With the 2017 NFL Draft in the rear-view mirror, we take a look at one trade each of the 32 teams need to make as they head into training camp.
The 2017 NFL season is right around the corner, and with rookie camps finishing up, it is time to look at how each roster is shaping up. There is still work to be done for each of the 32 NFL teams, including signing of free agents, as well as possibly swinging one more trade before training camp. The parity of the NFL should be incredible this season, as nearly all of the eight divisions will be up for grabs.
As the calendar slowly ticks towards training camp, lets take a look at one trade that each NFL team could make to improve their roster this summer and beyond.
The Arizona Cardinals have a roster that is built to win right now, and with the right breaks, could be in position to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LII next year. Carson Palmer decided to come back for one more season, at least, and running back David Johnson is one of the best overall backs in the NFL. Behind him on the current depth chart is Andre Ellington, who could definitely be a starter on at least ten other teams in the league.
On the other side of the country, the New York Giants are lacking a true starter at the running back position, as Paul Perkins currently sits atop their depth chart. A trade for a player like Ellington would make sense for the G-Men, as like the Cardinals, they are a team ready to make a deep run in the playoffs this season.
Eli Manning only has so many years left in the tank, and getting him a quality running back will certainly take some pressure off the defense.
For Ellington, the Cardinals could bring back a player like Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who is still a very good cornerback at his age. Arizona needs help in their secondary, and teaming DRC with the likes of Patrick Peterson would give them a solid 1-2 combination at the cornerback position. Arizona has enough talent on their roster to make it back to the playoffs next season, but they do face their fair share of elite quarterbacks in 2017.
The Cardinals and Giants are two teams that could themselves matching up in the playoffs this season, adding some extra drama to this swap. It is definitely a win-win for both franchises, who would get to turn a weakness into a strength with the move.
During the 2016 NFL Playoffs, the Atlanta Falcons put on an impressive run, making it all the way to Super Bowl LI. In fact, they should have won the big game easily, but blew a 28-3 fourth quarter lead to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Throughout the entire season, the Falcons offense was a juggernaut, with quarterback Matt Ryan winning his first NFL Most Valuable Player Award.
Heading into the 2017 NFL Draft, many expected that the Falcons would improve on one of two spots on their offense. While they do need an offensive guard, there was some talented tight ends in the draft as well, who would be a major upgrade over the likes of Austin Hooper and Levine Toilolo. Hooper is a nice young player, but bringing in a veteran like Vernon Davis would do wonders for his development.
The Washington Redskins need a lot of help, and stockpiling draft picks may be the way to go. In exchange for Davis, the Skins could pick up a late-round draft pick in 2018, as they already have Jordan Reed and Niles Paul to man the position in 2017. The addition of Davis would give Ryan the veteran presence at the position he has been lacking since Tony Gonzalez retired, giving the Falcons a red-zone threat they can rely on.
It is very well possible that the Falcons make it back to the Super Bowl next season, but they will have to navigate a very tough NFC South. Davis would be a welcome addition to an offense that should be able to put points on the board in bunches in 2017. And with an already stocked roster, they can afford to get rid of one of their draft picks in exchange for him.
The Baltimore Ravens had a very nice 2017 NFL Draft, picking up four solid defensive players with their top four picks. One such player was Marlon Humphrey, who was regarded as one of the best in the draft class at the cornerback position. The son of a former NFL running back, Humphrey has the pedigree to step in and start right away, which could make a player like Jimmy Smith available to trade.
Over in Los Angeles, the Chargers need to be better in the secondary, especially going up against a very tough AFC West division in 2017. They also have a plethora of solid wide receivers, which they could unload to a team that desperately needs depth at the position. The Ravens definitely fit that bill, and Dontrelle Inman looks like a player who is about to have a breakout season.
Quarterback Joe Flacco is still regarded as one of the better players at his position in the AFC, though he lost one of his best weapons in Steve Smith Sr. this offseason. Smith will spend the 2017 season in the broadcast booth, leaving the Ravens weak at the wideout position. Inman would give Flacco the kind of deep threat he loves, as he has one of the biggest arms in football.
Both Baltimore and Los Angeles should be better this season, and this trade would enable both teams to fill a void on their roster. Inman would have been behind some solid players on the depth chart in Los Angeles this season, so trading him to Baltimore would make him a WR2 on that roster. This trade would definitely benefit both sides.
The Buffalo Bills will head into the 2017 NFL season with not only a new head coach, but also a new general manager, as Doug Whaley and his scouts were fired after the draft. New general manager Brandon Beane will be tasked with trying to get this team back to the playoffs since the late-1990s, and he needs all the help he can get. One area of need on this team is tight end, and the Oakland Raiders have a couple of players at the position they can afford to lose.
This offseason, the Raiders brought in Jared Cook from Green Bay, giving quarterback Derek Carr a legitimate home run threat at the position. Clive Walford is currently lower on the depth chart, but has the kind of talent that could make him a solid player as a starter. Walford has shown the ability to make big catches during his time with the Silver and Black, and the Bills need all the weapons they can get.
Buffalo has a standout running back in LeSean McCoy, and wide receiver Sammy Watkins is a very good player when he is healthy. The team also spent one of their draft picks on Zay Jones, a standout collegiate wide receiver who could be a special player down the line. At tight end, the team currently has Charles Clay atop the depth chart, but he is not a player who can consistently get you catches on a weekly basis.
Walford to the Bills makes sense, and Oakland has proven to do a nice job with their draft picks. Losing a fifth round pick for a potential starting tight end is not a bad deal for Buffalo, and for Walford, playing in Western New York might be just what he needs to blossom into a star in the league.
For Cam Newton, his career has been one of some serious highs, as well as some pretty bad lows. After leading his team to Super Bowl 50, Newton made a fool of himself during his postgame press conference, walking off the stage after the Panthers were beaten soundly by the Denver Broncos. The lack of weapons hurt him last season, as he was continuously forced to make plays with his arm, and his feet.
This offseason, the Panthers lost Ted Ginn Jr. to free agency, and star wideout Kelvin Benjamin came into camp overweight. However, they did strike gold by drafting Stanford star running back Christian McCaffrey with their first round pick, giving Newton the most versatile player at the position he has had during his career. Carolina will be looking to make it back to the playoffs after failing to do so in 2016, but Newton definitely needs more help on the outside.
Enter Sammie Coates, who is one of a handful of talented receivers currently employed by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Coates is the kind of player who can change a game in an instant, and would team well with Benjamin to give Newton two deep threats on the outside. Add to the fact that Greg Olsen is still one of the better tight ends in the NFC, and the Panthers could be in for a special season in 2017.
Carolina did a nice job bolstering their defense this offseason, bringing back former Rookie of the Year Julius Peppers to be a leader in the locker room. The NFC South is going to be very strong, so Carolina needs to make sure they are ready to compete in what should be a shootout every week. Coates is a nice player, but with the team drafting JuJu Smith-Schuster in the second round, he may be expendable.
The Chicago Bears have made waves during the 2017 offseason, though they have been ridiculed for both of them. First, the team went out and spent a ton of money for Mike Glennon’s services at quarterback, filling a need at the position for the upcoming season. While most of his money is only guaranteed for this season, the plan was for him to become the team’s franchise quarterback for the long haul.
Well, that plan lasted about a month, as the team traded away a bunch of picks to move up one spot and selected North Carolina quarterback Mitchell Trubisky with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Now, it looks like Glennon will just hold the position until Trubisky is ready, which could be as early as 2018. One area they failed to address is up front on defense, where they were pushed around far too often this past season.
The New York Jets have been struggling to keep Sheldon Richardson under control for some time, as his off-the-field hi-jinx have outweighed his production on the field. He was rumored to be traded throughout the 2016 season, so it is obvious the team is looking to move him. In addition, the Jets are in full rebuilding mold, and may want to rid themselves of Richardson’s attitude.
The Bears traded away a bunch of picks to get Trubisky, but they do have a fourth rounder they could ship to New York for Richardson. The trade works for both teams, as the Jets continue to rebuild with new faces, and the Bears get a player that could make waves in the NFC North this season.
In our first trade that the team trading a player gets nothing but a draft pick in return, the Cincinnati Bengals need to ship running back Jeremy Hill to the Washington Redskins. Hill is one of three players who is scheduled to carry the ball for the team next season, as the Bengals spent a 2017 second round draft pick on controversial Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon. Despite Mixon’s transgressions off the field, he is a legitimate NFL running back, and should be the RB1 when the season starts.
For Hill, he has had an up and down career in Cincinnati, but would be a the main guy in Washington. Robert Kelly is a nice running back in his own right, but Hill would give them the kind of runner who can win them games. The combination of Kelly and Hill would be a solid on in the Nation’s Capital, giving Kirk Cousins some serious protection in the run game.
Washington has a ton of holes on their roster, and the running back position is definitely one of them. Hill is absolutely worth a fourth-round pick, and Cincinnati needs as many picks as possible in next year’s draft. If the Bengals fail to make the playoffs in 2017, it could spell the end for Marvin Lewis as head coach, so the team may want to stockpile as many picks as possible for the new regime.
Both teams will likely find themselves out of the playoffs next season, but this trade enables both of them to get better for the future. Cincy has too many running backs, and the added draft pick could pay off big in a fairly deep 2018 NFL Draft class.
What can you say about the Cleveland Browns. They have been a joke since the NFL brought the franchise back, but they have actually had a nice 2017 offseason so far. They hit a home run in the draft, and with a ton of picks in the 2018 NFL Draft, they can afford to trade away one of their three second round picks next year for a dynamic wide receiver from the Chicago Bears.
Cameron Meredith is a good looking player, and one who could prove huge on a team like the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland did a nice job bringing in a bunch of talent on the defensive side of the ball, but they need help at their skills positions. Meredith is a part of a pretty deep wide receiving corps in Chicago, and getting a second round pick in exchange for him would be the right price.
Cleveland has five draft picks in the first two rounds next year, after having three first round picks in 2017. They spent two first rounders on defensive players, bolstering their defensive line and secondary. In the second round, they picked up Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer, who figures to be the future at the position for an organization starving for some stability at QB.
Meredith would give the Browns a legitimate WR1 on the roster, which they need after Terrell Pryor left for Washington this offseason. Kenny Britt was a nice pickup this offseason as well, and with first round tight end David Njoku expected to step in and start, whoever is under center will finally have some weapons to throw to.
The Dallas Cowboys were the darlings of the 2016 regular season, putting together the best regular season record in the NFC. Thanks to a rookie quarterback and running back, the Cowboys ran off 11 straight wins, erasing any memory of the loss of starting quarterback Tony Romo during the preseason. They have a tough schedule to navigate in 2017, and it will be interesting to see how their young, talented offensive weapons do in year two.
During the offseason, the Cowboys lost a ton of talent in their secondary, as three of their four starters jumped ship. They need help back there, and while they did draft two cornerbacks in the first three rounds in 2017 NFL Draft, they need veteran leadership. Bradley Roby of Denver would be a starter on nearly every other team, and would definitely side into a starting role in Dallas.
Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis were nice players in college, but Lewis comes with baggage. Awuzie was a star on a Colorado defense that was one of the more pleasant surprises in college football last season, and he could start right away. The Cowboys will be going up against some elite quarterbacks in 2017, and they need to make sure they are deep in the secondary.
In exchange, the Cowboys can afford to release a third round pick in next year’s draft. The Broncos need to continue to add draft picks, as some of their star players are starting to get up there in age. Both teams could be playoff teams next season, and this move makes sense for both organizations.
The Denver Broncos have been one of the more elite defensive teams in the NFL for quite some time now, though they are starting to get up there in age. The team did a nice job in bringing in young talent via the NFL Draft, though they spent two of their top three picks on the offensive side of the ball. With question marks at quarterback, they need to make sure they stay strong on defense, and Quinton Dial would be a nice addition up front.
Dial signed a three-year extension with the team prior to last season, and is one of those players who has really yet to reach his potential. With Denver, he would be joining a veteran group that could bring him along, and his services are no longer needed in San Francisco anyway. The 49ers spent the No. 3 overall selection on Stanford defensive tackle Solomon Thomas, and all signs point to him starting up front for the team as a rookie.
In return, the 49ers would receive wide receiver Bennie Fowler, who showed flashes of solid potential last season. Denver is set at WR1 and WR2 with Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas for the foreseeable future, so a move to San Francisco could be a solid opportunity for Fowler. The 49ers are going to struggle on offense next season, so a player like Fowler could gain some valuable experience.
This trade works for both sides, and while Denver may find itself back in the playoffs after a year off this season, San Francisco needs to keep adding young talent. San Francisco will likely bring in their future at quarterback during a QB-heavy 2018 NFL Draft next year, so having weapons ready is going to be key for whoever they bring in.
The Detroit Lions made a surprising run to the NFC Playoffs last season, as quarterback Matthew Stafford had one of his best seasons as a pro. This offseason, they have done a nice job bringing in talent on the defensive side of the ball, especially through the draft. They spent picks on linebacker Jarrad Davis and cornerback Jalen Tabor, two Florida products who come with their fair share of baggage.
Heading into training camp, the Lions can afford to trade away one of their cornerbacks, thanks to the addition of Tabor. One team that could use extra help in the secondary is the New Orleans Saints, who could send back a draft pick for a player of Nevin Lawson’s caliber. Lawson is a nice young player, and someone who could play a ton for a weak Saints defense in 2017.
Detroit will have a tough go of it if they hope to make it back to the playoffs, as their schedule looks pretty strong. Stafford will have to be at his best if they hope to make it back, but with a bolstered defense, they should be stronger on that side of the ball. The NFC North should be strong with teams like the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings getting better this offseason, so the Lions may take a step back.
For Lawson, the Lions could grab a fourth-round pick from the Saints, which could bring back a solid player in a deep draft class. Both teams stand to make out in this swap, and they could both be Wild Card teams in 2017.
The Green Bay Packers are one of the best teams in the NFL, and they proved that during their incredible run to the NFC Championship Game last season. As they head into 2017, they have a lot of pieces in place, and should be able to compete for a spot in Super Bowl LII with the roster the way it is. One area where they have a ton of talent is at wide receiver, which may be a spot they could move a player to get a high pick in next year’s draft.
That player could be Davante Adams, who has been inconsistent during his time with the Packers. He had a solid postseason last year, and should warrant a second round pick in return. One team who has a couple of second round selection on hand is the San Francisco 49ers, who need all the weapons they can get as they head into what could be another bad season by the Bay.
The 49ers plan to go with Brian Hoyer at quarterback this season, which is just a stopgap until they select their franchise guy in a QB-heavy 2018 NFL Draft class next year. Bringing in a guy like Adams would give Hoyer a great weapon on the outside, while making the team at least a little bit explosive on offense. The Packers can afford to lose one of their wideouts, and getting a second rounder in return could prove to be a solid move next April.
These two franchises are headed for different seasons in 2017, and with one of the 49ers picks, it could be early in the second round. Rodgers will be able to make due with guys like Jordy Nelson, Jeff Janis, and Randall Cobb, and Adams would finally be a WR1 on a weak 49ers roster.
The 2016 Houston Texans won the AFC South, and then went on to win their Wild Card Round game against the Oakland Raiders at home. All of that winning only meant that they would be drubbed in the Divisional Round, as the New England Patriots made easy work of them. The organization is looking to make the next step in 2017, and it looks like they have the firepower on defense to do just that.
The Texans were the top-ranked defense in the league last season, and that was without star defensive end J.J. Watt. On offense, they struggled due to the fact they spent a ton of money on free agent quarterback Brock Osweiler, who has since been dealt to Cleveland. During the 2017 NFL Draft, the team picked up D’Onta Foreman from the University of Texas, who could fill the role played by Alfred Blue in the offense last season.
The drafting of Foreman makes Blue expendable, and the Buffalo Bills could be a nice landing spot. Behind LeSean McCoy at the running back position last season was Mike Gillislee, who has since moved on to the Patriots. The Bills need another quality running back, and Blue has proven he can shoulder the load when he needs to.
For Blue, the Texans could get back a late-round draft pick, which is a solid return for a guy who did not figure to get many carries this season. Lamar Miller is a stud at running back, and when healthy, he is one of the best in the AFC. This trade helps both teams in the long-term.
The 2017 Indianapolis Colts should be much-improved over last season, when they failed to make the playoffs once again. Quarterback Andrew Luck has been playing injured the last two seasons, and the team did a nice job of bringing in some talent around him this offseason. With the AFC South up for grabs once again this season, it could be the year the Colts return to the top of the division.
During the offseason, the Colts have been quite busy, adding solid talent on both sides of the ball. One position where they have found their future star is at safety, where the team drafted Malik Hooker out of Ohio State University. Some believed that Hooker was the best overall player in the draft class, though a couple of off-season surgeries may have led some teams to take a pass on him in the first round.
With the addition of Hooker to the defense, the team can afford to let T.J. Green walk, and the Cincinnati Bengals could certainly use some help in the secondary. Green is a solid player, but if Hooker is healthy, there is no place for him in the defensive backfield. He is good enough to bring back at least a fifth-round draft pick, which the Colts could use to add some more young talent to the roster next year.
The Colts need to do a better job of putting people around Luck, as he cannot afford to take the kinds of beatings he has over the past few seasons. He has the talent to lead a team to the Super Bowl, and with a talent roster, getting back to the playoffs is definitely in the cards for the Colts in 2017.
The Jacksonville Jaguars were one of the bigger disappointments of the 2016 NFL season, as their big-time free agent pickups did little to help. Quarterback Blake Bortles took a major step back in his development, as the team found itself back in the cellar of the AFC South. They have done an incredible jop of stockpiling talent this offseason, especially at running back, where they selected LSU star Leonard Fournette No. 4 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Fournette is going to be a difference maker at the next level, which is something that T.J. Yeldon never became as the feature back in Jacksonville. The team also brought in Chris Ivory to share the load last season, so there is depth behind Yeldon and Fournette on the chart. Jacksonville can afford to unload one of their running backs, and Yeldon makes the most sense.
At the NFL level, Fournette figures to be a workhiorse type of back, one that can have the same impact on his team as Ezekiel Elliott did as a rookie in Dallas last season. In exchange for Yeldon, the Jags could request a fourth-round pick back from the Detroit Lions, who could certainly use the depth at the running back position. The Jaguars look to be building for the future, and more draft picks is the way to go at this point.
There is no telling how the AFC South is going to shape up, as each team had a nice offseason. Yeldon has no place in the offense going forward, but could find a nice new start in Detroit. This trade definitely benefits both teams.
The Kansas City Chiefs pulled off one of the more shocking moves of the 2017 NFL Draft, when they traded up 17 spots to take Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes II at No. 10. Mahomes is definitely the team’s future at the quarterback position, as Alex Smith’s tenure in that role is likely coming to an end. The Chiefs are a team that could be in the Super Bowl this season, but they do lack some firepower on the offensive side of the ball.
Over in Arizona, the Cardinals have a bunch of solid wide receivers, with J.J. Nelson certainly one of them. He would be a perfect fit with the Chiefs, who would then have a three-man show with Jeremy Maclin, Tyreek Hill, and Nelson. All three are players who can make a big play at any time, and with Mahomes slated to take over in 2018, it would make for an explosive passing game.
In exchange for Nelson, the Chiefs could send the Cardinals their fourth-round pick in 2018. That pick could be used to bring some more young talent to a Cardinals team that is definitely getting long in the tooth at some key positions. Arizona is another team that should be solid in 2017, so this move makes sense for both organizations.
Hill was explosive as a rookie, and it will be interesting to see how he does in year two. Smith has never been one to stretch the field, but the more weapons he has, the more efficient he should be. The Chiefs have a nice window to do something special, and Nelson would be a nice addition to the roster.
The Los Angeles Chargers will need to make a splash during their first season in La La Land, and the hope is they have better inaugural season than the Rams did in 2016. They should be better, as they have the luxury of moving into their new city with one of the better quarterbacks in the AFC. The AFC West is going to be loaded with offensive talent in 2017, so the Chargers need to go out and get another big body up front.
That player should be David Parry, a strong defensive lineman for the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have the luxury of moving Parry thanks to the addition of Jonathan Hankins up front. With the Chargers, Parry would be a starter along their defensive line, giving the Bolts another guy who can plug up the middle of the line. This is a good move for both team, because the Chargers get better up front, and the Colts add another draft pick in 2018.
For the Colts, this trade would enable them to continue to stockpile draft picks, which they are going to need if they hope to get younger. The Colts should be better up front on defense even without Parry next season, but the Chargers cannot survive if they do not address that side of the ball prior to the season. The Chargers have the offense to score with anybody, but they also cannot stop anybody.
These are two teams that are going to be hanging around all season long, and one may be able to sneak into the playoffs. For the Colts, they may be a year away, but they are building a solid roster. Los Angeles may play the role of spoiler this season, and Parry would be a welcome addition to the defensive line.
The Los Angeles Rams have a long way to go before they are actually a relevant franchise in the NFL, but they are headed in the right direction. The future of the franchise will depend on what kind of step quarterback Jared Goff makes in year two, and the Rams are expecting him to be fine. Without a first round pick in 2017, the Rams had a subpar draft, so they need to make a trade to bolster the roster.
One area where they need help is at tight end, where they need a player who can take some of teh pressure off of Goff in the passing game. Richard Rodgers is a player who could be moved by the Green Bay Packers, as they spent money by bringing in Martellus Bennett to play the position in 2017. Rodgers has done a nice job as the second option at the position for the Packers in the past, but a fresh start with the Rams may be what he needs.
The Rams have draft picks in 2018, and they could certainly afford to send a fourth-rounder to Green Bay for Rodgers’ services. Los Angeles spent their first pick, in the second round on a tight end, but Gerald Everett may not be ready to make a difference early on. Rodgers would give the team the veteran they need at the position to bring Everett along, making the Rams better in the long run.
It should be another long season for the Rams, who figure to be picking early in the 2018 NFL Draft. If Goff takes a step forward, all is well, but another shaky season under center and this team may be in the business of drafting a quarterback again in 2018.
The Miami Dolphins were a team that surprised a lot of people last season, earning one of the AFC’s Wild Card spot. Their run was mostly due to an incredible winning streak towards the second half of last season, but it ended in a bad showing in the playoffs. Miami should be able to build on that momentum next season, as they have done a nice job bringing in talent this offseason.
During the 2017 NFL Draft, the team selected Cordrea Tankersley, who I believe should have been a first round pick. The addition of Tankersley makes a player like Bobby McCain expendable, and the Kansas City Chiefs could be a nice trade partner for his services. McCain has the ability to be a solid CB2 on most rosters, and the Chiefs need some depth behind Marcus Peters at the cornerback position.
For McCain, I believe the Dolphins could get a fifth round pick, which could go a long way in a good 2018 NFL Draft class. The Dolphins should be strong once again up front on defense this season, and the secondary has enough playmakers to let McCain head to Kansas City. The Chiefs could be a Super Bowl team in 2017, but they will have to navigate a tough schedule if they hope to be that by the end of the season.
Miami struck gold with first-year head coach Adam Gase last season, and he is going to have this team ready in 2017. If Tannehill continues to get better, this team is going to be alright, especially with the emergence of Jay Ajayi last season. This trade is a good one for both sides.
The Minnesota Vikings went into last season with Adrian Peterson as their starting running back, but a lot has changed since then. Not only did the team let Peterson walk, but they spent some good money to bring in Latavius Murray to be their feature back in 2017. Then, the team added more depth to the backfield by drafting Dalvin Cook out of Florida State, who many believed was the best back in the draft.
With a crowded backfield, the Vikings can afford to let Jerick McKinnon go, who saw some good time last season with Peterson on the shelf for most of the season due to injury. The Redskins definitely need help in the backfield, and McKinnon would be a nice addition to a unit that features Robert Kelly and Chris Thompson. The Skins also used a draft pick on Samaje Perine, a strong running back out of Oklahoma.
In return, the Vikings could get a player that can really help them up front. Ty Nsdkhe is a good looking offensive tackle, who would provide depth on a thin Vikings offensive line. Protecting Sam Bradford has to be a priority this season, as the former Oklahoma Sooner has to prove he can be durable on a consistent basis during his time in the NFL.
Both teams win with this trade, and with so many holes in Washington, McKinnon would be a welcome addition to the backfield. The Vikings should find themselves fighting for a playoff spot in 2017, and any time you can add a quality offensive lineman, you have to make that trade.
The New England Patriots head into the summer as the favorite to repeat as Super Bowl champs, and it has been another offseason of stellar moves by the front office. While the team did not have a first round draft pick, they were able to add star wide receiver Brandin Cooks by giving their pick up, giving Tom Brady another weapon in the passing game. The Patriots can still make waves this offseason, and it may mean trading away one of their cornerbacks.
There has been speculation all offseason about a potential trade between the Patriots and New Orleans Saints for Malcolm Butler, and we think they should pull the trigger. This deal helps both teams, and with the Patriots pretty much loaded on defense without Butler, both teams stand to benefit from the swap. The Patriots would get a second-round pick for Butler, who might have garnered a first round selection if the deal was made prior to the draft.
Teh AFC is going to be stellar this season, but the Patriots are still the class of the conference. As long as Brady continues to do what he has been doing for the last 15 years, this team is always going to be in it. Head coach Bill Belichick is the best in the business, and even losing Butler won;t affect their success too much.
Some believe that the team should trade Jimmy Garoppolo, but I believe that each team has the quarterbacks they plan to go into the year with. Butler has a ton of value, and Saints head coach Sean Payton loved him when he went down to the Bayou for a visit.
The New Orleans Saints signed one of the bigger named free agents this offseason, agreeing to a deal with former Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. During the 2017 NFL Draft, the picked up another running back, drafting former University of Tennessee standout Alvin Kamara. Those two could certainly handle the load in New Orleans next season, making Mark Ingram the odd-man out.
One team that could use a player of his caliber at the position is the Baltimore Ravens, who currently use a committee of players. Lorenzo Taliaferro, Terrance West, and Danny Woodhead figure to share the load next season for a team looking to get back to the playoff after missing out the past few years. Ingram would give the Ravens the pounding running back they need in a very winnable AFC North this season.
Saints head coach Sean Payton has said that Ingram is his running back, but getting a safety and a draft pick may be the right price at this point. The Saints have not won more than seven games the last three seasons, and it is time for a shakeup. Ingram rushed for over 1,000 yards last season, and would fit in perfectly in Baltimore.
Flacco needs help on offense, and the Saints certainly need help in the secondary. This move benefits both teams, and allows the Saints to pick up another draft pick next April. Both teams are borderline playoff contenders this season, so this move makes sense.
The New York Giants have some of the more talented wide receivers in football, but they often have trouble moving the ball. Incredibly, the Giants offense became extremely vanilla last season, and that could not be more evident than during the postseason. Eli Manning is a player who has some good years left in him, but it is going to be hard to move the ball with Paul Perkins as the feature back next season.
Over the past few seasons, the Giants have done a nice job bringing in talent along the defensive line. Once a liability, the current Giants roster is led by their defense, which is saying a lot for a team that features Odell Beckham Jr. In Kerry Wynn, they have an expendable player, who could be shipped to Tampa Bay for one of their running backs.
Tampa Bay has a ton of running back talent, including Jacquizz Rodgers. Rodgers is a do-everything back, who would be a nice player out of the backfield for Manning and company. He runs well in space, and with Shane Vereen always getting hurt, would provide good insurance on the depth chart next season.
The Giants figure to be back in the playoff picture again next season, and some believe they could win the NFC East. This team is ready to win now, and with Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon set to man the defensive end positions for the next few years, trading away Wynn for some talent at running back seems like a smart move.
The 2016 version of the New York Jets was a joke, as they could not get out of their own way at times. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick did not resemble the signal-caller from the year before, and in the process, the team won only five games. This offseason, the team has shifted into rebuilding mode, but they could still swing a deal to grab a solid cornerback for the upcoming season.
So far this offseason, the Jets have made moves to get rid of most of the veteran talent on their roster. Guys like Brandon Marshall, Nick Mangold, and Darrelle Revis are all gone, replaced with players who are far less than household names. It is going to be a rocky season for head coach Todd Bowles, who may lose his job if the Jets are as bad as they were last season.
One move they could make is to trade with the Indianapolis Colts for Darius Butler, who would give them some depth at the cornerback position. With Revis gone, the Jets already brought in Morris Claiborne this offseason, which is an upgrade over the aging Revis. Butler is a solid cover corner who would likely start over a player like Buster Skrine.
This team may not win five games this season, and it is likely they will be picking in the top of the 2018 NFL Draft. In order to get Butler, they could trade away Anthony Johnson, who would give the Colts a solid player up front. Butler is a player who could become part of the solution in New York.
The Oakland Raiders looked destined to make a serious run in the AFC Playoffs last season, winning 12 games during the regular season. However, they were given a death blow in their Week 16 victory at home over the Indianapolis Colts, when star quarterback Derek Carr broke his leg. They head into this season as a favorite to win the AFC West, but they are going to have to navigate a tough schedule to do so.
One of the biggest offseason acquisitions for the team was running back Marshawn Lynch, who came out of retirement to join his hometown team. With a handful of running backs already on the roster, the Silver and Black can afford to move one to bolster their defense. The likely choice would be DeAndre Washington, who showed flashes of his potential during his rookie season in 2016.
A team in need of running back help is the Green Bay Packers, who could definitely find a spot for Washington in their backfield. In exchange, the Packers could afford to move linebacker Jay Elliott, who figures to be behind rookie Vince Biegel once he comes back from a broken foot. Elliott would add depth to one of the weaknesses on the Raiders roster, and they would not have to give up much to get him.
Oakland is going to be good next season, but they are only going to go as far as their defense will let them. Linebacker play is definitely an issue, but Elliott is good enough to make a difference, and would be given every opportunity to shine with Raiders if this trade became a reality.
The Philadelphia Eagles rolled the dice last offseason, trading up to select quarterback Carson Wentz with the No. 2 overall pick. That trade led to them having no first round pick until they traded Sam Bradford to the Minnesota Vikings after Teddy Bridgewater went down due to an injury. They have to be happy with the move, as Wentz played well as a rookie, starting all 16 games.
As they head into this season, they have shored up a ton of holes on the offense. They brought in Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith to bolster the wide receiving corps, and recently added LeGarrette Blount to their backfield. They also have two strong tight ends, but they may want to move one of them to grab a draft pick in 2018.
The 2018 NFL Draft class should be solid, and having as many picks as possible has to be a priority. Brent Celek is a fantastic tight end, but he is firmly behind Zach Ertz on the depth chart. Having two solid tight ends is definitely a luxury, but the Houston Texans may be willing to offer up a draft pick in order to add depth to a position manned by C.J. Fiedorowicz right now.
Both of these teams have the talent to be in the postseason this season, and can both benefit from this trade. The Texans need all the weapons they can get, as their quarterback position in up in the air right now. The Eagles appear ready to soar in 2017, and are building a lasting roster of talent.
The Pittsburgh Steelers did a nice job in 2016 on both sides of the ball, playing well enough to make it all the way to the AFC Championship Game. However, their showing in the AFC title game left not much to be desired, as the New England Patriots dominated the entire way. Still, they have some of the best talent in the league coming back this season, including quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who flirted with the notion of retirement early in the offseason.
The Steelers should be one of the better teams in the conference once again this season, and do not have to do much to improve the roster this summer. One area they could look to make a move is in the secondary, where they could move one of their safeties for a draft pick in 2018. Robert Golden is a nice player, and the team may be able to find a trade partner with the Atlanta Falcons.
The Falcons could use the help in the secondary, and would likely be willing to part with a late-round draft pick next April. The trade would give the Steelers another opportunity to grab some young talent, as their roster is starting to get up there in age. There is a short window for this team to win another title with Big Ben, and the more talent they can bring in the better.
Look for both of these teams to make a run next season, as this came close to being the Super Bowl matchup last season. Big Ben is back, and so are the rest of the Killer B’s, including Martavis Bryant, who missed all of last season due to suspension.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are rich when it comes to wide receiving talent, and they got even richer this offseason. Not only are they going to get Martavis Bryant back from suspension this season, but they also went out and drafted USC star wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster with their second round pick. Ben Roethlisberger will have no shortage of weapons when the Steelers open up the 2017 campaign, as they look to rebound off a bad loss in the AFC Championship Game.
One team not so rich at the position is the San Francisco 49ers, who did a nice job bringing in defensive talent this offseason. If they are willing to give away one of their three third round picks in next April’s draft, they should look to trade with the Steelers for a player like Eli Rogers. Rogers is a fantastic talent, though with the logjam at the position, he won’t have much of an opportunity to shine next season with the Steelers.
With San Francisco, Rogers would be a top one, or two wide out, giving the team some good young talent at the position. This is an organization on the upswing, and a player of Rogers caliber would be given a ton of looks in their offense. The 2017 season is not going to be a good one for the 49ers, but they are definitely building for the next two, or three years.
Rogers would cost the 49ers at least a third round pick, as he is young enough to be a difference maker in the league someday. As stated earlier, the 49ers have those picks, and their general manager is good enough to make the right decisions when it comes to trades. This one would make sense.
The Seattle Seahawks had a pretty good offseason so far, bringing in some talent on both sides of the ball. One of the bigger acquisitions, and I use the word big on purpose, was that of running back Eddie Lacy. The former Green Bay Packers star has battled weight issues throughout his career, but earned a bonus for weighing in under 255 pounds recently, earning $55,000.
If Lacy can keep himself in shape, there is really no reason for the team to have so many running backs. One player who could find himself on the way out is C.J. Prosise, who would be behind Lacy and Thomas Rawls on the depth chart. The Los Angeles Chargers could certainly use the help in the backfield behind Melvin Gordon, and they just may have a player the Seahawks could use.
Seattle needs more weapons on the outside, though Doug Baldwin has emerged as a legitimate star in the league. One solid player for the Chargers last season was Tyrell Williams, who came out of nowhere to become one of Philip Rivers’ top weapons. He would be a nice addition to the offense in Seattle, where Russell Wilson is one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL.
A Williams for Prosise swap makes a lot of sense, and both teams would definitely benefit from the move. Wilson needs more weapons on offense, and the Chargers have seen that Gordon has a tendency to get injured when he is run too much. Sounds like a win-win for both teams.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are building something special, and it all started when they selected Jameis Winston with the first overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. Since then, the team has gotten steadily better, and are currently on the cusp of being a playoff team. The 2017 season is going to be one where they are tested, but they did a nice job of bringing in some talent around Winston this offseason.
As they look towards next season, they should be looking to add some draft picks. The Los Angeles Rams can afford to traded a fourth-rounder, and the Buccaneers have a player that would be a nice fit for their defense. Noah Spence is a solid player for the Bucs, though they may want to part ways if they can add to their pick total in a strong 2018 NFL Draft class.
The Rams are going to be bad this season, but they do have some good young talent on the roster. The team’s owner is spending a ton of money to give them some beautiful new digs, which they plan on sharing with the Chargers. They need to do a better job in bringing in talent, or else the Chargers are going to be the main attraction, not the Rams.
The Buccaneers should be a playoff team this season, as they brought in DeSean Jackson to team with Mike Evans in the passing game. They also drafted tight end O.J. Howard, who many believed to be the best player at his position in this past draft. They are going to score points, but in a strong NFC South, will they be able to make enough stops is the real question.
The Tennessee Titans took a major step forward last season, barely missing out on an AFC South championship. Starting quarterback Marcus Mariota emerged as a future star in this league, cementing that the Titans made the right move selecting him at No. 2 overall back in 2015. They are only a few players away from being a legitimate contender in the AFC, and they could use one more trade to put them over the hump.
It has been a terrific offseason, and the team really took advantage of their two first round draft picks in April. The trade for the No. 1 overall pick with the Los Angeles Rams looks like advantage Titans, as Jared Goff has not done much with the Rams to this point. Meanwhile, the Titans are building something special, and it just may lead to a division title in 2017.
One area where they could use some depth is at linebacker, and they may be able to look within their division to grab one. Brian Peters is a nice linebacker for the Houston Texans, and they have enough depth at the position to swing a deal. The Texans lost A.J. Bouye to free agency this offseason, so a trade for the Titans LeShaun Sims would be a nice swap at this point.
These two teams are going to battle all season long, and the AFC South should be one of the better divisions to watch in 2017. If Mariota continues to develop, this team could be good for a long time, but the jury is still out on him. This trade is good for both sides, and the players would get to matchup two times per year.
The move that every football fan in America is waiting to happen is quite a long-shot. However, the Washington Redskins are going to lose Kirk Cousins after this season, so you might as well go after a trade at this point. Nobody expects this team to be that great in 2017, so locking up a second round pick, and a starter, seems like a good move.
The San Francisco 49ers hired Kyle Shanahan to be their head coach, and he has a history with both Brian Hoyer, and Kirk Cousins. With the 49ers, Cousins would be a solid draw at the gate, especially if they can get some weapons around him. San Francisco is not going to win anything with Hoyer under center, although that may be the gameplan for general manager John Lynch.
While this trade make sense, it is probably the biggest dream scenario of all these hypothetical trades. Cousins and the Redskins appear ready to ride it out this season, and the organization is paying him handsomely to do so. The Redskins will likely win seven games this season, but that is not going to do much to help the long-term health of the franchise.
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Hoyer is a decent quarterback, but the plan in Washington has to be to try to lose enough to get one of those solid quarterback prospects next April. It is going to be a long season in our Nation’s Capital, so why not start looking forward to 2018. They have played the Cousins scenario the wrong way from the start, and it is time for the two to move on.