NFL Trade Odds: 7 Players the New York Jets Could Make a Play for

The 2012 offseason is a pivotal one for the New York Jets and Mike Tannenbaum.

Besides the cornerback and center positions, the Jets have holes to fill everywhere else on the field.

To make matters worse, the Jets currently have little-to-no salary cap room.

All of these factors are what will bring Tannenbaum under the gun this offseason.  

He has shown the ability to get creative in the past, but Jets fans really have to hope he has his best salary-cap contortionist act saved for this year.  

While the Jets are set up well in the draft and have already been linked to some free-agent targets, Tannenbaum could really make an impact on the Jets roster through the trade market.

Trading in the NFL happens less frequently than in other sports, but a key trade can make the difference between challenging the Patriots for the AFC East or sitting home and watching the Giants bring home another Lombardi Trophy.

There are currently a number of stars who are allegedly on the trade market and some under-the-radar targets for the Jets to consider.

Here's a look at the odds for seven veterans Tannenbaum could look to acquire this offseason.

Brandon Marshall

If Jason Taylor could make the leap from the Dolphins to the Jets, anyone could.

There aren't many players in the league who are hated by Jets fans more than Brandon Marshall. In fact, aside from anyone playing in Foxborough, Marshall might top the list.

His constant trash-talking about Darrelle Revis and general failure to ever back up that talk has made Marshall the target of ridicule. But put Marshall in green and white and immediately Jets fans will embrace the talented receiver.

While a trade within the division between bitter rivals is unlikely, Marshall would be a perfect fit for the Jets who are in the market for a red-zone target after the departure of Plaxico Burress. The only difference between Burress and Marshall though is that Marshall will do damage outside the red zone as well.

Marshall has had excellent production in Miami and the numbers he has put up are even more impressive, considering he plays two games a year against Revis in which he usually does next to nothing. Despite their war of words in the media, Revis and Marshall have claimed to be good friends off the field.

Even though Marshall vowed to fight players on the Jets in an attempt to be thrown out of the game before their 2011 showdown in New York, any hard feelings on both sides would be forgotten the first time he pulls down a jump ball from Mark Sanchez in the end zone.

Odds he'll be a Jet in 2012: 40-1

Osi Umenyiora

The only thing more unlikely than the Jets making a trade with the Dolphins is the Jets making a trade with the Giants.

However, with Mike Tannenbaum and Rex Ryan calling the shots, nothing can be ruled out.

Since the Giants Super Bowl win, Osi Umenyiora and the Giants have made nice in the media. However, it was less than a year ago that he called general manager Jerry Reese a liar about his contract situation in a sworn affidavit.

Umenyiora played the 2011 season without the contract extension he was looking for and it was blatantly obvious that the Giants were a different team when a healthy and motivated Umenyiora was on the field.

Despite what he says now, Umenyiora is bound to come to the Giants with his hand out again before the 2012 season starts.

If talks go sour again, a number of takers would line up for the talented pass rusher.

The Jets have sorely lacked a pass rusher of Umenyiora's stature since John Abraham left after the 2005 season. The addition of Umenyiora would give Ryan a new toy on defense and would allow him to redesign the "exotic" blitz packages that the league seems to be catching up to.

Odds he'll be a Jet in 2012: 40-1

DeSean Jackson

DeSean Jackson and the Philadelphia Eagles have been saying all the right things about working through their differences since Philly applied the franchise tag to him, but you shouldn't buy the facade.

Jackson is a supremely talented player who can break a game open at receiver or on special teams.

His talent is unquestioned, but his attitude is another story.

Jackson has been far from a model citizen for the Eagles and his contract situation has not been resolved with the franchise tag.

The team and Jackson could say whatever they want at this point, but it doesn't cancel out the lack of effort Jackson showed on the field at times in 2011.

When frustrations between a player and coach boil over to where a player's effort is questioned, it is probably time for a new direction, not a huge raise under the franchise tag.

The Jets would be a good candidate as a trade partner for a few reasons.

First, the departure of Burress leaves a hole in the Jets receiving corps. The team has been rumored to be targeting a wide receiver in the draft, but with so many other needs, a trade for Jackson would allow the Jets to draft new blood on defense.

The Jets also sorely need a playmaker on offense with game-breaking speed.

While Santonio Holmes has had his share of big plays over the past two years, he is not a receiver who can take a five-yard slant and turn it into an 80-yard touchdown.

Neither are Patrick Turner, Jeremy Kerley, Dustin Keller or anyone else on the Jets offense.

Rex Ryan and Mike Tannenbaum do not shy away from reclamation projects and aren't afraid to give second chances. If they took a chance on Jackson, it could motivate and refocus him and that would make him one of the most dangerous weapons in the division.

Odds he'll be a Jet in 2012: 15-1

Kamerion Wimbley

If the NFL salary cap ends up being the $120 million that is expected in 2012, the Oakland Raiders are in big trouble.  

Even though Richard Seymour and Michael Huff just reworked their contracts to save the Raiders $12 million in 2012, they are still have an estimated $10 million in salary to shed.

Now that Seymour and Huff have restructured, Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie will turn his attention to Kamerion Wimbley.

Most rumors surrounding Wimbley have him restructuring by March 13 or facing the chopping block. However, it would benefit the Raiders greatly if McKenzie could move Wimbley for a draft pick.

As it stands, Wimbley's cap hit will jump from $5 million in 2011 to $11 million next season.  If the Raiders were able to unload Wimbley without picking up any of his contract, they can get themselves under the cap in just one move.

Of course, any trade of Wimbley would have to involve a contract restructure of some kind with the linebacker.

In addition to clearing cap space, the Raiders could also acquire a much-needed draft choice, even if it is not a high-round pick.  The Raiders currently have a grand total of two picks in the draft thanks to shrewd moves like trading away picks for Carson Palmer and picking Terrell Pryor in the supplemental draft. 

While the team is expected to receive compensatory picks from the NFL due to free-agent losses, a third or fourth-round pick for Wimbley will still help.

The Jets could explore Wimbley as a replacement for Bryan Thomas at outside linebacker in a move that would immediately bolster their pass rush.  Wimbley has recorded 16 sacks over the past two seasons and could see those numbers increase with more blitzing opportunities as a Jet.

The one snag in bringing Wimbley to the Jets would be the fact that right now a trade of Wimbley seems like a distant third option for the Raiders, as all rumors point to either a restructure or release.

If Wimbley is released, the Jets should certainly be in the market for him as Oakland would still be saddled with a cap hit of $6.5 million for him.  The fact that he will only count $4.5 million against the cap would interest a multitude of NFL teams in Wimbley.

The Jets could either take a gamble on Wimbley's release and join the other teams vying for his services or be the aggressors and pursue a deal for the 28-year-old outside linebacker.

Either way, expect that the name Kamerion Wimbley has already come up in the Jets front offices.

Odds he'll be a Jet in 2012 (via trade): 30-1

Odds he'll be a Jet in 2012 (via free agency) : 15-1

Lance Briggs

It's hard to feel sorry for Lance Briggs.

The six-time Pro Bowler whined and threatened his way into a six-year, $36 million contract in 2008 and now three years later, is complaining again.

Things got so bad in Chicago for Briggs that he formally requested a trade just before the 2011 season started when the team wouldn't meet his demands for a raise on the contract he signed just three years prior.

His production on the field has been excellent, and a defense led by Briggs, Brian Urlacher and Julius Peppers can be as intimidating as any team in the NFL, but Briggs' act in Chicago is getting old.

Bears fans don't take kindly to multi-millionaires complaining about wanting more money and the Chicago front office might not be too far behind.

The Bears front office underwent an offseason makeover when Phil Emery replaced Jerry Angelo as general manager and if Emery wanted to make an immediate impression on the franchise, he would trade the talented malcontent.

Salary cap issues aside, Briggs would fit in perfectly with the Jets. With Bryan Thomas coming of a season lost to a torn Achilles tendon, the Jets could slide Briggs right into his spot and let Thomas walk via free agency.

Odds he'll be a Jet in 2012: 15-1

Dwight Freeney

If the Colts are going into full rebuilding mode as it appears, the is no reason whatsoever to keep Dwight Freeney on their roster.

Freeney is 32 years old and has a cap number of just over $19 million for 2012. Couple that with Robert Mathis' brand new $36 million contract (with a $15 million signing bonus) and the Colts have way too much money tied into two defensive ends over the age of 30.

The only way this resolves itself is if Freeney restructures his deal or if they trade their Pro Bowl defensive end.

While the Jets really need to get younger on defense, a player of Freeney's pedigree would be tough to turn down if the opportunity arose.

Freeney's production was down in 2011 and if any team takes a chance on him, they would have to hope his struggles were a byproduct of the Colts abysmal season rather than age catching up to him.

While Freeney had just 19 tackles on the season, he did have 8.5 sacks. That total might not be impressive, but it was more than anyone on the Jets had.

If the Jets went after Freeney, it wouldn't solve all their pass rush problems, but it would help. In fact, the acquisition of Freeney would do more for solving the Jets locker room problems than anything else.

Obviously if the Jets went after Freeney, both teams would have to get creative with his salary cap situation.

If the Colts were anxious to get Freeney off the roster as another step in their rebuilding process, the Jets should at least explore the possibility of squeezing him in under the cap.

Odds he'll be a Jet in 2012: 35-1

Seneca Wallace

The are no substantiated rumors of the Jets interest in Seneca Wallace or even of Wallace being on the trading block, but he is an interesting piece for the Jets to consider.

The Jets have publicly admitted that their quarterback depth chart will have changes in 2012.

They have also said that Greg McElroy will be back on the squad despite ripping the Jets locker room situation after the season. That leaves the backup quarterback position up in the air.

While the Jets have been linked to Chad Henne in the free-agent market, thinking outside the box could lead Mike Tannenbaum to Wallace.

Wallace is a nine-year veteran and whether he is on the Browns roster or not next year will make no difference in Cleveland.

He could make a real impact in New York though.

Wallace not only could serve as Sanchez's backup, but he could also be a legitimate wildcat threat. Rex Ryan has utilized the wildcat extensively in each of his three seasons as head coach and of course new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano was the one who revived the wildcat phenomenon in the NFL.

Last year the Jets used Jeremy Kerley and LaDainian Tomlinson at times in the wildcat. While neither did as well as Brad Smith, they did have some success with it as a run-only option.

If Wallace was on the roster, he would be a legitimate threat to run and pass out of the wildcat, all the while serving as an adequate backup to Sanchez.

Wallace to the Jets might not shake the football world at its foundation and will not turn up in Google searches, but if it happens, you heard it here first.

Odds he'll be a Jet in 2012: 75-1