NFL Trades 2015: Analyzing Buzz on Stars Who Might Be on the Move Next

Generally, the NFL trade market isn't all that thrilling. Free agency is often the way top stars change teams.

However, this offseason has already seen two big deals. First, the Philadelphia Eagles sent LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills for Kiko Alonso. Then, the New York Jets acquired Brandon Marshall from the Chicago Bears, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Those might not be the last noteworthy trades, either.

Below are updates on two veterans who could be off in the near future and one prospect who's the subject of constant draft discussion.

Andre Johnson

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Although the Bears were able to deal their high-priced veteran wide receiver, the Houston Texans are unlikely to be so lucky.

John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reported on Monday night that Andre Johnson is looking for either a trade or outright release to get out of Houston:

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio followed up that a trade may be off the table:

While Johnson has spent all of his 12-year career with the Texans, it would be a good idea for him to play elsewhere in 2015. His role on the team would be diminished, and he'd almost assuredly be asked to take a pay cut.

According to Spotrac, Johnson is due to make a base salary of $10.5 million in 2015 and $11 million in 2016. Because of his rather unwieldy contract, the chances that any team will actually trade for the 33-year-old seem remote.

That would hurt the Texans but simultaneously allow Johnson to pick his next team.

Bleacher Report's Jason Cole reported that the Indianapolis Colts are looking like a good bet to acquire him.

The Colts announced Friday (h/t ESPN.com's Mike Wells) they won't re-sign Reggie Wayne, so the opening is there in Indianapolis. But it would seem counterintuitive for the team to release one aging wide receiver—Wayne—and then turn around and sign another—Johnson.

In the event he does get to select his destination, Johnson would be a great fit for the New England Patriots. He'd partner well with Brandon LaFell and give Tom Brady some much-needed help in the passing game.

The only question is whether New England would have the cap space to sign him. The team doesn't have a ton of room.

With that said, if there's one team from which Johnson would be willing to receive less than market value, it would have to be the reigning Super Bowl champion.

Jay Cutler

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The process of bloodletting in Chicago might not end with Marshall. The Bears could be looking to offload Jay Cutler as well.

Speaking on NFL Total Access, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said that "teams certainly know that Jay Cutler is available," per NFL.com's Chris Wesseling. Rapoport added that Cutler's contract provides incentive for Chicago to act fast:

ESPN.com's Rich Cimini shot down any chance of a Cutler-Marshall reunion in New York:

It appears unlikely that the Bears will get around to trading Cutler at all.

One of the biggest problems would be finding somebody who is willing to take on his massive salary. His deal runs through the 2020 season.

In addition, replacing a 30-year-old Pro Bowl wide receiver is easier than replacing a 31-year-old Pro Bowl quarterback. Cutler isn't as expendable as Marshall; the free-agent market isn't exactly flush with top-tier QBs:

The Bears might ultimately decide to cut bait and trade Cutler, but their best move is to hold onto him for at least another year.

Marcus Mariota

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If Chicago does deal Cutler, then it might look to the draft to find his replacement. ESPN's Sal Paolantonio was a guest on 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia and revealed that the Bears are positioning themselves as a player in the Marcus Mariota sweepstakes (via CBS Chicago):

"

First and foremost, Tampa Bay is one. Tennessee is two. New York Jets is three (at No. 6 overall). This is according to (Mariota's agents, Bruce and Ryan Tollner), and they've obviously studied this because they got Mariota and they had to make this presentation to the young man before they got to be his agent. St. Louis, obviously. Then he dropped three teams on me in a row, one of which was not surprising—Philadelphia. And then Houston and then Chicago. I said, 'Chicago, really? They have (Jay) Cutler.' He said, 'Absolutely Chicago. I've heard from Chicago quite a bit. They're very interested in Mariota.'

"

Obviously, the Bears would have to offload Cutler before they could move for Mariota. There's no way Chicago could have both guys under contract at the same time.

For that reason, it's hard to see the Bears as anything more than outsiders in the race for the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.

The Philadelphia Eagles are arguably in pole position should anybody move up. CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reported that the Eagles are still weighing the possibility of a reunion between Mariota and head coach Chip Kelly:

On paper, Philly is the best fit for Mariota. He'd already have a grasp on Kelly's offensive scheme, so his transition to the NFL wouldn't be as difficult.

In reality, the Eagles might not be willing to part with whatever the Tennessee Titans' trade demands—or those of whomever deals its pick to Philadelphia—would be. Howie Roseman went on record as being against the idea of trading up in the draft when he spoke at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference (via The Philadelphia Inquirer's Zach Berman).

That could be more of the typical pre-draft subterfuge, and Roseman doesn't have the final say on personnel decisions.

Still, the signs aren't pointing toward the Eagles getting Mariota in the first round.

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