2016 NFL Trade Deadline: Latest on 49ers, Browns, Bears targets
Joe Thomas and Joe Staley are among players being discussed by playoff-hopeful teams
There is the potential for blockbuster trades involving Pro Bowl tackles Joe Staley and Joe Thomas prior to Tuesday's trade deadline, with both seen as available commodities by other teams, though a consensus among general managers was this will likely be a slow deadline like most others.
There are numerous contenders who could use an upgrade at tackle -- Seattle, Arizona, Denver, the New York Giants among them -- and many of those teams have had internal conversations evaluating Thomas and Staley and determining what they would be willing to give up via trade. At this point teams believe the Browns (Thomas) and 49ers (Staley) are seeking greater compensation than the market will bear, though those price tags could drop by Tuesday.
San Francisco is also drawing interest in receiver Torrey Smith, sources said, while rival executives say the Browns would be willing to move several high-priced veterans. There is an outside possibility the Bears could find a willing trade partner for star receiver Alshon Jeffery as well, a pending free agent playing on a $14 million franchise tag.
Tampa and Philadelphia are among the teams to have at least explored the receiver market. Historically, however, very few trades, and almost none of much consequence, are consummated at the deadline, with so few teams truly out of contention and inherent difficulties in players at skill positions picking up new systems and terminologies midseason.
















