Breaking news Trade Rumors: Slayton, Lattimore, and the Broncos

 

Trade Rumors: Slayton, Lattimore, and the Broncos

Rumblings about the Steelers pursuing Courtland Sutton and Darius Slayton began days before the deadline. While no real traction has emerged surrounding Sutton — one of the NFL’s 2020 trade rumor pillars — Slayton remains in play for a relocation. The Giants wide receiver was mentioned during a Steelers push that ended with the arrival of Mike Williams, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, who stated that Pittsburgh “took a hard look” at the sixth-year New York pass catcher. Slayton has demonstrated his abilities as a deep threat in the Big Apple, assisting the Giants after a few previous WR designs went wrong. We are at crunch time for Big Blue about a trade of either Slayton or Azeez Ojulari, with the deadline approaching in less than two hours. Slayton is finishing up a two-year, $12MM deal but is attached to barely $1MM in remaining salary. The Giants keeping Slayton would open the door to a potential compensatory reward if he leaves as a 2025 free agent.

The Ravens also explored a trade for Marshon Lattimore, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. The Chiefs and Chargers joined the Commanders in being in on the Pro Bowl cornerback, but a three-pick package sent him to Washington. Baltimore has Marlon Humphrey and used a first-round pick on Nate Wiggins. Pro Football Focus, however, has graded boundary starter Brandon Stephens 95th overall at the position this season. Lattimore, his injury trouble notwithstanding, would have been an upgrade on Stephens in a Humphrey-fronted position group. Both Lattimore and Humphrey entered the NFL as 2017 first-round picks.

Although the Broncos are likely to see another deadline pass without dealing Sutton, some around the league are wondering about Javonte Williams‘ status. The fourth-year back has not quite looked the same since his ACL and LCL tears in 2022, though he has produced at points for this year’s 5-4 team. Still, execs are wondering about Williams’ trade availability, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano, due to rumors Denver is planning to give rookie Audric Estime a bigger workload. Estime, however, has fumbled twice — despite logging only 15 carries. Williams has also lost two fumbles, and given his form since the injury and Estime being signed through 2027, teams may be touching base with the Broncos about their contract-year RB.

Rodney McLeod does not want to be part of a Browns exodus. Announcing before the season he intends to retire, McLeod said (via cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot) he does not want to be moved off the 2-7 team’s roster. “I’m riding with this team,” McLeod said. “I’m in the boat. I’m not looking to escape.” The Browns have traded Amari Cooper and Za’Darius Smith and cut Quinton Jefferson. They may well be done for the day, however, with Fowler adding talks about other players have not produced a deal.