NFL
Four Players That Could Be Packing Up Their Locker Before The October 30th Trade Deadline
As the trade deadline quickly approaches teams will be looking to acquire players to help them make a playoff push. With the deadline just days away on October 30th there have already been four blockbuster trades.
The Dallas Cowboys acquired wide receiver Amari Cooper from the Oakland Raiders for a first-round pick. It remains to be seen if he will live up to that price. The Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns were able to pull off a shocking trade in which Carlos Hyde became a Jaguar.
Another trade was made on Tuesday as the New York Giants sent troubled cornerback Eli Apple to the New Orleans Saints for draft picks. The Giants also sent Pro Bowl defensive tackle Damon “Snacks” Harrison to the Lions for a fifth-round pick.
However, with several teams around the league still looking to fill positions and several players on the trading block, there are likely a few more trades to be seen. Below are some potential trade candidates and teams that are or should be interested.
CB Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals
Peterson has put the Cardinals in an interesting situation. Peterson reportedly requested a trade out of Arizona and listed the Saints as his preferred destination. The corner has shown that he can be a top five player at his position and has been an All-Pro three different times. While it will be hard to pry such a high-quality player from a team, it should be doable.
The Cardinals are transitioning into a rebuild and should jettison everyone but David Johnson who doesn’t fit their timeline. If a team can come knocking with a high draft pick or two, the Cardinals should at least considering moving on from Peterson. Peterson did publicly say that he doesn’t want a trade to happen, but this may just be to quell speculation from the media.
Teams Interested: Philadelphia Eagles And Kansas City Chiefs
The Eagles are a likely destination as they seem to be in win-now mode. Howie Roseman has also never been shy about trading draft picks for a veteran player (Jay Ajayi last year). The Eagles have been in connection with just about any player that comes onto the trade block. Their defense has shown some cracks this year and plays from corner Ronald Darby, and Jalen Mills has not been up to par.
A trade for a player of Peterson’s caliber would automatically give them a shutdown corner and vault their defense back into the upper echelon in the league. They should be willing to offer at least a second-round pick if not more to get the deal done.
The Chiefs are in desperate need of defensive help anywhere they can get it. Peterson would be a massive upgrade over any player in their secondary. With Eric Berry coming back and the addition of Peterson this suddenly would be a defense that would strike fear into opposing offenses.
The Chiefs’ offense is arguably the best in the league, and their defense is one of the worst in the league. If they can add one or two pieces to that secondary, you would be looking at a team primed for a Super Bowl run.
WR Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos
Thomas has been disappointing this year, to say the least. He is currently the number two receiver in a mediocre offense. Case Keenum can’t seem to find a rhythm or place in this offense. Rookie wide receiver Courtland Sutton has shown flashes of being a great receiver. These are all of the ingredients for a trade, but the team continues to say they aren’t shopping him.
While they may not actively be shopping him, teams have most likely still been calling to see what it will take to get a deal done. If the Broncos truly believe Sutton is there future at the receiver position it may be a good time to trade the aging and expensive veteran in return for some draft capital this year.
Teams Interested: Philadelphia Eagles And New York Jets
The Eagles are again a major player in a trade for Thomas. There were rumors they were in on the Amari Cooper sweepstakes, but the Cowboys ultimately won that. Thomas is the next best player on the market, and they should be willing to make this move as they do not have a reliable option opposite Alshon Jeffery. If they were able to pull off a move for a player like Thomas, it would signal them being all in on another Super Bowl run.
Nelson Agholor has not shown that he can be a consistent number two throughout his career. Zach Ertz and Jeffery can’t be relied on to carry the offense consistently. If they want their offense to return to what it was last year giving up a mid-round pick may not be that high of a price.
The Jets should also be players for Thomas. They are currently relying on a combination of Robby Anderson and Jermaine Kearse. They’ve been hit hard by injuries as Terrelle Pryor, and Quincy Enunwa both have been victims. The former becoming a free agent this week.
With all of this taken into account, they make a serious case to trade for Thomas. He would give rookie Sam Darnold a solid veteran presence to help continue his development. The Jets should give up no more than a third-rounder but should be contacting the Broncos to gauge interest.
WR DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins
Parker is a former first-round pick who has never lived up to that billing. The Dolphins with their suddenly deep receiving corp are looking into trading him. Many teams should come calling for the talented receiver.
While he has never lived up to his potential, a team that he willing to give him a fresh start could be very beneficial. Parker’s agent accused head coach Adam Gase of keeping Parker inactive even though he could help the team out. This is not a good recipe for a successful season.
If the Dolphins can get a third-round pick for him they would be wise to move him as they aren’t going anywhere this season. Gase has also looked to move anyone who has been critical of his team (Jay Ajayi and Jarvis Landry).
Teams Interested: San Fransisco 49ers And Cleveland Browns
The 49ers should be first in line to pick up the former first-round receiver. They only have journeyman Pierre Garçon and speedster Marquise Goodwin. Parker merges as the best out of both of them. He possesses decent speed with more size than Garçon or Goodwin. He would be an ideal number one receiver in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
Parker also carries little risk as he is in the final years of his deal so if he doesn’t pan out the team will not be on the hook for a large salary. The Browns are another team that should look to trade for Parker.
The Browns who began the season with what many thought were one of the best receiving corps in the league with Jarvis Landry, Josh Gordon, and Antonio Callaway now looks like it’s towards the bottom again.
Jarvis Landry is once-again proving that he would be a better fit for a number two role. Callaway has not been living up to his talent level, and Gordon became a New England Patriot earlier this season.
Acquiring Parker would give the Browns a legit deep threat, and he would be the perfect compliment to the route running specialist that Jarvis Landry is.
RB Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers
Bell situation is unique. He has not reported to the team at this year and still has not signed his franchise tender. A trade at this point would take a miracle. He would have to report, sign his tender, and then the Steelers would have to work out a trade for him. While this seems far-fetched, this could be in the best interest for both the team and player.
Bell would go to a team that wants him to be there and barring a significant injury would extend him to a mega-deal. The team would get some type of return for a player who won’t be on their team next year. The Steelers also have highly capable backup James Conner who has been outstanding in his time as the starter. Again this would take a lot to get done, but it makes sense for both sides to try to end this feud.
Bell is a highly desirable asset around the league. He is an ideal fit for today’s game as he is arguably the best receiving back in the game. He led all running backs last year with 85 catches. Any team would be lucky to trade for the All-Pro running back.
Teams Interested: Philadelphia Eagles And Houston Texans
The Eagles show up for the third time in this list as I mentioned before are in the running for every major trade target. Bell would be a huge get for them. He would instantly become the workhorse back and deserve 25-30 touches. It would give Carson Wentz the best target out of the backfield he has ever seen. Bell would be third in line for targets and would deserve a similar passing game work as he had in Pittsburgh.
Philadelphia has struggled at points this year and adding caliber player like Bell vaults them back into the top contenders conversation. The Eagles would have to part with a first-round pick at the least with no guarantee that Bell would resign with them in the offseason.
The other big player for Bell should be the Houston Texans who have come on strong after starting 0-3. Lamar Miller is getting older and is clearly not the player he once was nor the long-term answer for the team. Considering their needs at offensive line the Bell trade may seem odd, however, it would be the perfect fit for him.
Budding superstar Deshaun Watson would love to have a dual threat to take some of the pressure off of him. Watson could definitely use another weapon after losing wide receiver Will Fuller for the season. While the Texans would most likely have to give up their first-round pick this year as well as other picks, they should be willing to get a deal done if the Steelers are eager.
Photo Credit
Featured Image courtesy of Miossi Haviland
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