NFL Draft 2011: Kevin Kolb and 7 Draft-Day Trades That Make Perfect Sense

Unfortunately for football fans, the NFL Players Association has decertified and the NFL has started the lockout process.

It would have been interesting if the NFL had decided not to lockout players, as free agency would have begun immediately after the expiration of the CBA.

However, here we are, in the midst of an NFL lockout. 

As fans we can only hope that something can get resolved before draft day.  While at this point it doesn't seem likely, fans should not be deprived of the draft day experience.

This year could prove to be one of the most entertaining drafts, if the following trades are permitted to take place:

Carolina Trading the No. 1 Pick

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 1: Defensive back Patrick Peterson of LSU works out during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Carolina trades the first overall pick

Dallas trades the ninth pick, the 40th pick, and the 140th pick

The Carolina Panthers have a lot of needs on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.  Cam Newton has been gaining steam to be the first overall selection over the past week, however, the Panthers have not given any indication on what they plan to do with the pick.

The Panthers do not currently have a second round pick and would be best served by trading down and acquiring as many solid players as they can.

One team that may be interested in trading up is the Dallas Cowboys.  The Dallas Cowboys desperately need another cornerback, and many people have them taking Prince Amukamara with the ninth pick in the draft.  The problem is that every team below them knows they desperately need a corner, therefore, any team looking to trade up for Amukamara will know they need to jump Dallas.

Dallas' only way to secure a top corner would be to trade up in the draft.  They can do that by trading up to the first pick and drafting Patrick Peterson, the best corner in the draft and the safest pick.

This trade makes perfect sense for Dallas as Patrick Peterson is the total package; he is fast, strong, and will quickly turn into a shutdown corner in the NFL. 

Albert Haynesworth to the Tennessee Titans

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NASHVILLE, TN - JANUARY 10: Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth #92 of the Tennessee Titans looks on after losing to the Baltimore Ravens 13-10 during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game on January 10, 2009 at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by And

Washington trades Albert Haynesworth

Tennessee trades the 77th overall pick

Albert Haynesworth trade rumors have been swirling for nearly an entire year.  He is not happy in Washington and the Redskins don't seem to want him around anymore. 

The only question in this trade is how much the Titans are willing to give up, and what the Redskins want in return. The Redskins have been greedy in the past, however, the Redskins need to cut their losses and move on from the Haynesworth experiment.

The Redskins have been insistent on getting a second round selection for Albert, while the Titans have only been willing to offer a fourth round pick. 

In the end, these two teams will meet in the middle and Tennessee will give up a third round selection to acquire the highest paid defensive player of all-time.

Jimmy Clausen to the Indianapolis Colts

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Jimmy Clausen #2 of the Carolina Panthers throws a pass in the second quarter during their game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Indianapolis Colts get Jimmy Clausen

Carolina Panthers get the 118th overall pick

According to recent reports, Jimmy Clausen does not appear to have many supporters left in Carolina, as it was pretty clear from day one that Clausen was not ready for the NFL.

Carolina is evidently seeking either a veteran quarterback or looking to draft their QB of the future in this year's draft. 

Carolina should part ways with Clausen if they do not plan to give him a shot to be their starting QB. This would be similar to the Cleveland Browns parting ways with Brady Quinn when they elected to bring in Jake Delhomme and Colt McCoy.

For the Colts this trade gives them a backup QB that has some NFL playing experience and gives Peyton Manning a young QB to groom.  This trade would be most beneficial for Clausen as he gets to learn from one of the best to ever play the game.

Carson Palmer to the Minnesota Vikings

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals calls a play at the line of scrimage while playing the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty

Minnesota Vikings get Carson Palmer

Cincinnati Bengals get the 136th overall pick and a second round pick in 2012

Carson Palmer has demanded that he be traded and there are a lot of teams that need a QB.  To this point, the Bengals don't seem to be willing to trade their starting QB. 

However, the Bengals need to realize their team is not build to win now and they need to start cleaning house, starting with Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco.

The Bengals have a high enough selection where they may be able to land Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert.  If they can land one of those two players, or land Ryan Mallett in the second round, it would be in their best interest to trade Carson Palmer.

The Minnesota Vikings are one of the teams in the market for a veteran QB, and are the team best poised to make a playoff run if they land a veteran QB. Drafting a rookie QB makes no sense for the Vikings, as they are not in a rebuilding mode and they need to win now if they want to keep Adrian Peterson in town.

Washington Redskins Trading the No. 10 Pick

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ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 01: Julio Jones #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide rushes for a touchdown during the Capitol One Bowl against the Michigan State Spartans at the Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty I

New England Patriots get the tenth overall pick and the 172nd overall pick

Washington Redskins get the 17th overall pick and 33rd overall pick

The Washington Redskins, like the Carolina Panthers both have a lot of holes they need to address this offseason.

The Redskins will be a prime target for teams looking to trade up in the draft. One team that is usually trading down in drafts has a surplus of picks they could use to acquire this pick. 

That team is the New England Patriots. New England desperately needs a WR to play opposite of Deion Branch, in order to move Wes Welker back to the slot. 

Julio Jones will likely be available when the Redskins go on the clock and the Patriots should be picking up the phone.

Even with trading these two picks, the Patriots will end up with three picks in the first two rounds, so it only makes sense.

Donovan McNabb to the Arizona Cardinals

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins on the sidelines against play against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Arizona Cardinals get Donovan McNabb

Washington Redskins get the 102nd overall pick and a 2012 conditional fifth round selection (would become a fourth if the Cardinals make the playoffs and a third if the Cardinals make the Super Bowl)

It is no secret that the Arizona Cardinals need a new QB if they are going to keep Larry Fitzgerald in town.  Don't expect the Cardinals to bring in a rookie signal caller, as they need a proven veteran if they are going to win the NFC West next season.

McNabb was benched last season for Rex Grossman and does not appear to have a future in Washington. 

This trade would satisfy all parties involved including Fitzgerald, McNabb, the Cardinals and the Redskins.  The Redskins need to add more picks and this would help them to fill some of their other needs.

Kevin Kolb to the San Francisco 49ers

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CINCINNATI - AUGUST 20: Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball during the NFL preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on August 20, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

San Francisco gets Kevin Kolb

Philadephia gets the 45th overall pick and a conditional 2012 fourth round selection (becomes a third round selection if the 49ers make the playoffs)

Michael Vick was franchised by the Philadelphia Eagles so they can afford to part ways with Kevin Kolb.  After trading Donovan McNabb the season before, the Eagles expected Kolb to step in and take control of the team. 

However, he went down week one and Michael Vick took the NFL by storm, again.

Kolb is the perfect QB for Jim Harbaugh in San Francisco.  He is accurate, young and has a good head on his shoulders. 

Alex Smith appears to be out of favor with the front office in San Francisco and Harbaugh likely won't want to use his first round pick on a QB.  Harbaugh could trade for Kolb and draft Prince Amukamara with his first round pick, something that would fill a huge need for the 49ers.