As the NFL gears up for the eagerly anticipated 2024 season, teams across the league are making their final roster adjustments, trimming their squads from a pre-season high of 90 players down to the mandated 53. This period is frenetic, marked by a whirlwind of trades, waivers, and releases as franchises finalize their rosters in preparation for the season kickoff.
In a notable move, the Dallas Cowboys sent tight end Peyton Hendershot to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a conditional late-round draft pick. Hendershot is anticipated to vie for the backup role behind the Chiefs' star tight end, Travis Kelce. This trade underscores Kansas City’s ongoing strategy to bolster their depth at key positions, ensuring they have reliable options behind their premier starters.
The Chiefs were also active on the defensive front, acquiring linebacker Cameron Thomas from the Arizona Cardinals for a seventh-round pick. Selected in the third round of the 2022 draft, Thomas adds valuable depth to Kansas City’s linebacker corps, reflecting the team’s long-term plan to strengthen their defensive lineup.
Continuing their roster reshuffle, the Arizona Cardinals traded another linebacker, Ernest Jones, to the Tennessee Titans. The deal included the Rams sending a 2026 sixth-round pick in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick. Jones, a pivotal figure for the Cardinals with his role as a starting inside linebacker and team captain, will now bring his leadership and experience to Tennessee’s defense.
The quarterback carousel saw action as well, with the Tennessee Titans trading Malik Willis to the Green Bay Packers. Included in this deal was a seventh-round pick. Willis, who was initially seen as a potential starter for the Titans, is set to serve as the backup to Jordan Love in Green Bay. In addition to this, the Packers released Sean Clifford, another quarterback from their 2022 draft class, making space for Willis in their QB room.
The Jacksonville Jaguars made moves on their defensive line by trading Trevis Gipson to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2025 sixth-round pick. This trade comes at a critical time, with Seattle’s edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu currently sidelined due to a sprained MCL. Gipson’s addition is aimed at shoring up the Seahawks’ defense in Nwosu’s absence.
In another defensive line adjustment, the Cleveland Browns traded Chris Williams to the Chicago Bears. Williams, who spent last season on the Browns’ practice squad, was sent to the Bears along with a seventh-round pick in exchange for a sixth-round pick. This strategic move reflects the Browns’ effort to gain draft capital while providing the Bears with a potential developmental player.
The Seahawks continued their dealings by trading Darrell Taylor to the Chicago Bears for a 2025 sixth-round pick. Taylor’s move is part of Seattle’s broader strategy to reshape their defensive unit, while the Bears acquire a player who can immediately contribute to their pass rush.
The New York Jets and Buffalo Bills also got in on the action, with the Jets trading defensive back and return specialist Brandon Codrington to the Bills. In return, the Jets received a swap of late-round picks in 2026. Codrington’s versatility as a return specialist is likely to be a significant asset for the Bills’ special teams unit.
These trades and roster moves reflect the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the NFL, where teams continuously strive to optimize their rosters and position themselves for success. As the 2024 season approaches, each of these transactions plays a part in shaping the competitive landscape of the league.