Five NFL trades we'd like to see

Nate Davis, USA TODAY Sports | USATODAY

The NFL trade deadline arrives Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, two weeks later than in previous years as the league attempts to spur activity by allowing more time for the contenders and pretenders to separate. However don't expect a baseball-like flurry given only seven teams are currently two or more games south of the .500 mark in a league where parity, not disparity, continues to be the hallmark.

Still, there are numerous prospective moves out there that would seem to make sense. Here are five we'd propose:

Dwayne Bowe to the Cincinnati Bengals: He never did get the long-term deal he wanted and was forced to settle for the $9.5 million franchise tag in a city he apparently wants to leave. But the Bengals have the cap room to pay a player like Bowe long-term and, more important, they could clearly use a bona fide wingman to complement A.J. Green. Bowe isn't a transcendent talent, but his size and ability to move the chains would perfectly mesh with the field-stretching Green, who was essentially erased last week by the Pittsburgh Steelers, who didn't seem to fear Andy Dalton's other options. Meanwhile, Kansas CIty Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who already has a Bowe clone in Jonathan Baldwin, could get a nice parting gift for the free-agent-to-be ... assuming Pioli's still around to shape the roster in 2013.

Josh Cribbs to the Houston Texans: As well-balanced as they are offensively and defensively, the AFC South leaders have been abysmal on special teams. Not only was the Trindon Holliday experiment a failure in the return game, the Texans have also surrendered both a punt and kickoff return for a score. Enter Cribbs, who is in the final year of a contract that pays him $1.4 million. He has 11 career return TDs, including a record eight on kickoffs, and has also been an ace on coverage units over the course of his eight-year career. Given the Texans' lack of experience behind starting wideouts Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter, Cribbs could also bring a welcome element to the passing game and even a touch of the Wildcat. The 1-6 Cleveland Browns could use any draft pick they can get.

Dwight Freeney to the New Orleans Saints: Steve Spagnuolo's defense has endured epic struggles this season. So why not import a guy with more than 100 career sacks who's headed for free agency and seems much better suited to Spagnuolo's D-line pressure packages than he is to being a converted linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts? New Indy GM Ryan Grigson has been an active wheeler-dealer, and this could be an avenue to facilitate the ongoing defensive makeover. The Saints should be able to accommodate the remainder of Freeney's $14 million salary. Such a move -- Detroit Lions pass rusher Cliff Avril could be potentially be a slightly cheaper alternative -- would seem even more imperative if Will Smith is eventually forced to serve his four-game bounty suspension.

Darren McFadden to the Green Bay Packers: Yes, Pack general manager Ted Thompson is known for building through the draft and treats his picks like bullion. But this team is in its prime title window, and Thompson has selectively imported outsiders -- Ryan Pickett, Jeff Saturday, Charles Woodson -- before. Currently averaging a career-worst 3.1 yards per carry, McFadden has yet to click in the Oakland Raiders' new offense. But imagine what a player with his skill set could do with the creases created by Green Bay's spread passing attack -- he'd certainly provide a home-run threat that Cedric Benson, James Starks and Ryan Grant have not in recent years. McFadden is currently under contract through 2013, due about $6 million next year. But what does Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie need more, his on-and-off speedster or perhaps a few draft picks from his old mentor to fund his rebuilding project?

Shaun Phillips to the New York Jets: The linebacker is playing out the final year of his contract for the San Diego Chargers, who have capable veteran Antwan Barnes and rookie first rounder Melvin Ingram in reserve. Phillips has 4.5 sacks, or 2.5 more than any member of the Jets, who could really use a bona fide pass rusher given they're operating without the blanketing coverage skills of injured Darrelle Revis on the back end. Rex Ryan wouldn't need to design so many blitzes while Bolts GM A.J. Smith could recoup some of the draft currency he's spent in recent springs ... assuming he's confident he'll keep his job for the next draft.