The NFL trade deadline. One of my favorite times of the year. Over the next few days we get to see which teams are pushing their chips to the middle of the table and which teams are punting on the season.
For me I like going over which teams should buy and which teams should sell at the trade deadline. My two factors for teams who should buy are: having cap space–generally $10 million or more–and having a realistic shot at the playoffs, in my opinion. For the teams who are selling the factors are: they suck but have some players of value who can help teams that are buying.
Teams Who Should Sell
Jets
Record: 0-7 (4th/16th)
Cap space: $29.93 million
Players that could be available: Brian Poole, Breshard Perriman, Avery Williamson, Jordan Jenkins, Bradley McDougald, Pierre Desir
Overview: No they should not trade Sam Darnold, yet. However, they do have a plethora of veteran players on expiring contracts. While this isn’t the cream of the crop of available players, they can still be considered upgrades for teams looking for cheap or semi-cheap vets.
Falcons
Record: 1-6 (4th/16th)
Cap space: $2.19 million
Players that could be available: Todd Gurley, Alex Mack, Ricardo Allen, Keanu Neal
Overview: Much like the Jets I would expect the Falcons to hang on to Matt Ryan and Julio Jones until the end of the season where everyone’s draft position is set if they want to go that direction. Nevertheless they still present some assets that are cheap enough for teams to acquire now.
Jaguars
Record: 1-6 (4th/15th)
Cap space: $27.06 million
Players that could be available: Keelan Cole, Chris Conley, Tyler Eifert, A.J. Cann, Rodney Gunter, Aaron Lynch
Overview: The Jags have already laid most of the ground work for what seems to be a youth movement. These last few names should make way for their younger talent to get a bigger role to see if they should be part of the team long-term.
Texans
Record: 1-6 (3rd/14th)
Cap space: $7.69 million
Players that could available: J.J. Watt, Duke Johnson, Will Fuller, Kenny Stills, Eric Murray, Justin Reid
Overview: With the Texans fighting an uphill battle due to lack of draft capital and cap space they have to start somewhere. Which includes moving former DPOY J.J. Watt along with some younger talent with contracts that are expiring after either this year or next year because they won’t have the money to resign them. Thanks Bill O’Brien.
Vikings
Record: 1-5 (4th/14th)
Cap space: $4.74 million
Players that could be available: Riley Reiff, Harrison Smith, Anthony Harris
Overview: This might be the beginning of the end for the Vikings as they know it. With the cap situation not being known–with projections looking like a steep drop in team cap–the Vikings might be making some very tough decisions in the near future. Which includes three of the more talented players among those mentioned on the trading block.
Cowboys
Record: 2-5 (3rd/13th)
Cap space: $23.96
Players that could be available: Michael Gallup, Tyrone Crawford, Everson Griffen, Dontari Poe
Overview: While one can argue that Cowboys should buy, I think their season is over. Their most important offensive lineman are out, along with Dak Prescott. It seems moot to try to push for the playoffs given their most recent performances. They should focus on opening cap space–which will be a challenge–to pay Dak Prescott, since that is their intention still. Along with gaining some draft capital so they have some cheap contract since they’ll be cap tight regardless.
Patriots
Record: 2-4 (3rd/12th)
Cap space: $25.60 million
Players that could be available: James White, Rex Burkhead, Lawrence Guy, Deatrich Wise, Adam Butler, Joe Thuney, David Andrews, Jason McCourtey
Overview: While they have roughly $70 million in cap space for 2021 they do have these guys as unrestricted free agents. So they might keep some and resign them. However, with Cam Newton not working out liked they had hoped they should keep their options open for the draft or trying to take another stab at free agency. Welcome to life after Tom Brady.
Buyers
Browns
Record: 5-2 (3rd/6th)
Cap space: $31.10 million
Positions of need: LB, CB, S
Overview: Who would of thought we’d be here? Let’s take a moment to recognize that they are no longer bottom feeders. With that being said, the Browns need help at the back end of their defense. While they have certainly been opportunistic in their secondary forcing some interceptions, their pass defense as a whole has not been very good. Which has negated a really good run defense up until this point. Given they have $31.10 million in cap space, they can make a few moves to try to sure up their secondary as they seek their first playoff appearance since 2002.
Eagles
Record: 2-4-1 (1st/4th)
Cap space: $22.17 million
Positions of need: WR, OL, CB, S
Overview: The Eagles cap space of the future looks very bad. Some hard decisions will have to be made in the off-season. So if I were them I would act like this is their last chance. While Travis Fulgham has came into his own in recent weeks Wentz still needs at least one more reliable target to throw to. They could also use what’s left of their cap space to try patch their offensive line or their secondary. Go for broke Philly.
Washington
Record: 2-5 (2nd/12th)
Cap space: $21.76 million
Positions of need: QB, OL
Overview: Not very often I suggest a team that’s 2-5 and 12th in the conference to buy at the deadline. That’s just the NFC East for ya. Only 1/2 of a game back of Philadelphia–also beating them in week one–the nameless team in Washington is in the thick of it after their dominating win over Dallas this past Sunday. Their defense has actually been one of the better defenses in the league. With Ron Rivera being at this stage of his career I don’t think he would want to pass up a chance to make the playoffs if the opportunity presents itself. He did make the playoffs in 2014 despite being 3-8-1 after 12 games, so this isn’t his first rodeo. If there were a team that I would pick to make a blockbuster trade at QB, it would be Washington. So look out for that.
Dolphins
Record: 3-3 (2nd/8th)
Cap space: $16.89 million
Positions of need: Slot WR, Slot CB, ILB
Overview: Yes, the team who’s “too early in the rebuild to contend” is contending. However, this is a tricky one for needs. Because given that they have so much youth on the team you’re in a position of wanting to see them develop, but since they have legit chance at the playoffs you also want to improve the roster if you can. I don’t think Grier and Flores were expecting Buffalo and New England to regress as much as they have in recent weeks.
Colts
Record: 4-2 (2nd/7th)
Cap space: $10.99 million
Positions of need: WR
Overview: For Colts fans, this is going to be hard to admit, but Father Time seems to be hitting T.Y. Hilton. Even though he is leading the team in receiving yards, it is apparent he has begun to slow down. So, if I were the Colts, I would try to find an upgrade the position to not only help Rivers, but to maybe help Hilton as well.
Bears
Record: 5-1 (1st/1st)
Cap space: $10.11 million
Positions of need: RB, WR, CB
Overview: I would add QB if I thought the Bears would consider the idea. Alas, we are more than likely stuck with Foles and Trubisky for the rest of the year. So, the least the Bears could do is try to give Foles add some more weapons. Maybe try to compliment Montgomery. If they want to go for broke on their defense I would try to find an upgrade for Buster Skrine.
