Analyzing the NFL Trading Block Before the Deadline

As the NFL deadline for teams to complete trades looms tomorrow at 4 pm, speculation for potential trades is at an all time high. Baltimore Ravens General Manager has already fired off two efficient, effective trades during this season, receiving offensive tackle Eugene Monroe from the Jacksonville Jaguars and sending offensive turnstile Bryant McKinnie to the Miami Dolphins.

Despite these two moves, speculation is still floating around that the Ravens could be in the market for a wide receiver to play opposite Torrey Smith and help a 14^th ranked passing attack. While most of these rumors are unfounded and largely fan induced, CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora believes the Ravens are actively inquiring for a wide receiver.

The Ravens currently stand with $3 million of cap room and already have 6 wide receivers on the roster with Torrey Smith, Jacoby Jones, Marlon Brown, Tandon Doss, Deonte Thompson, and Brandon Stokley.

The Ravens could also be in the market for a tight end, as the team has struggled to replace Dennis Pitta after he broke and dislocated his hip during training camp. The Ravens appear to be set at all other positions for the time being.

Here is a quick look at the players who are reportedly available around the league:

Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals

No player deserves to be traded to a championship contending team more than Fitzgerald. One of the league’s best receivers of his generation, his talent has been absolutely abused by quarterbacks such as Ryan Lindley and John Skelton. He will be difficult to move, however, as he is on the wrong side of 30, has a no trade clause in his contract, and has impending cap hits of $18 million, $21.25 million, $18.25 million, $15 million, and $15 million through 2018. Yikes.

Kenny Britt, WR, Tennessee Titans

I have never understood the obsession with Kenny Britt. He is in the final year of his contract and has already checked out with the Titans. He has always been an attention needy diva who will only play on his own terms, despite lacking the respect to do so. When healthy and applying himself, Britt is an extremely talented, game changing player, but his worth is null with his attitude.

Hakeem Nicks, WR, New York Giants

One of the more intriguing names floating around is Nicks. Another player in his contract year, Nicks is known for his huge hands and catching radius. If Nicks can stay healthy, which is a big ‘if,’ he could be a steal. That being said, the Giants are not fools and appear to be taking offers but are not actively shopping him.

Josh Gordon, WR, Cleveland Browns

I talked about a potential trade here in the past, but I truly do not believe Gordon is going anywhere. He is too young, too talented, and the Browns are too thin at wide receiver for him to go anywhere, especially with the news of Travis Benjamin’s injury.

Jon Baldwin, WR, San Francisco 49ers

Ravens fans may remember Baldwin as the player that popped up during the 2011 NFL Draft when the Ravens’ draft pick was skipped over due to a miscommunication with the Chicago Bears. That is about the height of Baldwin’s publicity, as he has done little since being drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs and traded to the San Francisco 49ers. He is not worth trading for.

Jordan Cameron, TE, Cleveland Browns

It appears no Brown is safe. Cameron is having a career year with 596 yards and 6 touchdowns through 8 games. People can speculate all they want, but Cameron is staying in Cleveland with his teammate Josh Gordon.

Fred Davis, TE, Washington Redskins

Fred Davis was once upon a hot commodity. Playing under the franchise tag a season ago, he then tore his achilles tendon and has struggled to see the field since. Playing under a $1 million contract, he is affordable for everybody and the Redskins are trying really hard to get rid of him in favor of younger tight ends Jordan Reed and Logan Paulsen.

Jared Allen, DE, Minnesota Vikings

As controversial as this might seem, this is a pretty cut and dry decision. Allen, a 33 year old pending free agent, almost set the sack record a couple years ago and the Vikings are trying to simply get something for him now instead of waiting for a compensatory pick in 2015.

Jarius Byrd, S, Buffalo Bills

Poor Jarius. The guy has been trying to get out of Buffalo since they franchised him this offseason. The rumors have been going around for so long about his potential trade that everybody has seemed to forget about him. Despite being one of the game’s top safeties, Byrd is stuck in Buffalo and has no chance of leaving any time soon.

Truthfully, one of these players would be lucky to get moved by the deadline. The NFL, unlike other sports, is highly dependent on scheme and chemistry, which usually nullifies potential trades. If the Ravens were to trade for a receiving option, Fred Davis from Washington seems to be the most interesting. He is affordable, young, not a head case, and appears to require little compensation. He fits an area of need, but I seriously doubt Ozzie Newsome makes any more moves this season. The AFC North is wide open, and the Ravens do not need to make any more moves to compete within it.