NFL Trade Speculation: One Impact Player from Each Team Who Will Be on the Block

With the NFL trade deadline long-since past and the waiver deadline coming today, it would seem that NFL rosters are set heading into the stretch run and the playoffs. 

But what about next year?

The teams in the middle of horrible seasons (Indianapolis, St. Louis, Minnesota, Washington) are all looking towards the future. And the true powerhouses (Pittsburgh, Green Bay, New England, Baltimore) are always prepared for the long-term.

That being said, no player on any roster--maybe Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Adrian Peterson, Darrelle Revis, and a few others--are ever exempt from at least being looked at as trade bait.

Buffalo Bills: C.J. Spiller, RB

2011 Stats: 21 carries, 115 yards, 1 TD

Sure, most NFL teams would love to have a young, former first-round pick to backup and eventually take over for a veteran who might end up being the NFL's rushing champion. And let's be honest, as good of a year as Fred Jackson is having, who knows if it's a one-hit wonder a la Barry Foster or Jamal Anderson.

Still, despite their great start, the Bills have plenty of holes to fill and dealing away a high-profile player like Spiller would definitely get something in return.

And even if he's only had one-and-a-half seasons of NFL work, the Bills didn't spend a top-10 draft choice on Spiller to be a kick returner.  

Miami Dolphins: Brandon Marshall, WR

2011 Stats: 54 catches, 747 yards, 2 TD

No doubt Marshall is having another fine year...and to do that for a team that has so many offensive drawbacks is nothing short of amazing. 

But that isn't enough to guarantee Marshall's a spot on next year's roster. Had it not been for the lockout, there's a decent chance they would have tried to move him following the stabbing in April. More importantly, that Dolphins team is probably going to undergo some huge changes this offseason.

If Miami does clean house with Tony Sparano and brings in a new regime, Marshall could be swapped for draft picks for the second time in three years. 

New England Patriots: Vince Wilfork, DT

2011 Stats: 29 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 2 INT, 1.5 sacks

Wilfork is having another great season, and he's almost assured a spot in the Pro Bowl or even on the All-Pro team.

But he did just pass that (un)magical number of 30 years of age, and the Patriots have a habit of getting rid of players one year too soon rather than one year too late. Just look at Richard Seymour and Brandon Meriweather. 

In a perfect world, Bill Belichick would love to have Wilfork around next year and several beyond. But since his salary increases to over $4 million dollars on 2012 and $6.5 the next year. That might not be in the cap. 

New York Jets: Eric Smith, S

2011 Stats: 60 tackles, 1 INT, 1.5 sack

Seeing Smith take a bad angle and look slow in his pursuit of Tim Tebow last Thursday has to give the Jets pause about whether or not he's in their future.

And maybe he still would be if he wasn't scheduled to make $3 million over the next two seasons. Brodney Pool could still be in the mix next year anyways.

Smith wouldn't necessarily be a player who commands a ton in return, but he's a tough player and isn't afraid to come up to the line of scrimmage and make a tackle. That has to be appealing to plenty of GMs out there; he's worth giving up a mid-to-late round pick for. 

Baltimore Ravens: Lee Evans, WR

2011 Stats: 2 catches, 45 yards

Although Evans has been beset by injuries and really hasn't had a chance to perform, there doesn't seem to be much of a future in Baltimore.

He was brought in to be a complement to Anquan Boldin and provide a deep threat for Joe Flacco. Clearly, Torrey Smith stole that role from him in the last few weeks.

Evans probably has lost a step since his early days in Buffalo so he can be a useful pass catcher for the next few years; he's only 30. But if Baltimore was going to pay over $3 million dollars per season to a wide receiver, he would have to have a much bigger role in the offense. And as it stands, he doesn't and won't next year either. 

Cincinnati Bengals: Thomas Howard, LB

2011 Stats: 54 tackles, 2 forced fumbles

This is purely an opinion, but someone is going to lose their job when Dontay Moch comes into training camp healthy in 2012.  He has such great speed that the coaching staff has to be itching to play him.

That probably means that either Manny Lawson (who is a free agent after 2011) or Howard will be the odd man out. 

And since Lawson is bigger and more of a threat in the pass rush, Howard makes a little more sense. 

Cleveland Browns: Benjamin Watson, TE

2011 Stats: 30 catches, 351 yards, 2 TD

Don't get me wrong, Watson is a fine player. And in truth, I don't think the Browns want to get rid of him.

But I could see the front office looking at their roster and gauging which players they could actually get something good in return for and not be crucified for moving. That wouldn't be Colt McCoy, any of their early and recent draft choices or a superstar like Joe Thomas. 

As good as Watson has been, it wouldn't be earth shattering if they moved him. 

He's a very capable tight end, and some team out there would be willing to give up a reasonably high pick or a quality player to bolster their passing game. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: Hines Ward, WR

2011 Stats: 27 catches, 268 yards, 2 TD

Blasphemous! 

In all honesty, I wonder if Ward would retire rather than play anywhere else. 

Nevertheless, the Steelers might feel compelled to try and let their future Hall of Famer go; he's 35, has had a number of injuries, he will finish this year with the lowest stat totals since becoming a starter and the Steelers are loaded at wide receiver right now.

Still, it would be crazy for them to simply cut him, knowing that they can get something in return for him. 

Plenty of teams (Jacksonville? St. Louis) would be willing to give up a fourth or fifth-rounder to secure a player like that who can mentor a young receiving corps and improve it at the same time. 

Houston Texans: Kevin Walter, WR

2011 Stats: 25 catches, 298 yards, 2 TD

Walter is making a lot of money (at least $3 million per season over the next four years) for contributing fairly little. 

Jacoby Jones is emerging as a nice second threat once Andre Johnson comes back, and the Texans are going to be in the market for another wide receiver anyway next spring.

Then, it would just be a matter of Rick Smith finding a willing trade partner. 

Indianapolis Colts: Peyton Manning, QB

2011 Stats: None

If the season ended today (or next week for that matter), the Colts would own the top pick in next year's draft. And despite his mini-slump, Andrew Luck is still going to be the first player taken next April.

Now certainly, Manning and Luck could co-exist for a year, but if Luck is really that pro-ready, and there are questions about Manning's health, it's unlikely that the Colts will want to pay him that eight-digit salary. 

So as much of a blow to the franchise and the city as it would be, the Colts are going to consider moving him. And make no mistake about it, someone (Washington, Denver, Miami) will be thrilled to have Manning.

After all, if Brett Favre can be dealt to the Jets, Joe Montana can be dealt to the Chiefs, Joe Namath can play for the Rams and Johnny Unitas can play for the Chargers, then Peyton Manning can play outside of Indy. 

Jacksonville Jaguars: Marcedes Lewis, TE

2011 Stats: 23 catches, 234 yards, 0 TD

I know it's only been one year—well, really not even one full year—but the Jaguars' organization and the fans have to be really disappointed in what they've gotten from Lewis just a year after a Pro Bowl season.

Now certainly, the presence of a rookie quarterback and no threats on the outside haven't helped Lewis or Maurice Jones-Drew, but since there is a good chance that the Jaguars do clean house in January, Lewis could be on his way out as well.

And despite the really limited production and the big contract, because Lewis is so young and still has that Pro Bowl spot on his resume, teams will take an interest. 

Tennessee Titans: Kenny Britt, WR

2011 Stats: 17 catches, 289 yards, 3 TD

Not unlike the case of Brandon Marshall, I can't help but wonder if the Titans were largely unable to move Britt following his offseason woes because of the lockout.

Doing so this offseason would probably be just as challenging if not more considering the fact that he's coming off season-ending ACL surgery. More to the point, Britt is very young, and when healthy, an extremely talented and productive player. 

But it's a new regime in Tennessee, and Britt already has several strikes against him; one more could prompt the organization to make a change.

More to the point, since Britt went down in Week 3, the Titans don't seem to be missing him terribly; Jake Locker did just fine without him last Sunday in Atlanta.  

Denver Broncos: Elvis Dumervill, DE

2011 Stats: 15 tackles, 3.5 sacks

There are a couple of reasons why I could see John Elway moving such a talented and high-profle pass-rusher.

One is the fast emergence of Von Miller.

Two is the enormous salary that Dumervil is slated to make over the next few seasons—more than $12 million a season through 2014.

And three is the great haul they could get in return for the recent NFL sack champion.

The Broncos still have plenty of holes to fill—even beyond the potential one at quarterback—-regardless of whether or not they make the playoffs; wide receiver and running back come to mind.

So moving Dumervil and a mid-rounder might put them in the running for two first-round draft choices.  

Kansas City Chiefs: Steve Breaston, WR

2011 Stats: 39 catches, 556 yards, 2 TD

I look at the case of Breaston and the Chiefs similar to the case of the Ravens and Lee Evans.

Kansas City brought him in to be a fine second option to a real stud receiver in Dwayne Bowe, but the emergence of a younger (and cheaper) rookie has to muddy the waters a bit—apart from his stupid injury Jonathan Baldwin has proven he can be a key part of the Chiefs future.

Breaston still would have a big role on the team even with Baldwin and Bowe the primary wide receivers. But not at roughly $5 million per season. Just because he and Todd Haley have a relationship dating back to Arizona doesn't mean the front office can justify that type of money for a third option. 

Oakland Raiders: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR

2011 Stats: 31 catches, 477 yards, 1 TD

Heyward-Bey has certainly made Al Davis—the man who everyone assumed made one of the great reaches in recent draft day history by taking the Maryland receiver seventh overall—proud this year.

He's the team's leading pass catcher and has finally started to validate that high draft status.

That's precisely why I wouldn't be surprised to see Oakland move him; Heyward-Bey's stock has never been higher.

More importantly, however, is the fact that Oakland is absolutely loaded—and set for a long time—at the wide receiver position. Denarius Moore is looking like a stud, Louis Murphy has already proven to be a fine player and Jacoby Ford is really coming on.

Oakland can move Heyward-Bey, shore up other holes and still keep Carson Palmer very happy.  

San Diego Chargers: Antonio Gates, TE

2011 Stats: 34 catches, 413 yards, 3 TD

It's looking more and more—barring another December miracle—like the Chargers are going to head back to the drawing board this offseason. That means a new head coach and who knows, maybe a new GM. 

If that's the case, the dreaded term "Rebuilding Phase" might hit southern California and as good as Gates has been for the past decade—easily a Hall of Famer—he wouldn't be in the long-term plans.

He's been riddled with injuries over the last few years and is going to be 32 before the start of next season; coincidently, that's roughly the same time that the Chiefs ended up dealing Tony Gonzalez to Atlanta. 

Dallas Cowboys: Miles Austin, WR

2011 Stats: 28 catches, 403 yards, 4 TD

In 2012, are there going to be enough balls to go around in an offense that features two very good running backs (Felix Jones and DeMarco Murray), Dez Bryant, Jason Witten and Laurent Robinson, who has really emerged as a talented playmaker this year?

I don't think so, not even for Tony Romo.

Austin is due to make a ton of money over the next few seasons, and his numbers have dipped each of the past two seasons. Besides, they could get a good deal in return for the former Pro Bowler.  

New York Giants: Brandon Jacobs, RB

2011 Stats: 90 carries, 274 yards,  3 TD

The booing on Sunday in the loss to Philadelphia is certainly part of the reason for this selection...but not that much.

Jacobs is due to make over $4 million next year and given his ridiculously low production this year those are cut-worthy numbers...especially to the Giants, who have no qualms about releasing once big-time names.

Furthermore, the Giants are set with Ahmad Bradshaw for the next few seasons, and despite the problems with Jacobs diminishing statistics, plenty of teams would love to have his enormous frame to hand off to.  

Philadelphia Eagles: Asante Samuel, CB

2011 Stats: 29 tackles, 2 INT

This one is a no-brainer, right?

Based on what Samuel said about the front office earlier this season, it's almost a given that he's going to be gone. And the fact that he's due to make $19 million over the next two seasons only clinches it. 

They have Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie so they are going to be set at corner for the foreseeable future. 

And even if Samuel has hit the dreaded age of 30, he still has great ball skills and can help out plenty of teams. Someone would bite the bullet and overpay Philly. 

Washington Redskins: Santana Moss, WR

2011 Stats: 25 catches, 301 yards, 2 TD

Washington has so many problems right now that, by comparison, they seem to be fairly well off at wide receiver.

Leonard Hankerson, Niles Paul and Anthony Armstrong have all shown tremendous promise consider how woeful the quarterback play is and the loss of Tim Hightower.

That—coupled with the resurgence of Jabar Gaffney—does seem to make Moss expendable.

He's still a reasonably big name that can attract some interest from other clubs, and it's worth looking into moving him.   

Chicago Bears: Lance Briggs, LB

2011 Stats: 74 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 INT

Briggs wanted out earlier this season, and I think regardless of whether the Bears win the Super Bowl in February, or they miss the playoffs completely that won't change. 

What will change is the front office's willingness to consider a deal. 

He's due to  make $10 million over the next two years, and despite being a key piece of that defense, he's still a replaceable component. Especially since he'll be 32 midway through next year.  

Detroit Lions: Nate Burleson, WR

2011 Stats: 41 catches, 391 yards, 2 TD

He wouldn't necessarily be a hot commodity should the Lions chose to unload the veteran and turn more of their attention to Titus Young, but Burleson still does have some trade value.

The team's second leading wide receiver behind Calvin Johnson, Burleson does have a ton of experience, and in the last two weeks, has led Detroit in receptions.

The only problem that the Lions front office will run into is that salary—roughly $5 million per season over the next three years. But tougher cap tweaking has been done in the past. 

Green Bay Packers: James Starks, RB

2011 Stats: 120 carries, 541 yards, 1 TD

I know Packers fans will probably cringe at the thought of this, but I just don't see Starks' value climbing much higher than it is right now. For that very reason, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Packers try and get the most they can for him now.

Starks is clearly talented and a contributor to the NFL's best team. But let's be honest, that offense is built around the passing game. And with Ryan Grant and Alex Green, there are other pieces in place.

More importantly, Green Bay is going to have to do something to improve that pass defense, and if they can package Starks and improve the pass rush or the secondary, it's worth it.

They still have Aaron Rodgers, right?

Minnesota Vikings: Cedric Griffin, CB

2011 Stats: 53 tackles, 2 forced fumbles

Last month, Griffin lost his starting job to Asher Allen. 

For that to happen on a team that might very well finish with the worst record in the NFC—while all three of their division rivals could wind up in the playoffs—is a bad enough sign. The fact that Griffin is due to make roughly $15 million over the next three years is really adding insult to injury. 

He's still reasonably young, talented and has fine size, so a change of scenery might be all he needs...and that's how the Vikings should sell it next spring when they try to unload him.

Atlanta Falcons: Ovie Mughelli, FB

2011 Stats: 2 carries, 1 yard

For a while now, fullbacks have had such an odd place in the NFL.

Some teams seem to just pick up guys off the streets—well, undrafted free agents—put them on the field and they become really excellent blocking backs. Other teams go out and spend a ton of money on that same position, for players who often times were that undrafted guy off the street—just look at Vonta Leach.

The situation in Atlanta could very well be the next case. Mughelli has been to a Pro Bowl and was an All-Pro last year as Michael Turner's chief lead blocker. But he's hurt now, and since, Turner doesn't seem to have issued a beat.

Mike Cox might ultimately prove to be a cheaper and comparable replacement. Daryl Johnston sure liked him during last week's broadcast of the Falcons game against Tennessee.  

Carolina Panthers: DeAngelo Williams, RB

2011 Stats: 93 carries, 471 yards, 1 TD

I know this one might not make that much sense; after all, the Panthers just re-signed Williams a few months ago, giving him $43 million, 21 of which was guaranteed.

But they made that deal before they really knew what they had in Cam Newton. Now, it just doesn't make that much sense to have Newton, Williams and Jonathan Stewart, who is under contract through 2012 at a much lower price.

As impressive and surprising as Carolina has been, they have plenty of needs and dealing a player like Williams, who has only scored two touchdowns and rushed for 832 yards the last two seasons, could lead to a huge boost in the draft. 

New Orleans Saints: Pierre Thomas, RB

2011 Stats: 72 carries, 340 yards, 2 TD

It's almost unfathomable—especially considering how much they pass the ball and how desperate they were last year for ball carriers—but the Saints backfield is far too crowded and talented. One of those players has to go.

It won't be Mark Ingram, who they just trade up to get with a first-round pick. It won't be Darren Sproles, who's so talented and so elusive that he's provided a spark throughout the whole season. And since he's making peanuts compared to the rest of his backfield-mates, I don't think it will be Chris Ivory, either.

Instead, it could be Thomas who the Saints try to shop this offseason, one year after giving him a fairly hefty contract. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Aquib Talib, CB

2011 Stats: 30 tackles, 1 INT

It was hard to believe that the Bucs didn't unload Talib following his offseason; again, the labor situation may have been the reason.

But even though trading away one starter at the same time that Ronde Barber may very well be announcing his retirement is a risky move, the Bucs may want to try and get what they can for Talib before he becomes a relatively high-priced free agent after the 2012 season.

Arizona Cardinals: Adrian Wilson, S

2011 Stats: 39 tackles, 1 INT

Although he's one of the best safeties in the game, Wilson's presence doesn't seem to be doing very much for the Cardinals, either on defense or as a whole; they're still ranked 27th against the pass.

And remember, it wasn't all that long ago that the Cardinals dealt away another elite safety, Aeneas Williams, in exchange for draft choices, hoping to rebuild for the future. 

Wilson is 32, and that Cardinals team doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. So moving him to prepare for the future while also saving roughly $20 million over the next three seasons—remember, they just committed tons of money to Kevin Kolb and Larry Fitzgerald—would make sense. 

St. Louis Rams: James Hall, DE

2011 Stats: 31 tackles, 4 sacks

Despite being the second-oldest player on the team, Hall is currently tied for the team lead in sacks. 

Ironically enough, the person he's tied with, Robert Quinn, is probably the player who will end up pushing him out of St. Louis, via either a trade or cap-casualty.

Quinn has been so promising in limited duty that with a full year under his belt and a full offseason, he could be a monster in 2012.

Keeping Hall—and paying him $2.5 million when they are paying Quinn and Chris Long huge salaries each—doesn't seem to vibe with the Rams way of doing things. 

San Francisco 49ers: Anthony Dixon, RB

2011 Stats: 13 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD

Although for many of the entries on this list salary is the deciding factor in the possible decision to move a player, for Dixon, the opposite is true; his minimal salary almost makes it a unsettling to trade him. He's making roughly $1 million over the next two seasons.

Even if he does seemed destined to sit behind Frank Gore and the emerging rookie Kendall Hunter, he has great value at that price. 

But, I think Dixon—given his size and speed and SEC background—has tremendous potential as a starting NFL back, and there will be other teams out there who are similarly intrigued. With many of today's top backs being so-called "Diamonds in the rough" (Michael Turner, Arian Foster, Fred Jackson), Dixon has plenty of appeal. 

Seattle Seahawks: Ben Obomanu, WR

2011 Stats: 25 catches, 269 yards, 2 TD

We all know that the Seahawks passing game hardly strikes fear in the hearts of opponents. But with the addition of Sidney Rice, the emergence of Doug Baldwin, as well as Mike Williams and Golden Tate, I tend to think that Pete Carroll has a pretty solid crop of young receivers going forward for either Tarvaris Jackson or perhaps Matt Barkley to throw to next season.

Now, Obomanu is hardly "old" compared to that group; he's only 28. But he's the oldest of the bunch and could be the odd man out.