March is here, meaning NFL free agency is right around the corner. The first big Unexpected NFL Trade is on the horizon, and I can’t wait! It is the time of year where every team is optimistic about the future and this upcoming season, meaning anything can happen. This time of year, teams are addressing their rosters and trying to figure out how they can make a splash. In this article, I’m going to outline a few unexpected NFL trade candidates who could be moved in the coming months.
Saquon Barkley:
New York Giants fans, I know this may make you angry, but let me explain. The last thing you may want to read right now is that Saquon is an unexpected NFL trade candidate. The Giants are a young team that showed some real promise last year. They had an above-average defense that kept them close in a lot of their ball games and a sputtering offense that showed few signs of life. It’s no secret that the Giants need to improve their roster if they want to be a threat, and moving Saquon Barkley can help them do that.
Saquon is one of the most talented backs in the league, and his contract will soon reflect that. Saquon is entering the final year of his contract and will be looking to prove he deserves a big paycheck. Barring another catastrophic injury, Barkley will likely amass Christian McCaffrey’s record-setting deal with an AAV of 16 million dollars. Evidently, the Giants will have to dedicate a large amount of cap space to the running back group, which makes it really hard for a team to improve.
Daniel Jones desperately needs receiving threats and offensive line work to have a fighting chance in this league. Therefore, if the Giants trade Barkley for some nice draft picks, they can get Jones the weapons and protection he needs while gaining the necessary cap room to lock down these pieces. I think the Giants front office needs to at least consider moving Saquon this offseason if they are serious about taking control in the NFC East. They could get some extremely valuable draft capital from Saquon Barkley and spend the money they saved on more important positions.
Stephon Gilmore:
The 2019 Defensive Player of the Year is a great trade candidate for contenders looking for that last piece to make the Super Bowl. Because of this, the New England Patriots will certainly consider moving Gilmore this offseason. After losing Tom Brady to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Patriots have struggled to find themselves. The Patriots are clearly in need of a rebuild this season, and moving an elite 30-year-old cornerback would help.
At best, the Patriots can deal Gilmore for a second-round pick this offseason. Or, they may shoot for a few mid-round draft choices and let Bill Bellicheck search for a few hidden gems. Either way, moving Gilmore will add some much-needed draft capital for a team desperate to add new pieces. This could be a huge step in the Patriots’ rebuilding process and allow them to address the pressing need for offensive weapons this offseason.
Honestly, Stephon Gilmore’s talents would be wasted on a mediocre team like the Patriots this upcoming season, and it would benefit both to part ways this offseason. The Pats could move forward in their rebuild, and Gilmore could be like Brady and earn another ring on a new team, adding to his impressive resume. This makes Stephon Gilmore a perfect unexpected NFL trade candidate.
Russell Wilson:
Just recently, Russell Wilson’s name has been thrown into the rumor mill. Stories have come out about his frustration with lack of input in the Seattle Seahawks offense or communication with coaches. Quite frankly, it is embarrassing that the Seahawks have gotten themselves in this situation with one of the premier QB’s in the league. Wilson is capable of playing elite football, and ignoring his suggestions for offensive help is the last thing they should be doing. However, if this situation continues in Seattle, he could very well be moved.
It’s no secret that QB’s are the most valuable players on the football field, and Russell Wilson would go for a pretty penny on the trade market. Wilson is potentially worth multiple first-round picks. Making that trade would give the Seahawks plenty of room to work with in terms of acquiring new talent. This year’s draft class, filled with talented QB’s across the board. With the talented roster the Seahawks have, they can truly invest around a young QB by acquiring weapons and strengthening their defense.
While I think trading Russell Wilson would be a mistake for the Seahawks, it is an intriguing possibility for them to explore. With all the media attention that this has garnered, their phone must be ringing off the hook with trade offers. If they take advantage of Russell Wilson’s trade value, they can rebuild as they did in 2014 when they won the Super Bowl; a strong defense with great offensive weapons, with a QB on a rookie contract.
Jaylon Smith:
When the Dallas Cowboys took a chance on Jaylon Smith in the 2016 NFL Draft, they hope for a better player than they have now. Smith was coming off of a gruesome injury in the Bowl Game his last season at Notre Dame, which scared off many teams. However, he has been unable to regain that insane athleticism he showcased in college. Lack of athletic superpower and bad instincts that past few years in the Middle Linebacker spot makes it seem like Smith’s time in Dallas is coming to a close.
In addition to his playing woes, the Cowboys have a great need to free up cap space now. Owner Jerry Jones has made it clear that resigning Dak Prescott is the team’s number one priority this offseason. Yet, they have almost no cap space this season, and Dak is looking at a salary of 40 million dollars a year. In trading Jaylon Smith, the Cowboys can free up some money from his contract and use that towards the extension of Dak Prescott.
The Cowboys have indicated that they are planning on retaining Smith for the 2021 season, but that could just be a smoke and mirrors ploy. Prescott’s extension is long overdue, and Dallas needs to free up some serious money seriously fast. Smith hasn’t hit his stride in Dallas, and if they settle for a mid-late round pick for the linebacker, it could be beneficial for both parties to part ways.
