Week 9 - ACL Power Rankings: Trade Deadline Preview 

ACL Power Rankings: Trade Deadline Preview

With over half the season complete, we’ve seen big moves across the league. Maryland has stood tall but it has challengers in South Dakota and Virginia right at their heels. Each week brings its own uniqueness as there have been crazy upsets already.  Parity reigns as 8 teams are within a game of .500.

The trade deadline is fast approaching; it’s time to take a look at one move each team should make. There are 10 teams that’s still have a realistic shot at making the playoffs. Now is the time to begin making moves to solidify those odds.

1. Maryland: 7-1 (1)

Trade a ‘24 2nd and ‘25 2nd to Ohio for Tyler Lockett 

Maryland’s starting lineup doesn’t needs any upgrades. However the WR room is shallow. Adding some depth is necessary for the stretch run. Maryland’s window is wide open for contention. Time to say f them picks. 

For Ohio this is a great chance to acquire future draft capital and opens up space for Flowers to make his way into the starting lineup.

2. South Dakota: 5-3 (6)

Trade Najee Harris to Vermont for Rashaad White

South Dakota has the deepest lineup top to bottom in the league and has by far the most points for. A cap crunch is looming in their future. This move is a slight downgrade in depth but clears up valuable cap space.

For Vermont this gives higher long term upside only at the limited expense of some cap space

3. Virginia: 6-2 (2)

Trade to Josh Jacobs, Javontae Williams, a 24 1st, and 25 1st to Minnesota for Christian McCaffery

To beat the best you have to be the best. One win over Maryland shows they aren’t invincible. A move like this would show that  there truly is a new favorite in the ACL.

For Minnesota, they may take a step backwards but in the long run this deal sets them up for more success.

4. Arizona: 5-3 (3)

Trade a ‘24 2nd and Ernest Jones to South Dakota for TJ Watt

Arizona has not devoted much for resources to the IDP spot. That may need to change if they want a deep playoff run. This move adds needed upside to the IDP position.

For South Dakota this adds valuable draft capital to the roster.

5. Minnesota: 4-4 (8)

Trade a ‘24 1st and ‘24 1st to Vermont for Tee Higgins.

Minnesota is a prime spot to make a run in the postseason much like they did last year. Improving at WR is a must. This is a move that can be looked at as a cornerstone to a championship.

For Vermont, this is a great way to add more pieces to the rebuild with London and JSN already anchoring the WRs.

6. Washington: 4-4 (5)

Trade Dameon Pierce and Jerome Baker to Hawaii for Darren Waller and Zaire Franklin

Washington’s biggest hole is the TE position and there few alternatives. making a move for a banged up  is a move made with the playoffs in mind.

For Hawaii, Kittle is locked in as the starter so it makes sense to move Waller for some value before he becomes a free agent.

7. California: 4-4 (4)

Trade Daniel Jones and 2 ‘24 1sts to Iowa for Tua Tagovailoa

California has a well balanced lineup except for QB. In a league dominated by QBs, this move is more of a need than a want. With a treasure trove of trade assets, they have a prime opportunity go big game hunting at QB.

For Iowa this offer is enough to let up on this season as it sets them up for greater long term success.

8. Iowa: 4-4 (7)

Trade a ‘24 1st to Arizona for Mike Evans and Cole Kmet

With only 5 weeks left and two h2h matchups with Minnesota coming up anything can happen. Iowa is in a great spot  to push for their first playoff birth. This trade  adds a couple top performers their weakest spots in the lineup

For Arizona this trade moves some of their depth for future assets, but all comes down to where they want their asset allocation to be. 

9. Hawaii: 3-5 (10)

Trade Christian Kirk and CJ Mosley to Washington for Brandon Aiyuk.

At the Great Ohio Fire Sale of 2022, Hawaii was the one who got burned as they gave up a 1st and missed the playoffs. However that shouldn’t make them gun shy on trading this year. Not out of the playoff race, this deal positions them better for the present without compromising the future.

For Washington this move improves the IDP position while not taking too big a hit at WR.

10. Ohio: 4-4 (8)

Trade a ‘24 1st, and ‘25 first to Arizona for Gibbs and a ‘25 1st.

A team that looked destined for the top of the lottery pulled off B2B upsets and now is chasing the playoff dream. The biggest hole in the lineup is at the RB position. It’s time to make a splash. Gibbs fits well long term too.

For Arizona, this move allows them to free up cap space from the RB position.

11. Vermont: 2-6 (11)

Trade DeAndre Hopkins to Minnesota 

 for a ‘24 2nd.

Week 8 showed us the true upside of this Vermont team. One of the brightest WR rooms in the league. Moving Hopkins allows them to move from an immediate asset on an expiring deal to a future asset that better matches their timeline. 

For Minnesota this gives needed depth at WR at an inexpensive cost.

12. Wisconsin: 0-8 (12)

Trade Dak Prescott to Ohio for Treylon Burks and Johan Dotson.

It’s time to look to the future as they look at a long road to reaching contention. Dak is their best trade asset. This move gives them some lottery tickets at position where they are lacking long term upside.

For Ohio this trade presents an opportunity to get a safe QB to keep them in contention this season and as a backup in the long run.