NFL Trade Speculation: 6 Players on the Trading Block Most Worth the Gamble

The work stoppage this offseason has prevented many teams from exploring trade deals.  This year's trade market features some high-profile names from around the league.  These players may have suffered poor form or become disruptive influences for their current teams, but they still possess the name recognition and the talent to make them desirable to a lot of franchises.

With league business widely anticipated to resume within the next week, teams will begin the process of collecting compensation for their tradeable commodities.  The lockout may have limited the overall bargaining power of teams anxious to shift troublesome stars.

Coaches and general managers with players on the trading block could well be forced into reducing their original expectations and accepting the minimum consideration for their players.

Those looking to trade for a particular talent will have to asses whether the player has a realistic chance of coming in and turning their new team around with so little preparation time left.

Here are six players who are most worth a trade gamble.

6. Donovan McNabb

After a season in the nation's capital mired in indifferent performance and controversial clashes with coaches, Donovan McNabb may not seem like the ideal candidate for a second straight trade.  But the former Syracuse standout still has the experience and ability to capably direct an offense in 2011.

Many of McNabb's problems in D.C. stemmed from his inability to fully grasp a system far removed from the one he had been immersed in since his rookie season.  Going to a team with a more familiar style of offense, or one that may be forced to favour a simple gameplan, could provide McNabb with comfort level necessary to recapture his best form.

The Minnesota Vikings have long been rumoured to be keen on making a play for the former Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro.  In many ways the move could be a dream scenario for McNabb.  New Vikings head coach Leslie Frazer is familiar with McNabb from his days as an assistant coach in Philadelphia.

The Vikings have a solid defense already in place and some useful weapons on offense.  McNabb could call on the talents of dynamic rusher Adrian Petersen and possibly wideout Sydney Rice.  He would be supplemented by a much stronger supporting cast than the one which greeted him in Washington.

The one major risk with a move for McNabb is the quarterback's hefty contract for the 2011 season.  His deal promises $10 million and could be too big an investment for a rebuilding team to make in a player facing the downside of his career. 

5. Steve Smith

Heavily rumoured to desire a move away from NFC South cellar dwellers the Carolina Panthers earlier this offseason, veteran burner Steve Smith would merit a gamble from most teams around the league.

Teams in need of an elite deep threat to cement their status as a top contender should consider an enquiry about the compensation the Panthers would require to give up their star asset.  The New England Patriots and Chicago Bears would each make great use of Smith's playmaking skills.

Whether or not the Panthers would be willing to begin their rebuilding efforts by parting ways with their top player remains to be seen.  Any deal for Smith would probably need to include high round draft picks as bait.  This could be too high a ransom for a player aged 32.

But Smith is a proven commodity and his game changing ability would prove crucial to teams searching for that final piece.

4. Kyle Orton

The production of Kyle Orton was probably the lone bright spot in an otherwise dismal 2010 season for the Denver Broncos.  Orton is coming off back to back 20 touchdown and 3,500+ yd seasons.

Despite his impressive play, Orton has still been talked about as a candidate for a trade.  With new head coach John Fox seeking to reverse the fortunes of a franchise which slumped to 4-12 in 2010, many feel the time could be ripe for highly touted youngster Tim Tebow to take over.

Given his recent productivity, Orton is unlikely to want to be a backup and could push for a move.  Orton can put up decent numbers and some teams in need of a signal caller may feel the time is right for him make his mark as the centerpiece of an offense.

But the Broncos would want decent remuneration for Orton's services.  Orton is still yet to completely convince as a starter capable leading a winning team deep into the playoffs.

  

3. Osi Umenyiora

Osi Umenyiora continues to test the patience of the New York Giants' hierarchy.  His public outbursts along with the emergence of promising youngsters like Jason Pierre-Paul, could increase the chances of the Giants moving Umenyiora on.

His age and his penchant for voicing his disapproval make Umenyiora a risk.  Scheduled to turn 30 prior to the season, Umenyiora will still feel he merits every down starter's status.  Given his tremendous skills as an edge rusher, he just might have a point.

Any team in need of a legitimate pass rush threat to boost their defense, ought to strongly consider taking a chance on Umenyiora.  He would be a perfect fit for the Jacksonville Jaguars, provided he wouldn't mind sharing top billing with fellow defensive end Aaron Kampman.

2. Carson Palmer

Recent injury concerns represent the biggest risk surrounding a trade for Carson Palmer.  But the 31-year old is still able to lead an offense.

Any team looking to acquire Palmer would need to accurately gauge his arm strength and durability.  When healthy Palmer can light up scoreboards and would be a good fit for a team with useful weapons already in place, such as the Arizona Cardinals.

Palmer's standoff over a desired trade with reluctant Bengals owner Mike Brown means that teams could be forced into offering a hefty trade package to force the Bengals into a deal.  But in fresh surroundings and provided he remains healthy, Palmer could be worth the investment.

1. Albert Haynesworth

A trade for malcontent defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth represents the very definition of a high risk, high reward gamble.  Haynesworth's rebellious temperament and controversial baggage make him a big gamble for any team interested in trying to get the best out of him.

But his incredible talent will always tempt somebody into giving him a shot.  With a quick first step and immense power, Haynesworth can destroy any blocking scheme.  His presence in the interior defensive line makes all those around him more productive.

Having chafed against the Redskins' desire to convert him into a 3-4 nose tackle, Haynesworth wants a return to a defensive system which better suits his talents and allows him to be the playmaker his ego demands.  Any 4-3 team looking for a dominant 3-technique, cannot afford to ignore the possibilities Haynesworth brings to a defense.

If general managers and coaches can look past the potential negative impact he could have on the locker room, then there should be plenty of demand for Haynesworth.  He has been heavily linked with a move to Philadelphia.  The Eagles would have to put together an attractive compensatory offer to convince the Redskins to offload Haynesworth to a division rival.

But if the Eagles are serious about finally winning a Super Bowl and not wasting another talented squad, then they should seriously pursue a deal for Haynesworth.

If the lockout lifts soon teams will actively pursue trade deals and under the circumstances of this disrupted offseason, some gambles will have to be taken.