The Biggest Trade Chips in the NFL Heading into 2016

NFL rosters are mostly set at this stage of the offseason, with the exception of a few remaining free agents. But that doesn't mean teams aren't looking toward the future and assessing which pieces of their roster could be valuable trade assets in the near future. 

The overwhelming majority of the players on this list, potentially even all of them, will remain with their current team for the 2016 season. But every so often a big-name player gets moved prior to or during the NFL season due to unforeseen circumstances. 

For this reason, each NFL front office is constantly assessing the makeup of their roster to see which trade chips could prove to be valuable if a desperate team is in need of a veteran to fill a last-minute hole. 

Here's a look at eight players who could be mentioned in trade talks if a significant injury were to force a team to turn to the trade market for immediate help. 

Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick had substantially more value on the trade market prior to the draft when more teams had holes to fill at the position. But with most of the quarterback depth charts already set, the 49ers may be stuck with Kaepnerick. 

He still belongs on a list of trade chips, however, due to the probability that someone gets injured during training camp or early in the 2016 season. 

If a contender loses a veteran starting quarterback to injury, Kaepernick might be an intriguing option depending on the 49ers asking price. 

Kaepernick is under contract through the 2020 season, but his contract structure makes him a viable short-term investment.

After the 2016 season is complete, Kapernick is only guaranteed $4.9 million from his original signing bonus, which means his new team could acquire him on what equates to a one-year deal with team options in the future.

Josh McCown, Browns

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Josh McCown makes an appearance on this list for the same reason as Kaepernick. 

While his trade value is minimal right now, if a team suddenly needs a veteran to step in, the Cleveland Browns will certainly listen to their offers. 

McCown doesn't have the same ceiling as Kaepernick due to his age (36 years old), but his experience as a journeyman around the league and his cheaper contract value might actually make him a more enticing option on the trade market.

Only McCown's signing bonus (valued at less than $1 million) is guaranteed beyond the 2016 season, which would allow a team to acquire him for one year at less than $5 million. 

Since the Browns appear to be handing the starting job to Robert Griffin III while grooming third-round pick Cody Kessler for the future, the Browns would likely be willing to part with McCown in exchange for a draft pick. 

Muhammad Wilkerson, Jets

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In a perfect world, the New York Jets wouldn't have to part with one of the stalwarts of their defensive line, but financial concerns have put Muhammad Wilkerson on the trade market. 

The Jets placed the franchise tag on Wilkerson this offseason, but ESPN.com's Rich Cimini recently reported that the two sides are still far apart in long-term contract negotiations. 

Trading Wilkerson at this stage of the offseason is difficult because he would need to agree to a long-term deal with his new team prior to the trade. And in late May, most teams have already spent their free-agent budget and do not have a significant chunk of their salary cap remaining to hand out to Wilkerson. 

Whether or not a trade gets done may simply boil down to how badly the Jets want to get rid of him. 

If they're willing to deal with a disgruntled Wilkerson playing under the franchise tag in the locker room this season, then they have no reason to lower the asking price for one of the league's premier defensive linemen. But if they'd rather just put this chapter behind them, the Jets can certainly find someone willing to take Wilkerson off their hands. 

DeSean Jackson, Redskins

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Early this offseason, there was speculation that DeSean Jackson could be a cap casualty in Washington due to the fact that he costs $9.25 million against the cap in 2016. But Jackson remains in Washington and Rich Tandler of CSN Mid Atlantic has reported that Jackson is unlikely to be released, despite the addition of first-round pick Josh Doctson. 

However, for the right price the Redskins would likely be willing to part with Jackson due to the fact that he is a free agent after the season and their improved depth at the wide receiver position. 

As of right now, it's safe to assume Jackson remains in Washington, but if a top receiver goes down with a significant injury during training camp, Jackson's name should be at the top of the list of trade candidates.

If the Redskins can get more on the trade market for Jackson than they believe he will bring them in the form of a compensation pick after he signs elsewhere next offseason, then a trade could happen.  

Joe Thomas, Browns

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Joe Thomas trade rumors began swirling around the league prior to the the 2015 trade deadline. And while the team hasn't actively shopped him around the league, his name will pop up again in the future. 

The Cleveland Browns are clearly building for the long-term future, and that plan probably doesn't include the 31-year-old Thomas. 

The Browns have Thomas under contract through the 2019 season, which means they're in no rush to move him. But his team-friendly contract—he isn't owed more than $10 million in any season—also increases his trade value substantially. 

Injuries to the Denver Broncos offensive line caused Thomas to be linked to them prior to the 2015 trade deadline, and a similar situation could arise for a contender this year as well.

Cleveland's front office appears to be interested in stockpiling draft picks for the future, so it's reasonable to assume they could be convinced to move Thomas for a lucrative package of picks. 

Mike Glennon, Buccaneers

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht openly discussed trading Mike Glennon this offseason, which makes him an obvious addition to this list. 

As previously mentioned, Kaepernick and McCown would be better short-term fixes for teams in need of an immediate starter due to their experience. However, Glennon is a free agent after the season and will earn less than $2 million this season, the final year of his rookie contract. As a result, Glennon is the cheapest potential starting quarterback on the market. 

Licht referenced the fact that the team was reportedly asking for a first-round pick for Glennon this offseason, and gave a half-hearted denial of that claim. If that's the asking price, Glennon isn't going anywhere. In fact, given Glennon's contract situation, it seems unlikely a team would move a second-round pick for his services either unless a long-term deal could be worked out ahead of time. 

With Kaepernick and McCown the most obvious trade targets at quarterback, the Buccaneers might need to wait for them to be moved in order to drive up the price for Glennon. But that, of course, would require multiple injuries across the league to shake up depth charts and create new open starting positions.  

Jimmy Graham, Seahawks

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The Seattle Seahawks want to give the Jimmy Graham experiment another chance—and for good reason given his production in New Orleans. 

But Graham's inability to fit into Seattle's offense in 2015 can't be overlooked, and it's possible the team will eventually realize his skill set just doesn't add much in their system. 

The biggest concern is the fact that Graham offers almost no value as a blocker, which was likely a contributing factor in the team's decision to draft tight end Nick Vannett in the third round this year. 

If Graham doesn't elevate his game and the Seahawks stumble out of the gate, the team may decide Graham has more value on the trade market than in their offense.

Graham has two years remaining on his contract, which would make him more valuable as a trade chip during the 2016 season than after the season, when a team would be faced with potentially getting his services for just one year.  

Antonio Gates, Chargers

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Antonio Gates re-signed with the San Diego Chargers this offseason, so he's clearly committed to finishing his career in San Diego rather than seeking out a chance at a championship elsewhere. 

But if the Chargers struggle, as expected, and a contender is in the market for a tight end, Gates could find himself in the middle of trade discussions. 

Gates turns 36 in June, so he won't bring the Chargers back a substantial haul in a trade. But now that the team has drafted his eventual replacement, Hunter Henry, Gates may have more value on the trade block than in San Diego's offense. 

A number of contenders, such as the Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers, have shaky situations at tight end, which could makes Gates a midseason trade target. 

All contract values provided by Spotrac.