The NFL trade deadline used to be a wasteland of inactivity. There weren't even any good rumors to keep us occupied. Those times have changed.
We've already seen a number of significant deals (Trent Richardson, Eugene Monroe) during this season, and a pair of future Hall of Fame candidates also might be up for grabs.
Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reported Sunday that Jared Allencould be available, at the right price. Glazer pointed out that the Minnesota Vikings could expect to potentially get a third-round compensatory draft pick if Allen leaves via free agency, so the Vikings might be looking for more than that in a deal.
A high draft pick for an aging pass rusher in his contract year will be tough to get, but the timing of this report is telling. The Vikings sound very open to selling.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is not expected to be traded in advance of Tuesday's trade deadline. But increased talk of a deal might be only a matter of time.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Fitzgerald will be "in play" for a deal this offseason, according to "multiple league executives." Fitzgerald's salary-cap number jumps to $18 million next season, and the Cardinals could save $8 million by trading him, plus get some valuable draft picks. (Then again, they'd have a $10 million cap hit for a player no longer on the roster.)
Trading Fitzgerald is not such a crazy idea. He still is young enough (30 years old) to have a market for a trade, but the Cardinals can't seem to take advantage of his presence.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport pointed out four other names discussed by league executives recently. The New York Giants have resisted trading wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, and it's believed a third-round pick at minimum would be necessary to get him. Perhaps a loss by the Giants Sunday in Philadelphia will sway them.
Rapoport believes Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon is unlikely to be traded. Gordon is believed to cost at least a second-round pick. San Francisco 49ers running back Anthony Dixon might be on the block. And the Tennessee Titans probably would take a stale ham sandwich in exchange for wide receiver Kenny Britt, but no one has bitten yet.
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