The 2018 NFL season is roughly three weeks away, yet a plethora of big moves could still go down. Numerous position battles are still undecided, some star players could be cut, and some even bigger names are still in limbo.
As of this writing, Adrian Peterson just latched on with the Washington Redskins and Dez Bryant is still without a team.
It’s just not the NFL without stars like them and in due time, there could be more crazy headlines to follow. While the NFL is not known for huge blockbuster trades, that’s one huge element that could create a wrinkle in the fabric of the 2018 NFL season.
Khalil Mack is probably the biggest name potentially being shopped right now – so much so that some NFL sportsbooks are offering odds on where he might land. If you roll with the best sites for NFL betting, those types of wagers may be something to consider.
That isn’t to say Mack will be traded or any other big names will be moved, but I think the noise going into 2018 is a bit louder than we’ve seen in the past. With that, let’s look at the five NFL stars that should be dealt this year.
Khalil Mack, DE/LB, Oakland Raiders
I already touched on Mack, but he deserves his own blurb.
The former Buffalo phenom has been as good as advertised since entering the league back in 2014. During his time with the Raiders he’s done nothing but terrorized quarterbacks and held his own elsewhere.
Due a fat contract, Mack has been holding out all summer and by all accounts, new head coach Jon Gruden hasn’t done much to mend the fence.
Should this relationship take a nasty turn (assuming it hasn’t already), Oakland would be wise to deal their best defender. Gruden pointed out the Raiders weren’t very good defensively even with Mack, so why not deal him for some draft picks and rebuild from the ground up?
It’s not crazy considering Mack probably wants the biggest contract in history for a defensive player. The hot talk is that the Green Bay Packers (they have the top odds) could land him, thanks to being the lucky owners of two 2019 NFL Draft picks.
Whether or not Green Bay is ready to pull the trigger on such a deal (they’d also have to actually pay him) remains to be seen. It’s still a resolution that seems to be beneficial to all parties, however.
Teddy Bridgewater, QB, New York Jets
Ranking #2 for me on the “NFL trade list” has to be New York Jets backup passer, Teddy Bridgewater.
Bridgewater was just starting to get it going in Minnesota before a horrific knee injury ended his Vikings tenure. Now fully health, he’s looked so good in camp and preseason play that some have pined for him to win the starting gig under center.
That isn’t going to happen, as the Jets brought in Sam Darnold to be the guy and it looks like he’s already prepared to take over the offense. It does make Bridgewater expendable, though, and given how good he’s looked, you better believe quarterback-needy franchises have taken notice.
The Denver Broncos specifically stand out as a potential trade partner. Paxton Lynch has been a bust and the team doesn’t seem overly thrilled that former 7th round draft pick Chad Kelly has found his way into the backup spot.
Case Keenum was signed on to fix the team’s quarterback woes, but even the 30-year old journeyman is no lock to repeat the magical yarn he spun in Minnesota in 2017. Landing Bridgewater wouldn’t cost a lot and it would net Denver an immediate upgrade behind Keenum, if not his eventual successor.
Other teams that are currently standing pat under center but could express interest include the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New England Patriots.
Earl Thomas, S, Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks continue to move further and further away from the team that once played in back-to-back Super Bowls. Pete Carroll still roams the sidelines and Russell Wilson gives Seattle a chance on offense, but their defense has eroded quickly over the last year.
Richard Sherman fled for San Francisco, Michael Bennett is now in Philadelphia and Kam Chancellor abruptly retired. Calling it a career could still be in the cards for Thomas, but the 29-year old has been pretty vocal about either wanting a new contract or being dealt to a team that will value him.
Thomas is still in his prime and is a huge asset, which is probably why the Seahawks have delayed dealing him. They probably want to drum up as much interest as possible before pulling the trigger on any prospective deal.
The Dallas Cowboys have long been a leader when it comes to Earl Thomas trade rumors and it wouldn’t be shocking to see them swing a deal to land a huge upgrade at the safety position.
Jacoby Brissett, QB, Indianapolis Colts
While not carrying the star power of Bridgewater, Thomas or Mack, Brissett is still a name that could be on the move. He also is plenty talented and offers any potential suitors a solid dual threat quarterback to groom as a possible starter down the road.
A healthy Andrew Luck returning to the field makes him expendable and after a pretty productive 2017 campaign as Indy’s fill-in starter, there should be interest in acquiring his services.
Brissett was far from perfect, but he did offer upside as a dangerous runner and also did a good job at limiting turnovers. If he can improve inside the pocket and bring his accuracy up a couple of notches, he could still develop into a steady starter.
The Colts haven’t budged in any trade talks yet, with the Seahawks being one team that apparently reached out to grab him. Indianapolis has suggested it’d take a first rounder or more to complete the trade, but the odds are pretty good they’ll agree to the right deal.
Not only is Brissett unnecessary with Luck back, but the Colts have another project quarterback in Brad Kaaya that could step in as the team’s top backup. The aforementioned Broncos and Jaguars could make sense in any prospective talks, while Seattle remains in the market for a backup behind Russell Wilson.
Nick Foles, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
This is a situation where I think it may take a big injury to unseat Foles from Philly. He personally decided to stay with the Eagles instead of forcing his way out via trade, most likely so he had better control of his future.
It’s true that Foles can just leave as a free agent and pick his new team next year, but it’s also clear that the Eagles could lose him for nothing if they let him walk.
Right now, the Eagles need him, as star quarterback Carson Wentz (knee) hasn’t officially been declared the week one starter. The second Wentz is back to normal; however, Philly should think long and hard about moving their 29-year old backup so they can maximize their returns.
Foles has had an up and down career, but he’s coming off of a brilliant playoff run that culminated in Philadelphia’s first ever Super Bowl win, as well as the game’s MVP. With Nate Sudfeld impressing during preseason play, it isn’t crazy to think the Eagles have already decided to move on, assuming the right deal comes along.
I’m sure there are even more NFL stars that should or could be moved.
Demaryius Thomas could be shipped out of Denver now that the team has two talented rookie receivers in town. Le’Veon Bell and Odell Beckham Jr. are two superstars that could be traded just because of lingering contract issues, too.
My aim here isn’t to list every possible trade or wow you with big names, but to point out star NFL players that both should be traded and actually could at some point in 2018.
While anyone can be dealt, these five players stand out the most and if NFL betting sites offer prop bets on their pending whereabouts, it might not be a bad idea to take a stab at where they wind up.
