NFL Trade Rumors: Vincent Jackson, Matt Leinart, Darrelle Revis and More
As starting rosters begin to become clearer, there are several notable players who could find themselves suiting up in a different uniform than the one they began training camp in.
Some of them (like Matt Leinart and Kevin Smith) lost their starting spots.
Others (like Vincent Jackson and Darrelle Revis) are in the midst of contentious holdouts.
No matter the reason, we bring you the latest rundown on 15 guys who have been mentioned in trade rumors recently.
15. Sage Rosenfels, QB
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Rosenfels is your typical journeyman quarterback: Effective in short bursts, but not starter material.
The Vikings signed him in 2009 to back up Brett Favre, giving them a more traditional pocket passer than Tavaris Jackson.
Rumors from multiple sources say that it's likely Sage will be dealt or released before the season begins.
Some teams in the market for a backup quarterback: New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals.
14. Kellen Clemens
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Clemens had the unfortunate distinction of being the Jets' quarterback of the future before the team drafted Mark Sanchez.
With a decent arm and a strong college career at Oregon, Clemens could turn out to be a middle of the road starter.
Clemens won't get the chance to start, and might not be playing in New York anymore come the next roster trim.
Clemens is definitely a better option than anyone in Buffalo right now, so the Bills seem to be an obvious landing place for him.
13. Darrelle Revis, CB
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Revis is currently in the midst of a massive contract dispute with the Jets. Many pundits feel Revis is the best corner in the league.
He wants to be paid like it.
If Revis actually moves teams, it would create a massive shift of defensive power, and would put him much, much higher on this list.
The odds of the Jets trading him are infinitesimal, and the odds of him being released are even smaller.
Still, he could go, so he's on the board.
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12. Pat White, QB
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I don't understand why the Miami Dolphins never gave Pat White a fair shot at the starting job. He saw limited action in the wildcat formation, never really making an impact.
He will, in all likelihood, be cut or traded for next to nothing soon.
White is talented, more talented than he was given credit for.
Perhaps a trip to Buffalo, Seattle, Houston, or Arizona would give him the chance to show it at some point.
11. Marshawn Lynch, RB
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Last season, Lynch was the forgotten back in Buffalo, seldom seeing the field after Week 4. This season, with Fred Jackson and first-round pick C.J. Spiller on the roster, Lynch will see the field even less.
He was, at one point, a powerful, dynamic runner, even if he got injured frequently. There is nothing to suggest he can't be a No. 1 back somewhere again.
The Bills could get decent value trading him.
He's impressed in camp this season.
According to ESPN.com's Tim Kavanagh, he could win himself regular playing time.
If he doesn't, he'll be gone sooner than later.
10. Jarrad Page, S
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At one point, Page was the starting safety in Kansas City. He had decent upside, and wasn't terrible in pass coverage. But the UCLA grad saw his playing time drop significantly last season, and he wasn't happy about it.
If his agent is to be believed, the Chiefs have received several offers for Page, and have blocked them all. Agents also lie a lot.
For a team like the Ravens or the Vikings, who could use a couple decent pass defenders, Page makes sense.
9. Alphonso Smith, CB
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The Denver Broncos traded up to draft Smith in the 2009 Draft, and he was seen as being a future contributor on defense.
How quickly things change.
According to this report, Smith might well be headed out of Denver, in place of the team's 2010 seventh-round pick.
Smith was seen as a big-time player and kick returner, but couldn't cut it in Denver.
Maybe someone like the Ravens will take a chance on him.
8. Laurence Maroney, RB
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Maroney is a classic case of an underacheiver. After a pair of strong seasons to start his career, the former Golden Gopher looked poised to become a star.
Maroney could never live up to the expectations put on him, failing to break the 1,000 yard plateau in any of his four season in the NFL.
Injuries have been an issue for him, but with his talent, even that should be no excuse for his performance.
Look for a team like Denver, or Houston, who could use more options at running back, to kick the tires on Laurence before the season starts.
7. Lito Sheppard, CB
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Sheppard isn't as skilled as he was during his time in Philadelphia, but the corner has a pulse, which means the Baltimore Ravens could try to deal for him.
With LaceDarius Webb's status still in doubt for the season opener, Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome would be wise to stockpile corners, just in case.
6. Willis McGahee, RB
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McGahee has overcome numerous obstacles in his NFL career, including a horrifying knee injury in his final college game, and making the transition from explosive back to bruising one.
McGahee's role looks to be shrinking in Baltimore with Ray Rice taking firm hold of the starting job.
This makes Willis expendable, and tradable.
Teams who need depth at running back (I'm looking at you, Broncos) should be kicking the tires to possibly make a deal.
5. Darren Sharper, S
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Darren Sharper was supposed to be washed up when he came to the Saints before last season.
However, the veteran safety hooked himself up to the rejuvenation machine, becoming an integral part of the Saints' Super Bowl run.
This season though, head coach Sean Payton has said there's a chance Sharper could be cut prior to the start of the season.
If that happens, he'll get another shot.
The question is, where?
4. Adalius Thomas, LB
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Adalius Thomas was supposed to be the physical freak of nature the New England Patriots needed. Strong as an ox, with decent quickness, he was touted as a new Ray Lewis.
Unfortunately for Thomas, that never happened. In three seasons as an outside linebacker, he never topped 60 tackles or broke seven sacks.
The Pats released him after last season, and he's still a free agent.
He could fit on a team like the Jets, who have showed the most interest in him of anyone.
If it happens, he could be a valuable asset.
3. Kevin Smith, RB
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Smith was touted as the Lions' back of the future after his 2008 debut campaign.
The sky was the limit, people proclaimed.
But a funny thing happened on the way to stardom: Jones got hurt.
His 2009 campaign was largely a disappointment.
Team looks to start newly drafted running back Jahvid Best over Jones this season.
Recent rumors indicate that Jones might not even have a spot on the roster when the season begins.
If they cut him, he provides a stable, young option for teams like the Redskins, or Texans, who lack depth at running back.
2. Matt Leinart, QB
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Matt Leinart has been the quarterback of the future for the Arizona Cardinals since they drafted him in 2006.
Leinart has not impressed at all in the preseason, despite being the clear cut choice to start.
Things have gotten so bad, the Cardinals switched to Derek Anderson as their starter for their final preseason games.
Leinart has value, with a decent arm and high football IQ. But he's not making any friends in the desert, and a move to Buffalo is definitely possible.
1. Vincent Jackson, WR
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Jackson is the biggest potential trade of the preseason.
He's an immensely talented wideout, who is holding out for more money or a trade from the Chargers.
San Diego has said they won't give Jackson more cash thus far, so a trade seems fairly inevitable.
Wherever he goes, he immediately gives the team's quarterback a great target with good hands. He could be a season changer for whoever wins the derby to get him.
Washington would be a solid fit, given their lack of proven receivers.
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