NFL Players Who Could Survive the Trade Deadline and Be Moved in 2020 Offseason

The approaching NFL trade deadline (Oct. 29) has already spurred some major deals. 

But what about trades beyond the deadline?

Watching the New England Patriots swipe Mohamed Sanu from the struggling Atlanta Falcons for a second-round pick seems obvious in hindsight given the statuses of the two teams. Ditto for the San Francisco 49ers going out and getting Emmanuel Sanders from the Denver Broncos. 

Contenders sacrificing long-term assets in hopes of winning now and rebuilders stockpiling draft picks aren't surprising, though. 

Perhaps more interesting are a handful of players who won't get dealt before this year's deadline, perhaps because a team still has dreams of contention or making it work. But these players could serve as centerpieces of trade packages after the season once the draft order is unveiled, if not after the 2020 draft itself. 

Trent Williams, OT, Washington Redskins

Andrew Harnik/Associated Press

Unless a jaw-dropping offer comes in, it doesn't seem like the Washington Redskins will give away Trent Williams. 

NFL.com's Mike Garafolo most recently reported the Cleveland Browns have been all over the Redskins about a deal for the star left tackle, but the Washington front office continues to balk at the idea and remains insistent they'll keep him. 

It's an odd stance from Washington. By now, given the fines incurred, it's clear Williams is dead serious about not playing for the team again. It would benefit the struggling franchise to stir up a bidding war and sell. However, it also fits with the general behavior of the front office in Washington. 

But everyone has a breaking point. Once Williams is through a full season's holdout, the Redskins figure to blink. A new head coach isn't going to want to tie his job to Dwayne Haskins while so much money is invested ($14.75 million cap hit in 2020) in a top-tier left tackle who won't play. And once they realize that, the Redskins will still be able to swing open the door on a trade and potentially drum up a generous return. 

O.J. Howard, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Butch Dill/Associated Press

O.J. Howard is the subject of speculation that seems like it is nudging closer to reality. 

Howard seemed sorely underutilized over the first two years of his career in Tampa Bay, at least by the standards of a top-20 pick. He didn't receive 50 targets in either season yet scored 11 times. It hasn't helped that wide receiver Chris Godwin has emerged as the top target and fellow tight end Cameron Brate is on a deal through 2024.

This year, Howard has just 18 targets and no scores through six games. With the deadline approaching, the chatter has started. According to Albert Breer of SI.com, New England asked but was turned down. 

And maybe Howard won't end up being moved now, but the vibe of the conversation may change this offseason. If the relationship sours, the Buccaneers could end up getting a nice return that serves as rebuild fuel and avoid worrying about a potential holdout, and Howard could maximize his value elsewhere while seeking out his first big contract. 

Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

Gary Landers/Associated Press

The Andy Dalton era appears to be nearing the end in Cincinnati. 

And other teams with quarterback problems might be more than happy about it given what Dalton has flashed in the past with a strong supporting cast (see: 2015's 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions). 

But Dalton doesn't have anything close to support this year, and his play has crumbled, leading to a 60.1 percent completion rate with eight touchdowns and eight picks. In a Week 7 loss to Jacksonville en route to 0-7, he tossed three interceptions in a span of five attempts in the fourth quarter, one a pick-six. His offensive line has suffered repeated injuries, A.J. Green remains out, and the running game averages 2.9 yards per carry.

The Bengals don't figure to trade Dalton now because it would mean throwing one of two rookies (Ryan Finley or Jake Dolegala) behind a bad offensive line. But this offseason—when Dalton has just one year left on his deal—might make more sense, especially if the front office uses what seems destined to be a top-two pick on a rookie quarterback. 

Patrick Peterson, CB, Arizona Cardinals

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson has been another longstanding trade candidate. 

Rest assured, Arizona Cardinals brass knows it, too. Here's general manager Steve Keim on the Doug & Wolf Show, according to 98.7 Arizona Sports' Kevin Zimmerman: "Why trade a player in his prime at one of the hardest positions to find for a maybe or a couple maybes?"

Which is exactly what a front office about to trade a player would say. 

All kidding aside, the Cardinals have some interesting reasons to hang on to Peterson as he gets back into the swing of things after his six-game ban. The team has unexpectedly rattled off three wins in a row to move the needle to 3-3-1. That doesn't mean the NFC West is in play, but it sure doesn't hurt to mention the Los Angeles Rams are in third place at only 4-3. 

Their tune could always change this offseason, though. Peterson is going on 30 years old and has one year left on his deal that checks in just north of $13 million. If the Cardinals want to avoid a potential holdout, not to mention massive extension talks, recouping some value to help build the team around Kyler Murray would be a positive outcome of an offseason trade. 

Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers

Mike McCarn/Associated Press

There are many question marks surrounding Cam Newton. 

Really, there were all offseason when for at least a moment it seemed like he might not even suit up in 2019 because of a shoulder injury. But he did briefly while struggling through a foot injury suffered in the preseason, completing just 56.2 percent of his passes with an interception in two starts. 

Everyone knows what Newton is capable of when he's healthy. This conversation wouldn't even be on the table if the Panthers weren't...doing just fine without him. 

As everyone expected. The Panthers have rattled off four consecutive wins behind the arm of Kyle Allen, a 2018 undrafted free agent who has cruised to a 65.6 completion percentage with seven touchdowns and no interceptions. 

With this type of momentum and Newton's long-term health in mind, the rational choice would be not to reinsert him in the lineup. But the front office isn't going to up and move him on short notice for a variety of reasons, including the spark he could provide late in the year if Allen regresses. 

But after the season? Newton has a cap hit of more than $21 million in 2020, the final year of his deal. He's 30, might never be the same physically, would demand a monster haul from a trade partner, and the Panthers have seemingly backed into a long-term solution.