Eight offensive players we'd rescue at the trade deadline

We tend to think of "elite" as good, but in the mess of the 2016 NFL season we're seeing many teams underperform so consistently, we have no choice but to call them "elite" underperformers. An incredible amount of ineptitude across the league as a whole; embarrassing at best and miserable to watch at worst. Silver linings are important and the positive that comes out of a season like this in the NFL is that fans dream up scenarios like moving this player to that team and how it would give them a kick in the pants and push them over the edge of mediocrity toward greatness.  

With the trade deadline looming, these are the players on trash teams we would move if the NFL were a real life fantasy game. Completely fantasy without regard to salary cap, realistic possibility of the trade happening, and without concern for the feelings of the fans who are losing the only good player from their team when said player is added to the Patriots, Broncos, Cowboys or Packers. We just want to save these players from the cruel fate that is their current team and put them on a team that could use their talent.

Frank Gore, Indianapolis Colts

The 49ers let Gore walk away and the Colts are reaping the benefits of one of the best running backs in NFL history. The Colts lucked their way into a running back who before last season had only missed rushing for 1,000 yards once since becoming a starter in the NFL and that was the 2010 season when he was injured and only started 11 games.  

The Colts aren’t atrocious this year, but they aren’t good either. Gore’s time in the league is dwindling and fans want to see one of the most consistent backs in NFL history finally get a championship. That said, Gore is going to join the Green Bay Packers.  

Eddie Lacy has been a disappointment as a whole in the NFL, Rodgers needs someone he can rely on as a runner and a blocker and Gore is one of the better blocking backs in the NFL. He will make opponents respect the run and will batter and bruise linebackers and DB’s in that brutal Green Bay cold.

Allen Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars

The AFC South is awful, so let’s just decimate it in its entirety so the rest of the country has something to root for while those fans become fans of favorite players who have gone on to have success with other teams. It’s what’s best for the greater good and that should be the goal.  

In that line of thinking, Allen Robinson is going to need to file a change of address form with the USPS.  He will stay in the south, but he is going to go to the NFC South. Atlanta needs another wide receiver opposite Julio Jones so the world can watch Julio go for 300+ yards every Sunday. Yes, this is an embarrassment of riches that Dan Quinn and the Falcons don’t really deserve, but Robinson doesn’t deserve to rot away in Jacksonville with another inept Pete Carroll castoff.

Robinson had a breakout year in 2015 with 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns but he’s only on pace for 732 yards and six touchdowns this season. With his production cut in half, it seems only fair to team him up with a better quarterback and the NFL’s best wide receiver opposite him.

Terrelle Pryor, Cleveland Browns

Despite being one of the many players to line up under center in Cleveland this year, Terrelle Pryor is having a pretty great season as a wide receiver, especially given the level of talent surrounding him. With Pryor being on pace for 1,000+ yards and six touchdowns, he's a prime candidate for being traded.

The Packers could use some help at wide receiver. Randall Cobb is hurt (again) and Jordy Nelson still hasn’t rounded out to form after coming back from missing all of 2015 with an ACL injury. Add Pryor to the mix, leave Cobb in the slot, and take some pressure off Nelson and there could be some reason for hope for the Packers season after all. Pryor and Gore add some much needed pop to an offense that has been less than stellar all year.

Brandon Marshall, New York Jets

Sorry, not sorry, Jets fans. Todd Bowles and Chan Gailey don’t deserve to have a talent like Brandon Marshall on the roster. The Seahawks pride themselves on the chemistry they have created and their ability to compete every day. Pete Carroll wants players who demand the best of themselves and their teammates and everything about Marshall suggests he would fit in just fine with that culture.

Marshall is a perennial candidate for 100 catches and 1,000+ receiving yards. This would take a lot of pressure off the running game, give Russell Wilson a legit number one wide out, and would allow their stagnant offense a chance to explode. Pair him with Jermaine Kearse, Doug Baldwin and Christine Michael, and all of a sudden that offense demands respect across the league. Wilson has led this team to a 4-2-1 record and the Seahawks lead the NFC West, but without Brandon Marshall, their February football hopes seem pretty bleak.

Joe Staley, San Francisco 49ers

Joe Staley has held down the LT position for the better part of a decade and has done an admirable job. Along with Joe Thomas, Staley has been one of the best LT’s in the NFL for his career and his quarterbacks have benefitted greatly from his ability. Unfortunately, the 49ers have been on a downward slide since the “mutual parting” of the Red & Gold and Jim Harbaugh and it doesn’t look like it’s getting better in the near future.   

Staley would be a huge asset to the Seattle Seahawks as well. And the rich get richer. Seattle’s offensive line hasn’t been nearly as dominant as it was before they traded Max Unger to the Saints in exchange for Jimmy Graham. While Staley isn’t a center, he would lock down arguably the most important offensive line positions in the NFL. Wilson wouldn’t have to worry about his blind side nearly as much and he would be able to play from the pocket a little more which might help him with his still injured ankle and not needing to extend the play.

Alshon Jeffery, Chicago Bears

Alshon is toiling away in Chicago with a parade of quarterbacks who can’t seem to utilize him to the best of their abilities. Sure, he has a few big games here and there, but how much of that is due to the fact that the Bears aren’t using him right and how much of it is his talent level. He has had some injury issues, but his talent far eclipses what he’s been able to do so far in Chicago.

Bruce Arians could use some consistent talent alongside Larry Fitzgerald. Alshon, Larry, and David Johnson with Carson Palmer under center? That’s a potent offense. Assuming Alshon lives up to his potential, that’s a Super Bowl level starting lineup at the skill positions. This would also be the best wide receiver group that Arizona would have since Anquan Boldin lined up across from Fitzgerald and we all know how potent that line up was.

Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints

The 2009 Saints were a great story, but this team is so far removed from that squad and they aren’t going to get to that level this year. Drew Brees and Sean Payton are doing everything they can, but it’s just not enough with an atrocious defense and not enough supporting players on the offensive side of the ball.

Mark Ingram is going to be the next Bill Belichick disciple. Tom Brady will finally have a reliable back who can do it all and that will take a lot of pressure off the passing game as a whole. While Brady makes even the most basic level wide receivers look like all stars, he hasn’t had a running back like Mark Ingram in quite a while.  

Belichick and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will utilize Ingram in ways that will make their offense even more ridiculous. Ingram hasn’t lived up to his hype (only going over 1,000 all purpose yards twice in his career), but if anyone can find a way to use his talents, it’s the coaching staff up in Foxboro.

Torrey Smith, San Francisco

49ers Again, the 49ers are a dumpster fire and I won’t reiterate all the reasons why, but Torrey Smith will be leaving Levi’s Stadium in favor of another brand new building - Minnesota.

Minnesota is 5-1 and has done so with a bunch of misfits that are playing well together. Torrey has never been an insanely productive receiver, but he does his job and he does it well. A Super Bowl winner in 2012, Torrey knows what it takes to win and can be a positive influence in the Vikings locker room. Mike Zimmer would likely benefit from another playmaker on the offensive side of the ball, especially with his defense playing as well as they are and while Smith has only broken 1,000 yards once and only caught double digit touchdowns once, he demands coverage and opens up the offense when he’s playing with a competent group around him.