The deadline for NFL teams to swing trades is 4 p.m. ET Tuesday. Unlike Major League Baseball, the NFL's Let's-Make-A-Deal window typically passes with little activity you won't meet many general managers who want to part with draft picks, throw their salary caps into disarray or invite the scrutiny a trade brings and the players who do switch addresses at midseason are often lesser-known backup types. There may not be much steak forthcoming, but here's a little sizzle to whet the appetite anyway 10 trades we'd consider doing:
1. ILB Karlos Dansby to the New England Patriots: With Daryl Washington reinstated in the desert, and Jasper Brinkley an adequate run stopper in Arizona's base defense, Dansby is a bit of a luxury. He's also a crafty vet who's played in multiple schemes and could help a club that's hemorrhaging players, including MLB Jerod Mayo.
2. G Wade Smith to the San Diego Chargers: The Bolts are on the fringe of the playoff race, but their O-line is tattered and battered. Let's give them a Pro Bowler who can help both Philip Rivers and Ryan Mathews down the stretch.
3. CB DeAngelo Hall to the Carolina Panthers: He's a gambler, but his style would theoretically work well behind one of the league's best defensive front sevens. And as frequently as the ball is in the air during NFC South games, the oncoming Panthers (who have plenty of cap room to make a move) can use as many cover guys as they can get.
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4. S Charles Woodson to the Chicago Bears: After months of searching for work in the offseason, he put a positive spin on returning to Oakland. But wouldn't it be fun to play for the Green Bay Packers' archrival? Considering how abysmal the Bears have been on the back end, the defensive leadership missing with so many linebackers out, and the need to plug as many holes in the dike as feasible until QB Jay Cutler returns, the logic here is evident.
Another safety teams might consider: Jairus Byrd
5. QB Jason Campbell to the St. Louis Rams: The Cleveland Browns are stockpiling draft picks for 2014, presumably collecting ammo to get the quarterback they really want, and brilliantly showcased Campbell on Sunday (293 yards, 2 TDs at Kansas City). He's in the first season of a two-year deal, is accustomed to dumping his RAM to learn a new offense and would solve the backup (and, presently, starting) quarterback issue for the Rams, who would have to move some money around their tight cap but would land a bona fide veteran replacement for injured Sam Bradford.
6. WR Josh Gordon to the Indianapolis Colts: But the wheeler-dealer Browns aren't done in our scenario. They already extracted a first rounder from the Colts for Trent Richardson no reason not to go back to the well and ask a team that just lost Reggie Wayne for a Round 2 pick. Gordon's had some maturity issues and began the season on the suspended list, so the freight comes with more risk than a typical transaction. But he also has the talent to offset the loss of Wayne (not to mention capably replace him ultimately) for a team that can't realistically expect to make a deep run with T.Y. Hilton, Darrius Heyward-Bey and LaVon Brazill.
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7. WR Hakeem Nicks to the San Francisco 49ers: He's in a walk year, has postseason bona fides on his resume, and his heir apparent with the New York Giants (Rueben Randle) is already in place and playing well. The 49ers have gotten back on track by emphasizing the run in recent weeks. But if they want to go further this season than they did last year, they'll probably need to shore up a passing game that can't bank on healthy returns from either Michael Crabtree or Mario Manningham.
Other WRs teams might target: Kenny Britt, Justin Blackmon (risky, too), Andre Roberts
8. RB Maurice Jones-Drew to the Dallas Cowboys: Dallas is the current favorite to win the NFC East, but it sure would help if the Cowboys could run the ball ... which is hard for DeMarco Murray to do when he's sidelined. The Jacksonville Jaguars are in full tear-down mode and should liberate MJD in the final year of his deal and allow him to showcase himself with a contender.
Other RBs teams might target: Ronnie Brown, Anthony Dixon, Toby Gerhart, Felix Jones, Mikel Leshoure, Darren McFadden (though it's a lot of salary to take on), Ben Tate
9. DE Jared Allen to the Denver Broncos: With a base salary exceeding $14 million in 2013, he doesn't come cheaply. But at 31, he's probably not coming back to Minnesota for big free agency bucks in 2014, either. Sure, the Broncos have Von Miller back, but Elvis Dumervil is gone for good. In a Super-Bowl-or-bust season, it makes sense for a team with close to $7 million in cap space to upgrade the pass rush to better complement a defense that's going to spend most of its time defending the pass.
Other DL teams might target: Lamarr Houston, Antonio Smith, Randy Starks
10. TE Tony Gonzalez to the Kansas City Chiefs: What's wrong with a little feel-good symmetry? Gonzalez never enjoyed a playoff win during his 12 years in Kansas City, and it now seems safe to say he won't get another one with the spiraling Atlanta Falcons, either. He's not complaining, but why not send him home for a legitimate chance to fulfill his 2013 mission winning a Super Bowl? Given how well Alex Smith utilized Vernon Davis in San Francisco, Gonzalez seems like he'd be the ideal addition to an offense that needs more weapons than Jamaal Charles.
Another TE teams might consider: Fred Davis
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Follow Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis
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