The NFL offseason is starting to get into training camp and trade rumors could pop up this summer with names like Danny Amendola, Kirk Cousins, Ryan Mallett, LaMichael James, Denarius Moore and Ryan Broyles and teams like the New England Patriots, Washington Redskins and Oakland Raiders could look at trades before the 2014 season starts.
Trades this late in the offseason do not usually go down, but if injuries or other issue pop up, some of those names could be on the move. NFL.com put together a list of players that could be traded during the summer and Mallett was one that received attention, including from the Houston Texans. Bill O'Brien looks content to stick with Tom Savage or Ryan Fitzpatrick, but he could change his mind and Mallett was one name that has been linked with the Patriots this offseason due to the connection of O'Brien.
The Browns looked at Cousins and offered a fourth round pick to the Redskins, but they declined and other players that could move include Amendola and James. LaMichael James has been shopped since earlier in the offseason and if he is not traded he could get cut. Amendola has been under fire for being injured last season and he could be on his way out of town eventually if the Patriots feel they are deep enough at receiver.
The Browns took Johnny Manziel and obviously do not need Cousins anymore, but some of the backups around the league could be options on the trading block. Injuries have already starting piling up around the league and that could spark some moves, while the Patriots will have to decide how many QBs to carry this season. Backup Ryan Mallett is heading into the last year of his deal and he could get moved after the team drafted Jimmy Garoppolo, but Bill Belichick does things his own way and if he feels the team is better with Mallett, he will keep him for now.
Mike Wallace and Dion Jordan were both shopped heading into the draft and the Dolphins could still pull the trigger, but as time goes by that is looking less likely. Wallace had a so-so season after signing as a free agent, while Jordon did not live up to being the third overall pick quite yet. LaMichael James has been shopped by the Niners since the draft and if the Eagles hadn't traded for Darren Sproles, there is a good chance that Chip Kelly would have snatched him up. Denarius Moore has also been mentioned in some trade rumors with the Raiders, but nothing close has come yet.
The biggest trade rumors this offseason and during the draft centered around backup quarterbacks, including Cousins, Mallett and Ponder as well as Ryan Nassib. So far none of those players have been drafted, but they have come up in connection with teams, including Cousins with the Browns and Mallett with the Texans. The Cousins trade to the Browns was never close, but the Browns did offer a fourth round pick to the Redskins for him before picking Johnny Manziel, so that means there was at least a deal on the table.
Matt McGloin and Christian Ponder are two other backups that could get traded and the Houston Texans are a potential fit, but that means the team will not be going with Ryan Fitzpatrick or Tom Savage and that looks unlikely. The team drafted Savage and guaranteed Fitz $4 million so that likely means both are staying and will get their chances. LaMichael James has been shopped all offseason and he hasn't been moved and that could go down later in camp if he doesn't get released by the 49ers.
