Who Are the Biggest Trade Targets of the 2018 NFL Offseason?

The NFL has become trade-happy. 

The new league year arrives Wednesday, and nearly a dozen handshake deals have already been made. But we're not through with the wheeling or the dealing. Trades represented several of the most high-profile moves in 2017. In fact, eight veteran players were dealt during the first week of free agency last March. 

Which players are the biggest trade targets as the 2018 offseason officially gets underway? Here are 11 to watch.

Philadelphia Eagles QB Nick Foles

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Nick Foles just won Super Bowl LII and was named MVP, but the quarterback will resume his backup role as soon as Carson Wentz recovers from a torn ACL. Considering that Wentz is one of the best young signal-callers in the game, it's fair to conclude that a lot of quarterback-starved teams would value Foles more than the Eagles. 

The 29-year-old is due only $7 million in the final year of his current contract, so teams under the impression he could become their franchise quarterback would be happy to test him out for a season before making a decision in 2019 (franchise tag, long-term deal or cut your losses). 

The problem is, the Eagles might need Foles in case Wentz isn't healthy at the start of the 2018 season, which is why they appear to be driving a hard bargain. 

Per ESPN's Chris Mortensen, the team has received multiple inquiries regarding Foles and is asking for more than the first- and fourth-round picks it received from the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for quarterback Sam Bradford in 2016. 

Teams that could be in the mix: Bills, Broncos, Jets, Cardinals

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell

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The Pittsburgh Steelers slapped running back Le'Veon Bell with the franchise tag last week, and the 26-year-old All-Pro immediately hinted that he might consider sitting out a good chunk of the regular season without a long-term deal. 

So long as Bell's future with the Steelers is in limbo, cap-rich teams that dream of a game-changing weapon in the backfield should be checking in with Steelers GM Kevin Colbert.

You never know if the team might run out of patience and make a deal. 

Teams that could be in the mix: Buccaneers, Lions, Colts, Giants, Raiders, Broncos, 49ers

New Orleans Saints RB Mark Ingram

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The New Orleans Saints will have to spend a lot of money in order to bring back quarterback Drew Brees, and safety Kenny Vaccaro and defensive end Alex Okafor are also impending unrestricted free agents. 

Add in the emergence of running back Alvin Kamara (22 years old), and it's easy to justify dealing away veteran back Mark Ingram. With Ingram coming off a career year and entering the final season of his current contract, the timing would be perfect for the 28-year-old. 

So, who's interested in the only back in the NFC to average more than 4.7 yards per carry (4.9) on 200-plus attempts in 2017?

Teams that could be in the mix: Lions, Colts, Giants, Raiders, Broncos, 49ers

New York Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr.

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Might the New York Giants consider dealing wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. prior to a contract year?

New general manager Dave Gettleman can be pretty ruthless, as evidenced by his decisions to part ways with outspoken stars/fan favorites Steve Smith, DeAngelo Williams and Josh Norman in three consecutive offseasons during his time with the Carolina Panthers.

Beckham held out for a portion of the 2017 offseason and is likely to do so again in 2018. In fact, he's even suggested that he won't play in the preseason. He has been involved in several controversies during his time in New York, including one involving a questionable video that emerged last week. It's entirely possible that could cause the Giants to listen to offers, and that somebody could overwhelm them with a pitch for a 25-year-old superstar with three 1,300-yard seasons on his resume. 

Teams that could be in the mix: Jets, Bears, 49ers, Ravens

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Martavis Bryant

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Colbert insisted last month the Steelers aren't interested in dealing wide receiver Martavis Bryant and that they have told interested teams he's not available, according to Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com.

Still, a Bryant trade would make a lot of sense.

The high-potential 26-year-old has had a roller-coaster career. He missed the 2016 season because of a suspension, he publicly stated a desire to be traded early last season and his role decreased as rookie receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster became a big-play threat opposite Antonio Brown in 2017.

Bryant still managed to put up solid numbers in 2017, catching a career-high 59.5 percent of the passes thrown his way for 603 yards despite playing a mere 61.7 percent of the team's offensive snaps. So while the Steelers probably won't budge, expect a lot of teams to inquire this month. 

Teams that could be in the mix: Jets, Redskins, Bears, 49ers, Ravens, Panthers

New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski

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A trade involving New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski remains far-fetched, but the New England Patriots are all business, so you never know.

Gronk will be 29 in May and has dealt with several significant injuries during his first eight years in the NFL. He's yet to confirm he'll play in 2018 after refusing to do so after Super Bowl LII, and it's even possible he's embroiled in the reported feud between Patriots staffers and quarterback Tom Brady's personal trainer. 

The Pats don't have a lot of tolerance for nonconformists, and they try to get aging and/or injury-prone players off the books before they begin to decline. The right offer might tempt them to move Gronkowski. 

Teams that could be in the mix: 49ers, Bears, Bills

Detroit Lions TE Eric Ebron

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The Detroit Lions appear as though they're trying to trade tight end Eric Ebron before the 24-year-old's $8.25 million team option for 2018 becomes guaranteed on Wednesday. 

ESPN's Dianna Russini reported last week that the team met with Ebron last Thursday to discuss his future, adding that they're "open to dealing him" and gave him no assurances regarding his status there. 

The 2014 No. 10 overall pick is two seasons removed from 61 catches on 85 targets for 711 yards in only 13 games, and he scored four touchdowns in 2017. But the team might prefer to bring back veteran Darren Fells alongside intriguing second-year fourth-round tight end Michael Roberts. 

There's a good chance something gets done here in the next couple of days. 

Teams that could be in the mix: Jets, 49ers, Bears, Bills, Giants, Broncos, Cowboys, Ravens

Philadelphia Eagles DE Vinny Curry

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Nick Foles isn't the only Eagles player who could be on the trading block. Don't be surprised if teams call Philly general manager Howie Roseman about veteran defensive end Vinny Curry, who makes a lot of money for a rotational player on a team strapped for salary-cap space. 

Philadelphia already has Brandon Graham, 2017 first-round pick Derek Barnett, veteran Chris Long and new acquisition Michael Bennett on the edge, making it tough to justify Curry's $11 million projected cap hit for 2018. 

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported before the Bennett trade that the Eagles were trying to keep the 29-year-old at a different salary and that "teams are also interested in potentially trading for him." 

Considering that he was one of the best defensive players on Philly's Super Bowl run, another team just might blow the Eagles away with an offer they can't refuse. 

Teams that could be in the mix: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals DE Carlos Dunlap

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The Cincinnati Bengals got a big rookie season out of 2017 fourth-round defensive end Carl Lawson, and there's still a good chance third-round pass-rusher Jordan Willis takes a big step forward in his sophomore campaign. Those two should play large roles in 2018, along with veterans Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson. 

But that depth could also inspire Cincinnati to deal Dunlap prior to the final season of his five-year, $39.4 million deal. 

It's not as though the 29-year-old isn't worth his $7 million salary after a 7.5-sack season, but a trade would save the thrifty Bengals some cash while allowing them to get something for a player who might leave next offseason. 

If I were running a team in need of some pass-rushing experience, I'd be dialing up the Bengals and asking about Dunlap, or even Johnson. 

Teams that could be in the mix: Buccaneers, Colts, Bears

Los Angeles Chargers CB Jason Verrett

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The Los Angeles Chargers gave veteran cornerback Casey Hayward a three-year contract extension this weekend, and the Bolts got strong performances from young corners Desmond King and Trevor Williams in 2017. 

General manager Tom Telesco could consider trading talented 2014 first-round pick Jason Verrett before his $8.52 million team option for 2018 becomes guaranteed. 

Knee injuries have caused the 26-year-old to miss all but five games the last two years. The Chargers probably won't want to sell low, but any offer for that type of injury-prone player might work for a Bolts team with extreme deep at that position. 

So if you're a team with money and room to take a flier on a superb talent hoping to prove himself, you might want to consider making an offer to Telesco. 

Teams that could be in the mix: Jets, Browns, Bears, Texans, Titans, Seahawks, Broncos, Lions, Raiders

Seattle Seahawks S Earl Thomas

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The Seattle Seahawks appear to be in a rebuilding process after trading defensive kingpins Richard Sherman and Michael Bennett. Could star safety Earl Thomas be next?

The fact the 28-year-old three-time All-Pro wasn't also traded could indicate the team is driving a harder bargain, which makes sense considering Thomas is healthier, produced a stronger 2017 season than Sherman and is younger than Sherman and Bennett. 

Still, NFL Network's Michael Silver reported last week that the team would listen to offers for Thomas, whose contract is set to expire after the 2018 season. 

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported the Seahawks would have to be "blown away" to pull the trigger on a deal, but a safety-hungry squad with money to spend just might do that. 

Teams that could be in the mix: Browns, Bears, Texans, Cowboys