The 2018 NFL season has included many big-name trades that have shaped the playoff picture. Contending teams added highly coveted athletes to the holes on their rosters and/or acquired a guy that completely changed the outlook and production of their teams.
The NFL is a team sport with 11 men on the field at one time. One guy does not typically change a team significantly, but in 2018 we have seen what the addition of a singe player can do to a team’s outcome and playoff chances in hopes of hoisting up the Lombardi Trophy in February.
Let’s look at three trades that have helped shape the 2018 NFL playoff picture:
Eli Apple, New Orleans Saints
On October 23rd the New Orleans Saints sent a 2019 fourth-round pick and a 2020 seventh-round pick to the New York Giants for cornerback Eli Apple. The Saints had an already stout defense, but they had one remaining hole in their secondary at cornerback. The Saints are the favorites to win the Super Bowl this year and adding Eli Apple certainly boosted their chances.
The problem with New Orleans in the past has been their atrocious defense. While Drew Brees has led a top 10 offense year after year, the Saints had to win games by trying to outscore opponents. This year is a bit different, especially since the addition of Eli Apple.
The Saints rank 11th in total defense, which is a dramatic improvement from previous years. Adding Eli Apple secured the cornerback slot for the Saints. Having two solid corners in Marcus Lattimore and Eli Apple, the Saints secondary is set for a deep playoff push, sitting atop the NFC.
Eli Apple has already contributed to the Saints. In just eight games, he already has two interceptions and eight pass deflections. Last Monday night in the Saints win over the Carolina Panthers, Eli Apple had one of the most decisive plays in the game, intercepting Cam Newton’s pass that would have been a touchdown to Devin Funchess.
With the pass-heavy NFL offenses in 2018, any contending team needs a solid secondary and the New Orleans Saints realized that and executed. With Drew Brees’ window closing, the Saints time to win was now and trading for Eli Apple secured their secondary in hopes of bringing back a second Lombardy Trophy to the city of New Orleans.
Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys shocked the NFL by sending a first-round pick to the Oakland Raiders for Amari Cooper on October 22nd. The idea had been that teams don’t need to spend high on receivers to win games in the NFL. This trade sure sent those ideas down. The Dallas Cowboys paid a hefty price in getting a much-needed receiving threat and have reaped the rewards since acquiring the fourth year wideout.
Since being traded to the Cowboys, Amari Cooper has racked up 674 yards and six touchdowns in seven games. The Cowboys were struggling to find success in the passing game prior to the trade, having Cole Beasley and Allen Hurns being some of their top targets. Dak Prescott needed a No. 1 receiver and got just that in the Alabama product. Amari Coopers’ biggest game was against the Philadelphia Eagles in an important division-deciding game where Cooper had 10 receptions for 217 with three touchdowns in the Cowboys overtime victory.
With the addition of Amari Cooper, the Cowboys have diversified their offense. Prior to the trade, the Cowboys relied primarily on running back Ezekiel Elliot to carry the majority of the workload for the team. With Cooper, Dak Prescott has a receiving threat to make plays downfield and does not have to rely on the running game nearly as much. Without Amari Cooper the Cowboys would be giving the ball to Zeke 30 times a game and losing in the process.
Khalil Mack, Chicago Bears
The Oakland Raiders 2018 NFL season started with a blockbuster trade, sending Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears for two first-round picks, a third-rounder, and a sixth-round pick on September 1st. After trading for Mack, the Bears signed him to a record-setting six-year, $141 million dollar contract, making him the highest paid defensive player in NFL history.
The Khalil Mack trade had an immediate impact on the Bears’ defense. In his first game, Mack had a record night. The former Defensive Player of the Year had a pick six, a sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in one game. The Bears lost due to the absurd heroics of Aaron Rodgers, but Mack’s presence was the reason the Bears were in that game.
Mack has anchored the third ranked Chicago Bears defense this season. The Bears are third in points allowed per game (18.9), second in rushing yards allowed per game (83.6), and third in yards allowed per game (310.9). This is not all due to Mack, even though he has contributed 12.5 sacks. Still, the sheer presence of Mack draws the attention of opposing offensive lineman, allowing his teammates to get better one-on-one matchups to attack the offense.
There has been this stigma in the NFL that defensive players should not be paid high and the Bears thought otherwise and have been proven to be right. Khalil Mack is a nightmare for any team and is at the top of opponents scouting reports every week.
Khalil Mack has led an already dominant Bears defense to levels they could not have previously imagined. With a young quarterback in Mitchell Trubisky, and a genius offensive mind in Matt Nagy, the Chicago Bears are poised to make some noise in the 2018 NFL Playoffs.
(All stats via Pro-Football-Reference)
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