NFL Trade Rumors: Odds Where Vince Young and Biggest Names on the Block End Up
The NFL doesn’t get quite the trade buzz that the NBA and MLB usually get, but this offseason is much different.
There are a flurry of teams and players out there who have determined that they have pieces that can be moved. Many of these pieces involve skill position players, while other players reside on the defensive side of the ball.
The truth is the NFL could have a flurry of trades during the draft and before training camp. There are plenty of players who have been marquee names in the past that could be looking for a new home. Here are 10 players that are on the trading block and where they could be headed.
10. Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys
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Possible Suitor: Detroit Lions
For a couple of years the Dallas Cowboys have featured the three headed monster of Felix Jones, Marion Barber and Tashard Choice. However, they are going the more natural two back route these days, and are talking about shipping out or cutting Marion Barber.
Of course the Lions are in need of a second back to go with Jahvad Best. Barber would be a great addition and an upgrade over Kevin Smith. The key is going to be Dallas getting compensation for him when they know teams are likely to wait until he’s cut.
If Dallas can manage to convince Detroit that there is a bigger market for Barber then they can get a later round pick off the Lions. It won’t hurt the Lions to do so. They won’t have a top 10 pick this year and must address glaring weaknesses on the defensive side of the ball. Getting a running back like Barber for cheap is the kind of move they’d be happy to make to bring them toward the next level.
9. Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants
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Possible Suitor: Miami Dolphins
Brandon Jacobs should know one thing by now: his days in New York are numbered. The one-two punch of him and Ahmad Bradshaw are coming to a close mostly because Bradshaw has the bigger upside and Jacobs was problematic through most of last season.
With a hefty $4 million to be made next season the Giants must cut ties and head in a different direction. That means shipping Jacobs to another city.
The one town that has been rumored about in the last couple of weeks has been Miami. Now that they have lost their one two punch of Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown, it seems perfect to bring in Jacobs, especially if they draft Mark Ingram with the No. 15 pick.
Jacobs could be the two back again with an increased workload so as not to burn Ingram out. The other option is that he could be the feature back until Ingram gets the right amount of seasoning. Either way, it’ll be tough to see Jacobs go anywhere else, but wherever he goes he can’t stay in New York.
8. A.J Hawk, Green Bay Packers
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Possible Suitors: No clear suitors
This situation is a difficult one for Green Bay. They have a log jam at their inside linebacker spot. They have Nick Barnett and A.J Hawk. Barnett is coming off of two straight injury shortened seasons and he’s older.
Here’s the thing; his contract is far more manageable.
A.J Hawk has $10 million coming to him next season. He’s either go to have to restructure that or the Packers are going to have to cut him.
Since Hawk is young and coming off his best season as a pro it would make sense that they try to get a draft pick out of him. They won’t get anything too good, but it will be an upgrade from letting an overpriced player walk for nothing.
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7. Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati Bengals
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Possible Suitors: Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots
Ochocinco has been more of a celebrity than a top notch receiver the last couple of years. The truth is that his skills are eroding. While he can still bring value to a team there is no question that he can’t go anywhere where they expect him to be the main target.
This leaves a few places, but the most obvious choice is the Oakland Raiders. Ocho recently tweeted that he was excited to see Hue Jackson as the coach of the Raiders and so that might make sense for Oakland to pursue him.
The Bengals couldn’t get more than a second or third round pick for him and the Raiders could use some depth at the wide out position. It’s clear that Ochocinco is on the downside, but Oakland could get value from him.
6. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals
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Possible Suitors: Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals
The Bengals and Palmer have been doing the standoff for months now. Palmer insists that if he isn’t traded he’s going to call it a career. The Bengals are likely to call his bluff. But let’s assume for a minute that the Bengals are able to draft a quarterback in the four spot. Let’s say they get their hands on Blaine Gabbert; then wouldn’t it make sense to ship out Palmer?
There are a host of teams that would look to bring him in. The most likely suitor of the bunch is Seattle. Palmer is younger than Hasselbeck, and he would be reunited with head coach Pete Carroll.
The whole question with Carson Palmer is what will the Bengals ask for in return. Palmer is not worth a first round pick, but maybe a combination of lower draft picks such as a two and a four. If they set the ante low enough they can get a taker. It’s better than losing him to retirement.
5. Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers
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Possible Suitors: New England Patriots
The Carolina Panthers' star receiver has been a forgotten man. This probably has something to do with the string of quarterback problems the Panthers have had. If Smith doesn’t get a quarterback who can throw him the ball, he’ll spend another season in the witness protection program.
The quest to get a quarterback got more complicated when Andrew Luck skipped the draft this season. Of course now there are whispers that Smith could be traded to New England. This makes sense for both teams as New England needs a big play receiver and the enormous amount of picks that the Patriots have collected over the years could serve as a good bargaining chip.
It’s not a given that Smith will be on his way out, but if the Panthers are prepared to rebuild then he gives them good value.
4. Kevin Kolb, Philadelphia Eagles
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Possible Suitors: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings
The Eagles have a serious issue brewing with Kevin Kolb. He was set to be the starting quarterback in Philadelphia until he got injured and Michael Vick got his groove back. Now the Eagles owe it to their organization to see if one of the leagues all-time most electric athletes was more than a one year wonder.
However, the problem is that it leaves Kolb on the bench.
Kolb showed that he’s capable, and that could lead to employment elsewhere if the Eagles are willing to part ways. The 49ers seem like a logical choice considering they are a franchise filled with young players and a new head coach. It would make sense to build something together and Kolb has a long future in the NFL if he pans out.
The Eagles could get good value for Kolb, especially if the 49ers don’t address the quarterback spot in the draft.
3. Albert Haynesworth, Washington Redskins
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Possible Suitors: Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars
Haynesworth is another man who was deemed a problem by Mike Shanahan, but in Haynesworth’s case he’s right. Haynesworth is not happy with the 3-4 defense they run. He’s more comfortable in the 4-3 where a defensive tackle is a bigger part of the game plan.
The only problem here is that Haynesworth is owed a lot of money on his contract, but that doesn’t mean that Haynesworth’s agent couldn’t work out the right compensation with a new team. Translation: if he wants out he can make it happen.
Don’t be surprised if Haynesworth ends up in Tennessee again. They still run the 4-3 defense that he prefers playing in, and Tennessee hated losing him the first time around. If they could get the money right then he could easily be back.
2. Donovan McNabb, Washington Redskins
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Possible Suitors: Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals
McNabb seemed like the future in Washington until Mike Shanahan determined that he was too lazy and too fat to be their quarterback. The rumor has it that McNabb has zero chance of being back next season. This means he’s going to be moved.
There are a few factors that play in. The first is his age. He’s no longer in his prime. The second factor is the two teams who seem the most interested.
Arizona is a good fit for McNabb in the short term, but in the long run they might be better off if Blaine Gabbert is around with the fifth pick in the draft or trying to trade for Kevin Kolb. However, if they aren’t available then McNabb is their best bet to keep Larry Fitzgerald happy.
The Minnesota Vikings might be a more realistic expectation. They are a veteran team that needs a quarterback who can guide them. McNabb will have a running game that’s he’s never had in his career. It could make sense for both parties to get this done. If the Vikings look outside for a quarterback, they’ll look for McNabb early.
1. Vince Young, Tennessee Titans
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Possible Suitors: Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers
Vince Young wore out his welcome in Tennessee. For a guy who is as good at winning football games as any young quarterback is, Young has often lacked the maturity to handle the position.
Still, that doesn’t mean Young doesn’t have serious value on the trade market. The truth is that Vince Young has skills and intangibles that can’t be taught. What Young needs more than anything at this point is a change of scenery and there should be quite a few takers for him when the Titans start listening to offers.
The team that jumps out is that Jacksonville Jaguars. Not only is Vince Young someone with more upside than David Garrard, but also he’s someone who can give a dying franchise some life. Jacksonville can’t get people to show up. Young isn’t the kind of draw Peyton Manning is, but he’s definitely an upgrade.
It's still up in the air where VY goes, but his name will be floated around as much as any in what should be a memorable NFL offseason.
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