NFL

Jets receive: WR Davante Adams

Raiders receive: 2025 conditional third-round pick

This trade for the Jets comes off as desperate, but it needed to be made for New York to have a realistic chance at making the playoffs. Adams — and Aaron Rodgers — aren’t quite the talents they were during their later years with the Packers, but Adams, in particular, is still a force to be reckoned with for defensive backs, as evidenced by his 209 receiving yards in three games this season. The 31-year-old will slot in immediately as New York’s top wideout, joining Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard in the starting lineup.

The conditional third-round selection traded by New York can become a second rounder if Adams meets certain performance-based barometers. That feels unlikely, given the details of the deal.

The 2-4 Raiders had no reason to hang onto Adams, so why not move him? Even better, the Jets will pay the balance of the wide receiver’s remaining contract, so Las Vegas frees itself of the financial burden and gains draft compensation. That sounds like a win-win to me.

This trade isn’t all good for the Raiders, however. Las Vegas’ passing game will suffer — significantly. Forget the dismal quarterback situation anchored down by Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew; the Raiders barely have anything to speak of at wide receiver. Jakobi Meyers is a decent veteran, but outside of him, it’s a motley crew. Tre Tucker and DJ Turner have the most to gain from Adams being shipped out.

Jets’ Grade: B

Raiders’ Grade: B

Bills receive: WR Amari Cooper and 2025 sixth-round pick

Browns receive: 2025 third-round pick and 2026 seventh-round pick

Another wide-receiver trade! Cooper has to be thrilled, going from the inept Browns offense to the potential-filled Bills attack. With some juice left in the tank, the 30-year-old will have every opportunity to excel in Buffalo with Josh Allen.

The Bills will obviously benefit from this acquisition, too. Buffalo sports a somewhat deep, but below-average wideout core led by the middling Khalil Shakir and rookie Keon Coleman. Now, Cooper can take over as the lead dog, giving the Bills a third threatening playmaker around Allen, joining James Cook and Dalton Kincaid.

The price of a third-round selection is hefty, especially because Cooper is an impending free agent, but Buffalo will be better off in January — and possibly February — because of it. It’s arguable that the 4-2 Bills were one player away; Cooper might be that player.

It’s amazing how fast a season can go down the drain, isn’t it? The Browns, after finishing 11-6 in 2023 and making the playoffs, had high hopes for this year. Six Deshaun Watson starts later, those hopes have been vanquished.

Cleveland still has some talent, though, and receiving a third rounder for the aging Cooper is a nice boon for Andrew Berry & Co. A complete teardown isn’t necessary for the Browns, who are just a quarterback away from competence. Receiving improved play from Watson — or moving on from the embattled passer — will be easier said than done, however.

With Cooper off to Buffalo, Jerry Jeudy becomes the unquestioned alpha at wide receiver for the Browns. Next to Jeudy, though, who will emerge? Elijah Moore? Cedric Tillman? Jamari Thrash?! Good luck, Deshaun Watson (not really).

Bills’ Grade: B

Browns’ Grade: B

NCAAB

Hawaii to leave the Big West and join the Mountain West in 2026

The Rainbow Warriors are already a football-only member of the Mountain West, so this transition will grant the program full membership to the league. Hawaii isn’t even the best basketball program in the Big West currently (UC Irvine), so it’ll be challenging for the Rainbow Warriors to compete in vaunted Mountain West.