The Biggest Trade Chips in the NFL Heading into 2015 Season

A fair amount of NFL fans and observers often talk about the lack of activity around the midseason deadline.

But over the last few months, specifically dating back to the start of the fiscal year on March 10, there should be no complaints when it comes to this league’s version of Let’s Make a Deal.

Roughly three months ago, we saw the likes of running back LeSean McCoy, tight end Jimmy Graham, center Max Unger, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and wide receivers Mike Wallace and Kenny Stills all dealt to new clubs.

Are there more trades to come?

Here we will take a look at eight players who have been linked to such talk over the last couple of months.

Keep in mind that we are not saying these players will or should be dealt. They are simply logical candidates due to numerous rumors and speculation that they have been or are currently on the trade market. In some cases, that is due to the fact that they are entering the final year of their current contracts and could become unrestricted free agents in 2016.

It makes for some intriguing discussions.

RB Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

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Speaking with Josina Anderson of ESPN, running back Adrian Peterson explained why he decided to join his Minnesota Vikings teammates during OTAs.

"

I decided to come back just to get around my teammates and the coaching staff. There’s never been any love lost with those guys. Basically it’s time for me to come in and test the waters and re-familiarize myself with our offense and the direction they're trying to go in.

"

But does that mean the eight-year pro (who played in just one game in 2014 due to his off-field issues) won't get traded to another team in the next few months? Never say never in today’s NFL.

And wouldn't it be interesting that if indeed the talented running back ended up in a different uniform this fall, the last three league rushing champions—Peterson (2012), LeSean McCoy (2013) and DeMarco Murray (2014)—would all be with different clubs this upcoming season?

DE Muhammad Wilkerson, New York Jets

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Even before the New York Jets made defensive lineman Leonard Williams the sixth overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft, there was speculation about the future of defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson.

The team’s first-round pick in 2011 enters the final year of his current deal and new general manager Mike Maccagnan is hoping to get an extension done “at some point.”

“It’s going to be a process,” said Maccagnan to the New York Post this week.

But what if the Jets and Wilkerson—who has totaled 24.5 sacks and seven forced fumbles in four seasons—can’t come to an agreement? Would Maccagnan be wise to ship off the talented defender? The price would certainly need to be right.

ILB Mychal Kendricks, Philadelphia Eagles

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A second-round pick in 2012, inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks has been a primary starter in each of his three seasons in the league. Despite playing in only 12 games this past season, he led the Philadelphia Eagles with 83 tackles and totaled four sacks and three forced fumbles.

But as he enters the final year of his four-year contract, will he be a member of Chip Kelly’s team this fall?

When asked by Mark Eckel of NJ.com if he was certain that he would be with these Birds this fall, Kendrick's answer was simple: “I don’t know. I think so.”

The Eagles finished 28th in total defense this past season for a number of reasons. But they are also a team that has linebackers DeMeco Ryans and Kiko Alonso—the latter acquired this offseason by Kelly from the Buffalo Bills for running back LeSean McCoy. The club also drafted Jordan Hicks out of Texas in the third round this year and signed former Green Bay Packers linebacker Brad Jones this offseason.

As for Kendricks, it’s unclear what the future holds. 

“There's been no talk of an extension,” said Kendricks. “I can't control whatever happens here. I like Philly. I'd like to finish where I started. ... But again whatever happens, happens.”

Kendricks would make a terrific pickup for a number of teams.

G Evan Mathis, Philadelphia Eagles

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What a surprise. Yet another member of the Philadelphia Eagles has been linked to trade talks.

We just spoke about inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks, and during the days leading up to this year’s draft, there were whispers that defensive end Fletcher Cox could be involved in some wheeling and dealing as well.

Then there’s guard Evan Mathis, who was the second-best player at his position in 2014 (despite missing seven games), according to Pro Football Focus. He was also the top-ranked guard in the NFL for three straight seasons (2011-2013) and has been the subject of trade talks for quite some time.

But so far, there have been no takers for the well-traveled 10-year pro who has spent the last five seasons in the City of Brotherly Love.

Will that still be the case is 2015? If we have learned one thing about Kelly, it's that his roster-tweaking never really ends.

FS Eric Weddle, San Diego Chargers

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Is three-time Pro Bowl free safety Eric Weddle about to embark on his last season with the San Diego Chargers? Or has the productive defender already played his final game with the Bolts?

What we know is that any talk of a contract extension between the team and Weddle has ended. And when it comes to the 2015 season, who knows?

“He will play his final 16 games as a Charger as a free safety—nothing else,” said David Canter, Weddle’s agent, via Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune earlier this week. “… His going above and beyond for them is why they won’t give him a contract extension.”

Still, in a league where nearly every team could use some more help on defense, as well as special teams, Weddle would make an outstanding addition.

Is there a deal in the works? It would be foolish to think that no teams have inquired about Weddle’s availability.

G Alex Boone, San Francisco 49ers

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Conventional wisdom says that San Francisco general manager Trent Baalke will allow often-disgruntled 49ers guard Alex Boone to play out the final year of his current contract and then release him to the free-agent market.

But why let a talented player just walk away without trying to get some sort of compensation for him? The team watched three-time Pro Bowl guard Mike Iupati sign with the Arizona Cardinals this offseason. The Niners did add guard/tackle Erik Pears via free agency this year, has three-year pro Joe Looney waiting in the wings and drafted Trenton Brown in the seventh round this spring.

Don’t rule out another familiar face leaving the Bay Area over the next few months.

DE/OLB Bruce Irvin, Seattle Seahawks

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“I’m going to be in Atlanta next season,” said current Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin.

Roughly three weeks ago, speaking with BlackSportsOnline.com (courtesy of Terry Blount of ESPN.com), the three-year pro made that prediction based partly on the fact that the Seahawks have decided not to pick up the fifth-year option on the 2012 first-round pick.

So could general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll accelerate the process and work a deal with Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff and new head coach Dan Quinn, who was the Seahawks defensive coordinator for the past two years?

It could be a possibility if the two-time NFC champions have some other holes to fill, especially on the offensive line.

This offseason, the Falcons did address their pass rush, which produced only 22 sacks in 2014, with free-agent additions such as outside linebacker Brooks Reed and defensive end Adrian Clayborn and 2015 first-round pick Vic Beasley. But if you’re the proactive Seahawks, why not part ways with a player who figures to be gone a year from now?

QB Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins

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Ever since quarterbacks Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins were both selected by the Washington Redskins’ in the 2012 draft, there’s been speculation that the latter would eventually be traded. After all, two solid prospects can’t really coexist when it comes to the quarterback position, can they?

In three seasons, Cousins has played in 14 regular-season games, owns a 2-7 record as a starter and has thrown more interceptions (19) than touchdowns (18).

While Griffin has certainly had his ups and downs over the last two seasons following his tremendous rookie season three years ago, the Redskins also appear to be comfortable with Colt McCoy in a backup role, as they re-signed the quarterback this offseason.

And as we know, teams are always looking for a quarterback.

All free-agent information and player signings/transactions are courtesy of Spotrac. Depth chart information comes via Ourlads. Unless otherwise noted, all player and team statistics come from Pro-Football-Reference.com and ESPN.com.