With minicamps over for every team and training camps about to get started all over the league, this is the last chance for teams to evaluate the players on their roster in 2014. Once training camp starts, if the coaching staff or general manager sees a player that they feel isn’t fitting with the team or a position that needs upgrading, they could possibly pursue a trade. Here are some veterans that might be on the move once training camp begins.
Larry Fitzgerald - Wide Receiver, Arizona Cardinals
Larry Fitzgerald is an interesting name to be floating out there because he’s one of the best wide receivers in the league still. The team that is rumored to be the potential landing spot for Fitzgerald is the New England Patriots. The Patriots are very much in need of a wide receiver and after this season Fitzgerald is going to be a huge salary cap burden for the Arizona Cardinals (without a contract restructuring, his cap number in 2015 of $23.6 million). If Michael Floyd continues to progress, the Cardinals could look to get a few draft picks for Fitzgerald before he cripples their salary cap.
Andre Johnson - Wide Receiver, Houston Texans
Andre Johnson has made it known that he does not want to play for the Houston Texans this season. So far the Texans have resisted trading him, although it seems like a good idea. The Texans are clearly in a bit of a rebuilding phase and by the time they’re ready to compete, who knows how old Johnson will be at that point. As it stands right now, the Texans have Ryan Fitzpatrick as their starting quarterback, which probably isn’t all that appealing to Johnson. Johnson’s salary cap is probably what’s preventing a lot of teams from making better offers but should be another reason Houston is trying to trade him.
LaMichael James - Runningback, San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers haven’t been pleased over the past couple of seasons with the production they’ve gotten from running back LaMichael James. Whether it’s because he hasn’t been afforded many opportunities to showcase his skills or that his skills just aren’t top level, he hasn’t shown the team much on a roster that’s absolutely loaded with running backs. With the 49ers drafting another running back in Carlos Hyde and getting Marcus Lattimore back from injury, James seems to moving even further down the depth chart. Not to mention they just drafted wide receiver Bruce Ellington, who is also a return specialist. That lessens James’ value to the team even more. I expect the 49ers will look to get back a draft pick or two in return for James.
Ryan Mallett - Quarterback, New England Patriots
The New England Patriots have been keeping quarterback Ryan Mallett in their back pocket for a few seasons now. With the growing value being placed on quarterbacks in the NFL, it only seems natural that the Patriots trade their backup quarterback for a few good draft picks. Not to mention they just drafted another talented backup quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo. The Patriots have said they have no intentions of trading Mallett, but if a quarterback needy team makes them a good enough deal, that could easily change.
Kirk Cousins - Quarterback, Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins have quite the decision to make; they can either keep backup quarterback Kirk Cousins on their team to backup their obvious franchise quarterback Robert Griffin III who has been very injury prone in his first two seasons in the league or they can trade Cousins and get a valuable player and/or some draft picks in return. The Redskins could certainly use a few extra draft picks to help build around Griffin and to strengthen their defense. However, given Griffin’s style of play and history, a talented backup is extremely important to have. The Redskins must also consider that once Cousins’ rookie contract is up he will most likely leave for a bigger contract and starting role so they might want to trade him while they still can.