Five NFL Trades That Can Happen Soon: Detroit Lions Receiver Hunting
By Erik Lambert
Sep 15, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman (5) sets to throw during the second half of the NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland got the NFL trade juices flowing early with their big Trent Richardson deal. With team needs reaching the boiling point, what are some possible deals that could work out for a number of them?
New York Giants deal Hakeem Nicks for Mikel Leshoure and 1st round pick
One team that needs to think about shaking up their roster is the New York Giants. The formula they currently have isn’t working and it starts with having no presence on the ground. They need help at running back. A team they could possibly deal with is the Detroit Lions who are hot on the trail of a wide receiver after losing Nate Burleson to a broken arm. This idea centers around the Giants dealing Hakeem Nicks, who is a free agent in 2014 to the Lions in exchange for 23-year old running back Mikel Leshoure and a 1st or 2nd round pick. Nick would be a coup addition for Detroit who would put him opposite All-Pro Calvin Johnson. In return New York gets another talented body in their backfield who scored nine touchdowns last season and another high draft pick in their back pocket for later.
Kenny Britt to the Detroit Lions for 3rd or 4th round pick
Another far more plausible scenario involving the Detroit Lions hunt for receiving help. One player who is definitely considered available on the trade market is Kenny Britt of the Tennessee Titans. Considered a physically gifted receiver by many, for one reason or another (mostly injuries and off-the-field problems) he hasn’t done enough to warrant a starting job from the Titans coaches. In his place they have put Kendall Wright and rookie Justin Hunter. Britt comes with a number of red flag but his 6’3″ frame and clear talent is awfully enticing for an NFL team like Detroit who could put him opposite Calvin Johnson where he would likely see frequent single coverage. The problem is Britt is a free agent next May, meaning he could easily walk when the season ends. The Lions must be careful not to go any higher than a 3rd round pick or they risk badly overpaying for an unproven player.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers deal Josh Freeman to Jaguars for mid round pick
The Mike Glennon era is right around the corner. Anybody with eyes and a trust in their guts can see it. Josh Freeman has badly regressed for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and at 0-3 his time as a starter runs short. A lot of it may have to do with his fading trust in Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano, which means he’d like to get out of their as soon as possible. A change of scenery might serve him and TampaBay best. One place to start is the Jacksonville Jaguars. With Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne to choose from, they are in sore need of help at quarterback. Freeman did go for over 4,000 yards last season and is an upgrade over either of them provided he gets good protection. Since he’s a free agent next year, the Buccaneers could probably get a mid round pick for him.
Buffalo Bills trade Jairus Byrd to Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are totally lost on defense, especially in the secondary. There is no real star to speak of who can give them impact plays or direction. Until that changes their woes figure to continue. The Buffalo Bills on the other hand have done quite well on defense through three games, all without Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd. Plantar fasciitis has kept him out for the regular season while a contract squabble robbed him of training camp and the preseason. The longer he is gone the more the Bills are realizing they may be able to live without him. Washington is hard pressed to make this kind of deal. They don’t have a first round pick again until 2015, so if they wanted Byrd it would likely take that and a few picks in 2014 to make it happen. Is he worth it? To any other team, probably not. To them? An argument can be made.
Chicago Bears deal Michael Bush and pick for Mike Patterson and David Wilson
Another complicated, unlikely but interesting NFL trade that makes some sense. One area where the New York Giants have some depth to spare is defensive tackle with Linval Joseph, Cullen Jenkins, Shaun Rogers and Mike Patterson. The Chicago Bears just lost Henry Melton for the season and are thin in that same area. One thing they do have that the Giants desperately need is depth at running back with Matt Forte and Michael Bush. While several people aren’t willing to give up on David Wilson, it’s clear the coaching staff practically has due to his ongoing fumbling problems. In this scenario the Bears give up Bush who is a capable runner at age 29 for the 30-year old reserve defensive tackle Patterson and something in the neighborhood between a 2nd and 4th round pick for Wilson who is a much better fit in the Bears offense under Marc Trestman.