Seattle Seahawks: Five Ideal Trade Scenarios This Offseason

The National Football League isn't exactly known for blockbuster player trades that turn a team's fortunes overnight.

There have been the trades for Ricky Williams and Herschel Walker, but the volume pales in comparison to what is seen in Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association.

Part of the reason is the implications on the salary cap. When a player is traded, the team must absorb whatever pro-rated amount is remaining from signing bonuses.

This can create a prohibitive cap hit. 

The NFL does see a fair amount of trades involving draft picks, though. The Seattle Seahawks have had some of their best fortunes with these.

Trading their second-round pick in 2009 to the Denver Broncos netted them the 14th pick in 2010 and brought Pro Bowl free safety Earl Thomas to the team.

They were also able to send Rick Mirer to Chicago for a first-round pick, and added a mid-round selection to move up and draft Walter Jones.

The Seahawks do have some expendable talent that is capable of playing on other teams in 2012.

This is a nice change from just a few seasons ago, when a decent share of their starting players would have had difficulty making most rosters across the league.

The following are a few moves involving both players and draft picks that could get some traction over the next few months.

Anthony McCoy to the New York Giants

While this won't be a flashy move, the New York Giants need to find some options at tight end.

Jake Ballard will likely start the 2012 season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. He will be joined by backup tight end Travis Beckum after they each suffered injuries in the Super Bowl.

New York will likely draft a tight end early or sign a free agent, but ensuring they have someone to hold down the position until Ballard can play will be important.

The former seventh-round pick won't have a lot of trade value, but should at least return a sixth-round pick.

Ben Obomanu to the Chicago Bears

Obomanu has shown flashes of real talent in Seattle, running solid routes and possessing good speed.

While he doesn't project as a starting wide receiver, he certainly has value as a number three guy.

The problem for Obomanu in Seattle is wide receiver is about their deepest position.

Sidney Rice is a Pro Bowl talent when he's on the field, and Doug Baldwin made a case for starting next season.

Pete Carroll even said rookie speedster Ricardo Lockette will be in the competition for a starting role next season. 

The Seahawks hope starter Mike Williams will be healthy and ready to show his 2010 capabilities.

Golden Tate also showed he needs to be in the mix, along with a few promising young players.

There just isn't much room left for a player that is solid in every aspect of the game, but not spectacular in any.

The Chicago Bears will likely draft their top guy with their first-round draft pick, and Earl Bennett could be their number two.

Obomanu could then fill the void that Johnny Knox and Roy Williams haven't been able to cover.

Obomanu would certainly validate a fifth-round draft pick.

Mike Williams to the Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings are in dire need of finding passing targets for Christian Ponder. He has Percy Harvin and very little after that.

With the Vikings likely to take a left tackle and cornerback with their first two picks, they'll be looking at free agents and other opportunities to round out their receivers.

Mike Williams showed in 2010 that he can be a valuable target, but did not mix well with Tarvaris Jackson.

The depth at wide receiver in Seattle was discussed on the prior slide, leaving Williams as a solid piece of trade bait.

Ponder would certainly benefit from his presence.

Williams could go for simple draft consideration. The Seahawks might even be willing to settle for a pick in the 2013 draft, as they will likely be jockeying for a quarterback. 

The Seahawks would be well served to send them Williams and their third-round pick in 2013 for the Vikings second-round selection. 

They would love to get their hands on the Vikings first-round pick next season, but that might be a difficult trade. GM Rick Spielman must know his team could be picking early again next season.

A dream-scenario for Seattle would involve sending Williams and their 2012 second-round pick to the Vikings for their first-round pick in 2013. 

Marcus Trufant to the Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns need some help at corner, as Buster Skrine hasn't developed into a starter.

Perhaps they just need to buy him a little time and provide some veteran leadership, which is exactly what Marcus Trufant would offer.

The only question with Trufant is how long will he be able to provide his leadership.

He has been slowed by a back injury and missed most of 2011. It was apparently an aggravation of the back spasms that undermined his performance in 2010.

He showed he could still be a starting corner last season while he was playing, but his absence led to the emergence of Richard Sherman in Seattle.

Trufant would be battling with Walter Thurmond III for the nickel back role.

Mike Holmgren is quite familiar with what Trufant offers. He'll welcome his former player and give him an opportunity to show he can still contribute.

As compensation for Trufant, look for the Browns to send a mid-round draft pick to Seattle.

Depending on how free agency and the first round of the draft plays out, Seattle might also be looking to trade spots with the Browns in the second round.

Trufant would be adequate compensation for that move, which would be valued as a fourth-round pick.

Pick 11 to the Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals are in a solid position with draft picks the next two years.

They received a first-round pick in 2012, and will get an early-round selection next year from the Oakland Raiders for Carson Palmer.

The Bengals also have a fair amount of salary cap room available and could be a major player in free agency.

The bad news for Cincinnati is they have a lot of needs if they want to return to the playoffs this season.

They had a rash of injuries at cornerback in 2011, and Leon Hall will miss the upcoming season.

They also need an elite running back to replace Cedric Benson. Then there are major holes at offensive guard, both safety positions and wide receiver.

The Bengals will likely be able to grab one of the top guard positions or a cornerback at pick 17. However, the talent pool could be thinning a bit by 21 for their top areas of need.

A jump to the Seahawks pick at 11 or 12 would assure them of two very talented players.

It would cost them a first-round pick in 2013, but there will still likely be an elite player at a position of need when the Seahawks pick comes around.

If Trent Richardson is still on the board, the Bengals should do what they need to make the move.