NFL Trade Machine: Shopping Muhammad Wilkerson

With depth and talent along their defensive line and such limited salary cap space to their benefit, the New York Jets are faced with a problem.  Muhammad Wilkerson, their Pro Bowl defensive end, may be more of a hindrance to them than a help at this point.  At least from a business perspective.  Currently under the franchise tag, he will make just over $15.7 million in 2016.  Odds are he expects to get paid around that amount in whatever long-term agreement he reaches with the team.  That may not sound favorable for Jets owner Woody Johnson.

This might explain why the team has entertained the idea of trading the 26-year old defensive star.  Not just to save the money but reap the possible rewards in draft picks that might come from it.

The problem is such an idea might be too cost-prohibitive for other team, who would not only have to give up multiple high draft choices but a wealth of money on top of it.  All for a player who, while dominant and in his prime, ended last season by breaking his leg.  It’s an uphill battle to be certain.  Are there any team out there who might be willing to venture the idea?  Here is a short list of possibilities based on roster needs and cap space.

San Francisco 49ers

The mass exodus of veteran stars like Justin Smith, Patrick Willis and others leaving last year really hit the San Francisco 49ers hard.  Since then the team has dilligently tried build the once dominant defense back up to its customary level but it hasn’t been easy.  With the most cap space available and also the most draft picks of any team, they are well within the power to go grab somebody like Wilkerson.  He fits their 3-4 scheme and would make for quite an addition across from promising former 1st round pick Arik Armstead.

Tennessee Titans

There is a prevailing belief that the Tennessee Titans have something building on defense with a number of quality players in place, headlined by defensive end Jurrell Casey.  If they were to make a deal for Wilkerson and then perhaps draft Jalen Ramsey, the standout defensive back from Florida State with their #1 pick, it might lead to the forging of a dominant defensive unit.  They have over $31 million in cap space at their disposal.  However, with a new GM in place, it’s difficult to know whether they’d part with a high draft choice.

Chicago Bears

Free agency has helped the Chicago Bears boost their fortunes on defense, but the general feeling is they still have yet to make a definitive move to add a genuine star.  The opportunity to put Muhammad Wilkerson together with Pernell McPhee and rising nose tackle Eddie Goldman in the same front seven sounds appealing in every way.  GM Ryan Pace has done a masterful job managing their salary cap, still with upwards of $24 million in space.  To date though he has shown no inclinations of giving up picks for players.