Tuesday, Oct. 28 marks the annual NFL trade deadline. Already we’ve seen Percy Harvin get moved from Seattle to the New York Jets, and that leaves us wondering if another big deal is in the works.
In September, we assembled the trade machine. In it, the Giants were dealt Ladarius Green; the Rams fixed their quarterback issue with Michael Vick; and Dallas got another linebacker in the form of Arthur Moats.
Of course, none of those proposed trades materialized. Shocking, really.
But given the recent rumors and the fact that we know which areas contenders need to address before the playoff run, we dusted off the trade machine for a special deadline edition. Here’s what we’d like to see:
Nate Washington to the Cowboys
With Zach Mettenberger set to start in place of Jake Locker Week 8 against the Texans, we can already see the signs that point to coach Ken Whisenhunt beginning to put his blueprint in place for next season. That blueprint may or may not include Washington.
With up-and-coming talents at the position like Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter, it makes sense for Tennessee to dangle Washington. One possible landing spot could be Dallas, where Dez Bryant could use a sidekick in the receiving corps.
The Cowboys have relied on Bryant to be their Superman this season, and he’s done so exceptionally. With Miles Austin let go in the offseason, the team had high hopes for second-year wideout Terrance Williams. But at the midway point in the season, Bryant’s 45 receptions for 590 yards are more than double that of his young counterpart.
Washington could be a solid No. 3 option to help lessen the load on Bryant and give Williams a chance to continue the maturation process. Dallas can afford the veteran, and could be a valuable component as they creep toward an NFC East crown.
Vincent Jackson to the Chargers
What a sweet homecoming this would be. The former Chargers standout left San Diego when he signed his mega-deal in Tampa Bay. But as the Buccaneers look to begin the rebuilding process this offseason, Jackson’s salary is one the organization likely wants to unload.
Philip Rivers‘ chemistry with Jackson was unrivaled. He was the clear-cut No. 1 wideout for Rivers from 2007-2011, and did so working with the likes of Antonio Gates, Malcolm Floyd and Ryan Mathews. Of course, that was in Norv Turner’s offense, but it wouldn’t take long before the 6-foot-5 Jackson found a niche in Mike McCoy‘s system.
Keenan Allen is a talented player, as we saw during his rookie campaign in 2013, but so far he’s been a disappointment. Gates has been Rivers’ No. 1 target, but Jackson could instantly provide some pop in the suddenly lagging aerial attack.
Jermaine Gresham to the Seahawks
Seattle tried to trade Harvin to Denver and Cleveland in an attempt to land Julius Thomas and Jordan Cameron, respectively. Clearly the Seahawks are looking to add an athletic pass-catcher at that position.
A former first-round pick, Gresham has had some solid moments in Cincinnati, but he’s in what looks to be his final year in the organization, one that drafted Tyler Eifert in the first round a year ago.
Gresham is instantly the best tight end on the Seahawks’ roster as currently assembled, and gives Russell Wilson a huge frame to throw to on his bootlegs.
