Would You Trade These NFL Players? Play Our 60-Second Game!
- by D_Lamoureux
- – on
- in Sports
If you were to be a General Manager in any of the ‘Big Five’ North American sports leagues, the NFL would most likely be the toughest. First of all, the NFL’s 53-man roster is by far the biggest of any other sport. Second, you have to balance those 53 contracts all under the salary cap. With so many different positions that are crucial to success, and so many superstars at their own positions, which position should you spend the most money on to benefit your team? The easy answer is quarterback, but the Seattle Seahawks won a Super Bowl with an extremely cheap QB because he was still on his rookie contract, and they could spend lots of money elsewhere (defence).
Because QB is such a valuable position, you’ll get the most value in return when you trade a competent quarterback than anything else. This is why if you have more than one competent QB, that’s probably the trade you should be making. Other reasons to make a trade could be you have a surplus of talent at a position and want to make your team more balanced, you want to trade a good player in order to tank for better draft picks, or the player in question wants to leave.
These decisions are going to be tough, but don’t worry. Even if we don’t think you made a good decision, it might turn out to work out well anyway!
Would you trade Tyrod Taylor?
The Buffalo Bills have made it pretty clear over the past few seasons that they don’t see Tyrod Taylor as their quarterback of the future. But while tanking until Tom Brady retires seems like a good idea, the Bills, under Taylor, have been challenging for a playoff spot all season. We all know there are teams desperate for a quick-fix at QB, and TyGod offers that. Would you flip him for draft picks or a different young QB?
Would you trade Matthew Stafford?
Matthew Stafford is the highest-paid player in the NFL. Yes, his check is more than Aaron Rodgers, and Tom Brady despite only being able to beat teams that are under .500. As the Lions continue to struggle, you have to wonder if they'd be willing to part with this “franchise QB” before his contract becomes untradeable. Would you sacrifice 8 wins a season in hopes you can find a serviceable QB for less money?
Would you trade Sam Bradford
With Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Bradford returning from injury, the Minnesota Vikings have not one, not two, but three competent QBs on their roster. In a league starving for consistent quarterback play, they can address other areas of the squad by dealing one of their signal-callers. Bradford cost the Vikes a 1st-round pick in summer ‘16, so you can definitely get something good in return if he can pass a physical.
Would you trade Case Keenum?
This is another one of the Vikings QBs that is great trade bait. Of the three, Keenum should have the most value given he was the one who played the games in 2017. Although it was mostly the Vikings defense and rushing game has carried them, Keenum has definitely impressed as well. Would you bet on this being Keenum’s peak, or do you hold onto him and hope he can be more than that?
Would you trade Tevin Coleman?
For the past two seasons, Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman have easily been the best 1-2 running back combo in the NFL. With Freeman signing a new contract, and getting the most touches in 2017, that leaves Coleman to either stay the #2 option in Atlanta, or leave to be the #1 and make more money. Historically, NFL players choose the money and opportunity. Would you trade Coleman, or let him decide his future in free agency at the end of his contract?
Would you trade Tom Brady?
A trending topic among NFL analysts last summer was whether the Patriots were planning on moving on from Tom Brady. Of course, New England opted to instead trade backup Jimmy Garoppolo and hold onto their five-time Super Bowl winning signal caller. But, Brady will be 41 before next season starts, and it's only a matter of time before his career reaches its end. Do you have the balls to trade the G.O.A.T.?
Would you trade Alex Smith?
Kansas City went out and selected what they believe to be their quarterback of the future in Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 NFL Draft. Alex Smith responded by outplaying Tom Brady in Week 1, and taking the Chiefs to a 6-0 record early in the season. Since then, it’s been mainly downhill, and he looks once again like a QB not fit to win a Super Bowl. Despite his regression, Smith still posted the #1 QB Rating in 2017.
Would you trade Vontaze Burfict?
This heavy-hitting linebacker is almost equally talented as he is controversial. He made the Pro Bowl once in 2013, but has been suspended for six games for violent conduct, and has been fined almost $1million for various incidents. With his contract nearing expiry, you could either continue to take a risk that this player will clean up his act and not miss key games, or let him go be someone else’s headache.
Would you trade Jacoby Brissett?
The Indianapolis Colts’ former number one overall pick, and starting QB Andrew Luck has been injured for the better part of the past three seasons, playing just 22 of a possible 48 games. In his place, Brissett was serviceable at best in his absence, with ~200 yds/gm, 12 TDs, 7 INTs, and a bottom 5 QBR, albeit on a terrible team. Would you risk having a worse backup if Luck can’t play 16 games again next season?
Would you trade Ndamukong Suh?
Ndamukong Suh joined the Miami Dolphins after his former team, the Detroit Lions, decided they didn’t want to pay a defensive tackle over $100million. While Suh has somewhat toned down his dirty play, he still hasn’t helped the Dolphins do any damage in the NFL playoffs, despite their defense ranking among the best in the league. Would you try to find a different team to take on his monster contract?
Would you trade Mark Ingram?
The New Orleans Saints already traded Adrian Peterson at the start of the 2017 season, but they still have two great running backs. Rookie Alvin Kamara really looks like the real deal, while Ingram is coming off his best ever NFL season. Ingram approaching age 30 is a bit of a worry, but because he’s been splitting touches his whole career he may be able to perform longer than the average RB.
Would you trade a Texans D-lineman?
The Texans D-line is one off the most stacked in the entire league. Even without perennial MVP candidate J.J. Watt, Whitney Mercilus and Jadeveon Clowney have put more than enough pressure on opposing quarterbacks. You could argue they need all three considering their injury problems, but that team also needs help in multiple positions if they're going to challenge for a Super Bowl when DeShaun Watson becomes healthy. You don't need that many studs on one side of the ball, do you?
Would you trade Andrew Luck?
Shoulder injuries for quarterbacks can be career-defining. But for every Sam Bradford, or Chad Pennington who loses velocity due to shoulder surgery, there is a Drew Brees, or a Matthew Stafford that came out just fine. Whether you think Luck’s injury will have an impact on his throwing ability will be the only reason you'd trade him, because if he returns to even 95% of his previous form you'd be an idiot for letting him go.
Would you trade one of the Patriots' running backs?
The New England Patriots once again have a huge surplus at the running back position. James White, Rex Burkhead, Mike Gillislee, and Dion Lewis have all looked very good this season. Would you trade one of these backs, even though you’ll likely only get a late round draft pick in return?
Would you trade Chris Ivory?
Even though the Jacksonville Jaguars had two capable running backs in Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon, rookie Leonard Fournette took over the Jags’ backfield and dominated. With the RB of the future on the roster, Ivory might have to look elsewhere for a starting job. His former team, the New York Jets could be a team that might be interested.
Would you trade T.J. Yeldon?
Trading Yeldon is another option for the Jaguars. RBs from Alabama have certainly had mixed results in the past decade; Mark Ingram and Derrick Henry have been very good, while Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy can be considered busts. In his 3rd season, Yeldon seems to be trending toward a bust, although he’s still young and the potential is still there. Do you trade Yeldon and keep Ivory as your backup if you’re Jacksonville’s GM?
Would you trade Martavis Bryant?
When Pittsburgh drafted Juju Smith-Schuster in the 1st round of the 2017 NFL draft, current Steelers wideouts Markus Wheaton and Martavis Bryant joked that he would take the others job. Because Juju has been so good as a rookie, he appears to have passed both Wheaton and Bryant in the depth chart. With Bryant’s constant off-field issues, would you trade him elsewhere and solidify the rookie’s spot on the roster, or hold on to three very good wide receivers?
Would you trade Pernell McPhee?
The Chicago Bears don’t have a lot going for them in 2017, but despite not winning many games, they still have one of the most feared defenses in the league, led by their D-line. Their rookie QB had a rough year, with no above average wide receivers or tight ends to throw to. Trading a piece from their defense could lead to a draft pick that would help out their dismal offence. Would you make the move?
Would you trade Andy Dalton?
After six straight seasons of getting bounced in the opening round of the playoffs, the Cincinnati Bengals have had two straight losing seasons, and will more than likely end up firing their head coach. They could go even further with cleaning house if they move QB Andy Dalton, whose performances have been increasingly sub-par over the past few seasons. Would you move on from the Red RIfle and commit to a hard rebuild?
Would you trade Dez Bryant?
Dez Bryant has definitely fallen off the Pro Bowl radar in the past few years, or at least, he should have. Dez hasn’t had a 100-yard game since November 2016, a 10 catch game since September 2014, or a 1,000 yard season since 2014. Dallas doesn’t have the best WR corps, but if you get get good value in return for the 29 year-old Bryant, would you do it?
Would you trade Robert Woods?
Two of the LA Rams receivers played for the Bills last season, and you wouldn’t have guessed which of the two put up better numbers in 2017. Free agent signing Robert Woods has put up more catches and yards than Sammy Watkins, who the Rams traded for in the pre-season. With rookie Cooper Kupp leading the team in receptions, this looks like one of the stronger receiving corps in the NFL. Would you cash in on Woods best season?
Would you trade Jordy Nelson?
Jordy Nelson used to be one of the top WRs in the NFL. But, a couple knee injuries have really slowed him down. His production nowadays is still fairly predictable though. If Aaron Rodgers is playing, he’s very good; if Rodgers is not playing, he’s not so good. While injury-prone players don’t usually retain a lot of value, it’s possible you get a decent package in return just on Nelson’s past.
Would you trade Earl Thomas?
Earl Thomas made news in the NFL after the Seahawks Week 16 win over the Dallas Cowboys when he followed Cowboys coach Jason Garrett down the tunnel to the locker rooms and told him “If y’all have the chance, come get me.” Thomas later explained this by saying he didn’t want to leave Seattle if he doesn’t have to, he just thinks he might get mistreated. If you were Seattle, would you part ways with the six-time Pro Bowler?
Would you trade Eli Manning?
Eli Manning had a very impressive 210 consecutive start streak unceremoniously broken this year, at the hands of a head coach that will likely be fired at the end of the season. To be fair, it probably wasn’t the worst decision Ben McAdoo made while in charge. Eli hasn’t looked like his old self, and it might be time for NY to go in a different direction. Would you send this franchise legend on his way, or let him retire a Giant?
Would you trade Jordan Reed?
This is gonna be a tough one. When Jordan Reed plays, he’s a top 3 receiving tight end right up there with Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham. The problem is that Reed is rarely healthy. Not once in his career has he played a full 16 game season. Do you keep paying him $10mil per season, knowing he’s probably only good for half the games, or try to get another team to take that risk for little in return?
Would you trade DeSean Jackson?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear to be a few years of progression away from becoming a contender. They have a young core, and the rest of their division is stacked right now, so it might be wise to collect draft picks. If they go this route, they might want to consider trading 31 year-old DeSean Jackson, who just had the worst statistical season of his career in his first season with the team.
Would you trade A.J. Bouye?
The Jacksonville Jaguars have one of the best pass defenses in the league. Part of the reason is their front seven, but the biggest is their corners, specifically Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye. Ramsey is the younger of the two, and has superstar potential. Should the Jags swap another above average corner to improve a different position?
Would you trade Malcolm Butler?
The New England Patriots have been looking for a suitor to take Malcolm Butler for most of the year. They realise that the man who won Super Bowl XLIX will ask for a pretty hefty amount of money. If you were in the Patriots shoes, would you pay one of the better cornerbacks in the league or spread that money around your roster?
Would you trade Joe Flacco?
Joe Flacco’s postseason run in 2013 seems like ages ago. Since then, he hasn’t exactly lived up to the massive contract he signed. The Ravens are winning now the same way they won back then, by playing really good defense. It’s not out of the question to suggest they could still win with a cheaper quarterback, because they did that with Flacco.
Would you trade Josh Gordon?
Josh Gordon has proved time and time again that when he’s on the field, he’s one of the most productive receivers in the game. The problem for Gordon is that he’s been suspended so many times that if he slips up again, it’s another year without football. If you think he’s overcome his past issues, then there’s no way you’re giving a player of his talent up. If you don’t, somebody else will take the risk.
Would you trade Adam Vinatieri?
There’s probably no worse feeling than having your football season end on a missed field goal. If you’re a playoff team with a shaky kicker, why not try to solidify that position with the most clutch kicker in NFL history? From the Colts perspective, getting anything in return for a 45 year-old kicker can be seen as good business considering how their year has gone.
Would you trade one of the Cowboys' offensive linemen?
There’s no real debate that the Dallas Cowboys have the best offensive line in the NFL. Yet while Ezekiel Elliott continues to tear up the league’s defenses, the Cowboys continue to lose games. Would you trade one of your O-linemen in order to improve other areas of need, such as the defense?
Would you trade Brent Grimes?
Brent Grimes has made headlines in recent years for all the wrong reasons. As he left Miami for Tampa Bay, his girlfriend blamed all of the teams problems on their QB at the time, Ryan Tannehill. With the Bucs, however, Grimes is finally causing opposing quarterbacks more problems on the field than he’s causing problems for his own team off the field. Would you let him go?
Do you trade up or down in the NFL draft?
One of the reasons that the endless supply of NFL mock drafts are useless is because of the amount of trades that occur during the actual NFL Draft. There are generally two schools of thought for trading draft picks: You trade up to sacrifice depth for a higher quality player, or you trade down to select more players, thus having a better chance that one of those players will develop into a star. What would you do?
Would you make a trade with the Patriots?
Every year around the trade deadline the Patriots seem to make a trade for someone who really helps their team in the playoffs. Somehow they are able to do this by giving up only like a 6th round pick. If the phone rings and the call is from New England’s front office, do you even bother picking up the phone? Or do you really think you can get the better of them this time?
