NFL Trade Speculation: 10 Top Players That Should Be Traded Before the Season

The NFL offseason is about to hit full force with the Scouting Combine this week and the free agency period and NFL Draft rapidly approaching. Lost in the midst of all these events is the fact that multiple star players could be playing in new cities once the 2012 season kicks off.

There are several reason a team could, and should, trade their top players. A player could be at the height of his value while reaching an unfavorable age, have a ridiculous contract the team regrets or the team is simply stacked at the player’s position.

Don’t forget horrible teams in rebuilding mode—trading a star player for a plethora of draft picks is a way to jump-start the rebuilding process effectively.

While fans surely won’t like seeing their top players in different uniforms next season, the NFL is a business, and more importantly a team game. Owners have to do what is best for the team, even if there is some backlash from the fanbase.

With that in mind, here are 10 top players that should be traded before the season starts:

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Osi Umenyiora

Osi Umenyiora is entering the final year of his deal at the age of 30. Scheduled to make only $3.975 million in 2012, Umenyiora is criminally underpaid for the services he has continuously provided for the Giants.

Last season Umenyiora recorded nine sacks, the year before that 11.5. Umenyiora is essentially unblockable when rushing the passes, and that has been a consistent trait throughout his career.

Umenyiora has caused public problems about his contract in the past, but vows to stay quiet this offseason because he would love to stay with the team.

Umenyiora realizes he could be traded, and it’s probably the best option for both parties. The Giants won’t be willing to pay Umenyiora what he is worth and already have a plethora of elite talent on the roster when it comes to rushing the passer.

A Umenyiora trade would likely give Osi the final massive contract he wants, and the Giants will find great value for his skills on the trade market. It’s a win-win for both sides.

Asante Samuel

The Eagles have a ridiculous amount of talent at the cornerback position, which makes the 31-year-old Asante Samuel a bit of an expendable player. Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie are a great duo that will eventually phase out Samuel in Philadelphia.

Recently Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman told sources that he would listen to trade requests for Samuel this offseason. Who could blame him? Samuel is set to make $8.4 million in 2012, and that money could be better used to upgrade other weaker positions.

Samuel wasn’t happy when his name was brought up in trade rumors during last season because he has contributed so much to the franchise, which is true. Samuel has intercepted 23 passes in four seasons with the Eagles while being one of the best at his position.

At this point, a divorce makes sense for both parties. A contender could really use a guy like Samuel, and Samuel could really use a contender. The Eagles have a few areas to address and could receive a nice haul for Samuel.

Roddy White

Roddy White has been the most criminally underrated receiver in the NFL for the past five years now. He is a true No. 1 that has the ability to make his quarterback great while breaking games wide open.

White has recorded five straight seasons of 1,000 or more receiving yards and has caught 42 touchdowns in that same span. While that’s all well and good, it should be time for Atlanta to part ways with White.

White just hit 30 years old, which typically marks the beginning of a decline for most players. It also doesn’t help that he is being phased out by the rookie sensation from last year, Julio Jones. As it stands now, White might have to play second fiddle to Jones next season.

Add in the fact White developed a penchant for dropping passes last season and having a bad attitude, and it seems the Falcons and White should go separate ways. His age seems to be catching up with him as he suffered from nagging injuries throughout the season.

Many teams will happily take White’s meager $5.5 million he is due in 2012 in exchange for his skills, and the Falcons could use the draft picks and younger players after breaking the bank last year to draft Jones.

James Harrison

First things first—James Harrison is still one of the absolute best at what he does on a weekly basis. He is arguably the most feared defender in the league and plays with a force that is hard to match. Opposing offenses simply dread having to deal with Harrison.

With that being said, it’s time Harrison and the Steelers parted ways. Harrison is well on the wrong side of 30, coming in at 30 years old. He is set to make a large amount of money next season—$5.315 million to be exact.

That salary comes at a time when the Steelers are experiencing serious cap issues. Yes, Harrison has stated he is willing to restructure his deal. That’s great, but the Steelers should find it more attractive to dump his entire salary in return for draft picks.

There are teams out there that will pay a hefty price for even one year of Harrison’s services. His hit man-like attitude because of his refusal to not illegally hit players could finally be off the mind of the Steelers’ coaching staff.

Most importantly, Pittsburgh would be just fine without Harrison. The team is simply a factory that churns out elite linebackers, and Harrison at this point is becoming very expendable.

Jared Allen

The Minnesota Vikings are one of the worst teams in all of football. After finishing the 2011 season with a 3-13 mark, it’s time the team blew up the roster. First on the list—defensive end Jared Allen.

Allen was the best pass-rusher in all of football last year, coming up just short of the all-time NFL sack record with an astounding 22 sacks. Allen has recorded 10 or more sacks for the past five seasons and is already over the 100 mark for his career.

So why trade Allen? Simple. Allen is at the peak of his trade value on a team that has a ridiculous amount of holes. Trading the soon-to-be 30-year-old would give the Vikings a plethora of draft picks and young talent that would kick-start the rebuilding process.

Add in the fact it clears a $11.6 million chunk of change that is Allen’s 2012 salary, which can be applied to other areas of need on the roster. In 2013, Allen is set to make over $14 million.

While Allen is one of the best at what he does and a great locker room presence, the Vikings would be smart to trade him. A Super Bowl contender would absolutely kill to have Allen, and the Vikings would be the benefactors in a variety of ways.

Jason Smith

Jason Smith was the second overall selection in the 2009 draft. Smith was expected to play left tackle, but was so mediocre that he was moved to the right side of the line where he continued to be, yes, mediocre.

Smith has only appeared in 29 games, and when he has, he certainly hasn’t played up to the hype of a second overall pick. It’s hard to blame the Rams for taking Smith so high, but his play isn’t surprising by any means when looking back on how awful the 2009 draft class was.

Smith is now reportedly going to have to take a pay-cut or be released by the Rams outright. He is set to make $10 million in 2012, which is a ridiculous number for one of the worst teams in the league.

There is no point in trying to restructure Smith’s contract; he has shown that he will only continue to allow quarterback Sam Bradford to get lit up on a regular basis.

However, if the Rams are lucky, they can restructure his contract and find a trade partner that still believes Smith can turn out to be at least average. Getting something, anything for the colossal bust would make the Rams organization and the fanbase feel a little better. A little.

Brandon Marshall

The Miami Dolphins are in a bit of a rebuilding mode coming off a 6-10 season. The team was competitive for the last half of the season, but it didn’t amount to much in the end. Head Coach Tony Sparano was fired and replaced by Joe Philbin.

What Philbin has in store for the Dolphins is anyone’s guess. What isn’t up for debate is the fact Marshall will continue to produce at an elite level. Last season Marshall caught 81 passes for 1,214 yards and six touchdowns despite mostly horrific quarterback play.

So trading Marshall doesn’t make sense, right? Consider this—Marshall’s value will never be this high again. The Dolphins desperately need a quarterback, and Marshall could easily net the Dolphins a first-round pick in the 2012 draft.

Rampant rumors have Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall plotting a reunion in Chicago, but that’s doubtful. What’s to say the Rams with the second overall pick won’t trade it to Miami in exchange for Marshall and a few other pieces? That would allow the Dolphins to land quarterback Robert Griffin III.

Marshall is an elite player at the age of 27 who is due $9.3 million in 2012. He also has a habit of causing issues off the field despite his elite play. Moving Marshall at this point could help the Dolphins to improve all around, and Marshall could potentially go to a team he truly wants to play for.

Darren McFadden

Darren McFadden is one of the best young players in the league, that isn’t in question. What is in question is his ability to say healthy. McFadden has never played a full 16-game season in his four-year career, which could be a result of his extremely physical running-style.

McFadden is only 24 years old and set to make $5.65 million in 2012, but that doesn’t mean the Raiders won’t think about dealing him.

The Raiders recently hired Greg Knapp to be the new offensive coordinator, and he plans to implement a zone-blocking scheme. This scheme is something McFadden tremendously suffered with earlier in his career, which is a huge issue.

Add in the fact that McFadden’s backup, Michael Bush, is one of the best backups in the league. Bush is a free agent, and the Raiders have to be wondering what he is capable of as a starter, especially considering he has proven to be much more durable than McFadden.

So for Oakland, trading McFadden makes a lot of sense. They have a capable starter in Bush, and many teams in the league would give up a large amount for a player like McFadden, injury risk included.

The Raiders are in a great spot to contend next year, and instead of having McFadden on the bench hurt, they could have several young talented players via draft picks in exchange for McFadden.

Jonathan Stewart

The NFL is quickly falling in love with the two running back system, which makes a lot of sense. What doesn’t make a lot of sense is why the Carolina Panthers are still hanging on to Jonathan Stewart.

Stewart has played second fiddle to DeAngelo Williams for years now, which made sense until last season. With the arrival of quarterback Cam Newton, a large majority of the Panthers’ rushing attack was provided by Newton himself.

With Newton taking up so many carries and Williams being a stud No. 1 back, how much value are the Panthers really getting out of Stewart at this point?

Stewart is a 24-year-old back that has hardly been used at all on a very cheap contract—the majority of teams in the NFL would give up an arm and a leg for his services. The Panthers are trying to rejuvenate a staggering franchise around Newton, and trading Steward would go a long way toward doing so.

While Stewart and Williams have been a nice tandem, what would be even nicer is a large amount of young talent the Panthers could add at a variety of positions if they traded Stewart for draft picks.

Stewart would get to go be the feature back for a team in need and would prove he is worth a huge contract, and the Panthers would upgrade weaker positions.

Santonio Holmes

Santonio Holmes had a monster year in 2009 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, so the New York Jets gave him a monster deal to go play in the Big Apple. Holmes has been a disappointment ever since.

On a team that prides itself in trash-talking, led by Head Coach Rex Ryan, Holmes has somehow managed to irritate enough players in the Jets locker room that his status with the team is up in the air. Holmes has publicly feuded with quarterback Mark Sanchez and was even labeled by a teammate as a “cancer.”

Holmes is set to make $7.75 million in 2012, and that number is simply too high for a player that doesn’t produce as much as he should and creates locker room animosity. The Jets have a number of areas that need addressed after another disappointing season, and moving Holmes looks like a great way to addressing the open wounds.

It’s hard to say what Holmes’ value would be on the open market, but the Jets have to try to move him. Removing him completely from the locker room at this point can only help the team’s morale while freeing up cap space. Some team is willing to offer something for 27-year-old receiver with great potential in the hopes that they can control his ridiculous personality.