NFL Notes: Trades, 49ers, Dolphins, Vikings

Trades

Sources explained to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports that the trend of younger general managers and front office executives has led to teams being more open to trading players and draft picks

“Look at the guys who were actually getting deals done,” said one NFL executive. “What do they have in common? They’re young, young, young. It’s a lot of younger GMs, and then, of course, Belichick. They are more willing to put themselves out there and go for it. They aren’t caught up in ‘this is how it’s always been done.’ They are willing to make quick decisions and be decisive and facilitate trades. Guy like Howie and John (Schneider), that’s how they’ve always been.”

The league executive also mentioned that running backs, receivers, tackles, and cornerbacks are more susceptible to being traded at the deadline since they are easier to insert into lineups.

“It’s a team sport and certain positions are more difficult to insert in the middle of the season, but you can get a running back, you can get a receiver, you can upgrade at left tackle, you can get a press-man corner and get them into your system pretty quickly. It’s different with a middle linebacker and making calls and all of that, but this isn’t as hard as some people make it out to be.”

49ers

• 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan said there is no guarantee that recently acquired QB Jimmy Garoppolo plays this season: “I can’t promise you that he will play this year.” (Joe Fann)
• Shanahan added that you cannot overstate learning a new scheme and wants to put Garoppolo in the best position to be successful.

Dolphins

• Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald writes that the Dolphins trading RB Jay Ajayi for a fourth-round draft pick signals the beginning of a “significant” restructuring of the team’s offense.
• Salguero points to the team overhauling the defense last offseason as an indicator of what their approach will be towards addressing the offense this offseason.
• Salguero believes the Dolphins could address the offensive line and mentions G Jermon Bushrod, who is 33-years old, as a player they may replace.
• As for running back, Salguero could see the team signing two players since Kenyan Drake, Damien Williams and Senorise Perry are not long-term answers.
• Salguero does not think TEs Anthony Fasano or Julius Thomas are long-term answers since they are both aging veterans.
• While the Dolphins have WRs Kenny Stills, Devante Parker, and Jarvis Landry, Salguero expects the team to draft “cheap playmakers” who could eventually push them.
• Despite the team requiring an offensive overhaul, Salguero writes that QB Ryan Tannehill will remain the starter “per the current plans.”

Vikings

• Vikings GM Rick Spielman said “several teams” reached out to them regarding trading for some of the team’s younger players. (Courtney Cronin)
• Spielman said the “only area” the Vikings had concern was the depth at running back if Jerick McKinnon or Latavius Murray sustained injuries. However, the team claimed RB Mack Brown off waivers earlier in the week.