The Most Realistic Move Each NFL Team Could Make at the NFL Trade Deadline

Huge trades are not commonplace during the NFL season, but the decision to move back the trade deadline a couple weeks could definitely have an impact in 2012. 

More importantly, parity has led to a number of teams still being in the race as we close out October. This means that there will be a lot more buyers than in previous seasons. 

The likes of Matt Moore, Dwayne Bowe and even Dez Bryant could possibly be had for the right price. Today's article is going to focus on one legitimate trade that each team should pursue prior to the trade deadline. 

Keep in mind that most of these are pure conjecture on my part. We really don't have a great idea of which players are on the trade block. A lot of things that have been bandied about is just PR from teams looking to gain feelers. 

New York Giants

Joselio Hanson, cornerback, Oakland Raiders

To say the New York Giants cornerback position has been unsettled would be an understatement. Instead, it as been downright questionable at best. 

Terrell Thomas, who missed the entire 2011 season with a torn right ACL, re-injured that same knee and was placed on IR during training camp. Meanwhile, Prince Amukamara has been inflicted with a myriad of different injuries after being selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft. 

New York's defense ranks 21st in the NFL against the pass, giving up a tad over 250 yards per game. It could definitely use an upgrade. 

Hanson would come relatively cheap and has experience playing in the slot. 

Philadelphia Eagles

Daryl Smith, Linebacker, Jacksonville Jaguars

Smith would be able to backup at two of the Philadelphia Eagles three linebacker positions as well as spot start if needed. At this point, I doubt very much that Philadelphia would be ecstatic to see Casey Matthews or Jamar Chaney starting at any point this season. 

Smith, who is a free agent following the 2012 season, could be expendable in Jacksonville if it decides to go with Brandon Marshall and the youth movement. 

Washington Redskins

Michael Griffin, Safety, Tennessee Titans

This is a highly unlikely situation considering that Tennessee just signed Griffin to long-term extension during the offseason. However, the former first-round picked has struggled a great deal in coverage and seems to have fallen out of favor in Nashville. 

Meanwhile, Washington is as weak as they come at the safety position. Reed Doughty and Madieu Williams don't scare anyone in the backend. While DeJon Gomes might have a bright future, he isn't ready to step in quite yet. 

The major sticking point here would be Griffin's expensive contract and the fact that Washington is already missing a first-round pick due to the Robert Griffin III trade. I am not sure if it is willing to give up any more selections. 

Dallas Cowboys

Ryan Lilja, Guard, Kansas City Chiefs 

While this veteran guard has struggled in each of the last two seasons in Kansas City, he would be an upgrade and veteran presence over both Mackenzy Bernadeau and David Arkin at right guard for the Dallas Cowboys. 

Their offensive line has struggled, mostly along the interior of the line. Lilja would bring with him 95 starts in nine NFL seasons. 

Atlanta Falcons

Chris Ivory, Running Back, New Orleans Saints

This veteran running back put up nearly 400 yards on the ground in six appearances for New Orleans in 2011, a performance that came off the heels of him leading the team in rushing with 716 yards in 2010. 

However, Ivory has yet to be active for any of New Orleans first seven games and currently sits firmly on the trade block. 

He would bring toughness and a strong level of experience for the Atlanta Falcons behind Michael Turner. 

While second-year running back Jacquizz Rodgers has a tremendous amount of upside, he has been less than stellar as Turner's primary backup. The former Oregon State standout has recorded just 77 yards on 31 rushes through the first six games of the season. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Rashean Mathis, Cornerback, Jacksonville Jaguars

It remains to be seen how the Tampa Bay Buccaneers plan to utilize Aqib Talib once he returns from a four-game suspension, but there is some train of through that seems to indicate that they will put the troublesome but talented cornerback on the market. 

Even if Talib does return and play for Tampa Bay this season it is going to have to find upgrades on the outside. Mathis would be a solid veteran addition and could even get some play in the slot. 

The former Pro Bowler has regressed in each of the last three seasons, but would add experience to an otherwise questionable cornerback situation in Tampa. 

Carolina Panthers

Dwayne Bowe, Wide Receiver, Kansas City Chiefs

It remains to be seen how much longer Steve Smith will be suiting up for the Carolina Panthers. The veteran wide receiver did sign a four-year contract extension back in April. but should be starting to show signs of his age (33) in the not-so-distant future. 

Bowe, who wouldn't come cheap, could provide Cam Newton with that long-term No. 1 wide receiver on the outside. 

Look for Carolina to try to shake things up a bit after firing general manager Marty Hurney on Monday. The might attempt to pull off a big trade to help what has been a struggling passing game on offense. 

Obviously, this is pure conjecture. 

New Orleans Saints

Philip Wheeler, Linebacker, Oakland Raiders

The New Orleans Saints boast an historically bad defense, and their struggles seem to start at the linebacker position. While Jonathan Vilma did return to action last week against the Carolina Panthers, he was already regressing last season before the Bounty Gate scandal broke. 

Meanwhile, the likes of Scott Shanle just don't seem to be getting it done on the other side. Wheeler, who Oakland acquired prior to the start of the season, has played exceptionally well after returning to form in a 43 defensive scheme that seems to fit his talents a great deal. 

Oakland is going to be sellers prior to the trade deadline due to the fact that Reggie McKenzie wants to add more draft picks. It would be well served to look for suitors for Wheeler here. 

Chicago Bears

Andy Levitre, Guard, Buffalo Bills

Jay Cutler had been sacked a total of three times in the Chicago Bears previous two games prior to last night. In total, he went down five times against the Detroit Lions in Chicago's 13-7 win. 

While pass protection has improved for Cutler, the interior of the Bears offensive line leaves a lot to be desired, most notably starting left guard Chilo Rachal. The former second-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers just isn't starter material. 

Levitre has started all 55 games that he has played for the Buffalo Bills since they drafted him in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft. He would solidify a Bears' offensive line that lacks true building blocks at this point. 

Minnesota Vikings

Mike Jenkins, Cornerback, Dallas Cowboys

Despite overall success on the defensive side of the ball, the Minnesota Vikings have struggled to an extent against the pass. They rank 22nd overall in passing yards against through the first seven weeks of the season. 

As I mentioned in a previous article, Minnesota needs to start building a young core on the defensive side of the ball if it is going to take that next step. Harrison Smith is a good start, but the Vikings just need more. 

Enter into the equation Mike Jenkins, who fell out of favor in Dallas and was placed on the trade block in the offseason. The former Pro Bowl performer is still only 27 and has a lot of good football ahead of himself. 

I doubt very much that the Vikings would scoff at giving up a third or fourth rounder for the former first-round pick, especially with Antoine Winfield getting up there in age. 

Green Bay Packers

Bradie James, Linebacker, Houston Texans

The Green Bay Packers are going to be looking for a stopgap middle linebacker to replace the injured Desmond Bishop. However, there doesn't seem to be any reason for them to give up a bounty for someone that will only be starting for the remainder of the 2012 season. 

James, who Houston signed away from the Dallas Cowboys in the offseason, would be a perfect veteran presence next to A.J. Hawk along the middle of Green Bay's defense. 

Despite losing Brian Cushing to a second-ending injury, I am pretty sure that Houston would be okay with Tim Dobbins and Darryl Sharpton as its two starting middle linebackers for the remainder of the season. This is all contingent on the latter returning to the active roster relatively soon. 

Detroit Lions

Aqib Talib, Cornerback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Chris Houston seems to be a solid building block for the Detroit Lions at the cornerback position, but they just don't seem to have a whole lot after that. Bill Bentley and Jacob Lacey really aren't going to scare anyone. 

Detroit, who is currently 2-4 and in last place in the NFC North, needs to add more talent on the defensive side of the ball if it wants to contend moving forward. 

While Talib has off-field issues, which could scare Detroit off a bit, he has shutdown cornerback capability. Look for Jim Schwartz and company to take a gander at upgrading their secondary. Talib could probably come relatively cheap, a mid-round pick or so. 

San Francisco 49ers

Glenn Dorsey, Defensive Line, Kansas City Chiefs

Isaac Sopoaga is set to become a free agent following the 2012 season and Justin Smith isn't getting any younger at the defensive end/tackle position in the San Francisco 49ers 34 defensive scheme. 

Either way, the 49ers are going to have to get young talent and depth along the defensive line. 

Dorsey can play both tackle and end, which seems to be a necessity to suit up for San Francisco. More importantly, he seems to fit its defense to a T. 

The 49ers also have a vast amount of picks in the 2013 NFL draft following a number of trades this offseason. The extra third rounder that San Francisco acquired from the Indianapolis Colts could come in handy here. 

Arizona Cardinals

Sam Baker, Offensive Tackle, Atlanta Falcons

Baker is as pedestrian as it comes in terms of pass protection. In fact, it could be stated that he is currently the Atlanta Falcons weak link on the offensive line. 

That being said, the former second-round pick from USC would be considered an upgrade for a handful of teams in the NFL. 

The Arizona Cardinals are one. 

Baker would be an upgrade over D'Anthony Batiste at left tackle in Arizona. More importantly, he would provide some resemblance of stability along an offensive line that has allowed 35 sacks through the first seven games of the 2012 NFL season. 

Seattle Seahawks

Dez Bryant, Wide Receiver, Dallas Cowboys

Why not? That is the question that Pete Carroll and company would definitely be asking themselves if Dallas were to actually put Bryant on the trade block. 

While there doesn't seem to be any indication that the Cowboys would actually trade the enigmatic young receiver, something needs to be done about him. The former first-round pick from Oklahoma State continues to struggle making plays on the outside, doesn't seem to have a connection with Tony Romo, and drops way too many passes. 

Why would Seattle want him then? Well it is pretty simple. Seattle lacks consistent playmakers and talent on the outside for Russell Wilson and a change of scenery could do Bryant some good. 

Obviously, this is just pure conjecture on my part. 

St. Louis Rams

Dwayne Bowe, Wide Receiver, Kansas City Chiefs

The St. Louis Rams have an extra first-round pick in 2013 due to the Robert Griffin III trade. It makes sense for them to think about actually spending that pick on a proven player on the offensive side of the ball. 

It goes without saying that Bowe fits that mold. 

He would provide that big bodied target for Sam Bradford on the outside and immediately takeover as the Rams No. 1 receiving threat. 

New England Patriots

Aqib Talib, Cornerback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The New England Patriots have a history of taking on troubled assets. Randy Moss, Chad Ochocinco and Brandon Lloyd come to mind first. 

Now that New England is pretty much set on the offensive side of the ball, it might want to take a gander at a relative weakness on defense...The secondary. 

Despite leading the NFL in interceptions last season, Kyle Arrington probably isn't anything more than a nickel corner on a good defense. Meanwhile, both Ras-I Dowling and Alfonzo Dennard seem to lack the experience to make an impact in 2012. 

Talib would give New England a solid starting cornerback opposite Devin McCourty. As I mentioned in a previous slide, the troubled young defensive back would probably come for pennies on the dollar. 

Miami Dolphins

Dwayne Bowe, Wide Receiver, Kansas City Chiefs

The Miami Dolphins have that franchise quarterback, a top of the line running back and elite offensive tackle. All that is missing on the offensive side of the ball is a true No. 1 wide receiver. While Brian Hartline has surprised a great deal of skeptics, he really isn't a true go to guy on a good offense. 

Enter into the equation Dwayne Bowe, who seems to want out of Kansas City at this point and who could blame him. While there have been no direct talks between the Chiefs and Dolphins, common sense seems to indicate that the two could be solid trade partners. 

For what it's worth, Miami possesses extra second and third rounders due to their trades of both Vontae Davis and Brandon Marshall.

New York Jets

Greg Jennings, Wide Receiver, Green Bay Packers

Rookie wide receiver Stephen Hill possesses a tremendous amount of talent, but is still as raw as they come. Santonio Holmes is out for the remainder of the season after suffering a lisfranc injury against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 4. 

Meanwhile, Jeremy Kerley has been an impressive surprise thus far in 2012. 

With all that in mind, the New York Jets could definitely use a true No. 1 wide receiver. While Greg Jennings has been injured all season, he does seem to fit the mold of a true go to guy on the outside. 

Jennings is set to be a free agent following the 2012 season and could be a numbers victim in Green Bay. It has a ton of cheaper options in the form of James Jones, Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb. If the Packers could get an early-round pick for the talented receiver, they might make the decision to jump on it. 

Buffalo Bills

Jimmy Clausen, Quarterback, Carolina Panthers

While the Buffalo Bills did trade for Tarvaris Jackson earlier in the season and signed Ryan Fitzpatrick to a contract extension last year, they are far from set at the quarterback position. 

Fitzpatrick has performed relatively well over the course of the last two games, but is still on pace to throw 21 interceptions after leading the NFL in that category last season. 

Why not give him a little bit of competition. It isn't like Clausen will cost a whole heck of a lot, probable a sixth or seventh rounder. 

Houston Texans

Devery Henderson, Wide Receiver, New Orleans Saints

Henderson might be listed as a starter for New Orleans, but he is currently its fourth or fifth option in the passing game behind the likes of Jimmy Graham, Lance Moore and Marques Colston, among others. 

The veteran is currently fifth on the Saints in both receptions and targets through the first seven weeks of the season. 

It seems that Henderson would be a perfect fit as the No. 2 option outside of Andre Johnson in the Houston Texans offense. 

Indianapolis Colts

Jonathan Stewart, Running Back, Carolina Panthers

Stewart might have signed a six-year, $37.8 million contract extension with the Panthers back in August, but that doesn't mean that they are sold on him long-term. Pure numbers seem to indicate that Carolina might be looking at making some trades in the not so distant future. 

It has Cam Newton and DeAngelo Williams as a solid backfield tandem, which has left Stewart without the opportunity to see the ball a great deal. The former first-round pick is averaging less than nine attempts per game since the start of the 2010 season. 

Meanwhile, Indianapolis will probably be looking for a true No. 1 running back following the 2012 season. They have that elite franchise quarterback as well as a myriad of young pass-catchers. All it needs in order to become a dynamic offense is a strong running game. 

The one thing holding Indianapolis back from making a trade like this is the fact that it gave up a second-round pick to the Miami Dolphins in the Vontae Davis trade. 

Tennessee Titans

Mike Jenkins, Cornerback, Dallas Cowboys

Needless to say, the Tennessee Titans are definitely missing Cortland Finnegan, who departed for the St. Louis Rams during the offseason. 

Tennessee ranks 27th in the NFL in pass defense, giving up an average of 281 yards per game. More importantly, it's defense as a unit is dead last in the league in scoring at 34 points per outing. 

These numbers just aren't sustainable if the Titans are to contend for a postseason spot in 2012 and moving forward. 

At 27 years of age, Jenkins would provide the Titans with a starting caliber cornerback that could be locked up long-term. 

It isn't that Tennessee doesn't have talent on defense. Youngsters such as Derrick Morgan, Akeem Ayers, Colin McCarthy and Zach Brown. It just lacks proven talent in the secondary. 

Jacksonville Jaguars

Colt McCoy, Quarterback, Cleveland Browns

It remains to be seen whether Blaine Gabbert is the long-term answer at quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars. On that note, we can draw the conclusion that Chad Henne doesn't really have a future with this franchise. 

Pure conjecture, but it seems that Jacksonville could use some more competition at he quarterback position. 

Colt McCoy would come in and immediately light a fire under Gabbert, who the Jaguars actually do have a lot invested in. At the very least, he would be a more viable backup option than the aforementioned Henne. 

Baltimore Ravens

Rashean Mathis, Cornerback, Jacksonville Jaguars

When drawing a conclusion about what the Baltimore Ravens are missing on the defensive side of the ball it is a shopping list as long as a college student at The Dollar Tree. 

They are lacking a true pass-rush, are too old on most areas of the field and are as injury-riddled as any unit in the NFL. 

The loss of Lardarius Webb for the season a couple weeks ago has had a dramatic impact in terms of their ability to stop the pass. 

While Baltimore won't want to give up a high draft pick or invest a long-term contract to another cornerback, they could use a rent-a-player at this point. Mathis, who is on the wrong side of his career, would be a solid stopgap for the remainder of the 2012 season. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

Cooper Carlisle, Guard, Oakland Raiders

The Pittsburgh Steelers front office continues to do it right. They don't spend a lot of money on outside free agents, make a minimal amount of trades and utilize the "build through the draft" philosophy. 

It has worked out for the most part. 

Carlisle would be coming in to be a filler at right guard and could probably be had for a late-round pick. He fits the Steelers type of blocking scheme and would be an immediate upgrade over Ramon Foster. Additionally, Oakland could look to move Carlisle with Tony Bergstrom waiting in the wings. 

Cincinnati Bengals

Yeremiah Bell, Safety, New York Jets

Taylor Mays just isn't going to cut it as a starting strong safety in the National Football League. He struggles too much diagnosing plays and cannot cover worth a damn. 

You have to believe that the Cincinnati Bengals fully understand this. After all, they acquired him from the San Francisco 49ers for a seventh-round pick after the latter had selected him in the second round just a year earlier. 

Bell might be an average cover guy in the backend, but he would add a tremendous amount of starting experience and a major upgrade over Mays. Moreover, Bell would probably come relatively cheap if the Dolphins decide to put him on the market. 

Cleveland Browns

Devery Henderson, Wide Receiver, New Orleans Saints 

Brandon Weeden is playing some damn good football for an inexperienced rookie quarterback. However, his receivers just aren't getting it done on the outside. 

Greg Little leads the world in dropped passes and Josh Gordon let what would have been a game winning touchdown pass slip through his hands last week against the Indianapolis Colts. 

Inconsistency is a major issue here. 

While Henderson has been as inconsistent as they come, he would be a major upgrade over what Cleveland currently has at the wide receiver position. 

Denver Broncos

Glenn Dorsey, Defensive Line, Kansas City Chiefs

There really aren't a lot of holes on the Denver Broncos, which bodes well for their chances to win the AFC West. 

One issue I see as it relates to this team is depth and talent along the interior of the defensive line. While trades aren't made between division rivals all too often, Dorsey would fit the Broncos defensive scheme to a T. 

They might have to overpay to pry him away from Kansas City, but it is definitely something worth looking into. 

San Diego Chargers

Ron Brace, Defensive Tackle, New England Patriots

Aubrayo Franklin is clearly past his prime and is nowhere near the player we saw with the San Francisco 49ers two seasons ago. If the San Diego Chargers had any viable option outside of Franklin that guy would be playing right now. 

Brace has been an absolute bust for New England since it drafted him in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft. He is stuck behind Kyle Love and Vince Wilfork at defensive tackle as well. 

In reality, Brace would be a low-risk, low-reward type of addition. He wouldn't cost a whole heck of a lot and could use a chance of scenery. 

Oakland Raiders

Sam Shields, Cornerback, Green Bay Packers

It is hard to imagine that Green Bay would give up Shields, who is currently its starting cornerback. With that in mind, rookie second-round pick Casey Hayward from Vanderbilt has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2012 season and is an early candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year. 

Green Bay is facing some serious decisions in regards to who it retains following 2012. This is a franchise that has been really smart not to overpay certain players or jump on someone's bandwagon after one solid season. 

On that note, the Oakland Raiders are in dire need of a starting caliber cornerback. First-year general manager Reggie McKenzie could use his previous association with Green Bay to get the lines of communication open. 

That being said, he has publicly stated that the days of the Raiders giving up future draft picks for veteran players are over. Unlikely scenario here. 

Kansas City Chiefs

Chase Daniel, Quarterback, New Orleans Saints

It goes without saying that the Kansas City Chiefs are going to look long and hard at the quarterback position during the 2012 NFL draft. Their ability to get a franchise guy will depend on how they finish up the season. 

Needless to say, neither Brady Quinn or Matt Cassel are the long-term solutions in Kansas City. 

Why not go out and take a chance on a backup quarterback that seems to have what it takes to compete with a youngster for the starting position?