Fantasy Football Rankings 2011: 3 QB Trades That Would Shake Up Fantasy Drafts

A flurry of NFL activity is expected to take place the next couple of weeks. Free agency will be the biggest piece of the puzzle to shape the 2011 fantasy football landscape, but trades will also play a major role. 

Three possible trade scenarios will have the biggest ripple effect for fantasy football owners.

Head of the Class: Kevin Kolb

The trade that will create the biggest wave is Kevin Kolb.

Kolb is the name you've been hearing the most during the lockout. He'll likely be the biggest name that is dealt and will also likely shake things up the most.

No matter where he's dealt, he'll be the starter, so Kolb will instantly jump in my top 25 fantasy football quarterback rankings.

You probably won't start him unless you are in a two-quarterback league, but he will find his way on fantasy teams as a QB2. 

The Kolb Factor: Part I

No matter where Kolb is dealt you'll see increased value for the receivers he'll be targeting. His most likely destination is Arizona, which makes Larry Fitzgerald the prime beneficiary. Kolb's arrival would allow Fitz to climb my top 25 fantasy football wide receiver rankings.

Fitz had a solid 2010 season (90 catches, 1,137 yards, six TDs) with Larry, Moe and Curly at quarterback, so getting a competent signal caller should return Fitz to the elite tier of fantasy receivers.

The rest of the Cardinals' receivers should get a boost as well, but none are worthy of being on most fantasy rosters.

If the Eagles land Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the trade, their fantasy defense will get a boost.

The Kolb Factor: Part II

This one is more of an insurance issue. If Michael Vick were to get hurt again, the Eagles' skill position players like DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy and Brent Celek could take a hit without a capable backup in place.

I wouldn't change my rankings (RB, WR, TE) for any of those players, but it is something to keep in mind.

Quietly Effective: Kyle Orton

Orton was almost a secondary thought in the Jay Cutler trade, but he's thrown for 7,454 yards and 41 TDs (21 INTs) compared to 6,940 yards, 50 TDs and 42 INTs. 

Obviously if Orton gets a starting gig, he will once again have fantasy value. I'd have to adjust my top 20 fantasy quarterback rankings to get him in.

The Orton Effect

Like Kolb, a trade would hurt the contingency plans for the Broncos' skill players should Tim Tebow get hurt. I wouldn't bump Brandon Lloyd in the rankings, but I would be a little more concerned if I drafted him.

Orton is rumored to land in Miami, which would help Brandon Marshall's value immensely. Marshall would jump into the top 15 of my 2011 fantasy football wide receiver rankings. 

Should Be, but Won't: Carson Palmer

The Bengals are moving on. They selected Andy Dalton in the 2011 NFL Draft, and it sounds like he's going to get every opportunity to open the season as the Bengals' starting quarterback.

If Carson Palmer were traded, he would find himself among the 2011 top 25 fantasy football quarterbacks. Mike Brown is stubborn though, so a Palmer deal seems unlikely.