Even with a CBA in question, this NFL offseason is filled with intrigue and speculation as to where players are going to end up.
As we near the NFL draft the hot stove continues to heat up. Who will go at the top of the draft is all but certain, and many veteran players could be on the trading block.
Every NFL team is impacted by trade rumors that are currently circling around.
Buffalo Bills: Will Lee Evans Be Dealt?
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According to what a source has told Adam Caplan of Fox Sports, Bills wide receiver Lee Evans is owed a $1.5 million bonus on the fifth day of the league year and a base salary of $3.275 million for the 2011 season.
After hitting career lows in receptions and receiving yards, the Bills may look to cut ties with Evans.
However, a contributing factor may be the Bills' ability to find a viable replacement for Evans. Because of a lack of depth at the wide receiver position the Bills may hang on to Evans, hoping that he returns to form.
Miami Dolphins Look to Acquire a Veteran RB
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One of the main goals of the Miami Dolphins front office is to sign an experience running back.
Fortunately for the Dolphins, there are a bevy of options. Clinton Portis and Willis McGahee are two options. Portis is a free agent and McGahee is set to be released.
The Dolphins may instead look to target a pair of RFAs—DeAngelo Williams and Ahmad Bradshaw. Depending on the new CBA, the restrictions on the backs may be lifted.
However, the favorite appears to be Darren Sproles. Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano is very high on the back.
New England Patriots Likely to Trade a First-Round Pick
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The New England Patriots have two first-round picks in the upcoming draft (17th and 28th).
The Patriots may trade one of these picks but not necessarily to move down. Mark Ingram has been a target of theirs. He may not still be available when the Pats' first pick comes around, so they may have to move up to get him.
The Patriots have a lot to work with as they have 10 picks in the 2011 NFL draft.
New York Jets: Targeting Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor
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After reaching the final four of the NFL for a second straight year, the New York Jets are, again, picking at the end of the first round.
The Jets are looking to fill the hole left from the departure of Kris Jenkins. They appear to be targeting defensive tackle Phil Taylor from Baylor.
They may have to move up in the draft to acquire him. We will see just how big the Jets are on Taylor if they are faced with the decision to trade up to get him.
Baltimore Ravens May Part Ways with Veteran Receivers
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During a conference call with Baltimore Ravens season ticket holders, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was uncertain about the futures of wide receivers T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Donte' Stallworth.
"You can't really put a percentage basis on it because there are so many things up in the air at this time," Harbaugh said of the chance the receivers will return, according to the Ravens' official website. "There are obviously a lot of issues that haven't been a part of the equation in the past."
Cincinnati Bengals: Where Will They Target a QB in the Draft?
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The Cincinnati Bengals have a variety of needs so they may elect not to pick a quarterback with the fourth overall pick.
Instead, they may look to target a signal-caller early in the second round. The problem is they are interested in Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder, who is quickly ascending draft boards.
The Bengals may have to move up to the end of the first round to get Ponder.
Cleveland Browns May Trade Down in the Draft
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Given the positions the Browns are targeting (defensive end and wide receiver), they may look to trade down in the draft.
Although the Browns are high on Da'Quan Bowers, this draft class appears to be deep with outside pass rushers, so the Browns could likely trade down and still get a quality pick.
Trading down would also help their draft strategy in later rounds when they look to target a receiver. This draft is deep with second-round wide receiver talent so the Browns won't want to draft a receiver early in that round with their 37th overall pick.
The Browns could use the pick that they would obtain for trading down to draft a wideout later on.
Pittsburgh Steelers Trading Up in the Draft to Get Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado?
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After the Pittsburgh Steelers' Super Bowl loss it was evident that the team needs help at the corner position.
Patrick Peterson of LSU and Prince Amukamara will be gone long before the Steelers pick. However, they have shown interest in Jimmy Smith from Colorado.
He is a top-15 talent and will likely be picked before the Steelers are on the board, as many teams seem to be pursuing him.
If the Steelers want Smith, they will have to trade up to get him.
Houston Texans: Moving Up in the Draft to Help Shape New 3-4 Defense
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As Wade Phillips takes over as defensive coordinator and the Houston Texans switch to a 3-4, they will look to fill holes on defense.
They have needs at both cornerback and outside linebacker. There are three players they are targeting: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M; Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska; and Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU.
The Texans pick at 11, so it is likely all three of the players could be gone. If only one of them is left near the end of the top 10 picks, look for them to trade up.
The Indianapolis Colts Parting Ways with Reggie Wayne?
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Reggie Wayne is entering the final year of his contract. Wayne, 32, has shown no signs of aging, as he had 111 receptions for 1,355 yards last year.
The problem is the Colts don't usually sign players in their 30s to long-term deals, and they plan to make Peyton Manning the highest-paid player in football, so that means less money for Wayne.
The Colts may look to draft a young wide receiver for insurance in case they have to part ways with Wayne.
Jacksonville Jaguars Targeting a QB in the Draft?
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Although some experts have the Jacksonville Jaguars drafting a defensive end with the 16th overall pick, that may not be the case.
CBSSports.com senior writer Peter Prisco thinks the Jags should target Christian Ponder.
It may be likely that the Jags can trade down and draft Ponder as he is slated to go late in the first or early in the second round.
Tennessee Titans to Part Ways with Nate Washington?
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Last season we saw the emergence of Kenny Britt. However, another young Tennessee Titans wide receiver has been garnering attention.
Damien Williams could contend for more playing time during the 2011 season.
This leaves current No. 2 receiver, Nate Washington, the odd man out. As the Titans look to retool with younger talent, Washington may soon be out of Tennessee.
Denver Broncos Could Trade the Second Overall Pick
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The Denver Broncos have been kicking around the possibility of trading the second overall pick.
The scenario will become even more likely if the Carolina Panthers select either Blaine Gabbert or Cam Newton with the first pick.
This will force the hand of other quarterback-needy teams and could drive up the asking price of the No. 2 pick.
If the Broncos stay put, they may draft Marcell Dareus.
Kansas City Chiefs Interested in Drafting a QB?
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The Kansas City Chiefs are looking to draft a quarterback late in the draft. However, it may not be just to find a backup to Matt Cassel.
Some are saying that 2011 may be a make-or-break year for Matt Cassel. If he performs poorly the Chiefs will want to have a long term alternative in place.
Could Cassel once again be shipped off? It is unlikely, but anything is possible in the NFL.
One possible selection for the Kansas City Chiefs is T.J. Yates from North Carolina.
Vince Young to the Oakland Raiders
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This one may be a bit of a stretch but doesn't this seem like something that would happen?
Even with the departure of former head coach Jeff Fisher, Vince Young may still be dealt from the Tennessee Titans for a mid- to late-round draft pick.
Al Davis loves athletic players so he may be the one willing to give Vince Young a second chance, especially if the asking price is low.
San Diego Chargers to Acquire First-Round Pick from New England Patriots
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If the New England Patriots decide not to trade up for Mark Ingram, they may look to trade the later of their first-round picks.
An ideal suitor would be the San Diego Chargers. The two organizations have a great working relationship.
Additionally, the Chargers have the ammunition to make a deal happen. Chargers GM A.J. Smith has five of the first 89 picks to bargain with.
Dallas Cowboys to Pass on Prince Amukamara and Trade Down
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Although some experts have the Dallas Cowboys drafting Prince Amukamara, they don't seem to be very high on the Nebraska cornerback.
The Cowboys may instead draft an offensive lineman to start at the right tackle position. Marc Colombo and Leonard Davis are likely to be cut so there will be a big void to fill.
New York Giants Pursuing Nnamdi Asomugha
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The lockout prevents teams from contacting players. However, this hasn't stopped Justin Tuck from campaigning for Nnamdi Asomugha to come to the New York Giants.
"New York City is the place to be and that draws on its own, and plus we are a team that hasn't gotten over the [hump] and a player like him would definitely help do so," Tuck told ESPN.com.
Although Asomugha is a free agent, the Giants may need to move around a few pieces if they land the highly coveted cornerback, as he will command a high asking price.
Philadelphia Eagles Look to Deal Kevin Kolb
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It is no secret that Kevin Kolb is on the trading block. It is just a matter of who is interested.
Currently, the front-runner appears to be the Seattle Seahawks.
According to SI's Peter King, one team has already offered the Eagles a first-round pick, and some speculate that team may be the Seahawks.
Some of the other teams said to be in the running are the Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers and Tennessee Titans.
Washington Redskins Send Donovan McNabb to the Minnesota Vikings
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The Washington Redskins are looking to deal Donovan McNabb and the Minnesota Vikings are looking to fill the void left by Brett Favre, so the two franchises could become trade partners.
This trade seems like it would make a lot of sense for the Vikings.
“He would be plugged into a system where they have Sidney Rice—they’ll find a way to keep him there—and he would have a lot of weapons, with Adrian Peterson in the backfield. With everything they have going offensively, they’ll be able to plug in McNabb and have success,” says Jon Jansen of the NFL Network.
Chicago Bears Try to Acquire Albert Haynesworth from the Washington Redskins
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The Chicago Bears are looking for answer at the defensive tackle position. Is Albert Haynesworth what they are looking for?
"I could see Bears seriously considering [Haynesworth]," Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com said. "Character issues would likely be deal breaker though."
It appears a Haynesworth-to-Chicago deal is unlikely at the moment. However, that could change if the Bears are presented with the right offer.
Detroit Lions to Trade Up for Prince Amukamara
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It is likely the Detroit Lions will be targeting a cornerback. The Lions have the 13th pick. Prince Amukamara and Patrick Peterson are expected to go in the top 10. The Texans are picking 11th and then may take Jimmy Smith.
This very scenario may force the Lions to trade up to get a cornerback. Expected them to go after Amukamara first and then Smith if he isn't available.
Green Bay Packers to Trade Up for Von Miller?
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The Green Bay Packers would have to give up a lot to make this happen given their draft position. Although the Packers like Von Miller, it is unlikely to happen.
"We had a pretty good team going into last year's draft, and we had four college free agents make our team and contribute to us winning the Super Bowl. I think the more picks the better, no matter what shape your team is in," said Packers GM Ted Thompson.
Even if the Packers pursued moving up for Miller, they don't have enough draft picks to make it happen.
Minnesota Vikings to Move and Draft Blaine Gabbert
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If the Minnesota Vikings had their choice, they would likely select Blaine Gabbert. The problem is there are teams better positioned in the draft who also want the Missouri quarterback.
It will be difficult for the Vikings to get into position to draft Gabbert. Twelve pick before the Vikings and at least seven of those teams may want a quarterback.
The Vikings may settle for TCU's Andy Dalton as their next option.
Atlanta Falcons to Trade Up for A.J. Green
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Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution suggests that the Atlanta Falcons trade up to draft Georgia's A.J. Green.
Although this may be difficult to pull off, it makes a lot of sense. From a marketing standpoint, fans would love Green after seeing him play in-state for several years. From a football standpoint, he would be a great complement to Roddy White.
Would the Carolina Panthers Trade the First Overall Pick?
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There seems to be a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Carolina Panthers and the first pick. So would it be possible for them to trade down?
The scenario seems pretty unlikely. However, there is one thing to consider. There are a lot of quarterback-hungry teams who may be willing to give up a lot to acquire a quarterback. If the Panthers get blown away by an offer, they may reconsider holding on to the first overall pick.
Albert Hayneswoth to the New Orleans Saints
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There have been a few reports that have linked the New Orleans Saints to Albert Haynesworth.
The Redskins have been shopping Haynesworth around but haven't been pleased with what has been offered.
An acquisition of Haynesworth, if he can return to form, could propel the Saints back to the Super Bowl.
Tampa Bay Bucaneers to Trade Down
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With their first pick, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be looking for some help on their defensive line. Since there is a great deal of depth at these positions the Bucs may look to trade down to compile more picks.
One guy they may be targeting is Adrian Clayborn from Iowa.
Arizona Cardinals: Will They Draft a QB or Trade for One?
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It is almost certain that the Arizona Cardinals will acquire a quarterback this offseason. The question is, how?
They have the fifth overall pick, so the draft is a very likely possibility as they, along with several other teams, seem to be targeting Blaine Gabbert.
If both Cam Newton and Gabbert are taken before they pick, they may instead try to go after a veteran quarterback such as Kevin Kolb or Donovan McNabb.
St. Louis Rams to Trade Down in Draft
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The St. Louis Rams are slotted at the 14th spot. Rams GM Billy Devaney thinks there are several good players who will be available when the Rams pick.
"No question," Devaney said. "We know that already. There's going to be a cluster of guys there—and really good players. That's a given."
If the Rams are not dead-set on anyone when they are on the clock, they may trade down.
Donovan McNabb to the San Francisco 49ers
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If the Minnesota Vikings can't get a deal done, look for the San Francisco 49ers to get into the mix. The quarterback position appears to be the last piece of the puzzle for the Niners.
It would make sense to add a veteran under center who can get you wins right away.
With McNabb, the 49ers would be considered front-runners in the NFC West.
Seattle Seahawks Deal Matt Hasselbeck to the Tennessee Titans
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Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean believes Matt Hasselbeck is on the radar of the Tennessee Titans.
Although Hasselbeck is set to be a free agent, a sign-and-trade type of deal could be a possibility, especially if the Seahawks re-sign Hasselbeck and then decide to acquire another quarterback. Hasselbeck has already said he would like to re-sign.
Could you imagine a deal involving Vince Young and Matt Hasselbeck?
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