![Martavis Bryant Traded, Martavis Bryant Trade Deadline](https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/gettyimages-848472976.jpg?quality=65&strip=all&w=780)
Getty Martavis Bryant of the Pittsburgh Steelers is one of a few star players who could be on the move this year
Let’s all be honest with each other, the NFL trade deadline doesn’t really exist. It’s an illusion, Michael, a figment of our collective imaginations. We all get excited about it, we all like to imagine possible moves our favorite team can make and then we all are generally let down when none of those moves happen. Rinse and repeat. Guess what? It’ll happen next year too.
Last year the New England Patriots actually made noise at the deadline when they surprised everyone by trading away star linebacker Jamie Collins to the Cleveland Browns. It was a move that really put the whole Pats Nation mantra of “In Bill We Trust” to the test as Collins was seen as a linchpin of the Patriots’ defense. We all should learn from our mistakes though, because Bill Belichick apparently knows what he’s doing as the Patriots seemed just fine without Collins, going on to win the Super Bowl.
![New England Patriots](https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/gettyimages-462636826.jpg?quality=65&strip=all&w=782)
Getty
It’s not as if the NFL is opposed to mid-season trades. After the 2011 season the league and the players association voted to move the deadline back two weeks, from Week 6 to Week 8. The thought was that the move would increase activity as team’s doing well would be in a position to upgrade their roster, whereas teams already out of it would be more open to unloading players. The biggest move that year was Tampa Bay trading cornerback Aqib Talib to the Patriots for a fourth-round pick. The Buccaneers weren’t optimistic about re-signing Talib after the season and at 3-4, it made sense to move him when they could rather than having him walk and get nothing in return at the end of the season.
So what will happen at this year’s deadline? Will someone of Walker’s caliber get moved or someone more on par with Talib be traded? Here are five things to look for leading up the deadline.
1. Will This Be the Year Larry Fitzgerald Finally Gets Traded?
![Larry Fitzgerald NFL Trade Deadline, Larry Fitzgerald Patriots, Larry Fitzgerald Saint](https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/gettyimages-848434990.jpg?quality=65&strip=all&w=782)
Getty
Rumors of Fitzgerald being traded away by Arizona have become common place on the floors of the NFL rumor mill. Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston recently called him “the lowest of low-hanging fruit trade targets” as Fitz was once again being rumored to be on the Patriots’ radar. Curran went on to joke that at Fitzgerald’s inevitable Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Pats’ fan will be still be wondering if the team could pull off a trade for him. It’s funny because it’s true.
Of course Fitzgerald would be a solid addition for the Patriots, but their needs are glaring elsewhere. A team like the Saints or Chiefs could make a run at him, but his salary of $11 million would make it tough, and not just for New Orleans or Kansas City. Any team looking to acquire the wide out who will now be catching balls from Drew Stanton, with Carson Palmer out with a broken arm, would have to do some magic with their numbers to create space for the star receiver.
2. What Will the Patriots Do?
![](https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/462643200.jpg?quality=65&strip=all&w=782)
Malcolm Butler intercepts a Russell Wilson pass to seal New England’s 28-24 victory in Super Bowl 49 (Getty)
Malcolm Butler has been playing better as of late, but I still think he could be traded if the right offer presented itself. Belichick hasn’t traded away a fan favorite in a while; a move that sets New England on fire for a few days, so he’s due.
As for the offense, Fitzgerald is too expensive and if the team were to add anyone, a backup tight end makes the most sense as the team hasn’t gotten much (that’s being polite) from Dwayne Allen, who was brought over from the Colts in the offseason. Eric Ebron of the Lions is a possibility, as are Jimmy Graham of the Seahawks and Martellus Bennett of the Packers (who was on the Patriots last year.) I wouldn’t hold your breath though.
3. Will the Eagles Find a Replacement for Jason Peters?
![Duane Brown Trade Deadline, Duane Brown eagles](https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/gettyimages-617810162.jpg?quality=65&strip=all&w=782)
Getty
The obvious candidate to replace Peters is Duane Brown of the Texans. Brown ended his holdout last week after sitting out the first six games of the season due to being unhappy with his contract, specifically the lack of guaranteed money left on it (i.e. none.) It would make sense for Houston to try and hold onto Brown, especially with their rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson playing so well, but if they were looking to move him, Philly would be happy to have him. The Eagles would have to make some room financially to make it work, but having Brown protect the blindside of Wentz would be worth it.
4. Which Wide Receiver Gets Traded: Jarvis Landry or Martavis Bryant?
![Jarvis Landry traded, Jarvis Landry NFL Trade Deadline](https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/gettyimages-861703918.jpg?quality=65&strip=all&w=782)
Getty
One team that could be an option for Landry is Pittsburgh, especially if the Steelers buck and trade away Bryant, who has become a sore spot for the team and has been making noise lately and not in a good way. Pittsburgh has said they are not looking to trade Bryant, but come on, when have we ever taken a team’s word for it when it comes to a player being or not being available? The emergence of fellow wide out JuJu Smith-Schuster has seemed to make Bryant at least somewhat expendable and only a few hours west of Pittsburgh, the Bears could be looking for someone like Bryant to help their struggling offense.
If I was a betting man I’d say both players stay put, but if pressed, I’d say Bryant moves and Landry stays.
5. Which NFC East Team Makes a Move to Challenge the Eagles?
![Carlos Hyde traded, Carlos Hyde NFL Trade Deadline, Carlos Hyde Redskins](https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/gettyimages-857167340.jpg?quality=65&strip=all&w=782)
Getty
As for Dallas and Washington though, a move here or there might not make them threats to Philadelphia, but could at least improve their standing in the wild card race. For instance, Washington could bolster their offense by adding Carlos Hyde of the 49ers. Any fantasy football owner who invested in Rob Kelley can tell you that he’s been a bummer this year and Hyde would be a marked improvement.
Dallas has had two weeks in a row where Ezekiel Elliot has looked the player he was last year, but he also could still be suspended for six games. The timing is tricky in terms of lining up a replacement, so the Cowboys might be better suited to shore up their defense, maybe by adding someone like Vontae Davis from the Colts, who would be willing to trade away anyone not named Andrew Luck.
Comments
Five Things to Look for Before the NFL Trade Deadline