6 NFL trade deadline deals we'd like to see

The NFL's trade deadline is at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, and, as usual, fans probably shouldn't expect any blockbuster deals. The deadline is simply too early in the season and teams value draft assets too highly to produce the kind of "fire sales" we occasionally see ahead of other leagues' deadlines.

That said, in a year when many of the teams atop the standings have glaring flaws, it's possible we'll see some deals aimed at patching holes and loading up for a playoff run.

Here are six trades we'd like to see:

Browns trade Joe Thomas to Seahawks

The Seahawks' lack of investment in their offensive line was exposed in the team's 6-6 tie with the Arizona Cardinals. Russell Wilson faced constant pressure, but was unable to escape it as he has in previous seasons due to his injured knee. Wilson will be under threat of injury until the Seahawks shore up his protection, and perhaps the best way to accomplish that is by adding a nine-time Pro Bowler to the line.

The Browns say they won't trade Thomas, but the team is clearly rebuilding and likely knows the 31-year-old offensive lineman won't be playing at a high level for much longer. The Seahawks have a history of trading first-round draft picks for players (Percy Harvin, Jimmy Graham) and could pull the trigger again.

Bears trade Alshon Jeffery to Bills

After going through two offseasons unable to reach a long-term deal with the Bears, 26-year-old Alshon Jeffery appears to be on his last legs in Chicago. He and the team are both upset with his production and their general lack of wins, so a trade makes sense. There are a few suitors who could use an extra set of hands, but whoever makes the move will be using the rest of this season as a free-agency tryout for Jeffery.

The Bills are set to clear a good amount of dead cap money after the season and just invested in their quarterback. They sit as an AFC contender through seven weeks, but are unsure of when star receiver Sammy Watkins will return to full health. Adding Jeffery to pair with Watkins and a steady run game would give the Bills as much offensive firepower as they've had in recent memory.

Patriots trade Jimmy Garoppolo to Chiefs

Tom Brady is playing better than ever at age 39, and there's no reason to believe he won't continue at this level for several more years. The Patriots may have viewed Garoppolo, whose contract expires after next season, as their quarterback of the future when they drafted him in 2014, but now they face the prospect of seeing him depart in free agency for a starting gig.

With rookie Jacoby Brissett proving his competence as a backup in two starts this season, the Patriots may decide now is the ideal time to trade Garoppolo away. The Chiefs, a perennial contender despite middling quarterback play from Alex Smith, represent an ideal landing spot.

The Chiefs traded a second-round pick for another Patriots backup who proved his worth with Brady out, Matt Cassel, in 2009. Similar compensation could get this trade done.

Cardinals trade Tony Jefferson to Lions

Matthew Stafford has suddenly vaulted the Lions into division title contention, but the defense still needs help - particularly on the back end. The Cardinals have a surplus of playmaking safeties at the moment in Tyrann Mathieu, D.J. Swearinger, and Tony Jefferson.

In his first year as Lions general manager, Bob Quinn could make a splash by acquiring an underrated defensive back like Jefferson from a winning culture and giving his team some confidence to make a run.

Cowboys trade Darren McFadden to Raiders

Latavius Murray has failed to take the next step in his career, and backups DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard look like mere role players. The Raiders could use a hungry veteran to take better advantage of the holes their line is opening up.

Enter McFadden, a player who's very familiar to the franchise. Injuries derailed his first stint with the Raiders, and have held him out this season, but there's no denying he can still be an effective runner behind good blocking, as he finished fourth in the NFL in rushing last season.

How cool would it be to see McFadden back in black and silver and helping push the Raiders to their first playoff berth in 13 seasons?

Bears trade Willie Young to Cowboys

The Cowboys are short on pass-rushers, but are doing surprisingly well with their rookie duo in the offensive backfield, while the Bears' season is essentially over at 1-5. Chicago's top-paid edge linebacker, Pernell McPhee, has returned to the lineup, but veteran Willie Young compiled six sacks in his absence.

Young doesn't do it all himself, but a pairing with Demarcus Lawrence in Rod Marinelli's overachieving defense could take the pressure off Dallas' young offensive stars. The Bears are still rebuilding, but acquiring the 31-year-old Young wouldn't cost much more than a fifth-round pick.