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10 NFL players who could be traded before the draft
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

10 NFL players who could be traded before the draft

The NFL offseason is often wild — and not only due to free-agent signings. Trades can change the complexion of teams, and these 10 names are top trade candidates before the draft.

Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Giants

While the Giants have said publicly that Beckham won't be traded this offseason, he already had run-ins with head coach Pat Shurmur last season and  Jay Glazer recently made a bold prediction that he could be moved. Moving Beckham's contract would be no easy task, but there should be plenty of offensive-needy teams interested if the Giants are willing.

Le'Veon Bell, RB, Steelers

We thought the Bell/Steelers saga was over following the 2018 season, but that might not be the case. After holding out for all of last season, the Steelers are expected to use the transition tag on Bell. If Bell is willing to sign the tag, he could be traded by Pittsburgh. There are still some moving parts in this situation, but a trade is at least a possibility.

Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers

Brown has officially demanded a trade out of Pittsburgh. Given his contract, the team's hands are tied. While he had a slight decline last year, Brown remains one of the most productive wide receivers in football, even as he approaches his age 31 season.

Artie Burns, CB, Steelers

Burns got off to a slow start last season that included a benching in October because he missed a pregame meeting. The Steelers aren't in a great position at cornerback, but the relationship between team and player is becoming stale after three seasons. The market could be limited, but Burns is in danger of getting shipped elsewhere.

Jordan Howard, RB, Bears

Howard had a spectacular rookie season in 2016, but his production has fallen off since then. Part of the decline has been the impact of Tarik Cohen, though Howard's yards per carry average has also gone from 5.2 in his rookie season to 3.7 last year. With a somewhat deep running back draft class, Chicago could opt to trade Howard and find another running back who fits head coach Matt Nagy's system better.

DeSean Jackson, WR, Buccaneers

Jackson was rumored to be wanting out of Tampa Bay before the Bucs hired Bruce Arians. Now it's unclear where he wants to play in 2019 approaching the final year of his contract. The Bucs are already set to lose pending free agent Adam Humphries, so also losing Jackson would leave Tampa wide receiver thin.

LeSean McCoy, RB, Bills

McCoy enters the final year of his contract and hasn't exactly seemed thrilled to be in Buffalo over the last year. The feeling might be mutual after McCoy averaged only 3.2 yards per carry in 14 games last season. General manager Brandon Beane said McCoy will be back next season, but it remains to be seen if he will keep his word.

Donald Penn, LT, Raiders

Penn will turn 36 in April with only one year remaining on his contract. In the thick of a rebuild, there's not much reason for the Raiders to keep him around when they could develop younger talent. There also isn't much talent available at left tackle in free agency, so Penn could fetch a valuable draft pick. Both sides could be better off with a trade.

Jalen Ramsey, CB, Jaguars

The Jacksonville front office, led by Tom Coughlin, has made it known that they're no-nonsense, as shown when Leonard Fournette and T.J. Yeldon were reprimanded at the end of the season. Ramsey hasn't had any public brush ups with Coughlin and Co., but he hasn't exactly been quiet when talking to the media over the last year. An elite corner, Ramsey would be a much-wanted commodity should the Jags make him available.

Laquon Treadwell, WR, Vikings

It's been three years since Minnesota drafted Treadwell 23rd overall in the draft, but he has a total of 56 receptions to show for that investment. After averaging only 8.6 yards per reception last season and becoming a healthy scratch in Week 16, a change of scenery could be in the cards for Treadwell.

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