As all 32 NFL teams prepare for the start of preseason, most figure that the offseason is a thing of the past. That’s not necessarily the case. Teams will have to cut nearly 40 players from their current rosters in the next few weeks, leaving a lot of unemployed veterans on the street. This is a clear indication that we’re going to see multiple trades between now and Week 1.
A certain quarterback in New Jersey might be on the move after showing himself well during camp. Meanwhile, a couple star players are holding out of camp. With those situations looking bleak, could we see a blockbuster trade or two over the next month?
It’s in this that we check in on 10 NFL players who could still be moved this summer.
Teddy Bridgewater, quarterback, New York Jets
Signed on the cheap this past spring after throwing a combined two passes over the past two seasons, Bridgewater has started to turn heads in Jets camp. He initially saw more action with rookie first-round pick Sam Darnold holding out. But even after Darnold signed, Teddy was still awing onlookers in Florham Park.
It was previously reported that the Jets might look to move Bridgewater should his knee hold up during camp and the preseason. With Darnold and incumbent starter Josh McCown under contract, that seemed to make a whole lot of sense. New York could realistically turn this short-term contract into a mid-round pick. If so, other teams will come calling.
Dante Fowler Jr., EDGE, Jacksonville Jaguars
When Jacksonville decided against picking up the fifth-year option on Fowler’s rookie deal this past spring, it caught a lot of people by surprise. Selected No. 3 overall back in 2015, the Florida product put up a career-best eight sacks last season. Unfortunately, he’s since been suspended one game by the NFL and is currently on the preseason physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
Jaguars general manager David Caldwell and Co. put Fowler on notice by declining his option. The pass rusher now enters a contract year with a whole lot to prove. It’s in this that Jacksonville might simply look to cut its losses and get something in return for the enigmatic youngster.
Earl Thomas, safety, Seattle Seahawks
Thomas will not report to camp unless he’s given a contract extension. In fact, the All-Pro performer has requested a trade should nothing come to fruition on that front. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll is apparently none too happy with these developments. Meanwhile, the veteran’s agent absolutely blasted both Seattle’s front office and fans in the Pacific Northwest. How fun.
To be perfectly clear here: Seattle is going nowhere fast this coming season. It will likely be closer to the NFC West cellar than competing for the division crown. The Legion of Boom now looks like the Lesion of Doom. If Thomas is unhappy entering a contract year and unwilling to even show to camp, what’s to stop Seattle from moving him?
Giovani Bernard, running back, Cincinnati Bengals
Bengals offensive coordinator Bill Lazor has has nothing but praise for second-year running back Joe Mixon, who looks absolutely amazing thus far in training camp. Having committed a second-round pick on the embattled youngster last year, Cincinnati is obviously all aboard the Mixon hype train.
If so, where does that leave a player in Giovani Bernard who is among the most underrated in the game? More of a third-down and pass-catching back, the former North Carolina standout doesn’t seem to fit Lazor’s offensive scheme. Still only 26 years old and after averaging nearly 1,000 total yards in his first five NFL seasons, Bernard would certainly draw interest on the trade front.
Arik Armstead, defensive line, San Francisco 49ers
Very close to becoming one of the final first-round busts of the Trent Baalke era, Armstead is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury. This came after the former top-20 pick opened camp as a starter for an improved 49ers team. Given that head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have no built-in relationship with the 6-foot-7 defensive end, there’s a chance the team might simply look to cut its losses right now.
Having put up just six sacks over his first three seasons, the Oregon product wouldn’t net San Francisco anywhere near a decent return. His $9-plus million salary for the 2019 season magnifies that. Even then, Armstead is still just 24 years old and might simply need a change of scenery to excel.
Shane Ray, EDGE, Denver Broncos
Much like Fowler in Jacksonville, Ray is dealing with yet another injury after seeing Denver decline the option on the final year of his rookie contract. Earlier this offseason, Ray opted against having a fourth wrist surgery over the past two years. It’s in this that he’ll soon be a full participant in training camp. If that’s the case, look for Denver to feature the former first-round pick as a way go gauge trade interest.
The Broncos didn’t select Bradley Chubb No. 5 overall in April’s draft to sit behind Von Miller and Ray. That’s for sure. The team also has a promising young pass rusher in Shaquil Barrett who has recorded just three fewer sacks than Ray over the past three seasons. Despite his struggles with consistency and injury, teams would likely take a chance on Ray if made available on the trade market. He’s only 25 years old and still boasts loads of upside.
Khalil Mack, EDGE, Oakland Raiders
This seems absolutely ridiculous on the surface. Why would Oakland move on from its best player? Mack, a former Defensive Player of the Year, is just now entering his prime. He’s also a holdout from camp at a time when new Raiders head coach Jon Gruden is trying to put his stamp on the organization. It’s led to a lack of communication at every turn.
If Gruden is going to continue with this old-school mentality, it stands to reason that things aren’t going to get better between the two sides. That could lead to a rift that extends into the regular season, at which point Gruden might simply look to trade Mack for a bounty unlike anything we’ve seen in recent NFL history.
Ameer Abdullah, running back, Detroit Lions
Abdullah’s roster spot was already questionable at best after he complained about his role following a down 2017 campaign. But once Detroit signed LeGarrette Blount and selected Kerryon Johnson in the second round of April’s draft, that was taken to a whole new level. With a catch-first back in Theo Riddick already guaranteed a roster spot, that pretty much leaves Abdullah out in the cold.
Having recorded just 1,250 rushing yards at a clip of 3.8 yards per rush in his first three NFL seasons, it’s unlikely Abdullah would generate much interest on the trade market. But he’s still only 25 years old and has shown flashes. Another team could very well bite.
Eli Apple, cornerback, New York Giants
New Giants head coach Pat Shurmur noted that he is going to give Apple a clean slate after the former first-round pick proved to be a malcontent with the team last season. Healthy thus far in camp, Apple has looked both good and bad during the summer session. It’s this on-field inconsistency that plagued him in the past.
Without much depth at cornerback, there’s a good chance the Giants give Apple an opportunity to earn a starting job during the preseason. Should that not come to fruition, we would not be shocked to see them trade the former Ohio State standout. At that point, a change of scenery would likely be best for both sides.
Le’Veon Bell, running back, Pittsburgh Steelers
This situation is about as dire as it gets. For the second consecutive summer, Bell has decided to holdout of camp. Only this time, Pittsburgh doesn’t really have the option of retaining him beyond the 2018 campaign. Placing the franchise tag on the All-Pro running back would cost the team north of $20 million in 2019. That’s not sustainable. Things are made more difficult by the fact that Bell’s agent has already pretty much said this will be his final season in Pittsburgh.
The larger issue here is fair-market value and just how the Steelers view Bell. He turned down what would have been the largest contract for a running back in NFL history, only to see Todd Gurley top the market weeks later. Now, as Pittsburgh prepares for the season, Bell’s future is up in the air. Why not look to end this drama before it impacts the locker room? That is to say, trade Bell for what would be a plethora of assets.