NFL Trade Rumors: 10 Players Who Could Get Traded Pre-NFL Draft

With the final day of the NFL regular season upon us, 20 of the league's teams will begin looking ahead to the offseason and potential moves to be made ahead of the 2011 season.

Football is the one sport where in-season trades are nearly nonexistent, but once the offseason begins and the April entry draft approaches, the NFL trade rumor mill heats up. Whether it's players about to get very expensive, disgruntled stars or veterans in need of a change of environment, there are always big name NFL players traded prior to each year's draft.

While we're months away from the peak trade season, it's never too early to start speculating about what players might be on the move via trades this offseason. So if you're down about your team struggling and missing the playoffs, read through here and begin to dream about potential trade targets that could be brought in to improve various teams and fill various needs all over the field.

Steve Smith: WR, Carolina Panthers

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SEATTLE - DECEMBER 05: Wide receiver Steve Smith #89 of the Carolina Panthers looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on December 5, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks won, 31-14. (Photo by Otto Greule

The Carolina Panthers have already locked up the number one pick in the NFL Draft, the conclusion to a truly miserable season that saw their offense grind to a screeching halt. They got nothing out of the quarterback position, and therefore their biggest offensive playmaker suffered through one of the worst seasons of his career.

Wide receiver Steve Smith is a great threat with the ball in his hands, but unfortunately for the Panthers they had an almost impossible time of actually getting the ball to Smith. The organization is going to be virtually starting over, as head coach John Fox will not be returning next year. It's not clear that the team is dedicated to quarterback Jimmy Clausen, and could bring in expected number one pick Andrew Luck to be the quarterback of the future.

Another way for the Panthers to rejuvenate their roster would be to trade Smith to a team desperate for a big play wide receiver. They could accumulate a few quality picks in the 2011 draft by moving Smith and therefore fill more holes on a depleted roster. Therefore, Smith would be an extremely likely target to be moved this offseason.

Logan Mankins: LG, New England Patriots

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FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 03: Logan Mankins #70 of the New England Patriots looks on before the game against the New York Giants on September 3, 2009 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Logan Mankins still earned a spot in the Pro Bowl this year, despite sitting out the first half of the season while in the midst of a contract dispute with the New England Patriots. He is that good along the offensive line, a physical blocker that makes a difference and is trusted by his coach and quarterback, two football legends that are tough to impress.

However, his coach is still Bill Belichick, a football mind notorious for being strict about handing out big contracts and making commitments to players. The fact that financial negotiations with Mankins hit an impasse before the season and led to a holdout means that he and the Patriots' ideas about his salary may be far apart.

To me, this is the type of player Belichick trades and gets a bounty. Belichick always values draft picks, and having a solid stockpile of them come draft day. Mankins is a talent that will get him a very strong return on the trade market, as a team will plug him in on the line and start a foundation of success.

Kevin Kolb: QB, Philadelphia Eagles

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NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 24: Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball during the NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on October 24, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Kevin Kolb was ordained as the Philadelphia Eagles' starting quarterback heading into the 2010 season, only to be Wally Pipped by Michael Vick after suffering an injury and having to leave the Eagles' Week 1 game.

Kolb did get a few chances this year, as Vick was forced to miss some time due to a rib injury, and he was pretty impressive. He did not post the gaudy numbers that Vick was able to put up, but given the fact that there are a number of teams looking for quarterbacks, Kolb will definitely be an attractive trade target for a number of teams.

I expect him to be moved before the draft, as the Eagles will use draft picks acquired for Kolb to give Vick all the help he can get on both sides of the ball.

Roy Williams: WR, Dallas Cowboys

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ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 25: Roy Williams #11 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the ball after making a reception while being pursued by Malcolm Jenkins #27 of the New Orleans Saints at Cowboys Stadium on November 25, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Jenkins would

Dallas gave up three draft picks to acquire Roy Williams during the 2008 season, while giving him a contract extension that paid him $9 million a year. He was expected to become the go-to receiver to sync up with quarterback Tony Romo and lead the Cowboys' passing attack.

Instead, Williams has struggled to find consistency and a place in the Cowboys' offense. Since his acquisition he hasn't posted the kind of number one receiver numbers that were expected of him upon returning to Texas.

He's now been passed by receivers Miles Austin and rookie Dez Bryant on the Cowboys' depth chart, and despite stating that he'd like to return to Dallas next season, it would make sense for the Cowboys to explore the trade market for Williams. A team in need of a big target could see Williams as good value, since he won't cost a ton and may outproduce his recent seasons if given a bigger role in an offense.

Vince Young: QB, Tennessee Titans

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Vince Young #10 of the Tennessee Titans drops back to pass against the San Diego Chargers in the game at Qualcomm Stadium on October 31, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Chargers defeated the Titans 33-25. (Photo by

Vince Young was picked towards the very top of the NFL Draft, and expected to lead the Tennessee Titans franchise for years, thanks to his ability to make plays with his feet as well as his arm. Instead, he's been wildly inconsistent, had mental meltdowns on numerous occasions and publicly flamed out on his coach and team during the downward spiral that engulfed the Titans' 2010 season.

Coach Jeff Fisher, who oversaw the Titans' emergence as a franchise and took them to a Super Bowl, may not return, but it seems even less likely that Young remains in Tennessee, whether or not Fisher stays or goes.

Young is still talented and has shown flashes of being a quality NFL starting quarterback, but the situation in Tennessee is definitely not right for him anymore. He seems like a good buy-low candidate for a team looking for help at quarterback, and there are plenty of those heading into this offseason.

Larry Fitzgerald: WR, Arizona Cardinals

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 19: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals warms up before the start of their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty

Larry Fitzgerald is the face of the Arizona Cardinals, as he was instrumental in getting them to the Super Bowl two years ago and is unquestionably their best offensive player. However, Arizona is for all intents and purposes starting over. Their offense is a shell of its former self without a true starting quarterback, and they are suffering through an awful season.

Fitzgerald is set for free agency after 2011, and it's not clear that Arizona will be able to work out an extension with him. If they are going to lose him, making a blockbuster trade seems to be the best situation for Arizona. They could accumulate draft picks and that may improve the team's weak defense, or allow them to find a young, cost-efficient offensive player that may approach Fitzgerald's production.

Arizona has so many needs at this point, it would make sense for them to move Fitzgerald a year before he reaches free agency, as they could definitely get a huge package of picks back for him, and could ultimately make them a better team in the short and long term.

Vincent Jackson: WR, San Diego Chargers

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SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Wide receiver Vincent Jackson #83 of the San Diego Chargers scores a touchdown on an 11-yard pass in the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Phot

Vincent Jackson is an elite wide receiver when he's out on the field, and unfortunately missed a lot of the 2010 season due to his contract squabble with the San Diego Chargers, who could not come to terms with him on a long term extension, nor find a suitable trade to move Jackson elsewhere for fair value.

Reports seem to show that Jackson is unlikely to get a long-term deal from San Diego, but they seem likely to slap the franchise tag onto Jackson at the end of the season. That would still keep him on a one-year deal, and it would open up even more speculation that he'd be traded elsewhere to a team in need of a number one wide receiver.

Jackson would be a great fit for a number of teams looking for help in the passing game, as long as they were willing to take the risk on signing him to a long extension.

Donovan McNabb: QB, Washington Redskins

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins on the sidelines against play against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Donovan McNabb was brought to Washington to lead the Redskins in their new era with coach Mike Shanahan at the helm. Instead, his reign in D.C. has been an unmitigated disaster, as he and Shanahan (and Shanahan's son and offensive coordinator, Kyle) have been at odds, ultimately resulting in McNabb's benching for the team's final three regular season games.

It seems highly unlikely that Washington keeps McNabb around for 2011, despite giving him a shiny new contract extension during the season. There are plenty of rumblings about the Redskins outright releasing McNabb, but considering they just recently traded multiple draft picks to acquire him, I expect Washington to get at least something of value back for McNabb, even if it's a pick of much less value than what they gave up.

Albert Haynesworth: DT, Washington Redskins

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GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 02: Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth #92 of the Washington Redskins battles for position with Alan Faneca #66 of the Arizona Cardinals during preseason NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Glen

Another disgruntled and underperforming member of the Washington Redskins, defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth is guaranteed to be on another roster come the 2011 season. Speculation is that Mike Shanahan is still holding out hope for a trade of Haynesworth so that the Redskins could at least get something back for the highly disappointing import that did not fit in with Shanahan and his defensive system.

A team that needs help at defensive tackle would be smart to make a deal for Haynesworth, as it would eliminate the possibility of getting into a bidding war for his services if he were released and up for grabs among all 32 teams. He would come at a discount in terms of picks required to land him, so I expect him to be moved in a trade before the 2011 season.

Matt Hasselbeck: QB, Seattle Seahawks

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TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks jogs during warmups before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Matt Hasselbeck is getting older and frequently banged up, taking him out of the lineup. In Seattle, where he's long been a mainstay, he's now working under a new coach that no doubt will want to put his stamp on the franchise. He already brought in longtime backup Charlie Whitehurst before last year's draft, swapping second round picks and yielding Seattle's third round pick for Whitehurst's services.

That's not an indication that Whitehurst will fully supplant Hasselbeck in 2011, but Seattle might be able to get something of value for the veteran quarterback in a trade with a team looking for a stopgap solution at quarterback. Especially among teams that draft "quarterbacks of the future" in the 2011 Draft, they may find Hasselbeck a valuable addition as someone who could tutor a young passer and allow him time to grow into an NFL starter.