NFL Trade Deadline: 5 Trades That Should Happen but Probably Won't

Unlike the MLB, NHL and NBA, the NFL trade deadline usually comes and goes without any blockbuster deals.

However, if certain NFL teams out there are interested in upgrading their rosters at particularly weak positions, they should seriously consider bucking the football trend and make a large splash at the upcoming trade deadline.

Most likely these teams won’t make big trades since the NFL is such a copycat league, and big trades don’t happen mid-season in pro football.

But these five teams should trade for certain star players, and here’s why.

Maurice Jones-Drew to the Arizona Cardinals

Losers of three straight, the Arizona Cardinals are starting to come back down to earth after a surprising 4-0 start.

Part of their recent struggles could be attributed to the rash of injuries they’ve suffered at the running back position. With Christopher "Beanie" Wells fighting a nagging toe injury and backup Ryan Williams done for the year with a shoulder injury, the Cardinals have been decimated at the running back position.

A big upgrade is out there for the taking, as long as that option is himself healthy.

Arizona should seriously consider acquiring Jacksonville Jaguars star running back Maurice Jones-Drew. He would be an immediate upgrade at a position where Arizona desperately needs help right now.

Of course, Arizona would have to give MJD a contract extension, as Pocket Hercules held out during much of this past summer in search of big money from the Jaguars. In order for the Cards to foot the bill, they could either trade or release quarterback Kevin Kolb and go with the cheaper John Skelton.

But obviously, if the foot injury MJD suffered in Week 7 against Oakland is serious, this potential trade would be totally squashed.

DJ Williams to the Baltimore Ravens

Denver Broncos fans are well aware of linebacker DJ Williams’ recent troubles off the field.

Currently, Williams is serving a combined nine-game suspension from the NFL—six games for violating the league’s banned-substances policy and an additional three games for an August conviction of impaired driving.

The suspension and Williams’ additional 2005 arrest for impaired driving may have the Broncos fed up at this point, but the Baltimore Ravens would probably welcome Williams with open arms.

With star cornerback Lardarius Webb done for the season with a torn ACL and star linebacker Ray Lewis done for the season with a torn triceps, the Ravens could use a boost on defense.

Pairing Williams with linebacker Terrell Suggs could help Baltimore replace some of the swagger they’ve lost on D recently.

Dwayne Bowe to the Miami Dolphins

It’s pretty amazing that Miami Dolphins rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been able to pass for nearly 1,500 yards through the first six games of his pro career, considering his two best receivers are Brian Hartline and Davone Bess.

To further enhance his NFL progression, Tannehill could use a stud go-to receiver.

The Dolphins should look no further than disgruntled Kansas City receiver Dwayne Bowe to fill that need. Bowe is playing under the notorious franchise tag in 2012 and reportedly wants out of Kansas City.

Miami has a slew of extra draft picks in its arsenal, thanks to recently dealing away Brandon Marshall and Vontae Davis.

Why not use a few of these extra picks in a package to trade for Bowe and give Tannehill the star receiver that would help the rising quarterback take another big step in his already promising Miami tenure?

Donald Driver to the New York Jets

Everyone loves to troll on New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez for failing to live up to his billing as the next Joe Namath.

But in all fairness to Sanchez, he’s going it alone without his top receiver, Santonio Holmes, for the rest of the 2012 season. Acquiring Packers veteran receiver Donald Driver may somewhat compensate for the loss of Holmes, while giving Sanchez another quality weapon in the passing game he needs.

Rumors have been circulating that Driver is unhappy with his reduced role in Green Bay’s potent offense. Whether this is actually the case or not, having Driver donning Jets green as opposed to Packers green could be a win-win situation for Driver and Sanchez.

Julian Edelman to the St. Louis Rams

St. Louis Rams star slot receiver (and Sam Bradford’s go-to guy) Danny Amendola is expected to be out a few more weeks with a collarbone injury.

The Rams should look to the New England Patriots when it comes to replacing Amendola.

Of course, when you think of slot receivers in New England, Wes Welker comes to mind. However, Julian Edelman is actually the Patriot the Rams should pursue.

Both Welker and Edelman are set to be free agents after the 2012 season, but Welker is going to demand big money on the market, while Edelman would be a more affordable option for St. Louis.