The Biggest Names On The Move A Week Before 2018 Deadline
The NFL trade deadline is still six days away, but we've already seen a handful of notable names get traded.
Last week, we saw the Jacksonville Jagaurs acquire flashy running back Carlos Hyde from the Cleveland Browns for a fifth-round draft choice.
The New Orleans Saints acquired cornerback and former first-round pick Eli Apple from the New York Giants earlier this week. On Wednesday, the G-Men sent defensive tackle Damon 'Sacks' Harrison to the Detroit Lions for a fifth-round pick.
But there are still a handful of big time moves to be made before Tuesday's deadline. Here are the latest rumors and reports on some notable players who could be traded.
Demaryius Thomas
On Sunday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Denver Broncos are "listening to offers" on Pro Bowl wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.
The 31-year-old has already acknowledged that his time in the Mile High City is coming to an end. Thomas, a five-time Pro Bowler, has 33 catches for 372 yards and three touchdowns this season.
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2017 marked the first time where Thomas failed to garner 1,000 yards in six years. Per Spotrac.com, Thomas has a $12.033 million cap hit for 2018, and it moves up to $17.533 million for 2019.
Given Thomas' age and the remaining dollars on his contract, the Broncos probably won't get a great return for him. But this team appears to be in rebuilding mode, and shedding the rest of his deal to create more cap space should be a no-brainer for John Elway.
Patrick Peterson
On Monday, Schefter reported that Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson requested a trade from the Arizona Cardinals, who aren't keen on moving him.
Peterson signed a $70 million extension in 2014 and is under contract through 2020. He's only 28 years of age and remains one of the NFL's elite cornerbacks, so the trade market would not be lacking for his services.
However, Peterson took to Twitter on Wednesday and shared this statement, which suggests he doesn't want to leave Arizona after all.
So maybe a Peterson trade won't happen then. The Cardinals didn't want to deal him, and now Peterson is affirming his desire to say with the only team he's ever known. But if the Cardinals get an offer they can't refuse, it's possible Peterson will wind up getting traded.
Stay tuned.
DeVante Parker
The Miami Dolphins know a thing or two about trading away top wide receivers - just ask the likes of Wes Welker and Jarvis Landry. All signs point to them trading away 2015 first-rounder DeVante Parker very soon.
Per ESPN's Cameron Wolfe, Jimmy Goulde - the agent for Parker - called Miami head coach Adam Gase "incompetent." Parker wasn't active for the Dolphins' Sunday contest against the Detroit Lions. Goulde referred to this as a "sickening and a grossly unfair characterization of my client."
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Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reported that the Philadelphia Eagles have talked to the Dolphins about a possible trade for Parker. With Mike Wallace injured, the Eagles need another playmaker to fix their struggling offense.
Injuries have limited Parker to two games this season. He has two catches for 40 yards in those contests. It'd be a surprise if Miami doesn't end up trading him.
Chris Harris Jr. and Bradley Roby
Part of the 'No Fly Zone' that propelled them to a Super Bowl 50 championship, cornerbacks Chris Harris Jr. and Bradley Roby have so many fond memories together in Denver. But a rebuild is in order for John Elway and co., and it may be time to move on from his two best lockdown defenders.
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported that clubs "have also been exploring the availability" of Roby, while Harris " is being coveted by other teams."
Harris is one of the game's elite slot corners, and he could single-handedly transform any team's secondary. As La Canfora noted, he carries a cheap deal through next season - a cap hit of $10.366 million in 2018 and approx. $8.766 million for 2019.
Roby and Harris have been two fan favorites for several years now, but the Broncos may decide to stockpile draft picks and simply start rebuilding. It could start with Thomas and their two standout corners.
Other Names To Watch
Though Le'Veon Bell still hasn't returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers, he claimed that his desire is to win with the organization. There aren't many indications the Steelers want to trade their Pro Bowl running back this season, either.
It's possible the Steelers wind up moving on from their star player, but it would be a surprise as they try to fight through a three-way horse race for the AFC North. Expect Bell to stay put.
Buffalo Bills' running back LeSean McCoy has been the subject of trade rumors, but they seem keen on keeping him, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Larry Fitzgerald has maintained that he wants to only play for the Cardinals. But could the 35-year-old decide he wants that chance to chase an elusive Super Bowl ring? Arizona would surely honor a trade request, but only if Fitzgerald wants it. Keep an eye on his situation.
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