NFL Trade Rumors: Reggie Bush and the 9 Least-Appealing Players Up for Grabs

By (Analyst) on June 27, 2011

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Despite the lockout, speculation on free agency along with possible trades has been alive and well this offseason.

Many reports and debate have focused on the most highly-touted players available, but this will be a different type of exercise. In this slideshow, I'll focus on some of the least-appealing options available via trade this offseason.

These players have experienced very different levels of success throughout their careers, but they all have one thing in common: They all have major knocks on them heading into 2011.

Without further ado, here's a look at the 10 least-appealing NFL players available via trade.

Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints

SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20:  Reggie Bush #25 of the New Orleans Saints warms up against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on September 20, 2010 in San Francisco, California.  (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Reggie Bush is overrated and overpaid.

The former second overall pick will cost the New Orleans Saints approximately $16 million in the final year of his rookie contract, and the team has no intention of letting that payday happen. There have been talks between the two parties regarding a contract restructuring, and Bush has gone on record supporting the idea.

The 26-year-old has only played 16 games once, in his rookie season. He's surpassed 100 total carries only three times, has only accumulated 500 rushing yards or more twice and hasn't done so since 2007.

Bush has been productive in the passing game, and has electrifying speed and agility, along with a nose for the end zone. With that said, he's no more than a third-down, complementary back.

The Saints would be insane to simply cut Bush if they can't come to an agreement on a renegotiated deal. New Orleans will seek compensation via trade if talks fall apart, but with a price tag as high as Bush's, it'll be one tough sell.

Roy Williams, Dallas Cowboys

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The Dallas Cowboys made one heck of a boneheaded decision when they traded for Roy Williams.

He will never live up to the investment the team made to get him. The Cowboys traded their first, third and sixth-round picks in the 2009 Draft to acquire Williams, then handed him a six-year, $54 million contract with $26 million in guarantees.

What has he done?

In three seasons, Williams has brought in 111 receptions for 1,556 yards and 14 touchdowns.

For comparison's sake, let's take a gander at his production in 2006 with the Lions. In that lone season, Williams had 82 receptions for 1,310 yards to along with seven touchdowns.

The emergence of Miles Austin and the quick development of Dez Bryant will allow the Cowboys to look for exit strategies from the Williams disaster, but at 29 years old, they'll be lucky to get more than a middle-round pick.

Josh Cribbs, Cleveland Browns

CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 07:  Wide receiver Joshua Cribbs #16 of the Cleveland Browns jumps for a pass with cornerback Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio.  (Photo by Matt Sullivan/
Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

Joshua Cribbs is one of the most talented and productive kick returners in the league, but his value may be waning.

The NFL competition committee voted to move the kickoff point from the 30-yard line to the 35, which is expected to dramatically alter kick returners' abilities to find holes and create big plays. 

Cleveland handed Cribbs a three-year contract in 2010 and hoped to develop him as wide receiver so his talents could be utilized more often. The experiment didn't go as planned, though.

Cribbs only made five starts and actually had more rushing yards in 2009 than receiving yards in 2010. He's not a wide receiver, and his value on special teams just took a major hit. The Browns may want to move him, but his stock is quickly slipping.

Kevin Kolb, Philadelphia Eagles

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 02:  Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Dallas Cowboys on January 2, 2011 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Kevin Kolb is benefiting from a simple economic principle.

The supply of available starting-caliber quarterbacks is running rather low, and the demand has never been higher. Nearly a third of the league has some form of quarterback controversy brewing, and Kolb's name has been linked to just about every one of them.

Michael Lombardi of the NFL Network has gone on record saying he doesn't beleive Kolb is even the best backup who could be available.

This sentiment about Kolb's potential has been echoed by many GMs and analysts. The Eagles probably value him more than any other franchise, and that's going to be a major impediment to moving him.

Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati Bengals

CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 21:  Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals watches the final minute of the Bengals 49-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Paul Brown Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio.  (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Sometimes it seems like Chad Ochocinco tries to be his team's worst nightmare.

He's a diva wideout through and through, and there's little chance he'll stay with the Cincinnati Bengals this season.

The problem is the majority of the league knows that as well.

The Bengals may be forced to cut Ochocinco, despite his relatively strong value. He's certainly fallen off a bit as his career enters the twilight stage, but he's far from done. He'll continue to be productive in 2011 in another uniform, but due to his mouth and antics, Cincinnati probably won't get a single bit of compensation.

Vince Young, Tennessee Titans

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Pictured above is former New England Patriots bust, Laurence Maroney, consoling Tennessee Titans bust, Vince Young.

Young's career in a Titans uniform is absolutely over; the team's new head coach, Mike Munchak, made that crystal clear.

Much like Ochocinco, Young's attitude has severely affected his overall value. His talents and potential are sure to attract interest, and the Titans will surely receive reimbursement for him, but it won't be nearly as high as it could have been.

Then again, I suppose they wouldn't be looking to trade him if he hadn't hissy-fitted his way out of Tennessee.

Lee Evans, Buffalo Bills

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 18: Lee Evans #83 stands next to Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Buffalo Bills in disbelief after a ruled catch of his was overturned during the game against the New York Jets on October 18, 2009 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherf
Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Lee Evans' production and age are the two major culprits lessening his value for the Buffalo Bills

He's 30 years old and coming off the worst statistical season of his career in which he was largely ignored due to double coverage.

The Bills' coaching staff is now talking up the idea of getting him more involved in the offense, but head coach Chan Gailey wouldn't even rule out his release in January.

Evans is due a $1.5 million roster bonus once the new league year begins and is due about $4.8 million total in 2011. We've seen the Bills do more stupid things than possibly releasing or keeping Evans. The team would best suited to seek whatever value they could get and cut their losses.

Jimmy Clausen, Carolina Panthers

TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 14:  Quarterback Jimmy Clausen #2 of the Carolina Panthers is stopped short of the goal line by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense during the game at Raymond James Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Tampa, Florida.  (Photo by J. Meric/Gett
J. Meric/Getty Images

Let's play the "Find Jimmy Clausen in that pile" game.

It's pretty easy to do, because he's probably at the bottom of it.

In 10 starts in 2010, Clausen was sacked 33 times and fumbled on nine occasions. He posted a 3:9 touchdown to interception ratio and was 1-9 as the starter.

His performance, or lack thereof, allowed the Carolina Panthers to select Cam Newton in April's draft, which makes Clausen largely expendable. It'll be interesting to see if another team sees something in the former Notre Dame standout.

Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 25:  Runningback Marion Barber #24 of the Dallas Cowboys walks the sidelines during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 25, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated t
Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Marion Barber finds himself in a similar situation as Thomas.

The Dallas Cowboys now have a pretty crowded backfield with the selection of DeMarco Murray this year. Felix Jones and Tashard Choice have proved to be much more valuable as of late, and Barber appears to be the odd man out.

He only averaged 3.3 yards per carry last season, and Barber is due nearly $5 million in 2011. Dallas won't retain him next season, so the question is whether they can get anything for him.

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