The Detroit Lions got their edge rusher. The injury-plagued Dallas Cowboys added a receiver. Other teams still are trying to make a deal.
Hours before the NFL’s trade deadline at 3 p.m. Central time Tuesday, the NFC-leading Lions (7-1) acquired defensive end Za’Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. The three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher helps fill the void created by the loss of star Aidan Hutchinson, who suffered a leg injury.
The 2-7 Browns, already looking to rebuild in a disappointing season, are sending Smith and a seventh-round pick in 2026 to the Lions for a fifth-round pick in 2025 and a sixth-round pick in 2026, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams have not announced the deal.
The Cowboys (3-5) agreed on a deal with the Carolina Panthers (2-7) to acquire wide receiver Jonathan Mingo and a seventh-round pick in 2025 for a fourth-round pick next year, two people with knowledge of the trade told the AP. Both people spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams haven’t announced the deal.
Mingo, a second-round pick last year, has only 12 receptions for 121 yards in nine games. He won’t be catching passes from Dak Prescott for a while. Prescott is expected to miss several games with a hamstring injury.
The Cincinnati Bengals (4-5) added depth at running back, getting Khalil Herbert from the Chicago Bears (4-4) for a 2025 seventh-round draft pick. Herbert had just eight carries for 16 yards and one touchdown for the Bears.
The Kansas City Chiefs (8-0), Buffalo Bills (7-2), Baltimore Ravens (6-3) and New York Jets (3-6) already added playmakers, acquiring wide receivers over the past month. The Minnesota Vikings (6-2) filled a big need on the offensive line last week and the Arizona Cardinals (5-4) got defensive help Monday.
Several teams who could use an edge rusher include the Atlanta Falcons (6-3), Denver Broncos (5-4) and Vikings. The Houston Texans (6-3), Green Bay Packers (6-3), Los Angeles Rams (4-4) and Seattle Seahawks (4-5) have to be looking for offensive line depth.
A whopping nine teams have just two wins through Week 9, increasing their chances of being sellers.
The two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs have been a top buyer and still could be shopping. They already added three-time All-Pro receiver D’Andre Hopkins and edge rusher Josh Esche.
Hopkins made his presence felt in Monday night’s 30-24 overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He caught eight passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns in his second game with Patrick Mahomes.
The Jets acquired three-time All-Pro Davante Adams three weeks ago. He caught seven passes for 91 yards and a touchdown in a 21-13 win over the Texans on Thursday.
Amari Cooper had a TD reception in his first game with the Bills two weeks ago. Diontae Johnson played 17 snaps in his debut with the Ravens, a 41-10 win over the Broncos.
Left tackle Cam Robinson had a solid first start in the Vikings’ 21-13 victory against the Indianapolis Colts. The Cardinals picked up outside linebacker Baron Browning from the Broncos for a sixth-round pick, a day after taking over first place in the NFC West.
The NFL pushed the trade deadline back an extra week this year, giving teams more time to improve their rosters.
AP’s Tom Withers and Schuyler Dixon contributed.
