NFL Trade Speculation: 6 Trades Which Could Help NFL's Brand

The NFL doesn't often have the huge blockbuster trades that the NBA and MLB typically feature. Instead, NFL teams typically try to build through free agency and the draft.

From the Green Bay Packers to the New York Giants, the better teams in the league have built their teams primarily through the draft. The notoriously trade- and free agent-happy Washington Redskins have endured futility as a result of their offseason strategy.

But today let's throw reason to the breeze in this slideshow, and set aside (for a few moments) plausible trade scenarios, and instead speculate on a few trades that could help the NFL's brand.

Matt Flynn to the Washington Redskins

Matt Flynn is one of the hottest backup quarterbacks out there this offseason. Just like the New England Patriots did with Matt Cassel after the 2008 season, the Packers are likely to franchise Flynn, and then trade him to a team desperate for a legitimate starting QB.

The Washington Redskins are a popular team that is just waiting for good quarterback to lead them out of the wilderness of obscurity.

Flynn would be the perfect fit to supplant the ineffective duo of Rex Grossman and John Beck, and to lead Mike Shanahan's offense.

Redskins fans, and the NFL brand, would be greatly enhanced with an excellent quarterback under center in the District of Columbia.

Adrian Peterson to the New York Jets

The Minnesota Vikings are highly unlikely to let their star running back walk. He is the most dynamic playmaker they have, and is always good for a highlight run or two per game.

The New York Jets would love to have Peterson. Better yet, the giant New York market would be a significant upgrade over Minnesota, with regards to marketability for the team and Peterson himself.

The Jets have Shonn Greene, who is serviceable, and third-down back LaDanian Tomlinson, who is just barely serviceable. Although Joe McKnight showed promise last year, he isn't a true feature back.

Peterson would instantly give the Jets' running game some desperately-needed moxie. In addition, the New York market would love the addition of a bona fide star.

Roddy White to the New England Patriots

Roddy White would suit the New England Patriots' pass-happy offense, and would stretch the field for Tom Brady.

He would also bring his big-play ability and big name to one of the NFL's most successful franchises of the past decade, thus strengthening the NFL's brand.

The Patriots will need a more consistent option on the outside at receiver, and White would fit in perfectly. As John Clayton explained in his mailbag column at ESPN.com, when opposing teams' defenses play man-to-man in their secondary, the Patriots sometimes bog down on offense. White's skills would free them up on the outside.

Patrick Willis to the Philadelphia Eagles

While there is little chance that the San Francisco 49ers would trade their star middle linebacker, if he were to end up with the Philadelphia Eagles, the star wattage would almost blow a fuse in Philly.

The Eagles could use some help at linebacker, and their defense would be greatly improved with Willis calling the shots in the heart of their linebacking corps.

Philadelphia is a premier team in the NFL, and is located on the East Coast, where the bigger markets and the media reign. Willis' addition to the Eagles would only enhance the league's stature.  

Dwight Freeney to the Dallas Cowboys

Dwight Freeney is one of the top pass-rushers in the NFL. He'd be a spectacular addition to a Cowboys team that could use some help for their edge rushers.

Anthony Spencer may be gone in free agency, so adding Freeney would ensure that the Cowboys could keep up in the brutal NFC East division.

America's Team could use the star power, and the incredible spin moves, that Freeney would bring. The Cowboys would be glad to welcome the Indianapolis Colts' defensive end to Dallas.

Tim Tebow to the Miami Dolphins

Tim Tebow is the biggest sensation that the NFL has these days. After a roller coaster 2011, Tebow's situation in Denver still remains tenuous. The Broncos' chief of operations, John Elway, would most likely be willing to part ways with Tebow if he could get good value in return (including a prototypical pocket passer).

The Miami Dolphins are a team that needs some sizzle and star power. Tebow would be a great fit back in his home state, and would bring the Dolphins back into the national eye.

The Tebow phenomenon would be even better for the NFL's brand if he were shipped out of the middle of the country, and landed in the excellent Miami market.