The NFL's trade deadline is the ultimate tease. We allow ourselves to listen to scuttlebutt among general managers and we peruse the salary structures of the NFL's many lesser teams and we hope that there might be some flicker of activity when the deadline finally hits ... and then it's nothing. Year after year.
Moving the deadline back, finally, by a few weeks has spurred some increased chatter among NFL decision makers, though the extreme parity this season has resulted in less deadline buzz than I can recall in quite some time. Too many bad football teams will stay in the playoff race until at least Thanksgiving, which is why the Nov. 1 deadline is still too soon. Two good weekends and you can go from last place in some divisions to damn-near first.
Three general managers told me this week they think Week 10 would be better suited to seeing significant trades happen at the deadline, and I must admit I am skeptical anything of impact happens by next Tuesday.
At this point, a sampling of executives pointed to three teams seen as definite sellers: San Francisco, Chicago and Cleveland. All would like to dump salary, are years from competing and have pricey veterans who could be had (in some cases rather easily). And while the Jaguars are still fighting for their lives -- and coach Gus Bradley is fighting for his job -- execs believe they could deal a veteran as well. However, the Jags are not perceived to be open for business on the trade front the way the 49ers, Bears and Browns are.
Could another team or two enter the fray should they fall apart in Week 8? Maybe, but it's far from certain. As for the buyers -- the Seahawks, Cardinals, Broncos, Eagles, Patriots all have the proactive front-office mentality that could see them be active, while rival execs have pointed to the Raiders, Giants and Steelers as teams that could make a calculated foray into the market.
So here is a look at some players who are already the subject of trade chatter among teams, and some who could join that group based on Week 8 outcomes.
Chicago Bears
WR Alshon Jeffery and OLB Willie Young: Jeffery hasn't been that great, has a deep injury history, would be owed $7 million-plus for only half a season and is a pending free agent. That's a lot to overcome ... but if he were willing to enter into a reasonable extension (nothing in the $14.6M range he's making on the franchise tag this season) and the Bears maybe assumed a little salary and were realistic about what they could get for him (third-round pick) it's not impossible.
Never underestimate Eagles GM Howie Roseman's willingness to go big. The Eagles are very interested in finding a legit outside deep threat for rookie QB Carson Wentz. But overall, there is a lot working against a Jeffery deal.
As for Young, he was on the block a year ago and with a shortage of pass rushing options out there, the Bears might find more value than they think for him. The Steelers badly need edge help.
Cleveland Browns
LT Joe Thomas, CB Joe Haden, CB Tramon Williams: It's ludicrous Thomas was not previously traded during their computer-driven roster teardown/desperate pursuit of draft picks. It would be backwards, even by Browns standards, not to deal him for a second-round pick that could potentially move higher if the team that acquires him reaches the Super Bowl (as one GM suggested as fair value in a deal).
Thomas will be long retired before the Browns are decent, they have already gotten six quarterbacks maimed this season even with Thomas there, and they have the worst roster in football. Teams like Seattle and Arizona have balked to this point, and the Panthers seem content to just take the money they saved on cutting Josh Norman and stuff it into their pockets. The Giants, after going all-in on free agency, should make this move (though it runs counter to their old-school, traditional DNA). This guy can still play and it's a reasonable contract.
Haden's deal is bloated and given his slip in play and glut of injuries, I don't see anyone taking his deal off the Browns' hands (though they'd listen). Williams is a more modest alternative for a corner-needy team and the Browns could save a few million if they dumped him.
Jacksonville Jaguars
TE Marcedes Lewis: They have been willing to move a tight end since the summer and could save $2M if they find a contender who felt like Lewis was an upgrade. There are a ton of tight-end needy teams.
San Francisco 49ers
LT Joe Staley and WR Torrey Smith: The idea that they want a first-round pick for Staley is farcical. They'd be lucky to get a third and they have to know that. Given their issues drawing fans and their bleak future, saving a few million and parting with a loyal guy who deserves better and will be retired by the time (or if) the 49ers turn it around is intriguing to ownership.
The Seahawks, Broncos, Cardinals, Giants and Panthers are but a few teams badly in need of an upgrade at tackle. Would the 49ers have the cojones to deal Staley within the division? And could Roseman and Chip Kelly/Trent Baalke put aside some of their issues and consummate such a deal? Regardless, the 49ers are wasting Smith in their offense and paying him a lot of money in the process.
Other possible sellers
I don't think there is a GM out there who would look at the contracts of Jets corner Darrelle Revis and Saints safety Jairus Byrd and not run to the hills, but if some contender thought they could make a difference and some owner was willing to inherit that much salary this late in the season, well, those teams would be crazy not to listen intently.
