The Andre Johnson trade rumors should heat up once training camp gets closer to starting and teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots were listed by Grantland.com on ESPN as destinations where the Houston Texans could trade their wide receiver this season.
Johnson has made it clear that he is unhappy and while he has not come out to demand a trade, he has basically done that by not showing up to team activities, including voluntary and mandatory ones. According to Grantland, the Eagles, Raiders, Bengals, Browns and Texans are the most likely options for Johnson to be this season, with Riley McAtee writing that Philly could use a solid replacement for DeSean Jackson. The Browns have the Josh Gordon situation going on, while the Bengals could look at making a move to make the most of the window they have with Andy Dalton and AJ Green.
Earlier in the offseason the 49ers were considered an option for Johnson as well, as the team was shopping LaMichael James after the draft pick of Carlos Hyde. The Texans lost Ben Tate in free agency to the Browns and that looked like a solid option, but no deal came close to happening despite the numbers draft picks the Niners have. The Texans have a big decision to make and after Johnson went for over 100 catches and 1400 yards last season, it's one they aren't taking lightly.
The Texans may have no choice but to trade Andre Johnson this offseason and a team like the 49ers could still be in the mix for the veteran, as the team could look at dealing draft picks and running back LaMichael James after taking Carlos Hyde in the draft and other teams that could be interested include the New England Patriots, New York Jets and Cleveland Browns.
There are tons of teams that would want Johnson if he was available, but those teams may not work out cap wise, which is what the Patriots and the 49ers have been mentioned. It surely would take some maneuvering, but those are winning teams and ones Johnson would likely be open to getting traded to.
The team has no need for James now and they have been shopping him all offseason and could try and deal him here. The 49ers have Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter already along with Marcus Lattimore, meaning James is likely out of a job anyway. Hyde comes in as a highly rated running back and last season he had over 200 carries for 1,521 yards and 15 touchdowns for Ohio State and he looks like a back that is ready to contribute. Hyde has soft hands and can run up the middle and he could be the future behind Gore.
Hyde also had a solid 4.66 40-yard dash for a player his size and now he can be another option for Jim Harbaugh in the offense and the Niners have needed depth at running back over the last couple years. James is a dangerous return man with his speed and he could give the Texans some depth behind Arian Foster after Ben Tate signed with the Cleveland Browns in the offseason.
