Piggybacking off Adam Schefter's “Let's make some unreal deals”, I thought it would be interesting to look at a few NFL teams' weaknesses and strengths as the trade deadline approaches, and propose a few “realistic” trade scenarios. The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, October 19th, and history shows that actual trades are few and far between. Chalk that up to the lengthy amount of time it takes players to adjust to new systems and playbooks, as well as teams not “throwing in the towel” as they do in the MLB and NBA. NFL trades are usually mid to low draft picks exchanged for depth, with the occasional player swap or higher pick for a malcontent stud. Below are a few trades that would benefit all involved parties, but none are likely due to the nature of the most competitive sports league:
Redskins trade 2011 1st-Rd Pick to Panthers for DeAngelo Williams
With an offense loaded with veterans to the likes of Donovan McNabb, Santana Moss, and Chris Cooley, the Skins are in win-now mode. Clinton Portis can't seem to stay healthy and is a far cry from his days in Denver, and Ryan Torain is not a feature back. The team is averaging 3.9 YPC, and rank 22nd in the NFL at just under 90 yards per game on the ground. Williams will hit free agency after this year, and Carolina is in a transition year with a group of young receivers and Jimmy Clausen at QB. Dan Snyder is never shy about trading away draft picks, and Carolina could use as much young talent via the draft next year as possible. Williams would help Washington compete for the wide-open NFC East title, and Carolina can avoid tagging him by shipping him off sooner than later.
Bears trade 2011 3rd-Rd Pick to Bills for Lee Evans
Evans is in the third year of the four-year, $37.25 million extension he signed in 2008. Buffalo could use every cent to address needs at almost every position, starting with the QB they take high in the first round of next year's draft. After they lock-in Andrew Luck, Jake Locker, or Ryan Mallet, they then can focus on WR depth, but for now they have no need. Chicago needs more weapons for Jay Cutler, as Johnny Knox, Earl Bennett, and Devin Hester aren't exactly threatening to the opposition. Evans has good hands and excellent speed, and would fit well with the strong-armed Cutler as Chicago tries to rebound from last year's disappointing 7-9 campaign.
Cardinals trade Derek Anderson and 2011 4th-Rd Pick to Bills for Ryan Fitzpatrick
Any viable QB option has got to be better than Anderson and Max Hall, right? Even with Larry Fitzgerald and co., the Cards are 29th in the NFL in passing offense, thanks to horrific play by their quarterback carousel. Fitzpatrick has shown consistent improvement in his short career, and would benefit from facing lesser competition in the NFC West. With the 49ers' struggles, the division is up for grabs and the Harvard alum could be the difference between first and third.
Patriots trade 2011 5th-Rd Pick to Giants for Danny Ware
The Giants are set at running back between Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs, and barely use Ware at all. The Patriots have a plethora of mediocre backs that get the job done, but they need a short-yardage bruiser-type back who could double as a fullback. Enough already with using lineman and defensive players as goal-line lead blockers; the Patriots haven't had a true-fullback on their roster since Heath Evans' departure. At six feet, 240 pounds, Ware fits the bill as a scenario-usage running back to compliment and/or assist Benjarvus Green-Ellis and the oft-injured Fred Taylor.
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