The NFL trade deadline came and went without any of the massive deals that were speculated on with names like Adrian Peterson, Josh Gordon and Hakeem nicks staying with their teams, but what about the trades that could have gone down, like let's say Josh Gordon for Ryan Mallett between the New England Patriots and the Cleveland Browns?
The Browns had shown signs that they wanted to keep Gordon but were willing to deal him and with the Patriots struggling on offense a bit with younger wideouts, why not make a deal for a speedy guy like Gordon? The Browns said they had offers on the table for the talented player, but no one pulled the trigger and while Tom Brady is getting by with Danny Amendola, Kenbrell Thompkins and Aaron Dobson, he could use a slight upgrade. Mallett is never going to play unless Brady is hurt and the Browns have previously showed interest in the past, so why not dangle him for a deal?
John Clayton on ESPN.com wrote about Mallett and the Patriots with Gordon before and after the draft and he concluded that the Patriots should have traded for a wide receiver at the deadline, as they will need some help heading down the stretch. Clayton wrote that the team could have offered a high pick or Mallett in a deal with the Browns, as they have a terrible QB situation with Brian Hoyer injured and Brandon Weeden playing badly and they may have bit on the trade for Mallett, who was drafted for a situation like that anyway. Clayton wrote about the 6-2 start for the team and how they have not looked very impressive and a player like Gordon could have been a nice fit.
Mallett will be coming up eventually as a free agent and the Patriots likely will lose him when that happens if he wants a chance to start and Clayton felt that a move would have made sense. Gordon had 50 catches for over 800 yards last season and he is well on his way to besting those numbers.
The trade deadline was a complete dud this season and the Patriots made the major deal, sending a fifth round pick to the Eagles for Isaac Sopoaga and a sixth round pick. The team needed some depth after losing Vince Wilfork and now they have it, but they could have made an even bigger deal for someone like Gordon.