The NFL trade deadline is Oct. 28. While it's usually a letdown, we already have seen Percy Harvin dealt to the New York Jets and Akeem Ayers traded to the New England Patriots. Perhaps this year will be more interesting.
*With that in mind, each Around The NFL writer chose one trade they'd love to see in the next week. *
Johnny Manziel to the Jets
John Idzik finally showed an aggressive side in trading for Percy Harvin. Now that the famously deliberate "Glacier" has shown it's in him, it's time to really roll the dice.
If the Jets offered their 2015 second-round pick for Johnny Manziel, does Cleveland say no? That would depend on what the Browns think of Manziel after six months of internal evaluation. If they're on the fence, this gives them an out that greatly minimizes the damage of investing the 22nd overall pick in the former Texas A&M star. It also clears the way for a no-drama extension for Brian Hoyer.
As for the Jets, Manziel would address an obvious need. Geno Smith is not the answer at quarterback, and neither is Michael Vick. Bringing Manziel to the Big Apple might seem like a recipe for disaster, but it's also just crazy enough to work. -- Dan Hanzus
Mark Ingram to the Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are 6-1 thanks to the gutsy effort of running back DeMarco Murray, who is on pace for an unsustainable amount of carries, a number that would surely break the NFL single-season record of 416 set by Larry Johnson in 2007. They need another powerful running back, and the New Orleans Saints have one who has largely underachieved to this point in his career but is ready to break out. Yes, the Cowboys should deal a mid-round pick to the New Orleans Saints for Mark Ingram.
We'd love to see Ingram in a power offense and behind a great offensive line. We'd also like to see Murray get a breather down the stretch. This satisfies both teams and allows New Orleans to bolster a rebuilding effort that could already be underway. -- Conor Orr
Vincent Jackson to the Chiefs
Alex Smith has had an underrated season thus far, and he's pretty much doing it with zero help at the receiver spot. Dwayne Bowe isn't getting it done as a No. 1, and the rest of the unit is mostly spare parts. Getting a playmaker who can win jump balls like Jackson would open up the field for Smith and help him immensely on scrambles. Despite what Lovie Smith says, the Bucs' season is lost, and they need to gather as many future assets as possible. Getting a couple picks for VJax would be worth a move. -- Kevin Patra
Andre Johnson to the Seahawks
Seattle would love to make a deal for a playmaking tight end, but Julius Thomas and Jordan Cameron aren't for sale. The next best thing? How about an established Pro Bowl wideout with enough juice left in the tank to help the Seahawks reach another Super Bowl?
Johnson's final years are being wasted on the Ryan Fitzpatrick-led Texans. Houston could use the draft pick to help Bill O'Brien's offense grow younger with a hand-picked player of his choice.
After shopping Percy Harvin to save the locker room, look for 'Hawks general manager John Schneider to counter with a deal that adds top-shelf talent to this still-powerful offense. -- Marc Sessler
Larry Fitzgerald to the Patriots
Even with the Cardinals standing atop the NFC West, there are valid reasons for a swap. Fitzgerald realizes his contract will have to be addressed after the season, as he carries an untenable $23.6 million salary-cap number for 2015. The Patriots reportedly "sent out feelers" to gauge the possibility of acquiring Fitzgerald two offseasons ago.
Fitzgerald's legs looked as fresh in August as they did in his prime, but his targets have dwindled since Bruce Arians removed him from the "X" receiver role. Now that Michael Floyd and Andre Ellington are enjoying breakout seasons and rookie John Brown is emerging, Fitzgerald is underutilized in Arians' offense. I believe he would flourish as Tom Brady's first legitimate outside threat since the last of Randy Moss' glory years. The Cardinals could get something in return now if they have reason to believe he would walk in the offseason. -- Chris Wesseling
Jay Cutler to the Bucs for Josh McCown and Mike Glennon
Okay, so we're having fun here with a trade that is less likely to happen than Greg Schiano coaching again in Tampa. But wouldn't it be awesome if NFL teams made spiteful, emotional deals like sinking fantasy football owners? Sending Cutler to a directionless offense with a poor line on a team led by coach Lovie Smith would be delicious.
McCown had better numbers than Cutler last season in Chicago. While he's not a long-term solution, the Bears might already have buyer's remorse regarding Cutler's recent massive contract. Throwing Glennon into the mix gives coach Marc Trestman another young arm to mold.
It would ultimately be a salary dump so that the Bears could invest their money elsewhere. The Bucs, meanwhile, have plenty of salary-cap space and haven't had a decent long-term franchise quarterback since ... Doug Williams. Cutler's average play would represent a huge upgrade! (And we've now officially wasted way too many words on this ridiculous notion.)Â -- Gregg Rosenthal
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