24 Notable NFL Trade Candidates

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertFebruary 28, 2019
© USA TODAY Sports

QUARTERBACKS

Ryan Tannehill, QB, MIA, 30

He’s almost certainly heading out of Miami one way or another. A trade is highly unlikely at this point.

Pre June 1st
$13.4M of dead cap to the Dolphins, a cap savings of $13.1M

Post June 1st
$7.8M of 2019 dead cap, $5.6M of 2020 dead cap, a 2019 cap savings of $18.75M.

Traded Contract:
2 years, $38.27M

 

Derek Carr, QB, OAK, 27

Carr is likely the 2019 QB for the Raiders, but if by chance they happen to draft someone who by chance can win the job away from him this summer, then all bets are off.

Pre June 1st
$7.5M of dead cap to the Raiders, a cap savings of $15M

Post June 1st
$2.5M of 2019 dead cap, $5M of 2020 dead cap, a 2019 cap savings of $20M.

Traded Contract:
4 years, $78.425M

 

Josh Rosen, QB, ARI, 22

It would be wild, but there’s a hot stove world that exists where Rosen is out the door after just 1 year in Arizona. That world is likely not this world though.

Pre June 1st
$8.15M of dead cap to the Cardinals, a cap loss of $4.1M

Post June 1st
$2.7M of 2019 dead cap, $5.4M of 2020 dead cap, a 2019 cap savings of $1.2M

Traded Contract:
3 years, $6.21M, plus a 4th-year option

 

Russell Wilson, QB, SEA, 30

While the idea on its surface seems absurd, the fact of the matter is the Seahawks are in a rebuild mode (even if it didn’t look like it in 2018), and Wilson is entering a contract year. If he’s unwilling to extend this offseason, Seattle has to at least do its due diligence in preparing for the worst. Letting him walk for nothing would be a travesty.

Pre or Post June 1st
$8.2M of dead cap to the Seahawks, a cap savings of $17M

Traded Contract:
1 year, $17M

 

 

RUNNING BACKS

LeSean McCoy, RB, BUF, 30

The Bills have said publicly they plan to keep Shady through his contract year, but it’s hard to imagine they won’t at least try to find a taker.

Pre or Post June 1st
$2.625M of dead cap to the Bills, a cap savings of $6.425M.

Traded Contract:
1 year, $6.425M

 

Jordan Howard, RB, CHI, 24

He was reportedly on the trade block last October, so seeing him move this spring wouldn’t be a huge surprise.

Pre or Post June 1st
$62,007 of dead cap to the Bears, clearing $2.045M of cap space.

Traded Contract:
1 year, $2.045M

 

Theo Riddick, RB, DET, 27

Riddick’s production has dropped each of the past few seasons, while his salary jumps up to $3.675M in 2019. He’s more likely a cut candidate.

Pre or Post June 1st
$962,500 of dead cap to the Lions, a cap savings of $3.66M.

Traded Contract:
1 years, $3.675M

 

Duke Johnson, RB, CLE, 25

Johnson likely stays until the fate of Kareem Hunt is known, but will be pushed to the back of the line once Hunt is activated alongside Nick Chubb.

Pre June 1st
$2.25M of dead cap to the Browns, a cap savings of $800,000

Post June 1st
$750,000 of 2019 dead cap, $1.5M of 2020 dead cap, a 2019 cap savings of $2.3M.

Traded Contract:
3 years, $11.55M

 

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

Antonio Brown, WR, PIT, 30

Financially speaking this move is a mess for Pittsburgh, and has to be considered unlikely until it actually happens.

Pre March 17th
$21.12M of dead cap to the Steelers, a cap savings of $1.045M.

March 17- June 1
$23.62M of dead cap to the Steelers, a cap loss of $1.455M

Post June 1st
$12.04M of 2019 dead cap, $11.58M of 2020 dead cap to the Steelers, a 2019 cap savings of $10.125M.

Traded Contract:
3 years, $38.9M

 

Odell Beckham Jr, WR, NYG, 26

Will they or won’t they? It’s likely they won’t. But here are the numbers if they do.

Pre June 1st
$16M of dead cap to the Giants, a cap savings of $5M.

Post June 1st
$4M of 2019 dead cap, $12M of 2020 dead cap, a 2019 cap savings of $17M.

Traded Contract:
4 years, $77M

 

John Ross, WR, CIN, 24

The #9 overall selection 2 years ago has 21 grabs in 16 games, but also 7 scores.

Pre June 1st
$5.3M of dead cap to the Bengals, a cap loss of $625,000.

Post June 1st
$2.65M of 2019 dead cap, $2.65M of 2020 dead cap, a 2019 cap savings of $2M.

Traded Contract:
2 years, $4.7M, plus a 3rd-year option

 

Emmanuel Sanders, WR, DEN, 31

The Broncos have picked up the option (rather than outright releasing him), but it’s still very possible Sanders is shopped this spring.

Pre or Post June 1st
$2.6M of dead cap to the Broncos, a cap savings of $10.25M

Traded Contract:
1 year, $10.25M

 

DeSean Jackson, WR, TB, 32

Showed he’s still got plenty of production left in him, he’s on really nice $10M salary to finish off his current contract in TB.

Pre or Post June 1st
$0 of dead cap to the Bucs, a cap savings of $10M

Traded Contract:
1 year, $10M

 

Nelson Agholor, WR, PHI, 25

A solid receiver, but clearly now not a top threat. His $9.3M salary for 2019 puts him in a tough spot for any team. He’s a potential release candidate if a trade partner can’t be found.

His $9.387M 5th-year option becomes fully guaranteed on March 13th. Trading him leaves behind $0 of dead cap to the Eagles.

Traded Contract:
1 year, $9.387M

 

Devante Parker, WR, MIA, 26

It’s possible no WR in Miami is safe this offseason, but Parker’s $9.3M 5th-year-option fully guarantees on March 13th. Sending out that much without taking on dead cap would be a win for the Dolphins.

Traded Contract:
1 year, $9.3M

 

 

TIGHT ENDS

Cameron Brate, TE, TB, 27

His production fell off drastically in 2018 with the emergence of OJ Howard, but with Adam Humphries possibly out the door this March, could be forced into a bigger passing role.

Pre or Post June 1st
$0 dead cap, a cap savings of $7M.

Traded Contract:
5 years, $33.8M

 

Kyle Rudolph, TE, MIN, 29

The long-time Vikings big man is heading into a contract year in 2019 that comes with a $7.6M price tag. With a pay raise likely coming for Adam Thielen, they simply may not be able to afford Rudolph.

Pre or Post June 1st
$0 dead cap, a cap savings of $7.625M.

Traded Contract:
1 year, $7.625M

 

 

DEFENSE

Justin Houston, OLB, KC, 30

Still showed above average EDGE production, but the Chiefs have too many mouths to feed elsewhere.

Pre Just 1st
$7.1M of dead cap to the Chiefs, a cap savings of $14M.

Post June 1st
$5.6M of 2019 dead cap, $1.5M of 2020 dead cap, a 2019 cap savings of $15.5M.

Traded Contract:
2 years, $33M

 

Trae Waynes, CB, MIN, 26

The Vikings will look to upgrade this position, so shedding Waynes’ $9M salary will be useful. He’s a likely release candidate if a trade partner can’t be found.

Waynes’ $9.069M salary fully guarantees on March 13th. Trade him leaves behind $0 of dead cap to the Vikings.

Traded Contract:
1 year, $9.069M

 

Shaq Lawson, DE, BUF, 24; Jerry Hughes, DE, BUF, 30

The Bills 1st round pick back in 2016 has been inconsistent to say the least. It’s possible the Bills shop 30 year old Jerry Hughes as well, a player who carries a $10M cap hit and could still bring back a solid return via trade for Buffalo.

Pre or Post June 1st (Lawson)
$1.4M of dead cap to the Bills, a cap savings of $1.85M.

Pre March 17th (Hughes)
$2.9M of dead cap to the Bills, a cap savings of $7.5M

Traded Contract:
Lawson: 1 year, $1.8M, plus a 2nd-year option; Hughes: 1 year, $7.5M

 

DeMarcus Lawrence, EDGE, DAL, 26

He’s one of the premier pass rushers in all of football, but he’ll also need to be paid as such this spring. Dallas has plenty of mouths to feed over the next 12 months, and it could be devastating to their short-term financial future to sink a max contract into Lawrence, even if he’s worth it. He’d also warrant a great trade return for Dallas.

The Cowboys haven’t officially slapped a tag on Lawrence, but if/when they do it’ll come in at $20.5M. Lawrence won’t sign it, so it’ll be on Dallas to lock him in by July 15th, or hope he’s tradable.

Traded Contract:
1 year, $20.5M

 

Josh Norman, CB, WAS, 31

Norman was never going to live up to a $15M per year deal, but he’s still a viable asset in the secondary. The Redskins have holes to fill, and are cap-sunk with the injury to QB Alex Smith. A trade or release for Norman would help.

Pre June 1st
$6M of dead cap to the Redskins, a cap savings of $8.5M

Post June 1st
$3M of 2019 dead cap, $3M of 2020 dead cap, a 2019 cap savings of $11.5M.

Traded Contract:
2 years, $24M

 

Jamie Collins, OLB, CLE, 28

He’s just flat out overpaid, which isn’t a good recipe for a trade. The Browns don’t need the cap space, but they would likely choose to get younger and cheaper here. A release is more likely when it’s all said and done.

Pre June 1st
$2.5M dead cap to the Browns, a cap savings of $9.25M

Post June 1st
$1.25M of 2019 dead cap, $1.25M of 2020 dead cap, 2019 cap savings of $10.5M.

Traded Contract:
2 years, $23M


Top