LOS ANGELES -- For stretches Sunday, the Green Bay Packers resembled a championship contender again, taking the previously 7-0 Los Angeles Rams to the wire in a three-hour, 19-minute advertisement for the NFL as compelling theater.
Legions of Green Bay fans turned the Los Angeles Coliseum into Lambeau West, but when the Packers awoke Monday, they resided south of seven teams in the NFC. Their 3-3-1 record brings them face-to-face with a hard question as the trade deadline looms Tuesday.
"Are they ever going to get a dynamic running back, ever?" an exec from another team said Sunday night after watching the Rams tackle Aaron Jones in the end zone for a safety that wound up being the difference in a 29-27 Packers defeat. "It is so obvious that you forget. And then their other back, [Ty] Montgomery, doesn't play as much anymore, but then he fools around on the kick return at the end of the game, and [Aaron] Rodgers never gets a chance."
Do not fret, Packers fans. We have a solution for you at the trade deadline, one that an AFC coach promised would give the Packers a big jolt for the stretch run. It's part of my annual list of NFL trades that should happen at the deadline. These are deals suggested by league execs or at least vetted by them -- deals to help a long list of teams with a chance to win it all, including the Packers, New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and more.
Green Bay acquires RB LeSean McCoy from the Buffalo Bills for SS Josh Jones and a conditional late-round selection
You're the Packers. You're leading the juggernaut Rams by a 10-0 count late in the second quarter when Los Angeles pins you at your own 1-yard line.
"They give up a safety when everyone is in the box, and they have no one to get the ball to, and the guy is not even close to getting out of the end zone," an exec said.
The Packers obviously didn't block the play well, but you get the point. Green Bay has been without a dynamic running back forever. McCoy, 30, has recently cleared the concussion protocol. A former girlfriend accused him of lining up an assault against her, though authorities have not brought charges and the league has not issued a suspension.
"McCoy would change them overnight," an AFC coach said. "They would immediately have a run game and possibly more so than if they went after Le'Veon Bell, just based on coordination with the linemen. You would go from whatever they have, which I hardly even know, to an absolute game plan consideration, a guy who catches the checkdown on the screen and is dynamic as f---."
The Packers would send Josh Jones to the Bills as part of the deal. A second-round pick in 2017, Jones played extensively last season, then missed time with an ankle injury to start this season. He made two special-teams tackles against the Rams, but hasn't factored on defense under new coordinator Mike Pettine.
The Bills, owners of the NFL's seventh-oldest roster when taking into account players on reserve lists, would get younger through this deal. If they could add a conditional pick based on, say, whether Green Bay won its division or reached a certain point in the playoffs, all the better for them.
"Jones could be a safety or dime 'backer and a nice pickup for Buffalo," an evaluator said. "He's a big, athletic kid who played a bunch last year and played pretty well but hasn't been out there on defense this year, for whatever reason."
New England Patriots acquire WR Larry Fitzgerald from the Arizona Cardinals for a conditional draft choice
Arizona trading Fitzgerald, a franchise icon? Sacrilege, right? That depends on the details. This trade would make sense if Fitzgerald decides 2018 is his final NFL season. If that were the case, he would be choosing between playing out the string with a losing team or getting one last shot at a Super Bowl ring. Why not take that chance while giving the Cardinals a draft choice to help them restock their offensive line?
The Patriots would be getting a highly reliable slot receiver with additional value as a blocker and leader. Fitzgerald, Rob Gronkowski and emerging deep threat Josh Gordon would give Tom Brady ample weaponry for the stretch run.
The compensation for Arizona could be a middle-rounds pick that upgrades if New England reaches the Super Bowl or wins it. Arizona might not want to do it, for obvious reasons. The Cardinals need as much support as they can muster for rookie quarterback Josh Rosen, and Fitzgerald's leadership is presumably quite valuable. But if Fitzgerald quietly let it be known that he would appreciate a chance to win a ring, there could be an opportunity for all parties.
Los Angeles Rams acquire DE Bruce Irvin from the Oakland Raiders for a third- or fourth-round pick
One NFL evaluator said he thought a pass-rusher and/or "electric" running back could help put Los Angeles over the top. Irvin has about $4 million in remaining 2018 salary on a deal that runs through next season. He would help fill the void created when the Rams traded Robert Quinn, a void that might not hurt them until they're trying to close out a playoff game against Drew Brees or another top quarterback.
The Rams have the ammo. They possess their own 2019 third-round pick. They're also expecting to receive two third-round compensatory picks. The Raiders have been holding out for premium picks in their trade discussions with other teams, so they might not be interested in moving Irvin for this price. If they were willing, though, the Rams have the draft capital to consider making a move that could make them even more formidable.
Minnesota Vikings acquire CB Patrick Peterson from the Arizona Cardinals for CB Trae Waynes, first- and third-round picks, with Arizona agreeing to keep Sam Bradford on its roster through Week 10
The Vikings might be a Super Bowl team even without Peterson. Might be. But they did lose at home Sunday night to a Saints team that has moved aggressively, including with the recent acquisition of cornerback Eli Apple.
"If I'm Minnesota, I ask [coach] Mike Zimmer, 'By adding Peterson, does that help us beat the Rams and, say, Green Bay and let's say Philly?'" an evaluator said. "And I think, just asking the question quickly, the answer is yes."
As Cardinals general manager Steve Keim has pointed out, teams usually don't offer vast hauls of draft choices for players (even elite ones) who are not pass-rushers or quarterbacks, which is why deals such as this one tend to remain in the hypothetical realm.
The proposed compensation for Peterson is steep, but the third-round pick carries an asterisk.
Minnesota is scheduled to receive a 2019 compensatory third-round pick for losing Bradford in free agency, but the Vikings would not receive that pick if Arizona releases Bradford before Week 10. That is because the NFL's formula for awarding comp picks for teams suffering net losses in free agency would discount Bradford's value in the equation if the Cardinals let him go.
Under this proposed trade, the Cardinals would agree to keep Bradford long enough for the Vikings to get that third-rounder, which Minnesota would then send to Arizona. The Cardinals would also get a 26-year-old corner (Waynes) entering a prove-it year in 2019.
It would be a painful separation for the Cardinals because Peterson is in the prime years of what could become a Hall of Fame career. And with Rosen already on the roster, it's not as though Arizona would be using the influx of draft capital to maneuver for a quarterback. The deal could still make sense, however, if the Cardinals used the picks to build a first-rate offensive line and/or add some needed firepower to the offensive skill positions.
Los Angeles Chargers acquire OT Joe Staley from the San Francisco 49ers for a 2019 third-round pick
The Chargers could use a stabilizing force at right tackle, the position Staley played early in his career, when San Francisco had Jonas Jennings on the left side. The 49ers would move ahead with 2018 first-round pick Mike McGlinchey at left tackle, the position he was probably going to play whenever Staley retired.
Staley, 34, has spent his entire career with the 49ers, reaching one Super Bowl and contending for others. He probably won't get back to the big stage with San Francisco before his contract expires after the 2019 season, but he could get one final shot by teaming up with Philip Rivers and the Chargers.
"I think that would be a great fit with the Chargers," an evaluator said. "The question for San Francisco is, what is the answer for your offensive line moving forward? You could slide McGlinchey over and see if he is the answer at left tackle. If not, you get one in the draft next year and go from there."
New England Patriots acquire DL/LB Haason Reddick from the Arizona Cardinals for C/G Brian Schwenke and a 2019 second-round draft choice
I realize at this point in the column that I've dismantled much of the Cardinals' roster. Just to be clear, I'm not proposing Arizona make all of these moves. I'm suggesting each deal separately as worth thinking through under difficult circumstances for Arizona.
When the Cardinals selected Reddick with the No. 13 pick in 2017, he looked like a good fit for the defense Arizona was running under then-coordinator James Bettcher. The fit is not as obvious for the Cardinals now that head coach Steve Wilks has installed a different defense. Reddick played only 26 snaps the first four games. His playing time has spiked since then, but it remains to be seen whether the Cardinals can maximize his value.
"I always felt he was a sub rusher and Sam 'backer, which is more of a fit for someone like New England," an evaluator said. "He is the type of guy you could move all over the place to rush, then peel off the edge and cover the back in the flat. I would give up a first-rounder for him, and really, it would be pretty surprising if Arizona gave up on him this early."
Arizona would get a versatile interior offensive lineman in Schwenke, who would help fill the void created when veteran center A.Q. Shipley landed on injured reserve. The Cardinals also would add a relatively high draft choice. To do the deal, they would have to know with some certainty that their current scheme isn't a good fit for Reddick.
Indianapolis Colts acquire WR DeVante Parker from the Miami Dolphins for a 2019 fourth-round pick
The 49ers' Pierre Garcon was the other receiver evaluators suggested for Indy if the Colts decide to make a run at the AFC South title during the second year of a rebuild under general manager Chris Ballard. With T.Y. Hilton already on the roster, the Colts would not need Parker or Garcon to serve in the No. 1 role.
Parker, 25, was the 14th pick in the 2015 draft. He's signed through 2019 on a fifth-year option worth $9.4 million. The Colts possess their own fourth-round choice in 2019 and are expected to receive a fourth-round comp pick. With promising 2018 sixth-round receiver Deon Cain returning from ACL surgery, Indy could suddenly have ample young talent at the position. The Colts would have options.
The Dolphins have greater need for Parker this season now that they've had injuries at receiver, but every indication suggests the team does not value Parker enough to extend his contract. Parker did not play in four of the Dolphins' first five games. He caught six passes for 134 yards against Houston on Thursday.
Garcon, 32, would be "the veteran guy who is always in the right spot" for Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, as one evaluator put it. He would return to the team with which his career began and possibly help the Colts contend for a playoff spot. The price for Garcon would be lower, possibly a sixth-round pick.
Tennessee Titans acquire SS Karl Joseph from the Oakland Raiders for a sixth-round pick
Tennessee expects to get starter Kenny Vaccaro back from a dislocated elbow. Joseph, the 14th pick in the 2016 draft, would give the Titans another option if the price were right.
Injuries have slowed Joseph beginning in training camp (groin) and early in the season (lower leg). He played 11 snaps the first three games, then did not play until Oakland's game Sunday against Indianapolis. Is he in the Raiders' plans?
Philadelphia Eagles acquire DL A'Shawn Robinson from the Detroit Lions for a fourth-round pick
The Eagles' defensive line rotation took a big hit when Derek Barnett suffered a season-ending injury. Robinson, a second-round pick in 2016, could help fill some of the void even though he's a defensive tackle, not an end.
"Robinson could be a great fit in a Timmy Jernigan-type move for Philly," an evaluator said. "Detroit just gave up a fifth for [Damon] 'Snacks' Harrison. If you're Philly, tell the Lions they can get a better pick back and see if [GM Bob] Quinn takes it."
Robinson played a season-high 42 snaps against Seattle on Sunday, but before that, he was averaging 24 snaps per game. That was down from 44 last season, when the Lions had a different coaching staff.
Jacksonville Jaguars acquire QB Tyrod Taylor from the Cleveland Browns for a fifth-round pick
Blake Bortles was better against the Eagles on Sunday, but it's clear that the Jaguars need an alternative at the position. Taylor would give them a choice.
The Browns have committed to Baker Mayfield. They would still have Drew Stanton as a backup. Why not get a 2019 pick for Taylor while there's still an opportunity to do so?
"Cleveland should try to get a fourth, and Jacksonville should offer a sixth," an evaluator said. "A fifth could be the compromise."
Of course, the things Bortles needs to win -- great defense, strong running game -- are things Taylor could use, as well, which is one reason Jacksonville might stand pat.