NFL trade rumors: 5 Players who should be traded in 2019

2. Jadeveon Clowney, EDGE, Houston Texans

Things certainly seem complicated between Jadeveon Clowney and the Houston Texans at this point. The team placed the franchise tag on Clowney in hopes of working out a new deal for the edge rusher but nothing has materialized. As a result, he has not yet reported to training camp with the Texans, though he’s said that he’ll return before the end of the preseason.

Yet, it doesn’t seem like the future is long for Clowney and the Texans. Even if he does report to camp in the coming weeks, that still likely means that the two sides haven’t worked out a contract. Subsequently, Clowney would essentially be a lame-duck player for the 2019 NFL season, ready to hit free agency in the 2020 offseason.

That’s why it’s not surprising to see a report from John McClain of the Houston Chronicle that he’d “be surprised” if Clowney was not traded. The Texans are in a position where, as valuable as Clowney can be for the defense this season, they need to try and get something in return instead of just losing him in free agency for nothing.

Top Possible Destination: New York Jets

Gang Green has made big improvements on defense this offseason, adding C.J. Mosley at linebacker in free agency and drafting Quinnen Williams in the first round. However, their edge-rusher situation remains less than ideal. They could use a severe upgrade there and, if they’re going to make the leap as a team they hope to, adding Clowney at that position would help them tremendously.