XI: Tight Ends & Tighter Ends

This year's deadline was a muted affair, with a pair of one for one deals going down, with three of the four players exchanged lining up at the destitute tight end position- and the other guy was a tight end last year! Because of the mis-numeration on the trades to date, we end up with an even dozen deals on the season, the smallest number in a decade. Of the twelve deals, an astounding eleven of them end up involving either Pawnee or Phoenix, the league's premier movers and shakers.

TRADE 11 NOV 8
BINGHAMTON ACQUIRES RB JAYLEN SAMUELS
PAWNEE ACQUIRES TE CHRIS HERNDON

Jaylen Samuels is a handcuff- but one that's currently and admirably filling in as bell cow. He'll start right away, and will continue to be in consideration with Damien Williams in support of premier back Chris Carson. RB rich Pawnee spins off a player that was unlikely to ever see the field for them for Chris Herndon to supplement a hobble George Kittle and if he approaches some of the off-season hype, profile as a flex option. Following a suspension, Herndon was injured- but he will debut this week and could end up a difference maker in the back nine this year.

TRADE 12 NOV 9
HCM CITY ACQUIRES TE GREG OLSEN
PHOENIX ACQUIRES TE OJ HOWARD

Our final deal of the season saw Greg Olsen, already moved from New York to Phoenix earlier this season, shifting to the Lead Farmers. After a couple of big scores in the early season, G-Reg is much more floor than ceiling, but is likely to see some more red zone looks in the late season. Meanwhile, after a breakthrough in 2018, OJ Howard's production has regressed dramatically this year- disappointing in HCM City, but getting new life in Phoenix. Along with Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki, the team may have to continue to rely on jumbo sets with AJ Green's return downgrade to uncertain.