NFL Trade Candidates

Derek Carr throws a a pass in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center.
Photo credit USA Today Sports Images
By WFAN.com

The NFL trade season is officially underway. 

Following the trades of Khalil Mack, AJ McCarron and Teddy Bridgewater at the end of the preseason, the NFL went several weeks without any significant trades. But that changed just prior to Week 7.

The Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns got the party started again late last week when the Browns agreed to trade running back Carlos Hyde to Jacksonville for a 2019 fifth round pick. 

Jon Gruden and Jerry Jones joined the action Monday with the Oakland Raiders trading wide receiver Amari Cooper to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for Dallas' 2019 first round draft pick. 

With just over a week remaining before the October 30 deadline, we could see several more prominent names be included in deals as teams prepare to make a second-half push towards a spot in the postseason. 

Who might be on the move? We took a look at some players that could be swapping their current uniforms for a new one over the next week.

QB Tyrod Taylor, Cleveland Browns- Taylor's days in Cleveland seemed numbered once Baker Mayfield was named the Browns' starting QB prior to Week 4. Since then, the veteran has reportedly grown frustrated with his role as the backup quarterback. Taylor is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, thus making him an option for a QB-needy team still in the playoff race, such as the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 29-year-old completed 48.8 percent of his passes for 462 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in 2.5 games with the Browns this season, adding an additional 125 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Taylor made the Pro Bowl in 2015.

Tyrod Taylor throws a pass against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Superdome.USA Today Sports Images

QB Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders- Despite it looking like a complete fire sale in Oakland, GM Reggie McKenzie has not admitted that the team is looking to move on from the fifth-year quarterback. However Gruden said the same thing about Cooper last week, and look how that turned out... Carr has made the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons. Through the first six games of the 2018 season, Carr has a 71.7 completion percentage with 1,783 yards, seven touchdowns and eight interceptions. Carr signed a five-year, $125 million extension with the Raiders in June 2017, but the team has a potential out at the conclusion of this season, leading to many people around the league believing Gruden will try to trade Carr now rather than cut him in a few months. He could be an option for any team looking for a QB, which will likely lead to him being connected to the New York Giants.

>>MORE: Report: Giants Likely To Bring In New Quarterback For 2019

RB Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers- Bell is the cream of the crop on the trade market. The three-time Pro Bowl running back was a First-team All-Pro last season, which led to the Steelers placing the franchise tag on him for the second-straight offseason. Bell has yet to sign his tender, which will need to happen before he gets traded, and it remains unclear when the back intends on reporting to the team. With Bell almost definitely leaving after the season, Pittsburgh will try to get any value back for the talented play-maker, especially considering the success second-year RB James Conner has had in Pittsburgh this year. One contender to look out for on the Bell front is the Philadelphia Eagles, who lost running back Jay Ajayi to a torn ACL earlier this season. 
RB LeSean McCoy, Buffalo Bills- McCoy is currently in the NFL's concussion protocol, which could make a trade more difficult to complete, but that won't stop teams from calling the Bills about the veteran. McCoy has carried the ball 63 times for 244 yards this season, averaging 3.9 yards per carry, while adding 13 receptions for 85 yards behind Buffalo's struggling offensive line. The Bills are not competing for the postseason this year, and with McCoy's contract set to run out after the 2019 season, they don't have much reason to hold on to him. He isn't close to the level of Bell, but if Pittsburgh can't trade their star RB, then teams might come calling the Bills to check in on McCoy.
WR Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos- Despite Thomas openly saying he wants to stay in Denver, it appears as if the veteran pass-catcher will likely be on the move before the Oct. 30 trade deadline. The 30-year-old has reeled in 33 of 49 targets for 372 yards and three touchdowns this season, and is averaging 11.3 yards per catch. The Broncos can save $14 million by cutting Thomas in the offseason, a move that seems likely after Denver spent a second round pick on Courtland Sutton in the 2018 NFL Draft. John Elway will at least explore the possibility of trading Thomas, with the Jaguars jumping out as an interesting wild card considering the team's immense struggles on offense. 

Demaryius Thomas catches a pass before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center. USA Today Sports Images

WR DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins- Parker has a ton of potential, but has never been able to translate that into success on the field. Appearing in just two games this season, Parker has caught a mere two passes for 40 yards. The 25-year-old was a healthy scratch in the team's Week 7 loss to the Detroit Lions, which led to Parker's agent voicing his displeasure with head coach Adam Gase. Miami is thin at receiver following the injuries to Albert Wilson and Kenny Stills, which could force the team to use Parker Thursday night against the Texans. At the very least, it could serve as a possible tryout for interested teams considering a deal for the 25-year-old receiver.

TE Jared Cook, Oakland Raiders- Following the trend of a possible fire sale in Oakland, Cook could be another veteran on the move. The 31-year-old has enjoyed a strong 2018 campaign, catching 32 of 43 targets for 400 yards and two touchdowns in Oakland's first six games. The veteran tight end is on pace to shatter his previous career-highs in receptions and receiving yards, which should cause teams in need of a tight end to give Gruden and McKenzie a call. Cook is on a very reasonable contract that runs out at the end of the season, making it a low-risk move from contending teams. He's proven to be a bit inconsistent throughout his career, but that shouldn't stop teams in playoff contention from considering a move for the veteran.

>>MORE: Lichtenstein: Jets' Failure To Find Reinforcements At Receiver Proves Costly

DE Dante Fowler, Jacksonville Jaguars- There has been no indication that the Jaguars are ready to deal Fowler, especially considering the team's lack of a strong pass rush in recent weeks. But with Jacksonville declining to pick up the fifth-year option on Fowler, Tom Coughlin will have to at least think about trading the young pass rusher prior to next week's trade deadline. The 24-year-old recorded eight sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 16 games last year, finishing with 21 total tackles. Fowler has just two sacks, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery in six games this season, but could be an interesting trade target as a soon-to-be free agent. The Jaguars will likely hold on to Fowler unless they can swap him for some QB or WR help. 
OLB Shane Ray, Denver Broncos- Ray is in the same boat as Fowler in terms his team not picking up his fifth-year option for 2019. Ray's career got off to a promising start after the pass rusher picked up 12 sacks in his first 30 games, but has only been able to record two sacks in 14 games since the start of the 2017 season. The former first round pick has one sack and a forced fumble in six games this year, and with the Broncos likely out of playoff contention, Denver could try to get some value back for Ray before losing him in the offseason. A team could decide to roll the dice on the 25-year-old for a late round pick.
CB Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals- Take out Le'Veon Bell and Peterson is the most talented player that could be moved before next week's traded deadline. Still only 28-years-old, Peterson has racked up 23 interceptions in seven-plus seasons, including two in 2018. The former first round pick has been considered one of the best at his position for the last few years, and could be the final piece of the puzzle for some contenders. It remains to be seen if Arizona will actually go through with trading their best defender, as they will likely ask for a big return in any trade, but one team that makes a fascinating possible trade partner is the New Orleans Saints.

Patrick Peterson looks on during the first half against the New York Giants at University of Phoenix Stadium. USA Today Sports Images

CB Gareon Conley, Oakland Raiders- The Raiders are saying they aren't looking to trade Conley at the moment, but who can really believe anything coming out of Oakland these days? Conley was the 24th overall pick in last year's draft, but has been able to suit up for just eight games total since then. In six games this season, Conley has an interception which he returned for a touchdowm to go with 10 combined tackles and six passes defended. If a team offers up a mid-round pick high enough for Gruden's liking, the Raiders will quickly pull the trigger on a deal for Conley. 

CB Eli Apple, New York Giants- Despite the Giants losing five of their first six games, it does not appear as if GM Dave Gettleman currently plans on selling off some of his assets for draft compensation. If that changes, Apple could be one of the most likely players dealt before next Tuesday's deadline. Following last year's disaster of a season, Apple has rebounded nicely in 2018, recording 17 combined tackles, a forced fumble and five passes defended in just four games on the year. While his improved play and attitude make it more likely he sticks with the Giants, it also makes Apple a much more appealing trade target. If Big Blue loses either (or both) of its next two games, an Apple trade could become more of a realistic possibility. 
S Karl Joseph, Oakland Raiders- After Okaland took Joseph with the 14th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the safety has fallen out of favor with the team's new regime. Joseph has barely played this season after totaling 79 combined tackles, one sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, an interception and three passes defended in 15 games last year. Gruden has made it clear that he wants to mold his own team for the franchise's move to Las Vegas, making Joseph expendable. The third-year safety could likely be had for a mid-to-late round pick.