6 NFL Trades That Should Happen Before Final Rosters Are Determined

During my exhausting monitoring of NFL rosters, depth charts and team needs, a few moves have jumped out to me that make a lot of sense.  These trades fill needs for both teams and seem logical. With that said, their probably is not a likelihood that they will happen, but I thought that I’d share my take on trades that would help both teams. 

Dallas Trades QB Stephen McGee to Miami for a Conditional Draft Pick

Reason for Miami to make the trade

With the expected release or trade of David Garrard and a less than happy Matt Moore, the Dolphins could use a player familiar with the Mike Sherman offense as a long-term backup to Ryan Tannehill.  Remember that McGee played at Texas A&M for Sherman before Tannehill, has some NFL starts under his belt and should be able to have an impact for Miami when called upon.

Reason for the Dallas to make the trade

McGee is no longer viewed as a candidate to back up Tony Romo with the addition of Kyle Orton, so getting something in return for him is better than nothing.

Seattle Trades QB Tarvaris Jackson to Green Bay for a Draft Pick

Reason for Seattle to make the trade

Jackson is no longer in the team's plans at quarterback and needs to end his time with them. 

Reason for Green Bay to make the trade

The team would a QB familiar with the division and with starting experience for the price of a sixth or seventh-round pick. He is certainly worth the rental for a team likely to be picking at the bottom of each round.

Pittsburgh Trades Trai Essex to Arizona for Antonio Coleman and a Pick

Reason for Pittsburgh to make the trade

With the uncertain health of James Harrison, adding a diamond in the rough like Antonio Coleman  would be perfect move for the Steelers.  It would be a low risk and a high reward on a player who led the SEC in sacks his senior year.   Plus Pittsburgh has great depth at tackle now and needs to get second pick Mike Adams some more reps as the second team's left tackle. 

Reason for Arizona to make the trade

After losing left tackle Levi Brown, the team doesn't really want to go into the season with D.J. Young on that side as a starter.   Essex is battle tested and serviceable and will be penciled in as a starter. 

Buffalo Trades Tashard Choice to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a Conditional Pick

Reason for Buffalo to make the trade

Although productive when called upon, Choice is likely going to be cut off of the roster, as Buffalo has Fred Jackson, C.J. Spiller and Johnny White already locking up the starting three tailback spots.

Reason for Jacksonville to make the trade

With the ugliness of the Maurice Jones-Drew situation, the Jags really don’t want to go into the season with their current stable of backs.  Choice is a good spot starter and can at least improve the depth behind Jones-Drew whenever he returns.

Tampa Bay Trades Ted Larsen and a Conditional Pick to Dallas for Marcus Spears

Reason for Tampa Bay to make the trade

Da’Quan Bowers is out again for the year, and Michael Bennett is a one-year rental.  Spears is a much better fit for the 4-3 style that the Buccaneers will run under Schiano.

Reason for Dallas to make the trade

The team's center play in camp as been abysmal, so Larsen can at least improve that along with his experience playing guard, which is also an area that the Cowboys are struggling at this year.

Miami Trades RB Steve Slaton to the San Diego Chargers for WR Roscoe Parrish

Reason for San Diego to make the trade

With the durability of Ryan Matthews in question, the age of Ronnie Brown and the limited skills of Jackie Battle,the Chargers would be wise to add Slaton.  Slaton is running as the third back in Miami, but there is not a chance they will cut Lamar Miller or keep him unless they keep four running backs, which is unlikely.  Remember Slaton ran for a 1000 yards as a rookie and could be a nice No. 2 back to Matthews when he returns.

Reason for Miami to make the trade

No chance that they are keeping Slaton, so moving him and adding another wide receiver would be a great benefit.   Parrish is injury-prone, but even at 30, if he can stay healthy, he would at least give Miami a little more juice at its depleted wide receiver core and return game.