National Football League

NFL Trade Rumors: 5 players that need to be traded

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

There are five NFL players who should be traded before the 2016 trade deadline on Nov. 1. Who are they?

Trades are weird in the NFL. It’s strange how rarely they occur. When a trade happens, it’s huge news. The trade deadline is on Nov. 1, and this year there are a few players who look like they could be on the move. Several teams have already gone all in to contend for the Super Bowl, so they should make a play.

Meanwhile, other teams should look to the future and give younger players a chance. In 2016, trades might finally make sense for a few teams. Here are five players who need to be traded before the 2016 NFL trade deadline.

Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

5. Tony Romo

The Dallas Cowboys face a very complicated issue. While Tony Romo has been fantastic for them throughout his career, Romo’s recent injuries suggest his time may be coming to an end. The emergence of Dak Prescott has rendered Romo a backup quarterback, even when healthy. Dallas could get something impressive for him if he can prove he’s healthy by Nov. 1.

While he’s old, Romo has done enough to show he’s still one of the top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL when healthy. He likely has enough in the tank to go for another year or two. This would be the easiest way to resolve a very awkward situation in Dallas while also giving Romo a chance to be a starter again. While the Romo era with the Cowboys might be over, he can still save a certain team’s season and potentially get them to the Super Bowl.

Best fit: Romo makes a lot of sense for the Denver Broncos. They (barely) have the cap space necessary to get him and neither of their young quarterbacks has proven to be ready to start. Romo buys them a few more years and acts as a bandaid. Of course he might get injured, but the Broncos have a strong offensive line.

Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

4. Brandon Marshall

It might be hard for the New York Jets to trade fan favorite wide receiver Brandon Marshall. However, it’s in the best interest for both parties for him to be traded. The Jets need to get younger and Marshall turns 33 years old in March. While they could always trade him in the offseason, there are teams who would benefit from having the veteran receiver now.

There’s an argument the Jets should keep Marshall so their future quarterback, whoever it may be, has weapons available. That isn’t a bad argument, but the Jets need to overhaul their team and go young. They acquired Marshall in an attempt to win now. Since they aren’t winning now and Marshall is likely going to start declining soon, why not trade him now?

Marshall could help a number of teams by providing valuably wide receiver depth, a rarity in the NFL. Many contenders need it, so the Jets could do even better than the fifth round pick they got for him. A third rounder is quite plausible.

Best fits: The Cincinnati Bengals certainly have a need for a number two receiver behind A.J. Green. But will they make the trade? The Oakland Raiders could use Marshall’s experience and he could serve as a valuable mentor for their young players. Since the Minnesota Vikings are already all in for winning this season, they might be a fit for him too.

Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

3. Joe Thomas

The Cleveland Browns shouldn’t be actively shopping left tackle Joe Thomas because he’s by a significant margin their best player. Trading him is the equivalent of waving the white flag for the next few seasons. However, considering how badly a few teams need a left tackle, the Browns would be silly to not listen to offers.

Thomas is easily one of the top five left tackles in the NFL, and he’s a huge team leader on the Browns. Cleveland’s failures in recent years aren’t due to Thomas. Their failures are due to a total inability to surround him with other guys who could help. With the Browns likely not going anywhere the Super Bowl in at least the next three seasons, they should consider trading Thomas. Cleveland reportedly wants a second round pick for him.

Florio said he's been told the #Browns are looking for a 2nd-round pick in exchange for LT Joe Thomas.

— Evan Silva (@evansilva) October 23, 2016

That seems a bit low for an All-Pro left tackle. However, if the Browns can get a team to give up a first round pick or multiple second or third round picks, trading Thomas makes a ton of sense.

Best fits: The Seattle Seahawks could definitely stand to upgrade their mediocre offensive line. Thomas provides a solution for the next three to four seasons. While the Minnesota Vikings don’t have a first round pick since they gave it up for Sam Bradford, they really need a left tackle. So don’t rule them out.

Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

2. Torrey Smith

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith hasn’t been the same since leaving the Baltimore Ravens. Ever since he set a career high in receiving yards in 2013, his numbers have declined each season. However, this is more due to the 49ers poor passing game and the Ravens switch to the Gary Kubiak offense in 2014 than anything else. He can still help out a variety of teams.

Smith has been linked to the Eagles. He’s an obvious fit there, with Philadelphia’s passing game struggling a little bit as of late. They lack a true deep threat and while Smith hasn’t done well recently, he’s an upgrade over their current options. However, more teams should be interested in Smith than just the Eagles.

Trading Torrey Smith would begin a necessary rebuild for the 49ers while helping a contender add a potential game breaker to their offense. It makes sense for everyone.

Potential fits: Philadelphia will have other teams to compete with. Smith makes a lot of sense for the Cincinnati Bengals, as they need a complement to A.J. Green. Even the NFL team across the bay, the Oakland Raiders, could use Smith to make their vertical passing game even more lethal.

Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

1. Alshon Jeffery

The Chicago Bears might lose wide receiver Alshon Jeffery after this season unless they trade him. It would be terrible to lose him for nothing, so the Bears should trade him. If Jeffery is on the trade market, he makes so much sense for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Not only is Jeffery a better receiver than Torrey Smith, he’s also a much better short-term option. Smith has multiple years left on his deal after this year while Jeffery will be a free agent after this season. Jeffery has flourished with the Bears despite having mediocre quarterbacks.

Because Jeffery is so much better than Smith, he’ll also likely command a larger price tag. Smith could be had for a mid-to-late-round pick while the Bears receiver will command at least a second round pick and potentially a first rounder.

Potential fits: The Eagles aren’t the only great fit for Jeffery. Expect the Seattle Seahawks to go after him as well. They’re a team that has always been aggressive in trades, so don’t be surprised if they find a way to pull it off. Jeffery makes sense for the Cincinnati Bengals for the same reasons he makes sense for the Eagles.