Jets DL Sheldon Richardson & 49ers WR Torrey Smith Expected To Be On Trading Block During Offseason

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports that while the Jets and 49ers were unable to trade DL Sheldon Richardson and WR Torrey Smith ahead of this year’s deadline, both players will likely be on the trading block again during the offseason.

In regards to Smith, La Canfora reports that the 49ers and Eagles were engaged in trade talks on “several” occasions. However, the Eagles were only willing to part with a fifth-round pick for Smith, considering the money he’s owned and his lack of production in recent years. The 49ers elected to hold out for a third-round pick that never came.

Sources tell La Canfora that Smith would “very much” welcome a departure next year.

As for Richardson, multiple sources told La Canfora that the Jets spoke to a number of NFC teams including the Redskins, Cowboys, Eagles, Seahawks and Cardinals about a trade for him. New York was reportedly looking for “a very strong” return for Richardson, which some believe could be a first-round pick.

Richardson is looking to be paid among the top players in the game, according to La Canfora’s sources, and has had off-the-field issues that are likely to complicate a trade further.

Two GMs have told Jason Cole earlier in the week that the Jets will have a tough time trading Richardson during the offseason, as teams won’t be as desperate to make a move for a player with a number of options being available to them.

Richardson is well aware of his situation in New York and referred to himself as the “odd man out.”

“Big business, bro,” he said. “It happens. That’s it. We’ve got three guys that play the same position. We’re all effective. It’s a surplus, so I’m the odd man out.”

Richardson, 25, is a former first-round pick of the Jets back in 2013. He’s currently in the fourth year of his four-year, $10.054 million rookie contract and stands to make a base salary of $1.776 million for the 2016 season.

The Jets elected to pick up Richardson’s fifth-year option a few months ago, which means he’s under team control through the 2017 season and will make a bases salary of $8.069 million.

In 2016, Richardson has appeared in six games and recorded 28 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery for the Jets. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 12 edge defender out of 102 qualifying players.

Smith, 27, is a former second-round pick of the Ravens back in 2011. He’s currently in the second year of his five-year, $40 million contract that includes $22 million guaranteed and is set to make a base salary of $4.5 million for the 2016 season.

In 2016, Smith has appeared in seven games for the 49ers and caught 13 passes for 199 yards receiving and two touchdowns. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 107 receiver out of 108 qualifying players.