NFL Signings 2011: 5 Biggest Trades of the NFL Offseason

There's been a massive run on trades in the first few days following the end of the lockout. I figured there would be some movement of players: a few trades, some signings and couple of kind of shocking cuts.

I never thought it would hit this level. Already we've seen star caliber players traded for practically nothing, and unproven quarterbacks given eight figure contracts. Here's a quick look at some of the biggest deals in the first few days of the post lockout NFL.

Chad (Ochocinco) Johnson Traded to the Patriots

This former soccer player is looking to try his hand at football this season. I don’t really know what his name is anymore. All I’m sure of is that he’s going to New England.

The Cincinnati Bengals traded Ocho to New England Patriots for a fifth round-pick in 2012 and a sixth-round pick in 2013 . Next year the Patriots are going to have all the more media attention in 2011.

From a player standpoint, its a solid pickup for the Patriots who get a veteran wide receiver. He should see good numbers with Brady throwing his way.

Albert Haynesworth Traded to the Patriots

Talk about a waste of money. The Redskins are bailing out of the Albert Haynesworth experiment, and all they got was a 2013 fifth-round pick from the Patriots and a T-Shirt. In two seasons with the Skins, Haynesworth played in only 20 games and recorded merely 6.5 sacks.  Haynesworth signed a $100 million contract with the Redskins in 2009.

Not much can be expected from Haynesworth, but if he gets himself back into he could end up a Randy Moss like bargain for the Pats.

Donovan McNabb Traded to the Vikings

The Redskins rebuilding effort is in full bloom, as they received a sixth-round pick 2012 and conditional sixth round-pick in 2013 in return for McNabb. McNabb travels to the Midwest to try and resurrect his once promising career. 

This is really an excellent move for both teams. McNabb doesn't work in the Redskins system and the Vikes need a real quarterback for a few years, until Christian Ponder develops.

For more see: McNabb to the Vikings Analysis

Reggie Bush Traded to the Dolphins

The formerly Heisman trophy winner will get a fresh start in South Beach, as the Saints sent Bush to the Dolphins in exchange for safety Jonathon Amaya and a few undisclosed draft picks. Oncoming salary cap issues predicated the trade. Bush was due $11.8 million in 2011, however, since the trade he renegotiated with the Dolphins and will instead make $10 million over the next two seasons.

Bush is expected to lead the Dolphins running offense, something he hasn't yet be able to do on his own.

Kevin Kolb Traded to the Cardinals

Kolb is still unproven as a starter for a full season. He is injury prone and untested in critical games.  The Cardinals didn’t seem to care as they traded cornerback Dominique Rogers-Cromartie and a 2012 second-round pick to the Eagles in exchange for Kolb. Kolb lost his job as Eagles quarterback to Michael Vick last season. The Cardinals had a terrible time with their quarterbacks last year and Kolb could potentially be a great pick up. Potentially, as he’s got to stay healthy and justify the five-year $63 million dollar contract he signed.