NFL Trade Rumors: 4 Players Washington Redskins Must Target

A fast 3-1 start has created a lot of optimism around the Washington Redskins, and the expectations for a productive season certainly seem justified.

Washington's passing game has performed better than expected and the return of Ryan Torain has boosted the running game.

Year two of Mike Shanahan's 3-4 experiment is yielding positive results, while new personnel have contributed mightily to a suddenly stingy unit.

With more measured play calling against the Dallas Cowboys, the Redskins could have been undefeated heading into their bye.

With increased expectation, the games will surely get tougher as opponents start to take the Redskins more seriously.

The trade deadline offers Shanahan the perfect opportunity to tinker with, and upgrade, his roster, with a view to making a genuine push for the postseason.

Here are four trade targets Shanahan and the Redskins should consider.

4. Aaron Curry, LB Seattle Seahawks

Aaron Curry may have been a draft bust in Seattle, but he could have some use on the Redskins' linebacker-heavy defense.

The former Wake Forest standout seems set for an ignominious exit from the reigning NFC West Champions, after failing to hold down a regular starting spot under Pete Carroll.

One problem might be that the Seahawks have asked Curry to perform a role outside of his comfort zone.  He has often taken up the strong-side linebacker position, which, in Carroll's attacking under defense, is best filled by a more natural blitzer and stout run forcer.

In college, Curry excelled as a more all-around, sideline-to-sideline linebacker. His speed and coverage skills may be a better fit if deployed to an inside linebacker position in a 3-4.

Curry would be unlikely to unseat Rocky McIntosh, but he would boost the depth of the Redskins' linebacking corps.

Neither Perry Riley or Keyaron Fox has shown enough to convince anyone that they would be able to step in and perform at a high level if injuries strike the heart of the Redskins' defense.

3. Phillip Merling, DE Miami Dolphins

Depth at defensive end remains a question mark for the Redskins since the season-ending injury suffered by rookie Jarvis Jenkins, and 3-4 veteran Phillip Merling would solve this problem nicely.

Hulking nose tackle Paul Soliai is the most tantalising trade prospect on the Miami Dolphins roster, but, with Barry Cofield in place and seventh-round rookie Chris Neild exceeding expectations, the Redskins can feel very content about the situation at nose tackle.

At defensive end, the picture is a little more murky. Behind solid starters Stephen Bowen and Adam Carriker, there is only Kedric Golston and the untested Darrion Scott.

Merling has 3-4 experience and, at 6'4", 295 pounds, he has the size to operate comfortably at either end position on the Redskins defensive line.

Merling also has the range and quickness to be disruptive inside a four-man front in nickel packages. At 26, Merling is the right age for the younger roster Shanahan and Bruce Allen are building.

A trade for the unheralded backup would be the kind of smart, low-key deal this regime has specialised in during 2011.

2. Robert Meachem, WR New Orleans Saints

The Washington Redskins' wide receiver corps has been one of the most pleasant surprises during the team's positive start to the season.

Adding a promising young pass catcher—one that is eager to prove himself in a more expanded role—would only increase the potency of the unit.

Robert Meachem certainly fits that bill. The 6'2", 210-pound, 27-year-old flanker has often been overlooked in a crowded stable of Saints pass catchers.

But Meachem possesses genuine big play capability. He is sure handed and has averaged over 12 yards a catch in his fist four pro seasons.

Meachem is a pending free agent in 2012, as is Marques Colston. The Saints may welcome a tempting enough trade offer to save them a difficult choice deciding who to resign as the No. 1 target for Drew Brees.

With greybeard Santana Moss understandably beginning to slow down a little and Jabar Gaffney and Donte Stallworth both 30, adding a younger receiver on the rise, with the potential to develop into a true No. 1 player, would make a lot of sense.

1. Kareem McKenzie, RT New York Giants

The Redskins' problems on the offensive line persist, as the edges of Washington's pass protection have provided the biggest cause for concern this season. A low-profile swap deal for veteran Kareem McKenzie would be one way to fix the problem.

McKenzie has plenty of experience and is used to matching up with the litany of dangerous pass rushers in the NFC East.

The veteran has tremendous size and strength, and also has the footwork and technique needed to adapt well to the Redskins' favoured zone-blocking schemes.

McKenzie could step in for right tackle Jammal Brown, who has been one of the biggest culprits of the poor pass protection.

This would allow Brown to provide depth and competition to struggling youngster Trent Williams—at his more natural left tackle spot.

There are more high-profile trade options than the four players mentioned here, but these deals would be in keeping with the kind of business the Redskins have done since the lockout lifted.

All four would provide valuable depth and even have the ability to be productive contributors for the starting units.