NFL trade grades: Breaking down Leonard Williams deal and others through 2023 deadline

Even amid the rampant speculation, the NFL trade deadline always has a way of surprising almost everyone.

This year's window to complete deals closes at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, and moves thus far have paled in comparison to those of last year, when a slew of key starters and marquee names were sent packing in the stretch leading up to the deadline. But with Leonard Williams being moved to the Seattle Seahawks and Kevin Byard being dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles, some notable figures are changing places. And there's still time for more swaps to be completed.

Here are our grades for each deal completed thus far:

Giants trade DE Leonard Williams to Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks receive: DE Leonard Williams

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New York Giants receive: 2024 second-round pick, 2025 fifth-round pick

Giants grade: A-

Good on Joe Schoen for facing the reality of his 2-6 team. While New York is set to pay the remaining bulk of the approximately $10 million Williams is owed, the franchise was able to recoup more than it paid out to the New York Jets in 2019 (third- and fifth-round picks) to acquire Williams. Re-signing a costly defensive linemen who will be 30 next season wouldn't make much sense for an organization that needs to figure out a timeline for returning to a competitive level, so loading up on assets here seems like a smart play. Dexter Lawrence is the rightful centerpiece of the defense, and it's now on Schoen to target some cost-controlled young players to put around him.

Seahawks grade: B

It's certainly hard to fault Pete Carroll and John Schneider for riding high after taking the NFC West lead on Sunday at 5-2. But given the cost, is this really a move that pushes them substantially closer to the Eagles, 49ers and Cowboys? Both before and after the trade, Seattle sizes up as a solid potential playoff entrant, but one likely a bit behind the NFC's top tier in its quest to advance beyond the divisional round for the first time since 2014. A new scheme could help Williams approach the form he had from 2020-21 under Patrick Graham, as the veteran essentially pointed out to The New York Post that he could be put in better position to make more plays. But at this point in his career, Williams seems more likely to reinforce the pass rush and run defense rather than transform the defense on either front. His true value, however, might be in the flexibility he affords a defensive line that already features Dre'Mont Jones and Jarran Reed.

Titans trade S Kevin Byard to Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles receive: S Kevin Byard

Tennessee Titans receive: 2024 fourth-round pick, 2024 fifth-round pick, S Terrell Edmunds.

Eagles grade: A

Not to be all "Howie Roseman did it again," but ... Howie Roseman did it again. The ever-tinkering Eagles executive vice president and general manager scoured the market for ways to improve a team that boasted the NFL's best record after seven weeks, and he turned up a low-cost, highly reliable solution at a position of need. Mounting injuries proved sufficient incentive to upgrade the secondary, and Byard should patch up a key potential weakness for a good-but-not-great defense. Most of all, the price point seems just right for Philadelphia, which can plug in a formidable starter for a contender yet for a modest draft package and limited financial commitment.

Titans grade: B

Maybe it wasn't the return you'd expect for a two-time All-Pro. Still, kudos to first-year general manager Ran Carthon for getting a rebuild rolling, even if this past offseason was somewhat of a half measure on that front. By moving Byard, Tennessee gets draft compensation for a 30-year-old who was under contract through 2024 but a strong cut candidate for this spring given the direction of the franchise. Edmunds feels like a throw-in, but he gives Carthon a young player (26) to take a look at.

Jets trade WR Mecole Hardman to Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs receive: WR Mecole Hardman, 2025 seventh-round pick

New York Jets receive: 2025 sixth-round pick

Chiefs grade: B

Hardman is hardly a panacea for a pass-catching crew that has become overly reliant on Travis Kelce, but there were severely limited options on the open market for a team with limited room to maneuver. Hardman already has a rapport with Patrick Mahomes and can help flip fields as a returner. For the cost, this was a fine addition.

Jets grade: C+

Sometimes things don't work out. It's fine. Hardman joined the Jets on a one-year deal to help solidify a Super Bowl push under Aaron Rodgers, and that went sideways after one game. He took a backseat to both Randall Cobb and undrafted rookie Xavier Gipson, playing on just 28 offensive snaps in five games. There are probably bigger issues with how Gang Green built its receiving corps beyond Garrett Wilson, but given his role, cutting bait makes sense.

Rams trade WR Van Jefferson to Falcons

Atlanta Falcons receive: WR Van Jefferson, 2025 seventh-round pick

Los Angeles Rams receive: 2026 sixth-round pick

Falcons grade: B-

Good luck trying to square any of Arthur Smith's plans for his top skill-position players. It surely doesn't hurt to add another target for a flagging aerial attack, but it's difficult to envision a fourth-year receiver, who has yet to establish himself as a consistent threat, breaking through and forming any kind of consistent connection with Desmond Ridder (or Taylor Heinicke). Don't expect him to approach the career numbers he posted just two seasons ago during the Rams' Super Bowl campaign, when he notched 50 catches for 802 yards and six touchdowns. Yet, given the uninspiring alternatives to adding depth behind Drake London and Mack Hollins, as well as the modest price of a late-round pick swap, there's at least some upside here.

Rams grade: C+

It's easier to embrace the "(expletive) them picks" mentality when the Day 2 and 3 selections are regularly panning out. Jefferson, a second-round choice in 2020, was obviously a key part of a title team, so don't feel too bad for Los Angeles. But the overall contributions are still somewhat disappointing for a player who once figured to be a steady No. 2 option next to Cooper Kupp. Now, that role solidly belongs to fifth-round rookie sensation Puka Nacua, with third-year receiver Tutu Atwell also helping to make Jefferson superfluous.

Broncos trade OLB/DE Randy Gregory to 49ers

San Francisco 49ers receive: OLB/DE Randy Gregory, 2024 seventh-round pick

Denver Broncos receive: 2024 sixth-round pick

49ers grade: B+

When you have one of the league's most well-rounded rosters and a defensive line coach – Kris Kocurek – renowned for developing pass rushers, taking on reclamation projects is no big thing. If San Francisco can help revive the career of Gregory, it will be a significant win. Gregory, 30, has long shown promising flashes of his pass-rushing prowess, but it might be a stretch for him to rediscover a spark at this point in his career. Any additional juice off the edge for a pass rush that has fallen off, however, would be meaningful, especially down the stretch. There's also the matter of maintaining team chemistry after adding a player who was suspended for one game last year for throwing a punch at an opponent. San Francisco has to hope a change of scenery – and departure from the league's worst defense – will do Gregory some good. But another move might be needed to get this defense back into shape.

Broncos grade: C-

Denver put the word out that Gregory was going to be cut, so moving him represents the most minor of victories. Still, the Broncos' marquee free-agent signing of the 2022 offseason didn't last two years, and moving on from him became a near necessity to send the right message. Giving more reps to promising second-year pass rusher Nik Bonitto was unquestionably the right move for a defense that needs to identify any viable starters for the future.