NFL Trade Deadline: 10 Deadline Deals That Would Shake Up NFL

The NFL trade deadline is October 18 and although some teams like the Packers, Lions and Patriots are looking every bit the Super Bowl contender, it's clear that no team out there is perfect.

In fact, far from it. Each team has at least one noticeable flaw and might be forced to plug the hole via a trade. 

This year's crop of "available" bait isn't extremely loaded—when is it ever?—but there are some players who secretly, or not-so-secretly, are on the trade blocks, and depending on where they land, could make a major splash with a new club.

I've chosen 10 players who might be available before the deadline and where they could have the most impact. Granted, some of these moves are complicated because of finances and team's willingness to part with a big name, but in the long-run, these deals are better for all parties involved. 

No. 10: Anthony Dixon to New York Jets

A year after looking like a back who might have a great future in the NFL, Dixon has been dropped to third string behind Frank Gore and rookie Kendall Hunter: he has just one carry for six yards in four games. 

But at 24 years old, and 6'1", 233 pounds, he still has loads of potential, and if the 49ers can ship him out of town and get something in return, they should do it. 

The Jets should really consider throwing their hat in the ring. It's strange to say—because Rex Ryan has been such an advocate of "Ground and Pound"—but the Jets rushing attack is one of the NFL's worst through a quarter of the season, averaging just 71 yards each week. 

Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson have not been able to rack up any yards consistently and since their offensive line has had it's share of issues, maybe a bruising back like Dixon can run a bit more between the tackles.

For less than half a million dollars and probably a late round draft choice, it's not a bad investment. 

No. 9: Brandon Lloyd to Cleveland Browns

A year ago, Brandon Lloyd was a burgeoning superstar despite the fact that the Broncos were a mess: he was one of the NFL's leading receivers.

But in Mike McCoy's slightly new system—with John Fox once again his boss, there has to be many changes to that offense since last year—he hasn't been nearly as productive and Eric Decker might be their primary target. 

Since Lloyd is a free agent after his year and he is already 30 years old, I wouldn't be surprised if management views him as expendable. 

The Browns receiving corps could really use a veteran receiver to mentor that young group, and Lloyd fits the bill. If they can re-sign him, Lloyd would be more valuable than some fourth rounder they bring in next season and have to wait on. 

No. 8: James Starks to Dallas Cowboys

If they would be willing to trade him in-conference, the Packers would find a great trade partner in Dallas.

As maligned as Tony Romo has been, his running game hasn't provided him much support: the Cowboys are 25th in rushing and speed backs like Felix Jones, Tashard Choice and DeMarco Murray are not getting the job done. 

Despite what people seemed to think last postseason, Starks is not a 1,500-yard, All-Pro-type back, but he runs hard and would bring more consistency to the Cowboys running attack. 

On the surface, Green Bay may have no interest in dealing him, but with Alex Green and Ryan Grant (who I think they'll ultimately re-sign), and that offense so centered around the passing game, keeping Starks doesn't make that much sense. 

Dallas would probably be willing to overpay for Starks, and since the Packers are extremely practical, this one would be win-win. 

No. 7: Emmanuel Sanders to San Francisco 49ers

Before the season started, pundits were praising the Steelers organization for what it's been able to in terms of developing young receivers. Mike Wallace might be an All Pro, Antonio Brown showed great promise down the stretch last year and Sanders was the next in line.

And with Hines Ward's time clearly starting to run out, Sanders certainly has a place to step in.

But since the Steelers cannot protect the passer and are not running the ball very well, having a great crop of young receivers is meaningless. And it's shown through the first four games. (Don't fool yourself, they have no short-term or long-term solution for correcting their offensive line woes).

If they can move one of those young wide outs and get an extra draft pick to bolster that offensive line they should take it. 

San Francisco may have Michael Crabtree and Josh Morgan, but Braylon Edwards is hurt (and didn't contribute much before his knee injury) and Ted Ginn is a great return man, but has not proved he can consistently play in the slot. 

No. 6: Carson Palmer to Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins season is over and it probably was over long before Chad Henne's shoulder surgery. So acquiring Carson Palmer isn't going to mean much in the way of the postseason hunt. 

But it would have the possibility of altering the race (or crawl) for Andrew Luck...that would certainly shake up the NFL. Miami is a perfect destination for Luck and with Matt Moore and/or Sage Rosenfels, that's a likely possibility. 

Certainly Palmer would have tons of rust to shake off, but by the end of the season, he'll come into form and be able to produce an extra win or two. 

No. 5: Aaron Curry to Oakland Raiders

Several clubs need outside linebackers: the Steelers are dealing with James Harrison's broken orbital bone, the Patriots could use another backer and the Panthers have a huge void to fill because of injuries.

But each of those teams are 3-4 defenses and Curry is coming from a 4-3 system. That uncertainty might be just enough to make those teams think twice.

The Raiders, on the other hand, run a 4-3 scheme under Chuck Bresnahan, and while Quentin Groves is young and has played well, I doubt they'll pass on an opportunity to get a recent fourth overall pick for a relatively cheap price. Besides, the Raiders love dealing away draft choices for former first rounders: see Jason Campbell, Richard Seymour and Kamerion Wimbley.

No. 4: Aaron Hernandez to Chicago Bears

I will freely admit this one is a bit far-fetched.

Tom Brady would hate to see the Pats unload one of his favorite targets, but he (and the front office) have to also realize that there are serious holes on the defensive side of the ball, holes made worse with Jerod Mayo injured. 

The Pats still have Rob Gronkowski to be the red-zone, mismatch threat Brady loves as well as a Wes Welker and Deon Branch. And parting with Hernandez might open things up for Matthew Slater, who they have to be itching to try out more. 

Maybe they get the clearly unhappy Lance Briggs and another draft choice in return for Hernandez, who the Bears and Jay Cutler would love to have, since they gave up on Greg Olsen and no one has stepped up in his place. 

No. 3: Robert Mathis to Arizona Cardinals

If the Colts are actually considering being a player in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes, then it is clear that big changes are on the horizon in Indy. 

Mathis and Reggie Wayne will both be free agents at the end of this season, and considering that rebuilding is likely in their future, I can't see them giving both of those players big deals. And since they already have Dwight Freeney—and no top-notch receiver after Wayne—I think Mathis would be the odd man out.

In that case, since the Colts are clearly not going to compete for a playoff berth, they should try to deal him now and at least get something in return for him. 

Despite their record, Arizona is still very much a contender for the NFC West (mostly because that division is so poor), and if they can put Mathis on the field to rush the quarterback, their paltry pass defense will improve greatly. 

No. 2: Osi Umenyiora to Buffalo Bills

Assuming Justin Tuck will return soon, the Giants should consider moving Umenyiora, and here's why.

Back in August, when the defensive end held out and demanded a trade, the other 31 teams in the NFL weren't desperate for his services and were not willing to part with a first or second rounder for him. At that time, the season was still a month away and no one knew who would be a contender and who wouldn't.

But now, there are clubs who have gotten off to a hot start and can really taste a playoff berth. The best example is the Buffalo Bills, who are shockingly tied for first place in the AFC East, despite the fact that they have statistically the worst pass rush in the NFL. 

I could see the Bills—who have an absolutely starved fan base—rolling the dice on a player like Umenyiora and perhaps giving the Giants the first round pick they want in exchange. After all, last week alone, against the Cardinals, Umenyiora had two sacks or half the amount the entire Bills defense has recorded to this point of the season. 

No. 1: Tim Tebow to Washington Redskins

Let's be honest, if Tim Tebow can't climb up from the Broncos third string spot (past Brady Quinn), he is not ready to be a starting NFL quarterback. Still, you know that if he is traded anywhere it's going to be a big story.  

Maybe Rex Grossman is the answer in Washington (he does have them at 3-1 and in first place) and maybe he isn't. But don't discount the possibility that Mike Shanahan thinks he can use Tebow in certain situations to create offense for a team that has struggled to put points on the board.

Tebow is still a big, strong runner who would be a threat to throw the ball whenever he has it. I could see the Redskins as willing to spend a mid-level draft choice on a player who brings that unique set of skills. And even if the Broncos spent a first rounder on Tebow just two years ago, they should be thrilled to get a third or fourth rounder in return.