NFL Analysis Network

5 NFL players most in need of a change of scenery via trade

With NFL training camps underway, there is optimism surrounding every team in the league. Everyone has a clean slate heading into the 2021 season and is hopeful that it will be a successful campaign.

While everything is positive right now, there are still some players that are not in the best situations. Whether it be a younger player waiting in the wings to take their job, impending free agency or an unwillingness to play for an organization anymore, some players could use a change this season.

Who are some of those players? Here are five NFL players that could use a change of scenery via trade

5. Evan Engram, Tight End, New York Giants

The New York Giants selected Evan Engram with the 23rd pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He is coming off a Pro Bowl 2020 season, but a change of scenery would do him and the team good at this point.

Despite that personal accolade, Engram wasn’t as good as you’d expect a Pro Bowler to be. He dropped 11 passes according to Pro-Football-Reference and quarterbacks had a passer rating of 55.4 when targeting him. He was able to play in all 16 games for the first time in a season, which was encouraging.

But, after four years with Big Blue, things just have never fully clicked. He has been mentioned in trade rumors in the past and could be once again. There will be teams willing to take a chance on his potential and athleticism that they could get him on track.

4. Zach Ertz, Tight End, Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles are in the midst of a rebuild. They have Jalen Hurts presumably taking over as the starting quarterback this season, so having as many veterans around him would make sense. But, tight end Zach Ertz shouldn’t be among them.

The Eagles gave Ertz permission to seek a trade back in March and several teams were engaged. Here we are in August and no trade has been completed.

Coming off an injury-riddled 2020, Ertz can still help a team out. It was not long ago that he was considered one of the best tight ends in the NFL. Even acquiring a late-round pick would be better than seeing Ertz walk in free agency next offseason for nothing.

3. Jimmy Garoppolo, Quarterback, San Francisco 49ers

The writing is on the wall for Jimmy Garoppolo with the San Francisco 49ers. The team pulled off a massive trade before the 2021 NFL Draft, moving up to the No. 3 pick. With that pick, the 49ers selected quarterback Trey Lance out of North Dakota State.

While Lance never played against an FBS school in his college career and played in only one game in 2020, he has tantalizing potential. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has said that Garoppolo is still their guy, but that facade can’t last for much longer.

Garoppolo has reportedly been outplayed by Lance in practice and it is only a matter of time until he takes over as the team’s starter. Garoppolo would be best-suited landing somewhere else for a fresh start, as the 49ers are now Lance’s team after he was anointed the franchise quarterback following his acquisition in 2017 from the New England Patriots.

2. Odell Beckahm Jr., Wide Receiver, Cleveland Browns

When the Cleveland Browns acquired Odell Beckham Jr. from the New York Giants during the 2019 offseason, there was a lot of optimism about what he could bring to the team’s offense. He was as dynamic of a playmaker as anyone in the NFL and was expected to help elevate the play of Baker Mayfield.

Since joining the Browns, things have not gone according to plan. He has struggled to mesh with Mayfield and when he was injured in 2020, the team’s offense took off without him on the field.

He is immensely talented, but after seeing what they could accomplish without him, it could be best for the Browns and Beckham to look for a trade eventually. 

1. Deshaun Watson, Quarterback, Houston Texans

The saga between the Houston Texans and Deshaun Watson is one that people have been watching for months. Watson requested a trade from the Texans back in January, but those talks have not gotten very far.

Part of the reason is the Texans’ insistence that Watson will want to play for them again. The other part is that Watson is facing 22 active lawsuits with allegations of sexual assault and inappropriate behavior.

Unsure if Watson will face jail time, teams are hesitant to trade for him and with good reason. But, a clean slate is something that would do Watson well. The Texans have failed him on the field and he has a right to be disappointed in how things have transpired football-wise the last few years.

After seeing DeAndre Hopkins and J.J. Watt moved in consecutive offseasons, it is easy to understand why Watson would want out from Houston as well.

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