NFL Trade Rumors: 15 Players Likely To Be Dealt During Training Camp
Blockbuster trades in the NFL strike almost as sparsely as Haley's Comet. Okay, so they come around more than once every 70 years, but they are still something of a rarity.
The summer of 2010, however, has provided us with a steady stream of trade talk surrounding some comet-sized names. Vincent Jackson and Albert Haynesworth headline a group of players who have circled the trade-talk wagons, but have not yet been dealt.
As the regular season approaches, the windows for trades grow increasingly thin, but they are not shut quite yet.
In all likelihood, only two or three of the following fifteen players will be dealt prior to September because trading an NFL player requires more than just the sewing of a new uniform. A traded player must then learn an entirely new playbook and scheme. And asking a player to do so just weeks before the regular season begins is like asking a monkey to learn the alphabet. It takes a lot of time and patience.
Still, each one of these fifteen has a legitimate chance of being traded, and nothing gets fans more excited than a trade. So, without further ado, here are 15 players currently on the training camp trade watch.
Sage Rosenfels
1 of 15
Even before the inevitable return of Brett Favre, Vikings quarterback Sage Rosenfels was shoved behind Tarvaris Jackson on the team's depth chart.
The Vikes acquired Rosenfels via trade from the Texans one year ago with the assumption that he would compete with T-Jax for the starting gig. Instead, that guy Favre came back, leaving Rosenfels on the outside looking in.
Now, there is minimal benefit to keeping Sage around, and shipping off his hefty contract appears to be the most sensible option. Any team looking for a potential starting quarterback could be in play for Rosenfels, who has shown he is capable of being a pretty good one in the past.
Albert Haynesworth
2 of 15
The saga of Albert Haynesworth has culminated in the discovery that he has a health condition known as rhabdomyolysis. Essentially, Fat Albert (most likely) developed this by coming to camp out of shape and overworking his body in intense heat, causing parts of his muscle fibers to enter his bloodstream, resulting in a whole slew of side effects that prevent him from practicing.
Medical jargon and concerns aside, the relationship between Haynesworth and Redskins coach Mike Shanahan looks like it will be the catalyst for a trade. Tensions between the two have risen to levels present only in the Cold War and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Shanahan wants to set a precedent for his team, and trading a royal disruption in Haynesworth would do just that. If the situation arises, expect the Skins to bid farewell to Albert without hesitation.
Vincent Jackson
3 of 15
Chargers general manager A.J. Smith has made his stance to Vincent Jackson clear: report to camp or don't play.
San Diego's number one receiver is seeking a lucrative contract extension after posting top ten finishes in both receiving yards and touchdowns in 2009, but Smith and the Chargers will not budge, and have chosen to hand franchise left tackle Marcus McNeill an extension instead.
Regardless of whom you side with, a trade has become imminent, and either the Seahawks or Redskins are likely to land his services. It would make obscenely, ridiculously obvious sense for Washington to trade for him, and we should see the disgruntled receiver on the move in the coming days or weeks.
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Derrick Ward
4 of 15
One year after rushing for 1,025 yards on just 182 carries in a backup role with the New York Giants, Derrick Ward cashed in on his 2009 free agency by signing a four-year, $17 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
However, Ward was a total bust. He started just one game for the Bucs last season, and rushed for a measly 409 yards. So, naturally, he entered 2010 training camp on the team's roster bubble.
And Ward's bubble is about to burst.
He has been outperformed by undrafted free agent Kareem Huggins during training camp, and the Bucs will likely cut him loose if they can't find a trade suitor. Ward must have something left in the tank, and there might be a team out there willing to roll the dice and part with a very-late-round draft pick in exchange for the running back.
Dennis Dixon
5 of 15
Dennis Dixon's outstanding play during the 2010 Preseason has caused Steelers Nation to begin calling for the overthrow of temporary starter Byron Leftwich. For reasons unknown to all, head coach Mike Tomlin has remained fervent in his stance behind Leftwich.
Dixon is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and even though he has started only one regular season game to date, his trade stock might not get much higher than it is right now.
A trade is unlikely considering Dixon's upside and Ben Roethlisberger's dicey future with the team, but if Pittsburgh feels confident that Byron Leftwich can bridge the suspension-gap for Big Ben, Dixon could be dealt.
Willis McGahee
6 of 15
While watching Ray Rice run into stardom, Ravens running back Willis McGahee quietly racked up 12 touchdowns in 2009, good enough for fifth in the NFL.
Beyond his rather astounding touchdown total, McGahee had an equally impressive five yards per carry average. Even as he approaches age 29, McGahee still appears to be playing at a high level, and other teams have reportedly shown interest in acquiring his services.
The Ravens have a monster backup in Le'Ron McClain, and a promising youngster in Jalen Parmele, making a McGahee trade plausible. But, Willis is still carrying a big payday which many teams may not be willing to take on.
Kellen Clemens
7 of 15
In 2006, ESPN analyst Merrill Hodge insisted that Oregon prospect Kellen Clemens was the best quarterback available in the draft. Four years later, it is safe to say that Kellen Clemens was not the best quarterback in the 2006 NFL Draft.
Clemens was quickly usurped by Mark Sanchez for the Jets starting quarterback job last season, and the team has reportedly been trying to trade him since April to no avail.
Clemons enjoyed very marginal success as a starter, but apparently, his play was not good enough to capture the imagination of another franchise. The fact that the Jets have been so actively shopping Clemens bodes well for the likelihood of a trade.
Marshawn Lynch
8 of 15
Marshawn Lynch could terrorize people with his face alone, and prior to last season, he could terrorize NFL defenses with his unrelenting, bruising style of of play. The 2009 season was a different story, however.
After serving a suspension to kickoff 2009, Lynch managed just 450 yards on 120 carries and found the end zone just twice, while teammate Fred Jackson showcased the ability to handle a full workload.
Considering he is only 24 and only two years removed from a 1,000 yard, eight touchdown season, Lynch must look pretty enticing to a running back-hungry team such as the Denver Broncos. He has struggled to stay out of trouble off the field and his 2009 season is a concern, but with C.J. Spiller now on board in Buffalo, there simply does not appear to be room for Lynch.
Fred Jackson
9 of 15
Most have made the assumption that if the Bills decide to move a running back this offseason, Marshawn Lynch will be the odd man out. But as we just discussed, Lynch is only 24, he had a great season just two years ago, and he provides a much nicer contrast to C.J. Spiller than Fred Jackson.
But instead of moving Lynch, Buffalo could trade Fred Jackson. The Bills could probably get more in return for Jackson, who is coming off of a breakout 1,000 yard rushing season, and also caught 46 passes.
Jackson is already 29, and the Bills are in the midst of constructing a youth movement. Chances are Lynch will be moved, but don't be surprised to see Jackson shipped off instead.
Jared Gaither
10 of 15
No player has been the subject of as much trade talk as Ravens offensive tackle Jared Gaither has this summer. The Ravens, confident in young tackles Michael Oher and Oniel Cousins, do not want to give Gaither the contract extension he is seeking, and have been shopping him around since April.
However, no teams have taken the bait, and Gaither's trade stock took a big hit when he showed up to camp 30 pounds lighter and then tore a muscle in his back, forcing him to miss the Preseason.
Gaither's injury could serve as a blessing in disguise for the Ravens. If they truly want to get rid of him, a team looking for a tackle might jump at the opportunity to buy low. If Gaither sticks around, though, the Ravens will have a pretty nasty offensive line. It's a win/win for Baltimore.
Pat White
11 of 15
After one year in the NFL, Pat White showed the Dolphins he has Pro Bowl potential in one aspect of his game: holding a clipboard. That is virtually all the former second-round pick did last season, and that is all he has done during the 2010 preseason.
The Dolphins' decision not to play White during the preseason is a huge indicator that he simply does not fit into their plans, which makes him very expendable.
At this point, Miami will look for a trade suitor, but there may not be many out there for a player who has shown no signs that he is NFL-ready. But, chances are, there are a handful of teams willing to take a chance and surrender a late-round pick for the dual threat QB. If the Fins fail to trade White, he'll probably hit the waiver wire before the regular season.
Troy Smith
12 of 15
Earlier this summer, Troy Smith defeated John Beck to secure his job as the Ravens backup quarterback. In retrospect, Smith may wish he never won that position battle.
The Ravens dealt Beck to Washington, and proceeded to sign Marc Bulger, knocking Smith into the number three quarterback spot.
Smith has shown flashes in the past, and was rumored to be on the trading block at points during the offseason. It seems pointless to have a player as talented as Smith in a third string role, so trading him to a team looking for a solid number two or a potential starting quarterback would make sense, and it could happen prior to the regular season.
Justin Hartwig
13 of 15
Two seasons ago, Steelers center Justin Hartwig entered Steelers training camp as a backup center, only to beat out incumbent starter Sean Mahan. Pittsburgh traded Mahan, and Hartwig took over as the team's starting center. Until now.
This April, the Steelers used a first round pick on Maurkice Pouncey, who was initially supposed to play guard. However, Pouncey made such a good impression at center that he is now splitting first-team reps with Hartwig. So, if history teaches us anything, Hartwig could very well be traded.
Hartwig is only 31, and could jump in as a starter for any team in need of a center. If Pouncey does indeed win this position battle, there's a very, very good chance Hartwig will be dealt.
Darrelle Revis
14 of 15
There is a good chance that by the time you read this, Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis will have signed a massive contract extension with the Jets.
Despite months of speculation that the Jets will ship off their superstar cornerback, it is a total long-shot. Revis is arguably the best defensive back in the league, and the Jets are making a Super Bowl push this season. Not to mention, there are very few—if any—teams capable of paying him the salary he desires.
But, there is still a minute possibility that if the Jets and Camp Revis cannot come to an agreement, the team would rather trade him than watch him vacation on Revis Island for the entire season. It is difficult to fathom both the Jets trading him, and another team conjuring a worthy trade package, but the possibility does exist.
Jason Spitz
15 of 15
Jason Spitz served as the Packers starting center until he was forced to undergo back surgery midway through the 2009 season. His injury opened the door for Scott Wells to start, and Wells has since established himself as a solid center, and appears to have earned the support of Green Bay's coaching staff.
Spitz has been rolling with the second team for the team's preseason games thus far, and the Green Bay media has begun to suspect that he is being showcased for a trade. Spitz has proven himself capable of being a productive starter, so a team looking for a center would be wise to make an offer.
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