The NFL has never been the greatest source of franchise-altering trades like the MLB or NBA. Of course, there are always some mega deals such as the Herschel Walker trade in 1989. But for the most part, teams have stuck to lower risk moves.
However, that approach might be changing just a bit.
"In today's NFL, it seems you have more teams willing to find trades that are mutually beneficial to both teams," Howie Roseman, Philadelphia Eagles general manager, said. "With coaching changes, you'll have guys that don't fit their [new] schemes as well. I think there's more guys coming into the league who think along those lines and are willing to consummate deals."
In that spirit, the Seattle Seahawks shocked the NFL world by dealing receiver Percy Harvin to the New York Jets for a conditional sixth-round draft choice last week. That got the guys at ESPN thinking.
"If you're going to make a trade this time of year, it's got to be a marquee player you think can win you a couple of games," said Gary Horton, an ESPN analyst and former NFL scout.
As a result, ESPN members put their heads together to come up with four mock trades involving big time players before Tuesday's trade deadline.
"Proposed trade No. 1: Tom Brady from the Patriots to the Texans for a package that includes Andre Johnson.
Proposed trade No. 2: Ndamukong Suh from the Lions to the Bengals.
Proposed trade No. 3: LeSean McCoy from the Eagles to the Raiders.
Proposed trade No. 4: Marshawn Lynch from the Seahawks to the Chargers."
Wow, those are some potentially franchise altering deals. So what was the rationale behind them?
One NFL general manager said of the Brady-Johnson swap that "It actually makes too much sense. The players in the Patriots' locker room know that their days are numbered. That's just the way it is in New England."
Yes, it's true that the Patriots have a history of moving on from players in, ahem, unceremonious fashion. But New England still has enough life left in them this year to win the AFC East. Although the team's upcoming schedule will be a test of their true identity, I don't see the Pats moving on from their Hall of Famer and face-of-the-franchise quarterback just yet.
What about trade No. 2?
"Suh's act seems to be played out in Detroit. By all accounts, he's gone after the season. He has already told people he would love to play for the Jets or Giants in New York," writes Greg Garber.
This trade, while highly unlikely, actually has a bit more believability to it. Rumors have been circulating about Suh's desire for a bigger market for weeks. Losing him in free agency is a very real possibility. Detorit does rank No. 2 in rush defense largely thanks to Suh. But perhaps the Lions don't want to lose their All-Pro defensive tackle for nothing.
Proposed trade 3 is not happening. It's that simple. But just for fun, let's see what Garber had to say about this deal.
"We know Howie Roseman likes to make deals (he's done the second most in the league since his arrival in 2010), and head coach Chip Kelly has demonstrated a willingness to part with valuable offensive assets (see DeSean Jackson). Like Bill Belichick, Kelly passionately believes in the system, which is to say, himself."
Sorry, no amount of mental gymnastics is going to convince me that this deal could actually happen.
But this last trade - Marshawn Lynch to the San Diego Chargers for a 2015 fourth-round draft choice and running back Branden Oliver? Hmmm.
"At 28, he's not quite the beat he once was, but Lynch can still bring it. He's the Seahawks' leading rusher with 420 yards, and quarterback Russell Wilson (327) is the only teammate close in that category," Garber wrote.
If we're being honest, this trade won't happen either. But as a running back approaching his 30s, dealing Lynch is the most plausible scenario in this article. Better to move on a year too early than a year too late, no?
Agree or disagree with any of these trades? Let us know in the comments section.
