NFL Trade Speculation: 20 Backups Who Could Walk into Starting Roles Elsewhere

Now that the 2012 NFL free-agency period and NFL draft have concluded, NFL trade speculation may officially begin because a variety of players have been demoted to a backup role but could start on other teams.

Having backups who could start on other NFL teams is never a bad thing; in fact it’s quite the opposite. It means the team has elite depth. It also means the team could afford to trade the starting-quality backup for a huge haul to a team in need of the player’s services.

Conversely, the teams that need backups to fill starting roles are in some trouble. Still, that’s the beauty of the open market in the NFL—struggling teams can trade for a backup that will instantly improve their teams.

For the backups, having an opportunity to start will increase their exposure and production. Being traded and competing for a starting job is something every backup hopes for if he can’t breakthrough on his current team.

Here are 20 NFL backups who could walk into starting roles with other teams, as well as a few potential teams that should be interested in making a move for them.

Leodis McKelvin, CB, Buffalo Bills

With the Bills adding Stephon Gilmore and Ron Brooks in the draft, it’s unlikely that Leodis McKelvin will see a huge amount of playing time. Outside of the addition of two rookies, McKelvin also finds himself behind Terrence McGee and Aaron Williams.

McKelvin is by no means a bad player, and at the age of 26, he has plenty of football left in him. He notched 39 tackles and an interception last season.

If a team needs a solid slot or second corner, it would be wise to make a move for McKelvin. He’s on the roster bubble as it is, so instead of bidding for him on the open market, teams would be wise to trade for him. 

Potential landing spots: Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos.

Kroy Biermann, DE, Atlanta Falcons

Kroy Biermann recently re-signed with the Atlanta Falcons but still finds himself sitting behind John Abraham and Ray Edwards. He’s part of the rotation, but he could be so much more as a starter somewhere else.

In his limited playing time last season, Biermann recorded 37 tackles, 2.5 sacks and an interception. He has a solid all-around game and is only 26 years old.

Teams in need of an upgrade at the defensive end position need look no further than the Falcons and Biermann. It will be hard to pry him away from Atlanta, but his production would be well worth the cost. 

Potential landing spots: Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins. 

Dunta Robinson, CB, Atlanta Falcons

Dunta Robinson is now the nickel corner for the Atlanta Falcons after the re-signing of Brent Grimes and the team trading for Asante Samuel. Robinson has historically struggled in the slot, so a change of scenery could do him some good.

Robinson was a solid player in the secondary for the Falcons last year, recording 49 tackles and two interceptions. He’s beginning to age at 30 years old, but he still has plenty he can contribute.

Robinson is still a solid No. 2 corner in the right system. He’d be a major addition for a team in need of a starting cornerback. 

Potential landing spots: Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions. 

Haruki Nakamura, FS, Carolina Panthers

Haruki Nakamura recently signed a three-year deal with the Carolina Panthers. He’ll be a backup to starter Sherrod Martin.

Nakamura spent his first four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens as a backup. Last year he only recorded 12 tackles, but he is capable of much more. It’s hard to find playing time in Baltimore behind Ed Reed.

Nakamura could compete for the starting gig in Carolina, but should he not win, teams in need of a starting safety should give him a call. He’s only 26 years old and has shown flashes at one of the worst positions in the league. 

Potential landing spots: Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys. 

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers

Jonathan Stewart seems to be an annual name on these type of lists. He’s still the spell back to DeAngelo Williams for the Carolina Panthers, and that won’t be changing this year.

In fact, the Panthers went out and added running back Mike Tolbert in free agency, making the backfield even more cluttered. Tolbert could take carries away from Stewart.

Stewart was still a stud last year, rushing for 761 yards and four touchdowns on a 5.4 average. He’ll be hard to rip away from the Panthers, but trading for him would make sense. He is a free agent after this year, so better to land him now than over-pay on the open market. 

Potential landing spots: Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, New York Jets. 

Colt McCoy, QB, Cleveland Browns

Colt McCoy will now be competing for a backup quarterback role this year for the Cleveland Browns. With the team drafting Brandon Weeden, McCoy is likely to be traded.

McCoy should still see an opportunity to be a starting quarterback in the league. He threw for 2,733 yards and 14 touchdowns last year with a depleted offensive unit around him.

The asking price for McCoy is unlikely to be huge, so for a team that needs some competition for its starter, McCoy would be a solid option. He’s only 25 years old and could be very productive in the right offensive system.  

Potential landing spots: Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars.

King Dunlap, OT, Philadelphia Eagles

King Dunlap is currently a swing offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles, meaning he backs up both the left and right tackle positions. He’s versatile enough to start at both spots, and that has to be attractive to a lot of teams in the league.

Dunlap is a massive guard at 6’9” and 330lbs. He can start for a lot of teams in the NFL if given the opportunity. Teams in need of a force in the running game should be giving the Eagles a call about the availability of Dunlap.

Potential landing spots: Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys. 

Johnny Knox, WR, Chicago Bears

Johnny Knox suddenly finds himself as a backup receiver in Chicago thanks to the trade for Brandon Marshall and the selection of Alshon Jeffery in the NFL draft.

Knox is an extremely productive player who racked up 727 yards and two touchdowns last year. He’s got elite speed and sure hands that make him a threat on any play.

Knox isn’t going to find much playing time with the Bears barring injury. He has the ability to be a No. 2 receiver in the NFL and could find that opportunity once again if a team attempts to trade for him. 

Potential landing spots: Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Kyle Orton, QB, Dallas Cowboys

Kyle Orton is another player who seems to make these lists every year. He’s never going to beat out Tony Romo for the starting quarterback job with the Dallas Cowboys, but that didn’t stop him from signing a three-year deal.

Orton was solid last season with two different teams, throwing for nine touchdowns and 1,758 yards. If he is given the chance to be a starter, he has shown he can be an effective leader under center.

It’s hard to imagine the Cowboys giving up Orton via trade unless they get an amazing offer. If a team loses its starting quarterback early in the preseason, Dallas will be getting a call about Orton.

Potential landing spots: Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Mike Jenkins, CB, Dallas Cowboys

With the addition of Brandon Carr and the drafting of Morris Claiborne, the Dallas Cowboys did an impressive job of improving the cornerback position. Those additions mean Mike Jenkins is now a backup.

Jenkins is better than simply a backup. Last year he recorded 24 tackles and an interception. He is stout against the run and solid in coverage.

Jenkins is a solid No. 2 corner who won’t receive much playing time in Dallas. A team could likely land Jenkins for cheap and find a quality starting corner. 

Potential landing spots: Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions. 

T.J. Yates, QB, Houston Texans

T.J. Yates was extremely impressive for a rookie last season in place of the injured Matt Schaub for the Houston Texans. His stats weren’t ridiculously impressive, but his poise and leadership were.

Yates only had 949 passing yards and three touchdowns in six games, but he looked poised  in the regular season and playoff games alike. At only 24 years old, Yates has plenty of room to grow into a franchise quarterback.

Should an NFL team lose its starting quarterback mid-season, Yates would be a solid option to consider. 

Potential landing spots: Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns. 

Ben Tate, RB, Houston Texans

Ben Tate is an extremely talented running back who happens to be stuck behind one of the best in the league, Arian Foster. Tate will be a hot commodity on the trade market this season, and there’s good reason for that.

Tate rushed for 949 yards and four touchdowns last season on only 175 carries. He’s a complete all-around back who can beat a defense in a variety of ways, including in the passing game.

Tate is a starting-caliber back who will eventually get paid like one. It’ll require a lot to pull him away from the Texans, but it would be well worth the massive price. 

Potential landing spots: Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions.

Nick Fairley, DT, Detroit Lions

Nick Fairley struggled through his rookie season last year thanks to a foot injury. Now he’s behind Ndamukong Suh, Corey Williams and Sammie Lee Hill on the depth chart.

Fairley has a lot to prove this season after only recording 15 tackles and one sack a year ago. He has all the intangibles and athleticism to be an elite force in the league if he can stay healthy.

It’s unlikely the Lions would ever let go of Fairley, but he could really help a team weak at the defensive tackle position. He’s an every-down starter who is currently stuck in a rotation in Detroit. 

Potential landing spots: Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans. 

James Jones, WR, Green Bay Packers

James Jones is going to continue to struggle to stand out in Green Bay because of the variety of talented players on the Packers’ roster at the same position. Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson are currently ahead of him on the depth chart, and Randall Cobb is starting to stand out as well.

With all the talent around him, Jones still managed to put up solid numbers last season with 635 yards and seven touchdowns on only 38 catches.

Jones is buried in Green Bay but could be an exceptional No. 2 receiver for most of the offense in the NFL if he is ever given the opportunity. 

Potential landing spots: Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills. 

Lydon Murtha, OT, Miami Dolphins

With the Miami Dolphins adding Jonathan Martin in the draft, Lydon Murtha once again finds himself as a backup at best. He might have seen starting time last year had he not been sidelined by injury, and he won’t start this year unless someone is hurt.

Murtha is a solid young player who could start for a variety of teams that have a need at the position. He won’t likely come cheap, but it’s worth it for a 26-year-old tackle who could start for a long time. 

Potential landing spots: Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears. 

Osi Umenyiora, DE, New York Giants

It seems that New York Giants fans have to go through this every year. There’s always drama between the Giants and Osi Umenyiora because he feels he should be a starter and make more money, while the team believes he is simply a rotational player.

Umenyiora had 25 tackles and nine sacks last year as a rotational part of the Giants’ defensive line. On the depth chart, he is still behind Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul.

Umenyiora is correct. He’s a starting-caliber defensive end who could be a major contributor for the majority of teams in the NFL. 

Potential landing spots: Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals.

Kendall Hunter, RB, San Francisco 49ers

Kendall Hunter is buried on the San Francisco 49ers’ depth chart. Frank Gore is the incumbent starter, and the team added Brandon Jacobs via free agency and LaMichael James in the draft.

That leaves Hunter without a defined role, which is unfortunate because he has all the tools to be a starting running back in the NFL. He had 473 yards and two touchdowns on limited touches last year.

If given the chance to carry the load, Hunter could have a breakout year. He may be the odd man out in San Francisco, but if the team elects to trade him, he could be a starting back sooner rather than later.

Potential landing spots: Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions.

Luis Castillo, DE, San Diego Chargers

Luis Castillo broke his leg in Week 1 of last season and hasn’t played since. He’s had a spotty injury history since being drafted in 2005.

Castillo is still a very talented player who could start on a wide array of teams in the league. He’s simply a rotational payer in San Diego now, but he could be much more on other teams.

There’s a reason the New England Patriots were interested in his services this offseason despite his injury history. He’s a talented player who could upgrade a lot of defensive units in the league. 

Potential landing spots: New England Patriots, New York Jets. 

Kirk Cousins, QB, Washington Redskins

Kirk Cousins was drafted in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft despite the team taking quarterback Robert Griffin III with the second-overall pick.

There have been rumblings that the Redskins took Cousins so they could trade him later. However, trading him now wouldn’t be a horrible idea.

Cousins was a quality college quarterback who showed all the intangibles teams look for in a starting quarterback. He could come in and compete for, and win, a starting gig with teams in need of a young quarterback. 

Potential landing spots: Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Jah Reid, OG, Baltimore Ravens

Jah Reid is currently a backup in for the Baltimore Ravens, but he could be a starter at a few different positions around the league.

The Ravens were content with Reid being the starting guard once Ben Grubbs left in free agency. The team made some additions for the sake of competition, and now Reid is on the outside looking in once again.

Teams that need a starting guard or right tackle should look no further than Reid. He’s only 23 years old, 6’7” and 330lbs. He has all the intangibles of a quality starting offensive lineman in the NFL. 

Potential landing spots: Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons. 

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