his trade to Philadelphia, gave up 49 points to Dallas.
Chicago's defense is demoralized by its loss of leadership and has lost its top players.
This gives the Dolphins a great chance to cover the spread if only their defense performs sufficiently well.
Crucially for Miami, the Bears rank dead-last in the rate at which they limit opposing sacks.
Look for Miami's newfound edge-rushing ability to easily prove decisive given the favorable matchup.
Big Losers: Green Bay
It's absurd that Green Bay didn't trade for a wide receiver.
Especially since Davante Adams departed, the lack of talent in Green Bay's wide receiver group is appalling.
Former undrafted wide receiver Allen Lazard sadly leads the team in receiving yards.
This dearth in talent explains why quarterback Aaron Rodgers is having one of the least productive seasons of his career.
Strategy
Given Green Bay's lack of wide receiver talent, look to go against the Packers when they face strong run defenses because the Packers will have to rely heavily on their rush attack.
Circle, for example, their game on November 17 when they face Tennessee with its second-ranked rush defense.
