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With nearly half of the 2017 NFL regular season in the books, teams are either satisfied with their progress or hoping to make changes. With the trade deadline on Tuesday, it would be the last chance for teams to make moves and test their players on the market. So, what happened?
Benjamin to Buffalo
One of the biggest trades of the day would involve the Carolina Panthers and Buffalo Bills. The Panthers would trade away star wide-receiver Kelvin Benjamin in exchange for a third-round pick and seventh-round pick in the 2018 draft.
🚨 TRADE ALERT 🚨
We've agreed to acquire WR Kelvin Benjamin from the Panthers for our 2018 3rd and 7th round picks. #GoBills pic.twitter.com/wXqy4Ukr9b
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) October 31, 2017
Benjamin will once again work alongside Bills head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane. Both Beane and McDermott served time with the Panthers. Beane says he didn’t expect the trade to happen at first, but would come down to the last minute. Beane also says Benjamin is a fierce competitor and will fit in well with the organization.
Ajayi to Philadelphia
Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins would send running back Jay Ajayi to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2018 fourth-round draft pick. Ajayi has accumulated 1,924 yards and nine touchdowns in his two-and-a-half years with the Dolphins, including a trip to the Pro Bowl last season.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/925446766497017856
Ajayi joins a backfield which features veteran RB LeGarrette Blount. Eagles executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman says he’s excited to add Ajayi to the running back group.
Garoppolo to San Francisco
Following numerous trade rumors throughout the season, the New England Patriots would deal quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2018 second-round draft pick. Drafted by the Patriots in 2014, Garoppolo spent more than three seasons behind quarterback Tom Brady.
Welcome to the family, @JimmyG_10. pic.twitter.com/sNW1JASFjO
— 49ers Webzone (@49erswebzone) October 31, 2017
Patriots coach Bill Belichick says he has tremendous respect for Garoppolo, but it was time for the organization to make a decision. Meanwhile, 49ers general manager John Lynch says he believes Garoppolo is the quarterback of the future.
Other Notable Trades
- Buffalo trades defensive tackle Marcell Dareus to Jacksonville in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick.
- Houston trades left tackle Duane Brown to Seattle in exchange for CB Jeremy Lane, a 2018 fifth-round draft pick and a 2019 second-round draft pick.
- San Francisco trades cornerback Rashard Robinson to the New York Jets in exchange for a 2018 fifth-round draft pick.
