NFL Trade Machine: Market for Dee Milliner?

Dec 1, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets corner back Dee Milliner (27) is congratulated by teammates after breaking up a pass by the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Things change fast in pro football from one year to the next. A player can go from being the unquestioned starter to off the team in the space of 12 month. It has happened too many times to deny and may be happening to Dee Milliner. The former New York Jets top 10 pick was their starting corner in 2014 and showed signs of improving before tearing his Achilles.

In that space of time the Jets have been busy.

"“Milliner — now seven months removed from his injury — was very limited in OTAs last week and is no lock to be ready for training camp. When he gets back on the field he’ll be met by a full house in the secondary. The Jets signed Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Buster Skrine in free agency. Darrin Walls, Marcus Williams and 2014 third-round pick Dexter McDougle are also in the mix.”"

Nobody is off-limits when the depth chart becomes crowded. Milliner doesn’t have the good track records of Revis or Cromartie and isn’t suited for the slot like Skrine and McDougle. That makes it very difficult to find a spot for him considering the injury issue and his lack of value on special teams.

Would the Jets actually cut him? Doubtful. However, that doesn’t erase the idea of an NFL trade. Many teams would have interest in giving a former 9th overall pick a second chance, especially given the premium placed on quality cover corners. Milliner can be that if he can stay healthy.

So what are some teams that could have interest were he made available? Keep an eye on these.

Baltimore Ravens

Ozzie Newsome is always on the lookout for low risk, high reward deals. He’s proven a master at them. Dee Milliner would represent another such opportunity for the Baltimore Ravens. Getting a chance to pair him with Jimmy Smith and possibly have two cover corners on the outside would make their already devastating pass rush even more dangerous.

Chicago Bears

In truth there really isn’t a definitive answer at corner for the Chicago Bears in 2015. Kyle Fuller looks like a future starter but is still unproven and beyond him it’s a mix of veterans and youngsters who haven’t played their best in the past one or two seasons. Milliner would represent the kind of reclamation project their new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio thrives on.

San Francisco 49ers

No defense in the league has taken more roster hits this offseason than the San Francisco 49ers. In the space of a few month they lost four starters and one of their key backups including both of their corners Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox. As good as their depth is, they may not have the bodies to handle such a jarring transition. Maybe trading for a quality youngster could really help settle things down.

Next: Miami Dolphins: 5 Predictions For The 2015 NFL Season

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