Ten summertime trade candidates

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Ten summertime trade candidates
By Chris Wesseling/Around the League Writer

While compiling the rosters for Around The League's Projected Starters series, we noticed several players squeezed out of their team's plans since the end of the 2013 season.

Although most of the offseason wheeling and dealing occurs early in free agency or during the draft, it's not unusual for a training camp trade to go down.
Since Monday is the unofficial start of summer, here's our list of 10 candidates to change uniforms in July or August.

1. Christian Ponder, QB, Vikings: The Vikings have brought back Matt Cassel, drafted Teddy Bridgewater as thequarterback of the future and declined Ponder's 2015 option. So why are they prepared to waste first-team reps on a quarterback who has fallen out of their plans? The logical inference is an attempt to rebuild some semblance of trade value. Ponder still offers higher upside than the average NFL backup. Former offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave is now the Eagles quarterbacks coach. Former quarterbacks coach Craig Johnson is now the Giants running backs coach.

Potential landing spots: Saints, Packers, Panthers, Falcons

2. Ryan Mallett, QB, Patriots: Mallett has been connected to the Texans and former offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien since early March, with speculation growing especially feverish during draft weekend. Patriots coach Bill Belichick recently insisted he's not that interested in dealing Mallett, which is another way of inviting prospective suitors to raise their offers. If second-round pick Jimmy Garoppolo looks ready for prime time in training camp, a Mallett trade remains possible.

Potential landing spots: Texans, Cowboys

3. Brandon Flowers, CB, Chiefs: One year after Flowers boasted that Kansas City could be home to the NFL's best secondary, the organization is reportedly open to dealing the veteran cornerback, who proved to be a poor scheme fit in Bob Sutton's defense. Flowers' $5.25 million salary is a stumbling block. Two of his three former coordinators are out of the league, and the third is the new Texans defensive boss.
Potential landing spots: Texans, Titans, Colts

4. Michael Roos, OT, Titans: When the Titans surprisingly selected Taylor Lewan at No. 11 overall, speculation immediately surfaced that Roos would hit the trading block. Roos, 31, is set to earn over $6 million in the final year of a six-year, $43 million deal as the anchor of Tennessee's offensive line. Much like the Flowers situation, his salary is an obstacle to a trade.

Potential landing spots: Panthers, Ravens

5. Brandon Graham, DE/LB, Eagles: Finally healthy in 2012, Graham showed promise as a disruptive pass rusher only to be held to under 30 percent of the defensive snaps in Billy Davis' ill-fitting 3-4 defense last season. The 2010 first-round draft pick has the talent to be a bargain pickup for a team with a 4-3 defense. The Eagles have been open to moving Graham for quite awhile now.

Potential landing spots: Falcons, Buccaneers, Seahawks, Patriots, Bengals

6. Dion Jordan, DE/LB, Dolphins:Jordan has been connected to Graham in trade talks that reportedly went nowhere between the Eagles andDolphins. Whether it's true or not, there is persistent speculation in league circles that Jordan is available for the right price because new general manager Dennis Hickey doesn't value him nearly as high as former boss Jeff Ireland did. It doesn't help that Jordan remains without an obvious position in the Dolphins' 4-3 defense.

Potential landing spots: Eagles, Colts, Jets, Saints, Titans

7. Derrick Morgan, DE, Titans: A prototypical 4-3 defensive end, Morgan is stuck in no man's land in Ray Horton's 3-4 defense. The 2010 first-round pick is penciled in at outside linebacker, a position he's never played before. The Titans have gone on to sign Shaun Phillips and restructure Kamerion Wimbley's contract, leaving Morgan's status up in the air. Much like Graham, he could be a bargain acquisition for a team with a 4-3 scheme. He went to college in Atlanta, and the Falcons just happen to need a pass rusher.

Potential landing spots: Falcons, Buccaneers, Seahawks, Patriots, Bengals

8. LaMichael James, RB, 49ers: Left out of the 49ers' running back rotation even before the arrivals of Carlos Hyde and a relatively healthy Marcus Lattimore, James has seemingly been on the trading block for a year now. We suspect he hasn't been moved because no team is willing to part with a mid- to late-round draft pick for an underwhelming scatback. He did star at Oregon underEagles coach Chip Kelly.

Potential landing spots: Eagles, Cowboys

9. Rob Housler, TE, Cardinals: A speedy pass-catching specialist, Housler is underutilized in Bruce Arians' offense, which favors blocking specialists at tight end. As a contract year player who has not met expectations in Arizona, Housler should be available for the right price. New Giants coordinator Ben McAdoo is believed to be seeking a tight end with Housler's skill set.

Potential landing spots: Giants, Patriots, Falcons, Chiefs, Bills

10. Denarius Moore, WR, Raiders: Plagued by inconsistency since flashing major playmaking ability in his rookie training camp, Moore appeared to fall out of favor with the Raiders' coaching staff last season. Now that the team has signed James Jones and claimed Greg Little off waivers, tough cuts will have to be made in late August. Receiver-needy teams should be sniffing around on Moore as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. Unfortunately, two of the teams most in need of a deep threat (Chargers,Chiefs) are division rivals.

Potential landing spots: Browns, Chargers, Chiefs, Jets, Panthers

 

[Mojo Ram]

I want Demoff to sprinkle some magic salary cap dust on this roster and somehow swing a deal to bring in Andre Johnson. There usually aren't many older players that i like to bring on board during a rebuilding project...but we're heading into Fisher's third season, and while the youth at WR still needs some seasoning, adding a veteran like AJ would instantly make a guy like Tavon Austin a superstar...not to mention his ability to open things up for Sam.

Ok ok...back down to Earth. Come on Quick(or Britt). We're counting on you!

 

[den-the-coach]

Hope the Titans cut Roos and he comes to the Rams because lately that's what most former Titans do unless they want to get paid. Rams don't have much cap room, but adding Roos would give the Rams one of the best OL's in the game barring injury.

The only WR is Moore and I was never crazy about him because of injuries and being non productive, but I bet Max likes him better than Austin Pettis.

 

[BonifayRam]

My only real interests in this article is in ......

4. Michael Roos, OT, Titans: When the Titans surprisingly selected Taylor Lewan at No. 11 overall, speculation immediately surfaced that Roos would hit the trading block. Roos, 31, is set to earn over $6 million in the final year of a six-year, $43 million deal as the anchor of Tennessee's offensive line. Much like the Flowers situation, his salary is an obstacle to a trade.

This OT has played both ORT & OLT for Fisher. he routinely ranked year after year around 10 to 15 OLT. If The Titans want to trade or release Roos. Fisher having full knowledge of this OT and his durability throughout his 9 NFL seasons add to the fact the Rams have had their starting OT's go down to injury & miss large chunks of games or IR'd SEVEN times the last two seasons. Fisher presently does not have a swing OT without yanking a starting OG! I say the Rams will need Roos services this season many time if things go the usual way here in Stlouis with OL injuries.

If you say we can not afford Roos ......If the 3 centers outside Wells .....Tim Barnes, Barrett Jones & the newly drafted center Demetrius Rhaney can take over the center post duties ....then the releasing of Wells can produce around 4.5 million instantly. The other 1.5 million should be possible thru restructuring some of the Ram big money players. Here the key for this consideration .....Having a well established OT Roos on board would permit Rodger Saffold & Greg Robinson to remain as our massive OG duo.

 

[TheDYVKX]

Some really good names up there. Especially for pass rushers. Jordan is an athletic freak who should be playing 3-4 OLB or LEO (dear God, Seahawks don't trade for him). If he plays in one of those schemes, he WILL dominate. Dolphins were stupid to trade up for him.

Brandon Graham and Derrick Morgan are two of the best 4-3 DEs in the game from what I've seen, especially considering they're still very young. They don't get many sacks, but they do a fantastic job at getting pressure. Getting stuck in 3-4 defenses blows for them.

As to those names...we don't need pass rushers or QBs. Only Flowers or Roos would interest me for the Rams, but their contracts are huge. If we can fit one of them in, I would love it.

 

[Memphis Ram]

My only real interests in this article is in ......

4. Michael Roos, OT, Titans: When the Titans surprisingly selected Taylor Lewan at No. 11 overall, speculation immediately surfaced that Roos would hit the trading block. Roos, 31, is set to earn over $6 million in the final year of a six-year, $43 million deal as the anchor of Tennessee's offensive line. Much like the Flowers situation, his salary is an obstacle to a trade.

This OT has played both ORT & OLT for Fisher. he routinely ranked year after year around 10 to 15 OLT. If The Titans want to trade or release Roos. Fisher having full knowledge of this OT and his durability throughout his 9 NFL seasons add to the fact the Rams have had their starting OT's go down to injury & miss large chunks of games or IR'd SEVEN times the last two seasons. Fisher presently does not have a swing OT without yanking a starting OG! I say the Rams will need Roos services this season many time if things go the usual way here in Stlouis with OL injuries.

If you say we can not afford Roos ......If the 3 centers outside Wells .....Tim Barnes, Barrett Jones & the newly drafted center Demetrius Rhaney can take over the center post duties ....then the releasing of Wells can produce around 4.5 million instantly. The other 1.5 million should be possible thru restructuring some of the Ram big money players. Here the key for this consideration .....Having a well established OT Roos on board would permit Rodger Saffold & Greg Robinson to remain as our massive OG duo.

IMO, there's no chance the Titans move Roos. But, even if they wanted to, I'd say the team can't afford Roos due to the compensation that would be necessary to acquire his services. Even though he'll be 32 this year, I'd bet the Titans would still want a 1st rounder for him.

 

[Angry Ram]

I want Denarius Moore. Oakland has no QB to speak and still put up decent numbers. Inconsistent my ass...he was a 5th round pick. Funny how the author mentioned Greg Little and James Jones...those two are inconsistent as any.

Definitely Denarius over Kenny Britt. But...that's just me.

 

[FRO]

Denarius Moore is very intriguing. Very quick and fast with long arms. Had solid production in his second season with Carson Palmer at QB. If the price was right I would go after him. Plus his contract is one where we could actually fit it.

 

[RamsAndEwe]

Dion Jordon might make a nice addition to our LB's. Dion Jordon, Laurentatis, and Ogletree. I know it won't happen...Just a May Day Dream for me.

 

[FRO]

Dion Jordon might make a nice addition to our LB's. Dion Jordon, Laurentatis, and Ogletree. I know it won't happen...Just a May Day Dream for me.

I wouldn't mind getting him, but he will cost more than a mid to late round pick. I'm not sure I want to give up that much for the guy.

 

[RamsAndEwe]

Would you give a 2nd or 3rd round pick?

 

[RamsAndEwe]

Would you give a 2nd or 3rd round pick?

What would you give for Dion Jordan?

 

[TheDYVKX]

Jordan might be able to play 4-3 OLB. He's a freak, first of all. Can run in the 4.5s at his size. The kid is insanely good in coverage, at Oregon he used to play slot corner quite a bit at 6'7" 250, so that's no concern. He would lock down guys like Jimmy Graham. He's really talented pass rushing wise too, got long arms and fantastic bend. And at 4-3 OLB he would be able to stand up rushing in a Von Miller like role. He can improve against the run, but working with Bush and Waufle he would get better for sure. I kind of like the idea. Under Gregg Williams, he would be used perfectly.

Expensive to trade for, though. Wouldn't give up more than a 3rd.

 

[Memphis Ram]

I want Denarius Moore. Oakland has no QB to speak and still put up decent numbers. Inconsistent my ass...he was a 5th round pick. Funny how the author mentioned Greg Little and James Jones...those two are inconsistent as any.

Definitely Denarius over Kenny Britt. But...that's just me.

IMO, Moore > Britt, too. However, for a team that plans to run the football, Britt's size/blocking is a better fit.

 

[FRO]

Would you give a 2nd or 3rd round pick?

I wasn't that high on the kid coming out, but if Williams has a role for him in this defense I would give up a third.

 

[FRO]

IMO, Moore > Britt, too. However, for a team that plans to run the football, Britt's size/blocking is a better fit.

Is Moore's blocking bad? I remember Bruce being a great blocker and he was the same size if not smaller than Moore.

 

[Memphis Ram]

Is Moore's blocking bad? I remember Bruce being a great blocker and he was the same size if not smaller than Moore.

Moore isn't very physical. And I don't recall Bruce effectively blocking LBs like Britt and Quick can.

 

[FRO]

Moore isn't very physical. And I don't recall Bruce effectively blocking LBs like Britt and Quick can.

So you would rather take the inferior receiver that blocks better?

 

[Memphis Ram]

So you would rather take the inferior receiver that blocks better?

Sounds silly, but in a run first, play-action offense and with the WRs already on hand? I think so.

 

[FRO]

In a run first, play-action offense? I think so.

Unless the WR can't block at all, give me the better receiver over the guy who blocks better.