NFL Trade Rumors: Teams That Should Try to Trade for Wes Welker

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The New England Patriots may be preparing to trade Wes Welker before the October 30 trade deadline, and there are a few NFL teams that must make a deal for the skilled wide receiver.

According to CBSSports.com's Mike Freeman:

Several league sources said this is more than some remote possibility. This might actually be a probability and the team is seeing if Edelman could fit into Welker's shoes should the team trade him.

This is more the Patriots Way than a phasing out. A sort of stashing of Welker -- and by trading Welker, they would have total control of his destination city. The Patriots traded Randy Moss, and trading Welker before the Oct. 30 deadline would be very Bill Belichick.

Now that Aaron Hernandez is on the mend and the Patriots will soon be predominantly going back to their two-tight-end sets, Welker's role will likely start decreasing again—much like it was in the beginning of the season. 

Julian Edelman has been taking many of Welker's snaps already this year, and he'll be much cheaper to re-sign next season than Welker. 

If the Pats are looking to trade Welker, which teams are in need of his services?

Cleveland Browns

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If any team needed a veteran like Wes Welker, it's the Cleveland Browns. 

Greg Little, Josh Cribbs, Mohamed Massaquoi and Josh Gordon desperately need lessons on how to be a pro wide receiver, and Welker's presence in the locker room, practice field and games would be a tremendous boon to the team. 

Brandon Weeden got off to a really rough start this season, but he'd improve by leaps and bounds with a sure-handed, nimble receiver like Welker getting open all over the middle of the field.

New York Jets

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The New York Jets lost Santonio Holmes for the season, and though the team did sign Jason Hill to be his replacement, it still has a desperate need for more talent at the wide receiver position. After all, things weren't going well in the passing game even before Holmes' injury. 

Through four games, the Jets are ranked No. 27 in the NFL with only 790 total passing yards. 

It would shock me if the Jets actually made a deal with their division rivals for Welker, but for the sake of Mark Sanchez and their hopes for somehow putting together a winning season, Mike Tannenbaum needs to make it happen. 

Indianapolis Colts

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Can you imagine what kind of positive impact Wes Welker would have on Andrew Luck's development? 

After losing Austin Collie for the season with a ruptured knee tendon (via ESPN.com), the Indianapolis Colts have a real need for another skilled receiver, too. 

Jim Irsay and Ryan Grigson need to make as strong a push for Welker as they did for Vontae Davis. Welker has at least a couple more good seasons left in him, and the Colts have a ton of salary-cap room to work with next season ($43 million, according to ESPN.com's John Clayton). 

This is a deal they must make for Luck's development and for the betterment of the team. 

Miami Dolphins

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The Miami Dolphins—like the New York Jets—are in the same division as the New England Patriots, but the Pats don't likely view this young team as a threat at this time. 

Ryan Tannehill has proven to be a darn good passer, and he hasn't had much to work with at the wide receiver position. 

Give him a guy like Wes Welker, and he'd really take off. 

The Dolphins' best options right now at receiver are Brian Hartline and Davon Bess. While Hartline leads the NFL in receiving through four weeks, the team really needs more talent at that position for the sake of its rookie quarterback. 

Since the Dolphins don't possess a top-flight tight end, Welker's ability to dominate the middle of the field would improve the entire offense, as he'd draw attention away from the guys on the perimeter. 

 

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