Posted 10 hours ago | By Sam Robinson
The bulk of the NFL will begin padded practices this week, and more teams will determine their respective strengths and weaknesses ahead of the regular season. With franchises’ roster depth and standing within the league in mind, here is every team’s most logical trade chip.
Arizona Cardinals: Haason Reddick
Probably already beyond bust status, Reddick has hovered on the trade block for a while now. The Cardinals declined the 2017 first-rounder’s fifth-year option, benched him in multiple seasons and acquired two new starter-caliber linebackers — including 2020 top-10 pick Isaiah Simmons. Patrick Peterson profiles as Arizona’s best trade chip, but Reddick is the team’s most logical going into the season. The return will not be enticing, though it may be a late-Day 3 pick-or-nothing scenario at this point.
Atlanta Falcons: Alex Mack
This qualifies as more of an in-season swap. And it is only logical if the Falcons are again a non-contending operation. One of the cornerstones of Atlanta’s Super Bowl LI lineup, Mack has made six Pro Bowls — three as a Falcon. But he will turn 35 this season, is in the final year of his contract and saw the Falcons draft his potential successor — Boston College’s Matt Hennessy — in Round 3. This is a historically bad year for rookie O-linemen to develop, but if the Falcons are again sub-.500 at the trade deadline, they could look to move Mack in the same way they shopped Vic Beasley last year.
Baltimore Ravens: Gus Edwards
The Ravens employ several big-ticket players and have a looming glut of extension candidates ahead of 2021’s expected record salary cap decline. Were they a rebuilding or mid-pack team, they would carry a host of high-profile trade chips. But Baltimore is a Super Bowl frontrunner. Its crowded backfield is a place to look for a trade piece. The Ravens’ record-setting rushing attack featured three 700-yard rushers last year, and Edwards has cleared 700 yards (and 5.0 yards per carry) twice. With J.K. Dobbins and 2019 draftee Justice Hill also behind Mark Ingram, Edwards could be attractive as a starter or sidekick elsewhere.
Buffalo Bills: Trent Murphy
The Bills lost their top two sackers from 2019 but are sneaky-deep on the defensive line. They added three defensive ends in Mario Addison, Quinton Jefferson and second-rounder A.J. Epenesa. Trent Murphy‘s $9.78 million cap number may be superfluous, especially after two unremarkable years in Buffalo. He could be a fit for a contender in need at this premium position. The former Washington cog is a plus run-stopper on the edge and has a nine-sack season (in 2016) on his resume.
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