NFL Trade Rumors: 20 Bold Predictions About the 2011 Offseason
NFL Trade Rumors: Sure, the NFL playoffs haven't even started yet.
But it's never too early to look ahead to next season, and that's exactly what we're going to do today.
There are plenty of players who have worn out their welcome with their respective teams, making a trade (or release) seemingly inevitable.
There are also some teams who might be looking to trade a veteran or expensive star to rebuild through the draft.
So which players can we expect to see on the move before the 2011 season?
Here are 20 guys who could be in different uniforms next season (by way of trade).
Included are my predictions on where they'll land.
Note: I'll rank the trades based on the likeliness of them happening.
20. Clinton Portis, RB, Washington Redskins
1 of 20
Clinton Portis is owed $5.6 million by the Washington Redskins in 2011.
Given his proneness to injury, he probably isn't worth it, though.
There have already been rumors that the Redskins will look to trade Portis and let Ryan Torain take over as the feature back.
But getting someone to take Portis off their hands is easier said than done.
Where He Could Land: Green Bay Packers
Brandon Jackson, Korey Hall and John Kuhn are all free agents during the offseason, and Ryan Grant spent most of 2010 on injured reserve.
The Packers really struggled to run the ball this season, so Portis might be a solid fit.
19. Todd Heap, TE, Baltimore Ravens
2 of 20
Todd Heap still puts decent numbers—599 yards and five touchdowns—but he hasn't been an elite tight end for quite a while now.
The Baltimore Ravens drafted two tight ends, Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson, last year, so Heap could be expendable at this point.
Where He Could Land: St. Louis Rams
The Rams definitely need another offensive weapon, and Heap provides them with a threat over the middle as well as a veteran presence on a young team.
18. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals
3 of 20
Larry Fitzgerald's contract expires after the 2011 season, and it's far from a sure thing that he'll re-sign with Arizona.
The Cardinals need help like humans need oxygen, and trading Fitzgerald could net the team another first-round pick or something like two second-rounders.
Either way, trading Fitzgerald might be the only way to upgrade Arizona's defense in multiple areas.
Where He Could Land: Cleveland Browns
The Browns badly need a No. 1 wide receiver, but they might not be able to land Georgia's A.J. Green in the draft.
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17. Steve Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers
4 of 20
The Carolina Panthers couldn't get anything done on offense this season.
So why trade away the team's best offensive play maker in Steve Smith?
Well, the Panthers need help all over the place and trading Smith would land Carolina plenty of draft picks.
After all, there's no point in having a superstar receiver if your offensive line can't block and your quarterback can't get him the ball.
Where He Could Land: Washington Redskins
The Redskins aren't opposed to making a big trade—Donovan McNabb, anyone?—and they desperately need a No. 1 wideout.
16. Brandon Jacobs, RB, New York Giants
5 of 20
When Brandon Jacobs is satisfied with his role in the offense, he doesn't complain.
When he's not, he really wears his emotions on his sleeves.
If someone offered a quality trade for Jacobs, would the New York Giants be able to say no?
Where He Could Land: Detroit Lions
Jahvid Best is a heck of a playmaker, but a No. 1 back? Probably not.
A tandem of him and Jacobs would be the quintessential "Thunder" and "Lightning."
15. Braylon Edwards, WR, New York Jets
6 of 20
Braylon Edwards, Santonio Holmes and Brad Smith are all free agents this offseason.
Of the three, I'd argue that Edwards is the least valuable to the New York Jets offense.
So is there any way he gets the franchise tag before getting shipped out so the team can re-sign Smith and Holmes?
It's doubtful, but then again, you never know.
Where He Could Land: St. Louis Rams
They need to get Sam Bradford some help in the passing game.
If the Rams don't select someone like Julio Jones or Jonathan Baldwin in the draft, trading for a wideout is almost a sure thing.
14. Carson Palmer, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
7 of 20
Remember when Carson Palmer was one of the league's best quarterbacks?
Yeah, those days are long gone.
But Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis recently said he still wants to build his team around Palmer.
I'll believe that when I see it, though.
Where He Could Land: Miami Dolphins
Chad Pennington's career could be over, and nothing about Chad Henne screams "franchise quarterback."
A change of scenery could be good for Palmer, and what better place than sunny Florida?
13. Jeremy Shockey, TE, New Orleans Saints
8 of 20
Jeremy Shockey has missed three games this season, he's only caught 41 passes, and he's gotten into the end zone just three times.
The New Orleans Saints, meanwhile, have found another hidden gem in rookie tight end Jimmy Graham, who caught four touchdown passes in the final three regular season games.
Both money-wise and production-wise, trading Shockey seems to make sense.
Where He Could Land: Buffalo Bills
Sure, why not? Shockey's a solid blocker and a good receiver, who could provide a young Bills quarterback with another offensive weapon.
12. Vince Wilfork, DT, New England Patriots
9 of 20
Vince Wilfork is only 29 years old, and he recently signed a five-year contract extension with the New England Patriots.
But he also criticized the way the team handled his contract negotiations, and he's expressed his desire to play for a team in Florida.
And as evidenced by Randy Moss, the Patriots aren't opposed to trading a disgruntled star.
Where He Could Land: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Wilfork is better suited as a 3-4 nose tackle, but the Bucs badly need some help against the run.
Putting Wilfork alongside Gerald McCoy would form a heck of a defensive tackle duo.
11. Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Oakland Raiders
10 of 20
People may not know how to pronounce Nnamdi Asomugha's name, but it's still been brought up in trade discussions for quite some time now.
Given that the Oakland Raiders cornerback is one of the best in the league, though, it's going to take more than a stick of gum to acquire him.
Does any team have the ammunition to do it?
Where He Could Land: Dallas Cowboys
If the Cowboys don't land Patrick Peterson or Prince Amukamara in the first round, Asomugha could be a target of the team.
Terrence Newman's been on the decline, and Mike Jenkins is on his way out of Big D.
10. A.J. Hawk, LB, Green Bay Packers
11 of 20
The Green Bay Packers recently signed inside linebacker Desmond Bishop to a four-year contract extension.
That means fellow linebacker A.J. Hawk—who is owed a whopping $10 million next season—could be pushed out of Green Bay.
He's underachieved there, but he's just 26 years old and could draw interest as a one-year rental.
Where He Could Land: Denver Broncos
The Broncos gave up more points than any team in the league this season.
They need any type of defensive help they can get, but Hawk's contract isn't very friendly.
9. Kyle Orton, QB, Denver Broncos
12 of 20
Even with a new regime in Denver, it appears the Broncos will be sticking with Tim Tebow at quarterback.
That leaves Kyle Orton and the one-year left on his contract as a valuable trade piece.
According to the Denver Post, the team is seeking to trade Orton and asking for a second-round pick in return.
Where He Could Land: Tennessee Titans
Vince Young will be out, Kerry Collins is a free agent, and the Titans have some good pieces—Chris Johnson and Kenny Britt—in place for Orton to succeed there.
8. Champ Bailey, CB, Denver Broncos
13 of 20
Champ Bailey is 32 years old, he's in the final year of his contract, and he was very outspoken when the Broncos pulled a contract extension off the table earlier this season.
In other words, he wants out.
Bailey is certainly past his prime, but he could provide a LaDainian Tomlinson type of a lift to a playoff-caliber defense, or a struggling one as well.
Where He Could Land: Houston Texans
In 2010, Houston's secondary consisted entirely of rookies or second-year players.
Oh yeah, they were terrible, too.
The Texans need a veteran defensive back like Lindsay Lohan needs a reality check, and Bailey would certainly provide that.
7. Chad Ochocinco, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
14 of 20
Chad Ochocinco is owed $6.5 million in 2011, a price which the Cincinnati Bengals aren't too excited about paying.
But Ochocinco might not be too happy about playing for Marvin Lewis next season, who was critical of him late in 2010.
These two seemed destined for a split, but it's not definitely going to happen.
Where He Could Land: New England Patriots
Back in September, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick expressed interest in seeing Chad Ochocinco in a Patriots uniform.
But after the Randy Moss situation, does he really want to go that route?
6. Kevin Kolb, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
15 of 20
Whether it's with a contract or a franchise tag, the Philadelphia Eagles will be sticking with Michael Vick at quarterback.
That makes Kevin Kolb arguably the hottest commodity at the quarterback position in the NFL.
He could probably net an early second-rounder and multiple draft picks in return.
Where He Could Land: Buffalo Bills
With all due respect to Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Bills need an upgrade at quarterback and Kolb could finally provide them with a franchise player at that position.
5. Vincent Jackson, WR, San Diego Chargers
16 of 20
It wouldn't be a shock to see San Diego slap Vincent Jackson with the franchise tag, then try to trade him.
And obviously, there would be plenty of suitors.
Wide receivers with Jackson's height, speed and ball skills are hard to come by.
Where He Could Land: Chicago Bears
The Bears have some nice players on offense, but I can't even remember the last time they had a legit No. 1 wide receiver.
Hello, Vincent Jackson.
4. Reggie Bush, RB, New Orleans Saints
17 of 20
The New Orleans Saints have a bit of a logjam at the running back position, with Chris Ivory, Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush.
Ivory will be back in 2011, but will it be Thomas or Bush that's back with him?
Well, there are a lot of variables here, but I think the Saints will try a bit harder to hold on to Thomas and Bush will be the odd man out.
Where He Could Land: Seattle Seahawks
Bush played for Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll at USC, and Seattle's offense needs as much help as it can get.
3. Albert Haynesworth, DT, Washington Redskins
18 of 20
Let's just cut to the chase: Albert Haynesworth as a Washington has been an absolute cluster...you know.
He can't get along with Mike Shanahan, his attitude is child-like, and he was suspended for the Redskins' final four games.
Haynesworth will be gone, one way or another.
Where He Could Land: Tennessee Titans
The Titans offered the Redskins a fourth-round pick for him earlier in the season, but Washington rejected it.
Maybe that'll change the next time around.
2. Vince Young, QB, Tennessee Titans
19 of 20
The Tennessee Titans have already said that Vince Young will either be traded or released.
It'll probably be the latter, just so the team can get something in return for him.
Maybe a fifth-round pick pries Young away from the Titans.
Where He Could Land: Oakland Raiders
We all know Al Davis loves speed, and Vince Young is one of the most mobile quarterbacks out there.
The question is: Is he really that much of an upgrade over Jason Campbell?
1. Donovan McNabb, QB, Washington Redskins
20 of 20
Much like Albert Haynesworth, Donovan McNabb and the Redskins just haven't meshed well.
McNabb was benched in favor of Rex Grossman...twice. And the Redskins are apparently high up on Grossman and John Beck.
Does anyone really think McNabb will be back in Washington next year?
Where He Could Land: Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals' quarterback situation was a mess this year, and McNabb has a home in Arizona.
Coincidence? I think not.
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