AFC Notes: Trade Candidates, Browns, Raiders, Titans

Trade Candidates

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports takes a look at some potential players who could be traded before this year’s deadline.

Some names worth keeping an eye on, according to La Canfora, include:

1. Colts CB Vontae Davis – La Canfora believes there would be plenty of contending teams who would want Davis, even though he’s a free agent next year.
2. Colts LT Anthony Castonzo – According to La Canfora, the Colts could sell Castonzo as a right tackle to other teams. La Canfora expects the Colts to draft a left tackle next year, so it could make some sense to see what’s out there for Castonzo.
3. Dolphins WR Jarvis Landry – La Canfora admits that he doesn’t see the Dolphins trading Landry, but he also can’t rule it out after the team has gotten off to a poor start. La Canfora doesn’t think the Dolphins will pay Landry what he’ll want as a free agent next year, so moving him for a draft pick could be their best option.
4. Dolphins DE Cameron Wake – La Canfora believes a contending team would have interest in adding a pass rusher like Wake. Interestingly enough, La Canfora says that the Steelers have had internal interest in Wake previously.
5. Patriots QB Jimmy Garoppolo – With the Patriots’ defense in bad shape, La Canfora believes it would be in their best interest to move Garoppolo for some defensive help to get things turned around.
6. Patriots CB Malcolm Butler – As for Butler, La Canfora expects New England to “keep an open mind” about moving him ahead of the trade deadline, even though they already need help in the secondary.

Browns

Browns RB Isaiah Crowell was a popular preseason breakout candidate, but things haven’t gone as many anticipated. Crowell has totaled just 134 yards over the course of four games and his averaging a meager 2.9 yards per carry.

Even so, Browns HC Hue Jackson put the blame on himself and says he believes in Crowell.

“Anything that’s going on with Isaiah, I take responsibility for,” said Jackson, via the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “Until we get this guy in a rhythm of running, it’s unfair for anybody to question what he’s doing. We have not been in a situation where we can hand this guy the ball the way I think you have to hand a back the ball.

“All of those questions can be directed at me. Until we’re able to do that can I tell you exactly what it is. I believe in Isaiah Crowell. No question. I have to get this guy the ball handed to him.”

• New Browns WR Bryce Treggs said the Eagles offered to match his salary with Cleveland, but only to keep him on their practice squad. (Scott Petrak)
• Treggs added that he on with the Browns so he could get a chance to play on the active roster.

Raiders

• Raiders HC Jack Del Rio said he is “optimistic” veteran WR Michael Crabtree (chest) will play in Week 5 against the Ravens. (Scott Bair)

Titans

Titans HC Mike Mularkey said he was “not aware” of any interest in free agent QB Colin Kaepernick, while pointing out that the team signed Brandon Weeden and worked out T.J. Yates due to their familiarity with their offense.

“I’m not aware if there was,” Mularkey said, via Cameron Wolfe of ESPN. “I know he’s not familiar with our offense. I know T.J. Yates had some experience with it in Atlanta and with us for a couple of weeks.”

Regarding Titans QB Marcus Mariota (hamstring), Mularkey said the quarterback was limited in Tuesday’s practice and that is performance was “positive” for what they asked of him.

“We didn’t ask him to do very much,” Mularkey said, via Jim Wyatt of the Titans’ official site. “He did what we thought he could do, and that wasn’t very much. But it was enough. We are going to be smart with him. It was positive for what he had to do.”

Mularkey added that their plan is still to monitor Mariota until Sunday, prior to their Week 5 game.

“That’s the plan,” Mularkey said. “I can’t predict it, but that’s kind of the plan. Anybody that’s injured you like to see them progress to get better. … He works at everything he has to work at, he is a top pro at doing that.”