NFL Trade Rumors: 5 Non-QB superstars who could be on the move, ft. Josh Allen
When we talk about NFL trade rumors, we often end up talking about quarterbacks. We talk about Derek Carr's new team, Aaron Rodgers' ongoing saga with the Green Bay Packers and Lamar Jackson's contract situation.
What we choose to ignore, often at our own peril, are superstars in other positions who might be on the move. That was even after Super Bowl LVII showed us that football is the ultimate team sport.
Jalen Hurts outplayed Patrick Mahomes for more yards and touchdowns but still ended up on the losing side. That's because of a fumble returned for a touchdown by defense and a punt return of 65 yards that was converted for a touchdown on the next play.
The punt returner was Kadarius Toney, who was acquired in a trade with the New York Giants last season. It shows the value of shrewd trades that can enhance teams and help them progress. On that note, we look at some of the big names outside the quarterback position who are the subject of NFL trade rumors.
Non-QB superstars churning the NFL trade rumors mill
Here's a look at five such NFL players:
#1 Josh Allen, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Josh Allen has been in demand since he has been in Jacksonville. He was reportedly courted by other NFL teams last offseason but stayed with the Jaguars. As one of the few bright lights in the last few abysmal seasons, it looked history would repeat itself when the Jacksonville Jaguars fell to a 2-6 record.
However, Allen and the team's fortunes changed, as they ended up winning the AFC South and getting to the playoffs. Another win saw them go into the Divisional Round, and only the eventual Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs could knock them out. The Jaguars have an asset on hand and would like to keep him.
Josh Allen, though, is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he will command a huge raise next year.
#Jaguars’ OLB Josh Allen has been a trade target for multiple teams, sources tell @theScore.
Terrific player who I’m told Jacksonville would prefer to keep. Already has 16 pressures, 3 sacks and 2 FF this season. His fifth-year option was already picked up as well. https://t.co/uwrYCAMESo
Jacksonville is expected to be nearly $20 million over the cap, meaning they will have to make some hard decisions. Teams like the Chiefs were interested in him last season, and a trade possibility might work this offseason.
#2 Kendrick Bourne, WR, New England Patriots
While Josh Allen is featured in NFL trade rumors because of his excellence, Kendrick Bourne finds a place because of the opposite reason.
The level of his performance dropped this year after a great 2021 season where he had more than 800 yards in receptions and five touchdowns. He recorded only 434 yards and a solitary touchdown in 2022.
Another issue that might force him out is that he's playing for a team run by Bill Belichick. As the greatest coach of his generation in terms of Super Bowl wins, he is not one to stand backchat from his players.
Do the #Patriots need to play different on 3rd down?
Kendrick Bourne: “Yeah, man, we need to scheme up better. We need to know what they’re doing. We need to know what they wanna do on third down. … They call this, and we call that, and it falls right into what they want.”
During his frustrating season, Bourne courted the coach's wrath by faulting the offensive play-calling for his poor performances. With just one year left in his contract, the Patriots might decide to start over without Belichick as they look to get back to the playoffs after missing out this season.
#3 Brandin Cooks, WR, Houston Texans
If anybody is a veteran of NFL trade rumors, it's Brandin Cooks. He has been traded from the New Orleans Saints to the New England Patriots before moving to the Los Angeles Rams, who then traded him to the Houston Texans. He's a premier wide receiver but had a poor season in 2022, completing just 699 yards for three touchdowns.
It's, however, difficult to blame him given the dysfunction visible with the Houston Texans. They have employed a proverbial coaching carousel in the last three seasons and seem to regress each year. They have just 11 wins in their last three seasons.
5: Trade Brandin Cooks
Although this weakens the WR position, Cooks needs to go this off-season. With a cap hit of 18M and tense relationships with the FO after his worst season since 2014,this feels like a no brainer.
I’d trade him for some day 2 picks just to get rid of him https://t.co/SGCnAW6wJn
Brandin Cooks, meanwhile, knows that his chances of winning a championship, or competing for one, are closing and is unlikely to get it with the Texans. Teams like the Kansas City Chiefs were interested in him last season, so he might want to secure a move where he could win trophies he craves.
#4 Cameron Jordan, DE, New Orleans Saints
Cameron Jordan is an asset to the New Orleans Saints, but his window is also closing if he wants to win the NFL championship. The seven-time Pro-Bowler has a cap hit of $25.6 million in the coming season. The Saints are way over the cap, as they're expected to be nearly $63 million in the negative.
They are also looking at a rebuild after their poor 4-8 season and are looking to sign a new quarterback, possibly Derek Carr. None of that will come cheap, and it will take some time. Given this situation, it might be in the interest of both player and team to move on.
Cameron Jordan is the textbook “trade a veteran to a contender” player this offseason
There will be teams who will look at a veteran like Jordan and see him as the final piece of their title aspirations. One only needs to look at Von Miller winning the Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021 after trading from the Denver Broncos to understand why there could be a market for Jordan.
#5 Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are expected to be nearly $20 million over the cap. Tremaine Edmunds has been a phenomenal asset for them, but he's becoming a free agent this NFL offseason.
Paying him top dollar might be difficult, given the cap situation Buffalo faces. Getting a contract with someone like Jordan Poyer might be more within the cap space available. What the Bills could do in that case is franchise tag Edmunds. That way, they can get him for another year if a trade does not materialize.
2/21: Teams can start using Franchise Tag
3/7: Last day teams can Franchise Tag
Two relevant dates w/ #Bills ILB Tremaine Edmunds scheduled to be a UFA this Spring.
#BillsMafia | #GoBills https://t.co/fuZNVhhDbe
They could also then exercise their heft in the market and get him off the books to further reduce their cap hit while getting draft picks who can cover if he goes.
It will be fascinating to see which player Buffalo chooses to tag, but Tremaine Edmunds will form part of NFL trade rumors in the coming offseason, one way or the other.