NFL Rumors: 4 Players That Could Be on the Move

Not much is in the air right now; however, there's sure to be some trading going on this offseason.

With some players making a name for themselves and with teams needing to improve via trade and the NFL Draft, there will be some noise.

Here are four players that may be on the move in the 2012 NFL offseason.

Santonio Holmes: WR, Jets

According to ESPN.com, Jets WR Santonio Holmes was benched toward the game's end in Week 17:

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New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes "quit" on the team during the final two minutes of a season-ending loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, a team source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

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The loss of respect that Holmes has probably suffered amongst his teammates will have an effect in the offseason. And although it would be difficult to see the Super Bowl XLIII MVP get traded, it should be considered.

A team like the Arizona Cardinals wouldn't be a bad fit. WR Larry Fitzgerald could use some help in the passing offense and Holmes is a proven target. It's clear, though, that Holmes isn't a dominant No. 1 WR.

In Pittsburgh, Holmes had Hines Ward to count on, while the newly acquired Plaxico Burress was the only other legitimate WR in New York. TE Dustin Keller is solid and Mark Sanchez has improved, but the situation clearly never worked in the Big Apple.

Not to mention going across the country would be a nice refresher and the Cardinals have yet to find that solid replacement for Anquan Boldin. It'd be a win-win trade for both teams as the Jets no longer have to deal with Holmes while the Cardinals have nothing to lose.

Based on his production this season, Arizona QB John Skelton could do a lot with Fitz and Holmes out wide.

Matt Leinart: QB, Texans

With the established Matt Schaub, the veteran Jake Delhomme and the rising rookie QB TJ Yates, the Houston Texans have no use for Matt Leinart.

Therefore, if Leinart wants a shot to start again in the NFL, he'll have to go elsewhere.

Luckily for Leinart, there are a few teams who could use him for backup purposes at least. The Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and St. Louis Rams would all be decent teams to get traded to.

It's the Jaguars, however, who will give him the best starting opportunity. With rookie QB Blaine Gabbert looking like a bust, Jacksonville is an ideal place for Leinart. Provided that Jacksonville doesn't draft a QB in round one, they should make a deal with Houston despite being division rivals.

For one, the Jaguars have a top 10 defense (No. 8 versus the pass and No. 9 versus the run). So he has help there and a safety outlet in the backfield in RB Maurice Jones-Drew.

Leinart still has a strong arm and if Jacksonville drafts a stud WR, that will open up their offense quite a bit.

Worst case-scenario: Leinart and Gabbert get into a QB battle during training camp. It's clear that neither of Jacksonville's QBs got the job done this season, so Leinart's best opportunity to start is there.

Plus, with all their other QBs in Houston, Leinart should want out anyway if he wants to play. Otherwise he'll go into 2012 as the No. 3 QB (best case-scenario).

Matt Flynn: QB, Packers

It's certainly a tough call for Green Bay because every team needs that backup QB to rely on—the Packers did in Week 17.

But, after the record setting performance put on by Matt Flynn against the Lions' starters, matching Matthew Stafford score-for-score, Green Bay will here some proposals for Flynn.

Obviously the question comes down to whether Flynn wants to leave Green Bay. He's arguably the NFL's best backup QB and deserves a shot to start full-time—much like Matt Cassel. Cassel, however, had a whole year to do it.

Regardless, coming in without having played much outside of the preseason, Flynn put on a show against a playoff team.

Therefore, a team like Cleveland wouldn't be a bad idea. For one, the Browns will get RB Brandon Jackson back healthy in 2012 and Flynn has better potential than both Seneca Wallace and Colt McCoy.

As long as the Browns draft a WR, Flynn's proven dominance (without Greg Jennings, mind you) will be of use for Cleveland.

Their receiving core just needs one dominant target to open up the playbook and with Wallace and McCoy having dealt with injuries on more than one occasion, Matt Flynn is worth considering.

Andre Carter: DE, Patriots

With his age and injury this season, the New England Patriots need some young and fresh blood along their defensive line.

They should trade Andre Carter to Kansas City and get a draft pick(s) for him.

The Chiefs finished their season at 7-9 and ranked No. 27 (tied with three others) with just 29 sacks on the year. Pass-rusher Tamba Hali accounted for 12 sacks; no one else really played up to his level.

In addition, K.C. finished No. 26 against the run so they need another edge player to dominate opposite of Hali. Carter would be an ideal player, although he's aging, because he provides experience to help influence guys like Tyson Jackson, Allen Bailey and Justin Houston.

Not to mention Carter has the ability to pass rush and drop into coverage.

This past season he accounted for 10 sacks and two forced fumbles, so he would be a great complement opposite of Hali. Worst case-scenario: the Chiefs get talented depth from Carter and a dynamic front.

Carter allows them to play a 4-3, 3-4 or 1-5-5, giving them a major advantage in the AFC West. And once they get healthy in the secondary (Eric Berry) and at RB (Jamaal Charles), K.C. with Andre Carter would be the division favorites.

All that's left is their QB controversy.

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