NFL trade rumors 2017: Tracking all the deadline moves

The 2017 NFL trade deadline at 4 p.m. ET has come and gone. There was plenty of drama leading up to it — and one failed trade because one team (the Browns, of course), missed the deadline. Usually, we don’t see many trades in the NFL during the middle of the season, but this year is different.

On Oct. 31, the Kelvin Benjamin went from the Panthers to the Bills. Jay Ajayi was traded from the Dolphins to the Eagles.

The night before the trade deadline, the Patriots and 49ers pulled off a shocking trade that sent Jimmy Garoppolo to San Francisco.

Before that, the Bills traded defensive tackle Marcell Dareus to the Jaguars, and the Texans sent left tackle Duane Brown to the Seahawks.

Here are all the trades and the rumors that that never came to fruition.

Traded

QB Jimmy Garoppolo, traded from Patriots to 49ers

The 0-8 49ers, slogging through the season with Brian Hoyer and C.J. Beathard at quarterback, decided they weren’t going to wait for Kirk Cousins. Instead, Jimmy Garoppolo, who has spent the past 3.5 seasons as Tom Brady’s backup, is the 49ers’ future at quarterback.

Garoppolo doesn’t have a long resume, but he’s immediately the 49ers’ best option under center. In return, New England received a 2018 second-round pick. Now the Patriots will have to make another move. This offseason, they traded quarterback Jacoby Brissett to the Colts, so they will have to sign another quarterback to make sure that 40-year-old Brady has a backup.

DT Marcell Dareus, traded from Bills to Jaguars

The Bills traded Dareus to the Jaguars on Friday, reuniting him with Doug Marrone.

New head coach Sean McDermott explored moving the former All-Pro this preseason but ultimately decided to spare Dareus from the August purge that sent Sammy Watkins and Ronald Darby out of town. The team was still willing to trade him, though, according to La Canfora. Dareus, only 27 years old, was mostly ineffective and unenthusiastic in Buffalo this fall.

Moving Dareus wasn’t easy given his massive contract (cap hits of $16 million or more in each of the next three seasons), declining performance, and off-field issues. After earning a four-game suspension last fall for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, he angered McDermott by arriving late to a preseason game in August. He has the talent to be a game-changer in Jacksonville, which already boasts a terrifying defense.

LT Duane Brown, traded from Texans to Seahawks

One day after Duane Brown made his season debut against the Seahawks, the Texans traded the left tackle ... to the Seahawks.

On Sunday, Brown was finally back on the gridiron after a nearly three-month holdout for a new deal. However, another key reason why he held out was because of his feelings about owner Bob McNair’s personal views, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported.

Brown, 32, signed a seven-year deal with Houston in 2012. That massive deal is worth up to $56.2 million, with $22.08 million guaranteed. Brown is scheduled to earn $9.4 million in 2017 and $9.75 million in 2018, but none of the money is guaranteed.

Brown, a three-time Pro Bowler, is one of the best left tackles in the NFL and will immediately be a huge upgrade to the Seahawks’ notoriously subpar offensive line.

In exchange, the Texans received a 2018 third-round pick and a 2019 second-round pick. They were supposed acquire cornerback Jeremy Lane too, but he failed his physical and will stay in Seattle. The Seahawks will also get a 2018 fifth-rounder.

RB Jay Ajayi, traded from Dolphins for a fourth-round pick

Philadelphia decided send a fourth-round pick to Miami for Ajayi's services. Indeed, the Eagles already have the best record in football and the fourth-best rushing attack. Acquiring Ajayi via trade will only strengthen this powerful offense, which is led by sophomore quarterback Carson Wentz.

Ajayi, a one-time Pro Bowler, is only averaging 3.4 yards a carry this season and only eclipsed 100 yards once. Miami's offensive line looks horrible is in shambles, and that unit was a big reason why Ajayi couldn't break free for huge gains.

He'll join a backfield that already consists of LeGarrett Blount, who already has 467 rushing yards on 100 carries. Just when you thought the Eagles could not get any better, they already did with this one blockbuster trade.

CB Rashard Robinson, traded from 49ers to Jets for a fifth-round pick

This wasn't an eye-popping trade. But the Jets needed more help in the secondary, and Robinson could be the man to help bolster that unit. Robinson, who was drafted in the fourth round in the 2016 NFL Draft, is one of the 49ers' starting cornerbacks. But he only collected 55 tackles and two interceptions in his career.

WR Kelvin Benjamin, traded from the Panthers to Bills for a third-round pick and a seventh-round pick

A few minutes after the trade deadline, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Panthers shipped Benjamin to the Bills. Indeed, this was a surprising trade because Benjamin was one of Cam Newton's favorite targets, especially in the red zone.

So far this season, Benjamin caught 32 passes for 475 yards and two scores. At 6'5, he is a big receiver who can snag 50-50 passes in the air. Benjamin, a 2014 first-round draft pick, corralled 168 passes for 2,424 yards and 18 touchdowns in his career. The Bills are getting a No. 1 receiver who is only 26-years-old. Benjamin will rejoin head coach Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane, the Bills' general manager.

Rumors

WR Martavis Bryant, Pittsburgh Steelers

In Week 6, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Martavis Bryant wasn't happy about his role on the Steelers and was actively searching for a trade. Bryant, 25, missed the entire 2016 season to serve a one-year suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. That was his second suspension and violation.

After his year-long ban, the NFL reinstated Bryant on a conditional basis in April. But Bryant clashed with some of his teammates before the season started. He and now-Browns receiver Sammie Coates engaged in a Twitter argument after the Steelers drafted JuJu Smith-Schuster, and head coach Mike Tomlin had to step in and tell them to "play nice."

In July, Bryant wanted to have a "man-to-man" conversation with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to discuss the comments he made about Bryant's suspension.

So far this season, Bryant only caught 18 passes for 234 yards and one touchdown on 36 targets. But when reporters asked him about the trade rumors, he said he didn't request a trade and is happy to stay in Pittsburgh.

"No, I’m good, man. I’m good to go. I just want to play ball. Play this year out, finish strong, and just move on forward," Bryant said.

But after he caught just one catch for 3 yards against the Steelers, Bryant’s disgruntled side made an appearance on social media again:

On Monday, Mike Tomlin said via the Times Leader, “He was out of bounds in some of his actions in terms of the things he said on social media.”

He added, “He’s done a lot in the period of time he’s been here in terms of improving, not only as a player but as a man. But we’ve still got a ways to go.”

Smith-Schuster hauled in two catches for 39 yards and a touchdown against the Bengals.

Bryant will just have to stick it out in Pittsburgh. The Steelers decided not to trade their star receiver, according to NFL.com.

RB Carlos Hyde, San Francisco 49ers

On Oct. 14, Benjamin Allbright‏ tweeted that the 49ers made and received calls for Carlos Hyde. However, a team source told ESPN's Adam Schefter that Hyde isn't on the trade block.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan told ESPN's Nick Wagoner that the trade rumors are "absolutely 100 percent false."

"There is nothing true about that," Shanahan said. Hyde has a conversation with John Lynch, the team's general manager, about his status with the team. Lynch told Hyde that the trade rumors weren't true and to focus on football.

So far this season, Hyde, 27, has rushed for 428 yards and four touchdowns for the 0-7 49ers.

OT Cordy Glenn, Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills and the Seattle Seahawks engaged in trade discussions about Cordy Glenn, according to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora. But those trade talks didn't go anywhere because of Buffalo's asking price. The Bills have five offensive tackles on their roster, and head coach Sean McDermott said it’s a good problem to have.

"That’s a position of value across the league, those guys are hard to find. All five of those guys, we have a tremendous amount of confidence in. When you look at what they've done and where they've plated over the years, I feel like we’re in a good position,” he said.

McDermott went on to say that they look at trade possibilities all the time.

Glenn signed a five-year, $65 million extension with the Bills in 2016. He has missed three games this year due to injury.

WR Anquan Boldin, Buffalo Bills

After retiring from football in the preseason, Boldin wants to return to the gridiron. He inked a one-year, $2.75 million deal with the Bills in August — but he decided to retire after playing in one preseason game. Boldin retired to focus on humanitarian work.

However, Boldin's agent, Tom Condon, must find a trade partner. Buffalo already gave Condon permission to shop Boldin, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The letter the Bills sent to Condon suggests that Boldin, a Florida native, wants to play for a team that is “closer in proximity to his home and family.”

Boldin, 37, has so many accomplishments in his 14-year career in the NFL. He is ninth all-time in receptions (1,076), 14th all-time in receiving yards (13,779), and 23rd all-time in touchdown receptions (82).

TE Eric Ebron, Detroit Lions

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport on Sunday morning, Ebron has generated trade interests from other teams. The Lions decided to pick up Ebron's fifth-year option over the offseason, which would keep him under contract for next season. If Detroit decides keep him next season, it would have to pay him around $8.25 million.

Ebron, 24, has been inconsistent at best during his nearly four-year stint in the Motor City. Detroit drafted him with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, hoping he would blossom into a game-changing tight end. Heading into the Detroit's Week 8 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ebron only caught 146 passes for 1,598 yards and eight touchdowns in his career. To make matters worse, he only scored one touchdown over the past 19 games.

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio said that a source told him Ebron would “almost surely” be traded. Well, Detroit couldn't trade its inconsistent tight end before the Halloween trade deadline.

TE Jimmy Graham, Seattle Seahawks

Seattle's offensive line is in total shambles right now, and the Seahawks are looking for some to protect Russell Wilson's blindside. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport on Sunday, Seattle continues to look for a veteran left tackle. So, the team is considering moving Graham for cap reasons. Seattle has less than $2 million in cap space. Graham, 30, will earn $7.9 million in base salary this season and has a $10 million cap hit, according to Spotrac.

Graham, a four-time Pro Bowler, is struggling to produce this season. He only caught 24 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns. Heading into the Seahawks' Week 8 matchup against the Texans, Graham caught 523 passes for 6,510 yards and 61 touchdowns in his career.

However, Pete Carroll was emphatic about that a trade wouldn’t happen:

CB Vontae Davis, Indianapolis Colts

The Colts are receiving calls about Davis, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter on Sunday. Indianapolis is talking to at least two teams. Davis, a two-time Pro Bowler, is a solid corner when healthy. However, he missed the first four games of this season to rehab a groin injury.

Davis', 29, contract expires this season, making him a free agent in 2018. Heading into the Colts' Week 8 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, Davis collected 22 interceptions and 335 tackles in his career.

WR T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts

It’s not just Davis. According to Pro Football Talk, Hilton is available to teams via trade as long as the price is right.

With the Colts at 2-6 with the trade deadline here, it would make sense for the team to ship off good contracts and look to make more big changes under new general manager Chris Ballard. Hilton signed a six-year, $65 million contract in 2015 that still has four years of big cap hits left.

That’s a lot of money for a receiver who has five receptions in his last three games and just one touchdown all season, although to be fair, the entire Colts offense is struggling. Still, it would likely take a big offer for Indianapolis to send away one of its only dangerous pieces on offense.

WR Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter on Sunday, two teams talked to Detroit about potentially trading for Johnson's rights before the Oct. 31 trade deadline. The Lions told both teams to contact Johnson to see if he wants to return to the field. But those talks have been "noncommittal at best, diminishing any hope for a deal," Schefter reported.

Johnson, a six-time Pro Bowler, retired in March 2016. If he wants to play again, he would have to suit up for the team that traded for his rights. Sources told Schefter that Detroit would listen to any trade offers. Johnson said many times that he isn't returning to the NFL, though.

Johnson, 32, caught 731 passes for 11,619 yards and 83 touchdowns in his nine-year career. If Johson wants to return to the NFL, he will have to play for the Lions.

RB Frank Gore, Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Star’s Stephen Holder believes there to be trade interest in running back Frank Gore. Gore is 34, and will be 35 in May. Gore rushed for over 1,000 yards last season, and is on pace for about 800 this year.

The Colts have been going through a makeover since firing Ryan Grigson, and with no timetable on Andrew Luck’s return, they could continue to hit the reset button during the season.

Gore is averaging 3.7 yards per carry on the season, but could be useful among a contender down the stretch. The Colts’ offense is 28th in the NFL, and Gore’s had a fine season for somebody his age. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see a team take a shot on him, while the Colts rebuild in anticipation of Luck’s return. Whether that’s this year, or next.

CB Malcolm Butler, New England Patriots

The Patriots are still open to trading their star corner. According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, New England is thinking of ways to turn their second round pick into a defensive lineman. La Canfora also tweeted that New England is looking for run-stuffers.

New England was willing to trade Butler over the offseason, but it decided to place a first-round RFA tender on him. Butler, a one-time Prow Bowler, racked up 177 tackles and eight interceptions in four years with the Patriots. He collected 32 tackles and two interceptions this season.

WR Jarvis Landry, Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins just traded running back Jay Ajayi to the Eagles for a fourth-round pick However, the Dolphins may not be done shipping star players away. According to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, the Dolphins are willing to trade Landry for the "right compensation."

Landry is having a up-and-down season. He already caught 50 passes for 398 yards and three touchdowns. But he only averages eight yards a reception. The two-time Pro Bowler is scheduled to become a free agent in 2018.

But NFL Network's Ian Rapoport later reported that there was "zero chance" that Miami trades Landry.

WR Donte Moncrief, Indianapolis Colts

According to NFL Newtork's Tom Pelissero, the Colts held trade talks about Moncrief. They are currently fielding calls and listening to offers.

Moncrief, 24, was drafted in the third round in the 2014 NFL Draft. However, he hasn't performed well with the Colts. Moncrief only caught 144 passes for 1,755 yards and 17 touchdowns in his career. This season, he only has 271 receiving yards and one touchdown.

WR Josh Gordon, Cleveland Browns

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Gordon was in New York City on Tuesday, and a league source told Schefter that Gordon is scheduled to meet with the NFL on Tuesday. Cleveland could look to trade his rights, too.

Gordon, 26, hasn't played in a regular-season game since December 2014. He served two consecutive year-long bands for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. The NFL denied his application for reinstatement in May.

The Browns selected Gordon in the second round in the 2012 Supplemental Draft. The one-time Pro Bowler caught 161 passes for 2,754 yards and 14 touchdowns in his career.

G Josh Sitton, Chicago Bears

About two hours before the trade deadline, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the Bears fielded calls about the four-time Pro Bowler. Sitton, a 10-year pro, started in 131 games in his career.

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NFL trades that should happen before the deadline