The 2021 NFL regular season will get underway next week when the Dallas Cowboys travel to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fans are excited to get things rolling and to see their favorite teams back on the field.
Before the games start for real, there is still some work to be done when it comes to rosters around the NFL. This week, every team had to cut their roster down to 53 players. It is always a difficult decision to remove someone from the team, but it has to be done.
With players who were waived and cut being picked up by other teams, there is plenty of movement still occurring. There could also be some trades done in the coming days as teams scour the league to fill the remaining holes on their roster.
While blockbuster deals don’t happen in the NFL as much as other sports, some big names moved this offseason, such as Julio Jones and Matthew Stafford. Here are three blockbuster trades we’d love to see.
3. Deshaun Watson Finally Gets Traded By The Texans
A lot has happened since Deshaun Watson requested a trade from the Houston Texans. He is now facing 22 lawsuits of alleged sexual misconduct and sexual assault. He has been seen at practice at points this offseason, but it is anyone’s guess if he gets on the field this season.
If he is cleared of any wrongdoings, there will be a lot of teams that will attempt to trade for him. He is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and going on 26-years old in September, he has plenty of great years ahead of him.
It may be some time before we see Watson traded, but his movement would change the landscape of the NFL. The Washington Football Team, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos could all be in on him. Ultimately, it will be the Eagles that acquire him.
2. Jaylon Smith Ends Up Being Dealt To The Chargers
Jaylon Smith is one of the more recognizable linebackers in the NFL. He had a high-profile injury during the Fiesta Bowl in 2016 with Notre Dame against Ohio State, suffering a torn ACL and nerve damage.
That injury pushed him down the draft board in 2016, but the Dallas Cowboys used their second-round pick on him. He has had some strong seasons, but his play has fallen off a bit since he signed a new six-year contract worth more than $68 million in August of 2019.
Dallas selected linebacker Micah Parsons in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft and Jabril Cox in the fourth round to help turn around a defense that was one of the worst the franchise has ever seen in 2020.
With some new, younger players at the position, Dallas could move on from Smith. He will be traded out west, as the linebacker needy Los Angeles Chargers will bring him on and hope he can return to form as one of the best off-ball linebackers in the league.
1. Odell Beckham Jr. Takes His Talents To New England
Things have not panned out exactly as hoped for the Cleveland Browns after they acquired Odell Bekcham Jr. from the New York Giants. He and Baker Mayfield have not yet been able to get on the same page consistently, resulting in some inconsistent production.
When Beckham went down with an injury last season, Mayfield’s play actually improved. That has caused some trade rumors to get louder, as people wonder if the Browns really need Beckham. With Rashad Higgins and Donovan Peoples-Jones showing they are ready for bigger roles, Cleveland has options to replace him should they trade him.
There are a few teams that could use a dynamic, true No. 1 receiver, which Beckham has shown he is still capable of doing. The New England Patriots could use that kind of target for their offense as they are turning the team over to first-round rookie quarterback, Mac Jones.
