Joey Bosa's mother just came out saying the 3rd overall pick in 2016 should have "pulled an Eli Manning" and requested a trade immediately after being drafted by the Chargers. Despite a huge lack of a pass rusher, and a desperate need to claw their way out of the depths of the AFC in a tough division, the Chargers have remained steadfast in their belief that for the first time under the new rookie wage scale the 3rd overall pick needs offset language in his contract. Seems kind of silly to me that a team that needs this player more than anything is playing hardball on something that otherwise would be common practice.
As it stands this is already the longest hold out of a rookie since 2009 when Michael Crabtree held out into the regular season ultimately signing in October. If his family members are already saying they don't want to be there and this holdout is dragging out with no communication there is some sense to trading Bosa to a team for a first round pick. It's a unique circumstance in that many teams could use the addition of Bosa but few would see the sense in making a trade for anything more than a mid first round pick or combination of picks with similar value. Try as they might even Bosa himself couldn't try to convince teams he was ready to sign a deal immediately after a trade so he could get started in training camp and learn the playbook.
The question then becomes what is the market for Bosa? I would look at established playoff caliber teams looking for a defensive spark, or teams about to make the leap hoping to take the next step needed to get there.
First: New England Patriots;
Why would the Patriots target a guy like Bosa? First of all his scheme versatility, Bosa at 6'5 269 lbs he could stand up as a 3-4 OLB, or put his hand in the dirt as a 4-3 end. He is also versatile in the sense that he is a solid run defender already to go along with his ability to rush the passer. The Patriots have never stuck to base defense and play a lot of odd alignments which could ultimately prove valuable to Bosa to find a mismatch and go with it.
Second of all the Patriots produced 49 sacks in 2015, nothing to sneeze at but they also parted ways with 12.5 of those sacks in Chandler Jones who now plays for Arizona. Dane Fletcher, Darius Flemming, also left a few vacancies at LB. Now some guys have been signed, namely Chris Long, Shea McClellin, and Frank Kearse, however none of these guys have topped 5 sacks since 2013, and Long is getting up there in age a bit. Long is also a similar body type and skill set to Bosa and could prove to be a perfect mentor.
Third: Depth; injuries decimated the linebackers for the Patriots last season with Jamie Collins missing 4 games, Dont'a Hightower missing 4 games, and Dane Fletcher landing on IR. To make matters worse reports are out that Rob Ninkovich another guy who plays a similar role as a defensive end/LB tore his triceps meaning he will likely at very least land on IR recall. This would be the time for the Patriots to strike. Trade a first round pick in 2017 for a guy who can start in Ninkovich's absence and potentially out play him as a rookie as well as ultimately replacing Chandler Jones.
Second Team: Cleveland Browns
First of all the Browns defense scares no one as it sits, their perceived top pass rushers are 3-4 defensive ends which aren't usually known for getting after the qb. Their top three OLB's totalled 4.5 sacks last season. Adding a guy like Bosa would immediately inject some playmaking ability into this defense.
Second their depth at the position is questionable. Barkevious Mingo is a guy who was a boom or bust pick a few years ago that has since been surpassed on the depth chart by solid but not spectacular Nate Orchard who had 3 sacks last season. They have drafted the heir apparent to old man Paul Kruger in Emmanuel Ogbah but having a solid OLB rotation is key to a 3-4 defense as shown by Denver last year.
Third reason to pull this off? The trades they made this season during the draft In two trades in the first round they managed to collect an extra first, second and two third round picks in 2017, as well as another 2018 second round pick. They believe in getting the most value from their draft picks and it could be perceived that if Bosa could be had for a mid first round pick in 2017 they would be getting a top 5 talent for far less than a top 5 pick value wise.
It's beginning to sound like there are more reasons and suitors for a trade than there are reasons to continue negotiation with Bosa.
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