NFL players who should be traded before the deadline

The Lions gave Abdullah three years to show he was capable of being their starter. For the most part, this mission didn't succeed. The former second-round pick struggled with injuries and did not exceed 600 rushing yards in either of his healthier seasons. Thus far this year, Abdullah has played in just one game and has not received a carry. Buried behind three players on the Detroit depth chart, the contract-year running back could help another team's backfield in need of a committee member.

This is not certain to happen, despite Bell's historically unreliable 2018. But it would be understandable if the Steelers moved on after months of chaos. A trade only adds up if Pittsburgh can acquire a third-round pick or better, because it would land a compensatory 2020 third-rounder if Bell left as a free agent. James Conner has proved capable, but Bell would help an improving Steelers team. In a year with few reliable defenses, the Steelers with Bell would be able to score with anyone and could be a stealth Super Bowl threat. But the bridge may be burned to the point that general manager Kevin Colbert tries to add key 2019 draft capital.

A 2014 first-round pick playing out the string on a fifth-year option, Benjamin has not looked like his Carolina version in Buffalo. The 2017 deadline acquisition has barely eclipsed 600 yards in 13 Bills games. Benjamin believed his refusal to warm up with Josh Allen on Sunday was blown out of proportion, but given the struggles Buffalo's having on offense, the 6-foot-5 wideout might not be averse to leaving this situation. But the Bills may need some weapons for Allen — regardless if they're long-term pieces or just rentals — to target, and that could keep Benjamin in western New York for 2018's remainder.

A key piece of James Bettcher's defenses suddenly isn't essential in the new regime's 4-3 scheme. Bucannon's playing on a fifth-year option and is in line for 2019 free agency. A trade would seemingly help his market value, and it's conceivable the Cardinals could land an early Day 3 pick for their 2014 first-rounder. The former safety was once a three-down linebacker in Arizona, but he's played just 159 snaps this season. It makes sense for the rebuilding Cards to move on now.

Similar to Bucannon, Collins has seen his role decrease. Joe Schobert's emergence has him entrenched as an every-down player, and when Christian Kirksey's healthy, he's usually ahead of Collins in the Browns' nickel pecking order as well. Collins is talented, but he arrived during since-ousted general manager Sashi Brown's tenure. New general manager John Dorsey's moved on from most of those players already. Another issue: Collins is the NFL's highest-paid, off-ball linebacker at $12M per year. So the Browns' return may be limited as a result. Cleveland doesn't look to be ready to win this year, however, and should consider moves for the future.

Should  the Raiders do this? Perhaps not. Derek Carr needs players to throw to, if he's suddenly playing for his job. But if Jon Gruden is already considering moving on from Carr, then the Raiders' dangling of Cooper would be in line with what they've done this year. He hasn't played like the two-time Pro Bowler he was in Bill Musgrave's offense, and the Raiders surely aren't looking to pay him what he'll seek on his second contract. There are teams that will believe they can revive Cooper's career. A market will form. After two 100-yard games this year, it's not like Oakland would be selling that low. But wow, what a weird year in Oakland.

The Bears don't profile as a seller, but they've barely used the veteran cornerback this season. Cooper's struggled with a hamstring issue this month, but prior to that setback, he played three snaps all season. He was a healthy scratch in Week 3. With other teams needing corner depth, Cooper could fetch the Bears a late-round draft choice. He started four Bears games last season and re-signed on a one-year deal for just $1.5M. In 2016, Cooper started 13 Cardinals contests and intercepted four passes. Cooper's not an attractive starter, but the 28-year-old defender is better than his Bears standing suggests.

John Dorsey's issues with Sashi Brown's draft choices pale in comparison to Jon Gruden's open contempt for Reggie McKenzie's. Khalil Mack was the headliner departure, but most of McKenzie's picks are either already gone or benched. Joseph, the Raiders' 2016 first-round pick, is on the bench behind a 35-year-old Reggie Nelson. Joseph has a fifth-year option decision due in May, and the Raiders will not pick that up. He showed promise early in his career and has trade value on a market that figures to see more Raiders moved soon. 

Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott have not wanted much to do with former general manager Doug Whaley's players, and Lawson's been a trade candidate for a while now. The former first-round pick has played only 99 snaps this season and may be of better use for another team. It's not certain the former Clemson standout is a quality edge defender yet, but it doesn't seem like he'll have the chance to prove it in Buffalo. The Bills will surely not pick up his fifth-year option in May, but Lawson technically could be controlled through the 2020 season on his rookie contract. Some value still exists here.

This might be a case where the veteran wide receiver would merely be released, but it's possible the Seahawks could nab a late pick for the proven pass-catcher. David Moore has usurped the 34-year-old wideout in Seattle, and Marshall has just 16 receiving yards over his past three games. But he was a bit more productive earlier this season, and arguably the best receiver mercenary in NFL history could possibly help a contender as a situational threat if the Seahawks make a deal.

Football Outsiders has this Bills offense graded as the second-worst in the past 33 seasons through six games. Signed earlier this month, Derek Anderson is about to make an appearance for an injured Josh Allen after Nathan Peterman's brutal struggles continued. Yet, Buffalo still employs McCoy, a six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro. McCoy is now 30 and signed through 2019 but makes no sense on this rebuilding operation. Healthy and still productive (100-plus yards from scrimmage the past two weeks), he's a near lock to be moved before the Oct. 30 deadline.

The veteran cornerback wasn't an obvious departure candidate until this week when his Twitter post prompted Jon Gruden to call him out. Despite Melvin arriving during this Gruden-run offseason, he's on a one-year deal and looks likely to head out of Oakland quickly after the season. But the Raiders could probably pry a late-round pick from a team for the 29-year-old corner, who played well for the 2017 Colts prior to a season-ending injury. He's certainly worn out his Raiders welcome, as several have under Gruden.

Barely playing in Miami, the 2015 first-round pick is a logical trade chip. Parker's reportedly been on the block for a bit now. However, he's signed through 2019 — after Miami oddly picked up his $9.3M fifth-year option in May — and was a decent complementary target over the past two seasons (each with at least 55 catches and 670 yards). Parker is in dire need of a fresh start, and it's a reasonable bet the Dolphins provide that soon. With a few receiver-needy teams out there (Dallas comes to mind), there should be a Parker market.

Once hyped as an emerging pass-catching back, the former Notre Dame wide receiver has not factored in much to a suddenly productive Seahawks ground attack. Chris Carson, Mike Davis and first-rounder Rashaad Penny are in front of him, and the Seahawks may be better served cutting their losses. Prosise's value isn't high, however, because of an extensive injury track record. He suffered another one, an abdominal malady, this year. But Prosise did show promise as a rookie in 2016, perhaps prompting a team to take a flier on him. 

In his second year with the Colts, Sheard is playing well. He has three sacks, tied for third-most on the Colts, and has started all 22 games he's played with the franchise since signing as a free agent last year. Sheard's contract runs through 2019, but he's set to make a non-guaranteed $7.5M in base salary next season. The Colts are projected to possess an NFL-high $126M in 2019 cap space, so they don't need to trade veterans after a slow start. But this is a rebuilding team that could collect a decent draft pick for a 29-year-old edge rusher who probably doesn't factor into Indianapolis' long-term plans.

Skrine is the last man standing from Mike Maccagnan's much-hyped and ill-fated 2015 cornerback spending spree, when the general manager signed Skrine, Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. Skrine, who serves as the Jets' slot corner, is playing on an expiring contract. New York has eight corners on its roster, and despite back-to-back wins, the Jets likely aren't a true 2018 contender. Skrine leaving as a free agent could net the Jets a low-level compensatory pick in 2020, or they could take their chances with a trade now to procure a 2019 late-round selection. 

Tate's been the best Lions wideout during the post-Calvin Johnson era, and the former Seahawk even outproduced Megatron in 2014. But he's 30, in a contract year, and no substantial extension discussions are known to have taken place. Kenny Golladay is a fast-rising contributor for a Lions team has needs elsewhere. Meanwhile, Tate (team-high 431 receiving yards) would bring a fairly strong return for a Detroit team that does not look like a contender. This obviously isn't a lock due to Tate's talent and the Lions sitting at 2-3, but with it looking like he'll leave after the season, it may be best to pull the trigger soon. 

The Cardinals could consider a Patrick Peterson trade. They would just be dumb to do so, considering the three-time All-Pro's their best player and is only 28. This is a franchise that traded Aeneas Williams, however, so it can't be ruled out. Instead, the 1-6 Cards could unload Taylor, who has not provided the stability opposite Peterson they'd envisioned when they traded for him. Both the Dolphins and Browns have already traded Taylor, who's been outplayed by Bene Benwikere in Arizona. But Taylor played well at times in Cleveland and is signed through 2019. Perhaps a depth-seeking team inquires. 

Hue Jackson wanted Taylor to start throughout this season to allow for a Baker Mayfield redshirt. He made it through two games. Signed through just this season, Taylor no longer fits on a Browns team that also has Drew Stanton. The issue here is quarterbacks have mostly stayed healthy thus far, but teams like the Jaguars or Panthers could use better backups. Taylor's a lower-level starter but would be one of the best No. 2 QBs in the league, and the team that trades for him would have exclusive negotiating rights regarding an extension. The Saints made this type of move for Teddy Bridgewater. Taylor's in the same boat.

Ward's experienced a sneaky-fascinating career. The 49ers employed four different defensive coordinators in Ward's first four seasons, and he's continued to bounce between safety and cornerback. Ward's versatility could make him a nice depth piece on another team, because the 49ers don't appear to have the 2014 first-round pick in their future plans. He's playing on a fifth-year option and would be a rental commodity, but this is a seasoned defensive back who could help a better team down the stretch rather than toil in a part-time role for a bad one.