The New England Patriots could be an option for a Vincent Jackson trade this season, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have reportedly been shopping their WR after a tough start to the year and a trade could give Tom Brady some extra support alongside wideouts Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and Aaron Dobson moving forward in 2014.
The Patriots have looked much better since their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night football a few weeks ago and that likely will keep the team from making a big move like Fitzgerald. The Patriots have been rolling since that loss and they now are taking control of the AFC East again and heading into the deadline the team may stand pat after making a small move last week for a defensive player. Lovie Smith said that the team is not shopping Jackson, but with the losses pilling up and his big contract, Jackson could be a player that gets traded at the deadline.
Jackson has already been mentioned in trade rumors coming into this week and he has been a productive player since signing with the Buccaneers. Jackson has a big contract and after this season his dead money goes down, but his cap hit remains over $12 million and that could lead to the team making a move. Jackson had put up some very solid numbers and he has played in all 16 games in each of the last three seasons. Over the past two years he has had over 70 catches and at least 1200 yards in each season, but now he could be on his way out.
Jackson has 26 catches for 357 yards this season with two touchdowns and the Buccaneers likely could get a decent draft pick for him. Doug Martin has also been mentioned and he is just 25-years-old and he was a former first round draft pick and his potential comes from his rookie season when he had over 1450 yards and scored 11 touchdowns.
The Buccaneers also could be shopping Doug Martin heading into the trading deadline, as the team has been having a rough season and so has the running back. Martin was excellent as a rookie, but after being injured for most of last season he has struggled with his production this year. The Buccaneers have some capable backs with Bobby Rainey and Mike James and they are also getting Charles Sims back after he comes back from the injured reserve list.
Martin is just 25 years old and as a former first round pick he could get some solid compensation from a team in need of an RB. The Giants have struggled a bit rushing the ball, while the Dolphins, Patriots and Bills have all dealt with injuries at the position. Martin is averaging less than three years per carry this season and it comes after a great rookie season when he had over 1400 yards along with 11 touchdowns. This season he has just 166 yards and a touchdown and he only had 456 yards last season while playing in just six games while dealing with injuries.