The NFL trade deadline is usually all smoke and no fire and while there has already been a number of surprising trades with names like Trent Richardson and Eugene Monroe moving, another name that has come up is of Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller and some possible options include the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys.
The initial thought about the Von Miller trade came from ESPN.com, as Greg Garber put together some trades that could go down but likely won't, speculation that Miller could get dealt to the Cowboys for running back DeMarco Murray. Garber writes that the Cowboys have always loved players from Texas, which Miller is, coming from Dallas and playing for the Aggies and also how the team sours on running backs from time to time. Garber writes that the Cowboys could send Murray, Morris Claiborne and a top draft pick to the Broncos for Ronnie Hillman and Miller, giving both sides something they need while giving up something fairly solid in return.
This deal likely will not go down, but with the Broncos having to deal with Miller's six game suspension for possible drug issues and the possibility of a year suspension looming with another mess-up, they may decide to pull off that deal. Apart from that, Miller has been mentioned as a player that the Seahawks, 49ers and Patriots all could go for, as those teams wouldn't mind a boost on the pass rush. The Pats have lost a number of players to injuries this season, while the Seahawks and Niners do not have as much depth as they thought up front on the line. While the deal seems crazy since Miller was a top two pick and a Pro Bowl player, it could be something that the Broncos explore as they try and put the best team together to make a Super Bowl run.
Miller has been very productive over his first two years in the league, notching over 25 sacks and while he has a four-year deal that he signed, he had a $13.77 million signing bonus, making his salary not so bad for a team that may want to deal for him. This season he has played in two games and has seven tackles and one sack and after missing just one game over his first two seasons, the Broncos could try and make a deal.
Last season Miller put up some great numbers with 18.5 sacks and 68 combined tackles and now he has double digit sacks and over 60 tackles in each of his first two seasons in the league. The Seahawks defense ranks in the top 10 in both passing and rushing yards allowed per game and while they are in the top 10 in sacks, they could use some depth heading into the back stretch of the season.
The 49ers are in the bottom half of the league in sacks this season and they also may want to add some depth to the equation. Murray has been solid for the Cowboys this season, but injuries and other issues have made the team fall a bit out of love with him and anyone that wants to see how the Cowboys do that with their RBs, check out Bill Barnwell on Grantland. This trade probably won't be going down, but it would be a little crazy, no?
