American Football

Trade fallout: What do Skyy Moore, Devaughn Vele, Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs offer their new teams?

DAZN

21, Aug 25

Trade fallout: What do Skyy Moore, Devaughn Vele, Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs offer their new teams?

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The last week of the NFL preseason and the looming cutdown deadline have a history of fuelling trade talk, and the flurry of activity this week signals that the trend is continuing.

Four trades went down late on Wednesday, as teams looked to put the final touches on their rosters, with the regular season just weeks away.

Let's break down what the latest additions mean for their new teams.

Skyy Moore to the San Francisco 49ers

Moore, 24, was a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, but struggled to find his footing amid the Kansas City Chiefs' ever-changing rotation of wide receiver talent.

In three years, he played 36 games, tallied 43 receptions for 494 yards, and caught one touchdown.

While his regular-season production wasn't impressive, he etched his name in NFL history after catching a touchdown from Patrick Mahomes to help the Chiefs win Super Bowl LVII.

Moore's impact would be limited on most teams, but the 49ers are in dire need of help at wide receiver owing to a multitude of problems.

Their top wideout, Brandon Aiyuk, is expected to miss at least the first six weeks of the season while recovering from a knee injury.
Last year’s leading receiver, Jauan Jennings, is battling a calf issue and wants a new deal or a trade.
Demarcus Robinson is slated to serve a three-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
Jacob Cowing is dealing with a hamstring injury
Jordan Watkins has a high-ankle sprain.

Opportunities for career revivals don't get any better than this.

Devaughn Vele to the New Orleans Saints

Vele, a wideout from Utah, joined the Broncos as a seventh-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft at age 26. Despite missing four games, he finished second among all Broncos' wide receivers in receptions with 39, and third with 475 yards.

At 6'5 and 210 pounds, Vele offers what the Saints lacked - a big slot receiver who excels in critical moments. On third down, 11 of his 12 receptions moved the chains last year.

Now 27, Vele will compete for playing time behind projected starters Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. Olave, Shaheed, Brandin Cooks, and Vele appear to be the only locks to make the 53-man roster at wide receiver.

The bigger question is - who will be throwing Vele and Co. the ball?

Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs to the New York Jets

After losing Javon Kinlaw and Solomon Thomas in free agency, the Jets were expected to address the defensive tackle position in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Instead, they waited until August to reinforce the position, perhaps forced to do so after Byron Cowart suffered an ankle injury.

Since entering the league in 2018, Phillips, 29, has been a solid contributor and defensive leader for the Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings.

Known more for his ability as a run stuffer than getting after the quarterback, his presence may allow the supremely talented Quinnen Williams to roam more freely as a disruptive penetrator on the interior.

Briggs, a multi-year starter for the Cincinnati Bearcats before becoming a seventh-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, offers the Jets depth at the position.