The NFL is starting to pick up steam with trades slowly coming in as teams look to either offload talent or add players for their playoff runs.
For example, the Philadelphia Eagles got their trade done with the New York Jets, picking up cornerback Michael Carter II and a Day 3 draft pick for wide receiver John Metchie III and a Day 3 pick. Carter was brought in to help a struggling secondary with unbalanced performances from Adoree'Jackson and Kelee Ringo.
One bold trade deadline prediction from Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon might end up being an absolute nightmare for the Eagles. Gagnon predicted the Jets would trade edge rusher Jermaine Johnson to the Dallas Cowboys.
"With more of an eye for Will McDonald IV among their edges on rookie deals, the Jets could decide to escape Johnson's contract before an expensive fifth-year option kicks in for 2026. Meanwhile, the Cowboys are looking to fill that void left by Micah Parsons."
Would Johnson's trade to Dallas be enough for Cowboys to catch up with Eagles?
Johnson is having a quiet season with the Jets after missing some time with an injury, but has 11 tackles and a sack on the year. While he made the Pro Bowl in 2023, he has not been as consistent on the field, but his upside would be worth the risk for the Cowboys to try to replace Parsons.
The Eagles seem to be well ahead of the NFC East for the time being, as they are in first with a 6-2 record entering their bye week. Dallas is sitting in second with a 3-4-1 record, but Philly owns the tiebreaker with them if they were to do this this year, since the Eagles beat them 24-20 in Week 1.
Would the Cowboys be competitive with Johnson? Yes. Their defense is one of the worst in the NFL, and they can use all the help they can get.
In terms of catching up in the division race, that might be too much to ask. The Washington Commanders have a much better chance of turning things around and getting back into the division than the Cowboys do because their defense has more fundamentally sound players than Dallas.
Read more: Eagles soar into bye week first in the NFC East while rest of division fumbles
Regardless, any NFC East team will have a tough time getting back into the division unless the Eagles completely fall apart. Philly's tough schedule does make it a reasonable option, but the Eagles are too good a team to let that happen, and they got their rhythm back after the 38-20 beatdown of the New York Giants in Week 8.