NFL Draft 2019: Derek Carr to Redskins and 4 more player-for-pick trades that make sense

Vinnie Iyer

NFL Draft 2019: Derek Carr to Redskins and 4 more player-for-pick trades that make sense image

The 2019 NFL offseason has been hotter than any stove we have seen before in the league's 100-year history. Superstar wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Antonio Brown changed teams as part of the biggest trades, but there is no cooling off right before Thursday's  NFL Draft .

The Seahawks added another first-round pick (No. 29 overall) with their trade of franchise-tagged defensive end Frank Clark to the Chiefs on Tuesday. That confirms no veteran player on the trading block is safe to remain with his current team after the weekend. 

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Here are five more notable names to watch in potential trades from Thursday to Saturday and the destinations that make the most sense.

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Raiders trade QB Derek Carr to Redskins for No. 15 overall pick

Why it makes sense for Oakland: Everyone gets the sense Jon Gruden isn't all that invested in making it work with Carr as his starting quarterback and is much more interested in trying to land Oklahoma's Kyler Murray. The Raiders would save $22.5 million ($15 million vs. the cap, $7.5 million in dead money) by moving him and his contract.

Why it makes sense for Washington: Case Keenum is a second stopgap for backup Colt McCoy as insurance for injured bridge quarterback Alex Smith. In other words, the Redskins don't have a quarterback they can totally trust to start in 2019, let alone beyond this season. Carr can be both a short- and long-term solution. He is built to fare better in the offense of Jon's brother Jay and new coordinator Kevin O'Connell. He is more seasoned than the Josh Rosen alternative and keeps the Redskins from forcing themselves into a shaky '19 draft class.

IYER: Weighing the Raiders' options with Carr

Cardinals trade CB Patrick Peterson to Steelers for No. 20 overall pick

Why it makes sense for Arizona: The Cardinals owe Peterson $23 million over the final two seasons of his contract through 2020 and at 28, he has limited time left in his prime, which won't be as much use for a rebuilding team. Although the rumors about him going to the Chiefs didn't come to fruition, Arizona needs to stay open to shopping him so it can both save some cap money and get another first-round player in return.

Why it makes sense for Pittsburgh: The Steelers are looking at cornerback, anyway, in the first round, assuming LSU's Devin White and Michigan's Devin Bush are not available as elite inside linebacker prospects after the first 16 picks. Pittsburgh needs to better prop up its playoff window with what it has left with Ben Roethlisberger and that means trying to win more with defense in '19. Peterson and Joe Haden can form a tough, experienced starting duo to open up the Steelers' blitz packages.

DIAMOND:  Cardinals must weigh options with top pick — including trading it away

Texans trade DE/OLB Jadevon Clowney to Lions for No. 8 overall pick

Why it makes sense for Houston: Clowney is set to make close to $16 million with the franchise tag before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2020. After emerging as one of the game's best all-around edge defenders at age 26, the 2014 first overall pick won't carry as much value on the market than he has now. The Texans feel like they can still lock up Clowney for the long term, but if that's looking shaky, now is prime time to get out of that burden.

Why it makes sense for Detroit: The Lions already splurged on former Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers for Matt Patricia and are targeting a versatile pass rusher with this pick. Why not continue the aggressive spending with another dominant player to get after the quarterback and stop the run? Clowney's positional versatility would be maximized by Patricia and defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni, who coached the Texans' line in 2015.

NFL DRAFT: All-time greatest draft steals

Cardinals trade QB Josh Rosen to Dolphins for No. 48 overall pick

Why it makes sense for Arizona: If the Cardinals are indeed set on Murray, then it would still be a better plan to move Rosen instead of having consecutive first-round quarterbacks compete with each other. Rosen may not yield the first-round pick for which the team is looking, but the situation is headed toward a mid second-rounder being acceptable, compromised compensation as third round is too low, too.

Why it makes sense for Miami: The Dolphins get a quarterback for their consideration behind bridge addition Ryan Fitzpatrick, avoid forcing themselves on the 2019 QB class and still leave open the possibility to go after one in the first round in 2020. Rosen is smart enough to absorb the Patriots-like offense of Chad O'Shea and Fitzpatrick is a good veteran example to follow. 

MORE: How passing on Kyler Murray would shake up the 2019 NFL Draft

Buccaneers trade TE Cameron Brate to Patriots for No. 73 overall pick

Why it makes sense for Tampa Bay: The Bucs need to keep their special, young first-round tight end O.J. Howard, but as they transition to a Bruce Arians/Byrom Leftwich with more emphasis on throwing short-to-deep routes to wide receivers, Brate, the lesser blocker, is bound to be a limited factor in the passing game. The undrafted player from Harvard is also 27 and coming off offseason hip surgery.

Why it makes sense for New England: The Patriots have signed Matt LaCosse and Austin Seferian-Jenkins as true fliers in trying to fill the big cleats of Rob Gronkowski. Brate, however, is more their type of heady player and a smoother athletic target. He has the potential to directly replace much of the receiving production from a younger Gronk. The Patriots also have two second-rounders and three first-rounders, so they can afford to give up one for an established producer.

Vinnie Iyer

Vinnie Iyer Photo

Vinnie Iyer, has been with TSN since 1999, not long after graduating from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. He has produced NFL content for more than 20 years, turning his attention to full-time writing in 2007. A native of St. Louis, Mo. but now a long-time resident of Charlotte, N.C. Vinnie’s top two professional sports teams are Cardinals and Blues, but he also carries purple pride for all things Northwestern Wildcats. He covers every aspect of the NFL for TSN including player evaluations, gambling and fantasy football, where he is a key contributor. Vinnie represents TSN as host of the “Locked On Fantasy Football” podcast on the Locked On network. Over his many years at TSN, he’s also written about MLB, NBA, NASCAR, college football, tennis, horse racing, film and television. His can’t-miss program remains “Jeopardy!”, where he was once a three-day champion and he is still avid about crossword puzzles and trivia games. When not watching sports or his favorite game show, Vinnie is probably watching a DC, Marvel or Star Wars-related TV or movie.