Is the time now to trade Tate?
 

With Arian's extension and Tate set to be a FA after next season, is the time now to trade him for a player, pick or the ability to move around in the draft? I'd be willing to bet he'll ask for more money than what the Texans are willing to pay when also factoring in Foster's money and Tate's playing time.

I know he had an off year this year - perhaps reducing his value - but he's still young and fresh and I would think there'd be some takers out there (perhaps ATL, NYG, NYJ, MIA, GB, STL, PIT,...). We have Forsett and can always draft another RB mid-to-late rounds or sign a FA. I saw a couple of mocks having us take Montee Ball or Andre Ellington in the 3rd or 4th round.

Just thinking draft and ways to get a player we want and/or improve the roster. Tate seems to be a logical trade-value player.

i don't know what they could get for him. last year was the year to trade him as his value was higher than it will ever be again, and kubiak's decision to sit him the entire last half of the season this year didn't do anything to help (and i am still wondering what the hell kubiak was thinking)

Yeah, I'm not sure of his value at this point. You certainly wouldn't get a high pick straight up for him. I was thinking more along the line of trading him for a player (maybe a WR or a ILB just throw something out there) who's contract is also coming up or maybe a new coach that wants to change the scheme, or, packaging Tate and a pick(s) to move around in the draft. I assume he'd be a nice add-in if you wanted to move around.

I wouldn't move him just to draft another mid-round RB. I'd have to assume the Texans would move him only to backfill with a street FA or undrafted rookie, using Forsett as a COP back and Grimes maybe to compete with the new guy.

At best, Tate brings a 4th rounder I imagine, and more likely a 6th or 7th. I'd keep him for as long as he was under contract at this point. The best window to trade him has probably passed. He's getting paid like a 4th yr 2nd rounder ($575k?) in 2013, so moving him for a late round pick would save a little cap room, but probably not enough to make me think it was worth it.

We might have got a third-rounder for Tate last year, but now more like a late-rounder and perhaps even a "conditional" pick at that ?
Backs are a "dime a dozen" anyway.