2011 NFL Trade Speculation: 5 Trades That Could Shake Up the Postseason

With the NFL lockout likely ending within a week, or maybe even sooner, a number of individual player trades are likely to happen that will affect the rest of the teams in the National Football League in 2011.

The following slides will highlight five trades in particular that could really shake up the postseason. 

Steve Smith/Chad Johnson to the New England Patriots

Either of the two wide receivers listed could end up playing for another team next season, and New England is a strong possibility.

Smith and Johnson are both aging receivers with troubled pasts. Think Randy Moss.

If Steve Smith or Chad Johnson (or both) end up with the Patriots in 2011, Tom Brady will enter the season as the likely candidate for NFL MVP and the Patriots as a Super Bowl contender. 

Kyle Orton to the San Francisco 49ers

Orton will likely not play for the Denver Broncos in 2011.

I could see him heading to a team like San Francisco, who has major quarterback issues (despite having two No. 1 overall picks and a Heisman Trophy winner on their roster).

If Orton is traded to the 49ers in 2011, the Niners may enter the season as the favorite in the NFC West, instead of the St. Louis Rams. 

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to the Philadelphia Eagles

If Eagles' quarterback Kevin Kolb is traded for Cardinals cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, the Cardinals still don't have much of a chance of winning the NFC West.

But the Eagles will be arguably the best team in the NFC (besides the Green Bay Packers).

Rodgers-Cromartie is one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL, and he could solidify the weakest position on the Eagles in 2011. 

Donovan McNabb to the Minnesota Vkings

The Minnesota Vikings are still a talented football team, despite suffering through a poor 2010 season.

They drafted Christian Ponder with the 12th overall pick, but they're going to want to win now, and they could trade for Donovan McNabb.

McNabb played poorly in 2010, but the 34-year-old quarterback may have a year or two left before his career is over.

McNabb to Minnesota could make the Vikings a contender in the NFC North in 2011. 

Brandon Jacobs to the Miami Dolphins

Brandon Jacobs has stated that he does not want to play in New York any longer.

A trade to Miami could make sense, as he could replace aging veterans Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown.

The Dolphins wouldn't be able to compete in 2011 even with Jacobs, but the Giants would be a worse team.