NFL Trade Rumors: The Latest Buzz on Joe Thomas, Tony Romo and More
We don't see a lot of in-season trading in the NFL, but it does happen—especially when teams believe they're a piece or two short of true contention. Last year, the Denver Broncos traded for tight end Vernon Davis and nearly acquired Pro Bowl offensive tackle Joe Thomas just before the deadline.
Will we see a potential playoff team scoop up talent before this year's deadline? With teams like the 0-6 Cleveland Browns and 1-5 San Francisco 49ers holding quality players and no postseason hopes, maybe.
Rebuilding franchises might not be the only ones looking to sell, as teams like the Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers—who both suffered unexpected losses this week—could look to strengthen their rosters down the stretch.
This year's trade deadline comes on November 1 at 4 p.m. ET. This means we have two more weeks of games before the market officially closes. With Week 6 almost at an end, let's take a look at some of the latest trade rumors, talks and speculation.
Joe Thomas
If things had taken a different course last season, Thomas might have finished the year with the Broncos and with a Super Bowl ring. Instead, he remains with the Browns and is looking for his first win of the 2016 season.
Thomas' name is sure to be popular with teams looking to make midseason deals. The Wisconsin product has been to the Pro Bowl in every one of his NFL seasons, and Pro Football Focus ranks him eighth overall among offensive tackles.
Bleacher Report NFL Insider Jason Cole reported last week that teams are expected to inquire about Thomas and cornerback Joe Haden as the deadline approaches.
If the Browns do decide to move Thomas, though, it won't be at the tackle's request. Thomas has repeatedly made it clear that he has no desire to leave Cleveland.
"Since I got here, it's been my goal to turn the Browns into a winner, and I think Hue [Jackson] is just the guy to do that," Thomas said during the offseason, per Pat McManamon of ESPN.com.
McManamon reported earlier this week that Thomas' stance remains the same, per a source. Per McManamon, the Browns aren't actively looking to deal Thomas either. Of course, the right offer could always change how Cleveland views the situation.
Joe Haden
It seems likely that the Browns would be more willing to move Haden than Thomas. While Thomas has never missed a snap in Cleveland, Haden has dealt with a sizable share of health issues. In fact, Haden hasn't appeared in 16 full games since his rookie season.
Injuries limited Haden to only five games last season, and he just missed his second game of the 2016 season.
Not being able to count on Haden is a problem for the rebuilding Browns, and replacing him would be easier than trying to find a guy of Thomas' ilk.
At the same time, though, Haden could provide a big boost for a playoff-caliber team. As of Sunday night, Haden is rated 18th overall among all cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus. He could be an asset for any team looking to make a run, assuming it is willing to take on his contract.
Haden is earning just over $10 million in base salary this season.
Cameron Wake
The Miami Dolphins managed to get their second win of the season by upsetting the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. However, the reality is that the Dolphins are still just 2-4 and a postseason long shot. This could tempt the franchise to part ways with some of its more valuable commodities.
As Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald recently pointed out, the Dolphins could save quite a bit of money by moving pass-rusher Cameron Wake.
Wake is due to earn $7 million in base salary both this year and next.
As is the case with Thomas, though, it seems that Wake isn't interested in joining another team.
"I just want to win," Wake said, per Beasley. "Obviously, I'm here in Miami, and I'll be here as long as they have me, and I'll do everything I can to make sure Miami's a winner. I'm not concerned with going anywhere else, doing anything else."
Teams are almost always interested in adding to the pass rush, so Wake could be a target as the deadline looms. However, he has produced only 1.5 sacks so far this season, so teams would have to be interested in his potential more than his production.
Tony Romo
Most teams looking to sell at the deadline are struggling. The Dallas Cowboys, however, are sitting at 5-1 and could still look to move their starting quarterback—or at least the guy who is supposed to be the starting quarterback.
The Cowboys have gotten to 5-1 behind the stellar play of rookie quarterback Dak Prescott. Through six games, the Mississippi State product has completed 68.7 percent of his passes, thrown for 1,486 yards and tossed seven touchdowns to just one interception.
Prescott's success, and the success of the team, has led to plenty of speculation regarding Romo's future. It has also let some interesting trade rumors.
Mike Kiszla of the Denver Post, for example, suggests that the Denver Broncos should make a move for Romo while giving rookie Paxton Lynch a chance to sit and learn. As Kiszla explains it, Trevor Siemian isn't going to be enough to make a serious run.
Given his experience and overall talent, Romo probably would be an improvement over Siemian, but he also holds a salary that would be tough to swallow. Romo carries a cap hit of more than $20 million this year.
Of course, Romo's salary is exactly why the Cowboys might be interested in moving him. The Cowboys insist they want to stick by Romo, but do they need him? Whether or not you believe Dallas is really a better team with Prescott at quarterback, the fact remains that the team is winning with him under center.
If the Cowboys are completely sold on Prescott as the quarterback of the future, then the only reasons to keep Romo are injury insurance and so he can pass his knowledge on to the rookie. Expect the trade speculation surrounding Romo to only intensify from here.
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