NFL Trade Speculation: John Skelton and 8 Other Underrated Targets

They all may not be underrated, but they may not be considered "trade bait" in the eyes of the NFL.

Still, some teams need a shakeup to make things a little more interesting this season. And with teams looking to get a Matt Flynn in free agency or maybe a Santonio Holmes, there is no time like the present to strike fast and take a gamble.

Will there be surprises (there always is) around draft time, and whose name will be bantered about as trade fodder that would make teams stand up and take notice?

Is there a player out there that every team "just has to have"?

Those questions need to be answered, but here are some players, ones well-known as possible trade acquisitions and ones you may not have thought of, who could come up in trade discussion.

T.J. Yates, Houston Texans

I think you strike while the iron is hot with this one.

Yates could be a great commodity to have. There are four teams right now who could use free agency, the draft or a trade to land a top-flight passer.

Yates is not "top flight" yet, but he has proven to be a dependable option who manages a game well and looks for the safe play, not the ridiculous one.

Yates' value may never be higher than it is right now.

John Skelton, Arizona Cardinals

The problem with Skelton ism if the Cardinals keep their current situation at quarterback (remember, there is some speculation they are looking at Peyton Manning), does he benefit from sitting on the bench behind Kolb and possibly another passer?

Like Yates, Skelton proved to be a good clock manager, and with a decent ground game and, of course, Larry Fitzgerald, there is always a chance to make the big play.

He's an option for a trade, but what happens with this team and its draft and free agency plays a big role in whether to trade Skelton.

Mark Sanchez, New York Jets

Does another environment give Sanchez a chance to shine?

The Jets traded the mortgage to get this USC product three years ago, and while he got his team to the AFC Championship game his first two seasons, last year is one maybe he and the team want to forget.

Sanchez looked good at times and lost in others. And with the rumors about Peyton Manning and the Jets, maybe it's time for the youngster to find a new home.

He could be attractive to Cleveland or Arizona, as well as possibly an outside chance in a place like Washington. But the media in that hot bed would be just as critical, and Daniel Snyder wants a winner under Mike Shanahan.

Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders

This is another one of those choices that may or may not happen, but will get a lot of discussion before the beginning of the season.

What does someone like McFadden bring in trade value? He was all-world before he got hurt last season. The Raiders have McFadden and Michael Bush (who they hope to re-sign in the offseason).

Does opening the bank for Bush and trading McFadden make sense? The Raiders walk to the beat of their own drum, so anything is possible and does not surprise me.

In the NFL, you really need two good backs to compete on a weekly basis. But these are the Raiders, and they like to gamble.

Santonio Holmes, New York Jets

Does this really need to be explained? Holmes may wind up being a cancer in the locker room this season, and that is something this team does not need.

Holmes is still a great talent, but he looks like a malcontent who could use the right situation (New England, New York Giants) to still help a team in need.

If Holmes is traded, it could also signal the team is looking for a receiver in the draft (Alshon Jeffery) or in free agency (Marques Colston).

Ben Tate, Houston Texans

At some point, you have to figure Tate will want to be the featured back of an offense. That is not going to happen in Houston as long as he and Arian Foster share a backfield, and while Foster is a free agent, I cannot see him going anywhere.

Tate is a punishing back from Auburn who would look good in the Patriots' backfield, or maybe in Detroit or even Cleveland.

A loss of Tate would also put a huge hole in the plans of the Texans to remain a powerhouse in the AFC playoff picture.

Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys

This is another one of those that will make many of you mad, but hear me out.

Romo was on and off last season and still does not look like the one to get the Cowboys to the postseason and beyond.

Does Jerry Jones do what he is good at and stir the pot by trading for a Peyton Manning or picking up Matt Flynn in free agency?

Or does he shock the world and try and trade up for Robert Griffin, III?

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts

What if the Colts do not release Manning, but rather trade him for draft picks and some help in other areas of the team?

Manning as a trade option will command a nice package of players or picks or both. And since this team is in a rebuilding mode, does new coach Chuck Pagano want more pieces to a crumbling puzzle? Of course he does.

Manning could make the Colts very rich.

Matt Moore, Miami Dolphins

Moore does not get the credit he should have gotten last season.

The Dolphins were not the best team in the NFL, but Moore had his moments.

If the Dolphins look to sign Matt Flynn or another free-agent quarterback, Moore would be a nice pickup for a team needing a good, dependable clock manager.

Moore is not flashy, but for a team like Cleveland or Seattle, he fills a need that each team has and could be the link to more offensive improvement.