With the deadline just under a week away, the NFL trade block is filling up with interesting names, including a few who are already on the move.
The Dallas Cowboys made headlines Monday by trading their 2019 first-round pick to the Oakland Raiders for wide receiver Amari Cooper. Cooper was rumored to be on his way out of Oakland for over a week, but few could have predicted the Raiders would receive a first-rounder for him.
Back in Week 2, the receiver market appeared very weak, as Cleveland Browns All-Pro Josh Gordon was packaged with a seventh-rounder to the New England Patriots for a fifth and seventh-round selection. The Cooper trade completely changes things.
Yes, Gordon is one misstep away from never playing football again, but he is one of the most physically talented players in the league and has made a large impact in his limited time with the Patriots. Cooper has a historically high drop rate and is set to make nearly $14 million next season.
While Cooper being dealt is big news, he is far from the only receiver on the market currently. Here are six more players who could find themselves on a different team by the October 30th trade deadline.
6. Kevin White
White was drafted seventh overall in 2015, and it seemed as if the Chicago Bears landed a true No. 1 wide receiver. White had it all. He was 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, ran a 4.35 40-yard dash, put up 23 bench press reps, was a good route runner, had strong hands, and was a willing and able blocker.
Unfortunately, a string of injuries forced him to miss his entire rookie season and he played in only five games over the next two years. White is now completely healthy, but he doesn't have a place in Chicago's offense. He has been targeted twice on the year, and one of those was the Hail Mary attempt that nearly forced the Patriots to overtime.
White is used primarily as a blocker, and while he excels there, being fourth or fifth on the depth chart can't be what he or the Bears envisioned happening three years ago. Because of his injury history and 23 career catches, White won't cost much, so he could be a low-risk high-reward option for a team in need of receiver depth.
Further contributing to White's lack of value is his expiring contract, which will make him a free agent after the season. The Bears may be interested in re-signing him, but White will probably look to join a team that will give him a greater chance to contribute. Perhaps that team will be willing to part with a late-round pick to get a head-start on developing White.
5. Laquon Treadwell
After catching all of one pass during his rookie season, Treadwell is slowly becoming more involved in the Minnesota Vikings' offense. He had 20 receptions last year and already has 22 catches and a touchdown in 2018. However, he is still receiving only about three targets per game, which is not an ideal production level for a first-round pick.
Unlike White, Treadwell at least has a role in the offense. That doesn't mean he won't be traded, however. Rumors swirled about his possible departure at this time last season, so it's not outside the realm of possibility that Treadwell is traded. Still, out of the six players on this list, Treadwell may be the least likely to play for a new team this year.
4. Demariyus Thomas
Thomas has been a productive player for nine seasons now, but the Broncos may be ready to move on from the veteran.
Demaryius Thomas feels end of his time in Denver may be "coming up" https://t.co/f6j5TV3c0d
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) October 22, 2018
The size and ball skills that made him a coveted prospects are still there, but Thomas no longer possesses the 4.38 speed that made him a feared weapon five seasons ago. He may not be an elite player, but he can still help an offense. The problem is Thomas turns 31 on Christmas Day and is owed $14 million next season. Any team that trades for him must be able to pay his salary without handcuffing their spending elsewhere, and they have to be in contention for the playoffs.
3. DeVante Parker
Through his first three seasons in the league, the 14th overall pick in 2015 didn't live up to expectations. This season, he has been active for only two games, and with his agent calling head coach Adam Gase “incompetent” for keeping Parker inactive, the writing is on the wall for Parker's exit.
He still has potential and has shown that he can contribute in the NFL. Teams like big receivers who can make plays after the catch, so Parker should have a decent market. He probably won't fetch as large a spoil as Cooper, but then again, no one thought Cooper was worth a first-rounder.
2. Emmanuel Sanders
Sanders is actually a few months older than his teammate Thomas, but is having a bounce-back season. He gives his team a deep threat and a reliable over-the-middle possession receiver, filling two major roles simultaneously. He is owed over $10 million next season, so he doesn't come cheap, but he is the best player on this list (at least so far).
The Philadelphia Eagles seem like the perfect fit for him. His situation will be one to closely monitor.
1. Odell Beckham Jr.
Beckham is both the best player on this list and the least likely to be traded, although recent happenings point to there being a possibility. Beckham's emotional antics have picked up lately and New York Giants owner John Mara has publicly criticized Beckham, which doesn't happen often.
The two biggest obstacles to a trade happening are Beckham's price and contract. He is arguably the best receiver in the NFL, and he is only 25. If a drop-prone 24-year old Cooper with a $14 million cap hold next season in the final year of his deal commanded a first-round pick in return, what would Beckham require?
He also signed a five-year $90 million extension beginning next year which will pay him nearly $17 million next year. That is a significant price to pay, and few teams make a wide receiver their highest-paid player. With all that said, there is enough smoke surrounding Beckham to where there may be some fire.
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