NFL Trade Speculation: 5 Madden-Style Trades We'd Love to See on Draft Day

One of the ways that players find success in Madden games is to trade away a team’s aging star player for high-round draft picks that can be used for promising up-and-coming talent.

Although this type of trade might be satisfying in the world of video games where there are no consequences, it is not typically a course that real general managers are willing to pursue.

The reality of divorcing from a star player who has been the team’s heart and soul for most of his career is much messier. In addition to consideration for what such a trade will do to the team’s chemistry, thought must also be paid for the reactions of fans and the media that will undoubtedly become a huge distraction in the upcoming season. There’s also a risk involved in gambling away a sure thing by dumping the team’s best player for draft picks that may or may not pay off later.

Out of deference to those concerns, teams prepared to take the drastic step of dumping an aging star typically do a huge amount of cleaning house by parting ways with many supporting veteran players at the same time in order to go into full rebuild mode.

Of course, not to be overlooked is the intense interest that the idea of such blockbuster trades brings to fans all over the league. It may not be much fun to speculate about your own team undergoing a complete makeover (a la the Indianapolis Colts), but we find perverse joy in theorizing about moves that other teams could make in a fantasy world.

In that vein of wishful thinking, here are five Madden-style trades that fans would love to see happen on draft day.

Ed Reed to Carolina Panthers

Offensively, the Carolina Panthers look like they will only get better as Cam Newton settles down to his second year in the NFL. They’re not perfect, but they’re definitely on the upswing.

Defensively, they still have a long way to grow.

The Carolina Panthers are one of the youngest teams in the league based on the average age of their 2011 roster. They’re also one of the worst teams in the league defensively, a handicap that even Cam Newton’s aerial theatrics have not been able to overcome.  

In situations like this, bringing in a seasoned veteran like Ed Reed to help establish some dominance can be a hugely positive move. If one player could ignite the Panthers defense and help the younger guys around him become grounded in their NFL roles, he would be worth giving up a high-round draft pick to acquire.

Ray Lewis to Kansas City Chiefs

Last season, the Kansas City Chiefs found themselves mired in mediocrity. The offense struggled to put points on the board, and the defense was unable to stay consistent.

Along with Ed Reed, Ray Lewis is an aging cornerstone of the Baltimore Ravens defense. The Ravens were able to find some limited success in the playoffs in 2011, but they were not able to beat out New England for the chance to go to the Super Bowl.

Change could be on the horizon if the Ravens decide to start dumping their aging players while they’re still worth something.

The Kansas City Chiefs would be an excellent candidate for a draft-day trade for the Steelers. Lewis will fit in with the Chiefs' 3-4 defense, and he will be an excellent mentor to help bring the younger Chiefs players around him to the next level.

James Harrison to Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders have a history of bringing in hard-hitting players who are borderline social outcasts.

In an atmosphere like that, James Harrison would probably feel right at home.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in desperate need of some youth on their team and some financial breathing room to sign the new rookie class, while the Oakland Raiders are dying for a defensive boost to go with their reconfigured offensive look.

The Steelers, like the Packers, are a team that historically build through the draft. With a difficult offseason behind them, where they had to part ways with several key veterans, it might be best for the Steelers to secure additional high draft picks

Charles Woodson to Buffalo Bills

Charles Woodson is due to make $11.5 million this year, a steep price for a 35-year-old cornerback whose play is starting to decline.

The Packers thrive on building their team through the draft.

The Buffalo Bills are in desperate need of a cornerback for the upcoming 2012 season.

Why gamble a high draft pick on a cornerback whose success in the NFL is not guaranteed when the Bills could perhaps make a trade with the Packers to get a sure thing who could mentor the new blood?

Woodson has given the Packers a good six years, including a successful Super Bowl run in 2010. Playing out the remainder of his career in Buffalo probably isn’t what he would chose for himself, but from a financial point of view the trade makes sense for the Packers.

Tom Brady to Miami Dolphins

The media spotlight has been on the aging Peyton Manning and the drama surrounding him for the majority of the offseason, which has caused most people to overlook the fact that the New England Patriots star quarterback is 34—almost the same age as the former Indianapolis Colt.

Bill Belichick has never been one to shy away from what must be done in order to make his team the best it can be, and taking this step is a gamble that could pay off. The Dolphins would probably be thrilled to give up a first and/or second round draft pick to acquire the services of Brady for the rest of his career.

The Arizona Cardinals would have been an equally intriguing team if they had the currency with which to make the trade. Since they gave up their 2012 second-round draft pick for Kevin Kolb last summer, however, it seems unlikely that they would also sacrifice their first-round pick—even in the world of epic Madden-style trades.