The NFL schedule is set to hit training camp soon and some names that have come up in trade rumors like Ryan Mallett, Kirk Cousins, Christian Ponder, Dion Jordan, LaMichael James, Denarius Moore and Mike Wallace could get moved this summer before camps begin and teams like the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks have areas where some of those players could fit.
The biggest trade rumors this offseason and during the draft centered around backup quarterbacks, including Cousins, Mallett and Ponder as well as Ryan Nassib. So far none of those players have been drafted, but they have come up in connection with teams, including Cousins with the Browns and Mallett with the Texans. The Cousins trade to the Browns was never close, but the Browns did offer a fourth round pick to the Redskins for him before picking Johnny Manziel, so that means there was at least a deal on the table.
NFL.com put together a list of some names that could be traded over the summer and those three QBs were on it. Mallett is the more likely of the two to get traded and the main reason is because Bill Belichick loves to get value for things and he will want to turn Mallett into something apart from simply being Brady's backup since he was drafted. The team could look to the Texans for a deal and that was rumored about, but so far nothing has happened. Mallett has not played much, but he was highly touted coming out of college and playing behind Brady is always a plus.
Ponder did not have the fifth year option picked up on his contract and that is one reason why he has been mentioned in trade rumors. Ponder was not very good last season and the Vikings are likely keeping him just in case Teddy Bridgewater is not ready to be a pro backup. Ponder is taking some first team reps and if he gets moved, the Texans, Falcons and Saints could use upgrades at the backup position. The Vikings could make other moves as well, as they need some cornerback help and Brandon Flowers could be an option.
Mike Wallace and Dion Jordan were both shopped heading into the draft and the Dolphins could still pull the trigger, but as time goes by that is looking less likely. Wallace had a so-so season after signing as a free agent, while Jordon did not live up to being the third overall pick quite yet. LaMichael James has been shopped by the Niners since the draft and if the Eagles hadn't traded for Darren Sproles, there is a good chance that Chip Kelly would have snatched him up. Denarius Moore has also been mentioned in some trade rumors with the Raiders, but nothing close has come yet.
