NFL

10 NFL Players Who Could Be Trade Bait This Offseason

10 NFL Players Who Could Be Trade Bait This Offseason

Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
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With all head coaching vacancies being filled (with the exception of the Atlanta Falcons awaiting Dan Quinn), all teams not playing in the Super Bowl are beginning to evaluate their roster and where they want to go for the 2015 season and beyond. In the event of teams attempting to clear cap space, these 10 guys could be on the move.

10. Riley Cooper

Riley Cooper, Philadelphia Eagles, NFL Trade Rumors
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10. Riley Cooper

Riley Cooper, Philadelphia Eagles, NFL Trade Rumors
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Cooper signed a $22.5 million contract last season and went on to prove he was one of the worst receivers in the NFL in 2014. Philadelphia Eagles fans are ready to see the team give Cooper the boot. The emergence of rookie Jordan Matthews makes this move obvious for head coach Chip Kelly and company.

9. Kirk Cousins

Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins, NFL Trade Rumors
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9. Kirk Cousins

Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins, NFL Trade Rumors
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Cousins impressed people after taking over for an injured Robert Griffin III in 2013, but 2014 was a completely different story. He wants an opportunity to start in the NFL but doesn’t believe, with RG3 in town, he’ll get that chance. One thing’s certain: One of those two men will get moved.

8. Mike Wallace

Mike Wallace, Miami Dolphins, NFL Trade Rumors
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8. Mike Wallace

Mike Wallace, Miami Dolphins, NFL Trade Rumors
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It’s well documented that Wallace’s stay in Miami may be short after his lack of chemistry with quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Could his contract make it hard to move him via trade? Absolutely. But one team (cough, Oakland Raiders) loves their speedy wide receivers and have more than enough cap space to afford him.

7. Joe Thomas

Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns, NFL Trade Rumors
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7. Joe Thomas

Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns, NFL Trade Rumors
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Thomas has spent his entire eight-year career locking down the left side of the Cleveland Browns’ offensive line. The most impressive thing isn’t his number of Pro Bowls but the fact that he’s started every game in all eight seasons since he came into the league as a rookie. He deserves a shot to protect a quarterback capable of leading a team to the playoffs.

6. Larry Fitzgerald

Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals, NFL Trade Rumors
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6. Larry Fitzgerald

Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals, NFL Trade Rumors
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After spending his entire career in Arizona, many want Fitzgerald to get traded to a contender so he has an opportunity to win a ring before it’s time to hang up the cleats. We all know he deserves it and know his window is closing fast.

5. Cameron Wake

Cameron Wake, Miami Dolphins, NFL Trade Rumors
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5. Cameron Wake

Cameron Wake, Miami Dolphins, NFL Trade Rumors
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Wake may be a victim of a sell-high scenario in South Florida. The Miami Dolphins can save cap space by moving him and give former No. 3 overall pick Dion Jordan a chance to move into a starting role. Teams will be interested in giving up a third-rounder for Wake’s contract and talent.

4. Patrick Willis

Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers, NFL Trade Rumors
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4. Patrick Willis

Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers, NFL Trade Rumors
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After spending the second half of the 2014 season on injured reserve, Willis could find himself as the odd-man out after the emergence of rookie linebacker Chris Borland. By shipping Willis out, the 49ers could save over $7 million against the cap and could move on to the younger prospect in Borland.

3. Josh Gordon

Josh Gordon, Cleveland Browns, NFL Trade Rumors
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3. Josh Gordon

Josh Gordon, Cleveland Browns, NFL Trade Rumors
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What can anybody really do with Gordon? He’s one league suspension away from going back to selling cars, and even after returning in the latter half of the 2014 season, he underperformed and even got suspended for violating team rules. One team not named the Browns will give him a chance and may even get him at a cheap rate.

2. Robert Griffin III

Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins, NFL Trade Rumors
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2. Robert Griffin III

Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins, NFL Trade Rumors
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As stated earlier, either Cousins or RG3 will be moved this offseason. Head coach Jay Gruden is having the same problems former head coach Mike Shanahan was with the Heisman Trophy winner. A quarterback-needy team may over compensate for a chance to resurrect Griffin’s career.

1. Adrian Peterson

Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings, NFL Trade Rumors
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1. Adrian Peterson

Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings, NFL Trade Rumors
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Owner Zygi Wilf and general manager Rick Spielman have stated that they don’t want to move Peterson. With how much they could get in a trade and the amount of running back talent in the 2015 draft class, they’d be stupid not to trade him. You know Jerry Jones will be first in line to get him.

Tyler Olson is an NFL and Miami Dolphins writer for www.RantSports.com.  Follow him on Twitter @to2471, like him on Facebook, and connect with him on Google.

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