The NFL trade deadline is coming up and while there are not usually big moves throughout football, players like Matt Forte, Vernon Davis, Jared Cook, Joe Thomas, Colin Kaepernick, Brian Cushing, Robert Griffin, Jay Cutler, Alex Boone, Joe Staley and Robbie Gould could be potential targets.
The deadline is on Tuesday and according to Jason La Canfora at CBS Sports, teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears and Houston Texans could be active teams at the deadline. La Canfora reports that "several executives" have mentioned those teams as ones that could be "open" to making trades at the deadline. All three teams have struggled this season and they have players in contract situations that could be targets for teams looking to make the playoffs.
UPDATE: Davis has been traded to the Broncos.
La Canfora writes that players from other teams are also potential targets, including Jared Cook and Elvis Dumervil. Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith had been mentioned in trade talk leading into this week, but he was injured on Sunday and is now out for the season with an Achilles injury. According to Pro Football Talk, Vernon Davis said to the Sacramento Bee that a trade is a "possibility" after being asked about the potential of a deal.
Davis has been mentioned in trade rumors this season since the Niners have been struggling and he will be a free agent coming up. La Canfora reported last month that there has been some strong chatter about tight ends at the trade deadline and Davis and Cook have been two names that teams have been calling on. The Rams may consider trading Cook since he has been somewhat disappointing since signing a big free agent contract and teams could be willing to take his deal since he has no more guaranteed money left.
Forte has been mentioned in trade talk this season, as he is in the final year of his contract and will be 30-years-old when next season starts. Forte was injured this weekend and that could have an effect on things, but he fits the bill as a trade option. The Bears lost again this weekend and the team did not want to sign Forte to an extension in the offseason. La Canfora reported last month that the Bears would likely want a high draft pick for Forte and that could keep a deal from happening.
La Canfora also reports that players like Robbie Gould and Willie Young could be potential targets from the Bears. Brian Cushing is an option from the Texans, while the 49ers may sell at the deadline. Colin Kaepernick has struggled this season and La Canfora reports that he is "viewed as available" by teams. The Niners have also "talked to teams" about offensive lineman, potentially Alex Boone or Joe Staley if the price was right. Davis also remains a target at tight end. Joe Thomas has been mentioned as a potential target, but the Browns lineman said Sunday he is not looking to be traded from Cleveland.
