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2017 NFL Free Agency: 3 Opening Trades That Could Happen

By Erik Lambert

Aug 22, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter of a preseason game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 22, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter of a preseason game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 24, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) directs the offense during the second half against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) directs the offense during the second half against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

The start of the past two free agent periods have been marked by significant trades. Could the same fate be in store for 2017 NFL free agency?

Don’t discount the possibility. Trades are becoming more commonplace as teams like New England prove it can be done provided the quality coaching is in place to help players transition quickly. There are a number of plausible scenarios that could play out within the next month, all of which would have a significant impact on next season.

None more so, of course, than the quarterbacks.

Jimmy Garoppolo to the Cleveland Browns

The Bears may be getting the heat of the rumor mill lately but all signs point to the Cleveland Browns deciding where Jimmy Garoppolo goes in 2017. After all they have the best ammunition to make a run at him. They could easily offer up their #12 overall pick in the 1st round and still leave the #1 left over to take whomever they wish. Odds are the New England Patriots would gladly accept that deal over anything Chicago or San Francisco could put together.

The true wild card in this is whether head coach Hue Jackson envisions Garoppolo as what he’s looking for in a quarterback. Also there is the matter of Deshaun Watson and whether the Browns do indeed like him. These factors make the trade a little harder to gauge but there is no doubt Cleveland is easily in the driver seat for a Garoppolo deal. Whether they’re willing to give up that #12 pick remains the big obstacle left to clear.

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