NFL Trade Rumors: 20 Players Who Could Be on the Move This Offseason
It seems like once the NFL Draft order is set, the offseason transaction train gets rolling. Well, at least the speculation does. It gives fans whose teams are not in the playoffs something to do and, more importantly, something to hope for.
Each team, with the exception of the Buffalo Bills, is constantly trying to build towards a championship-caliber team. Some teams are one player away and others are trying to start from square one.
That puts players of all caliber in high demand and teams under a ton of pressure to get these deals done.
So lets check out who could be on the move this offseason.
20. Jeremy Shockey, Tight End, New Orleans Saints
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Rookie Jimmy Graham has come on strong for the Saints this year and looks to have a bright future. That means Jeremy Shockey could be on the move. Shockey still has a decent amount of gas left in the tank and is a good tight end, but is a little injury prone.
Either way, the former first-round pick could be a good pick up for any team needing help in the intermediate passing game, and they would get a quality run blocker as well. Shockey is set to make $4.5 million next season.
Shockey is also a member of the University of Miami's "Seventh Floor Crew."
19. Steve Breaston, Wide Receiver, Arizona Cardinals
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Steve Breaston is a quality player that brings a lot to the table as a speedy receiver and return man. But Breaston was out for most of the two receiver sets behind rookie third-round pick Andre Roberts. This has many pondering his future in Arizona.
He had knee surgery last season, but he led the Cardinals in yards per catch, (16.1) and receptions of at least 20 yards (15). He played under a one-year tender and could be a free agent next season, depending on how negotiations workout between the NFLPA and the league.
He's proven he can be a viable second option and he could be good in a place like Carolina. It would be a good fit if they are trying to get young and build and take a receiver first overall.
18. Thomas Jones, Running Back, Kansas City Chiefs
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Jamaal Charles is the featured back of the explosive running game in Kansas City, but Thomas Jones is still a very good back. He is not being used to his maximum potential in KC. The Chiefs have to know that some teams are going to want a quality back like Jones and would be willing to give up something for him.
I think they would only get draft picks because Jones is no spring chicken. But the guy rushed for 1,100 yards five of the past six seasons and this year, in a limited capacity, ran for 896. He's still got some in the tank.
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17. Tim Tebow, Quarterback, Denver Broncos
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It took everything I had not to write his position as "Fullback Who Can Pass Pretty Good." All kidding aside, the main reason Tebow was drafted in the first round was because former Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels wanted him so badly.
McDaniels was smitten by Tebow being a winner and believed he could teach him the proper mechanics. Well, since McDaniels has been fired, it has been thought by many that he will want to trade for Tebow wherever he goes.
Tebow went 1-2 as a starter in Denver's last three games. We'll have to see where McDaniels lands in order to know if Tebow might be leaving.
16. Kyle Orton, Quarterback, Denver Broncos
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As of right now, Denver has stated that Tim Tebow will be the starter next season. The Broncos could be saying that to raise his stock in hopes of a McDaniels trade. But if Tebow does stay in Denver, Kyle Orton is getting out.
Orton is a good, proven NFL quarterback that had no running game this season, but put up good numbers between the 20s. The team just couldn't seem to get into the end zone enough with him at quarterback.
He's made it clear that he wants out if he's not starting. I would look for him to go to Arizona, Minnesota or possibly Miami.
15. Martellus Bennett, Tight End, Dallas Cowboys
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Martellus Bennett has the talent to be a starting tight end in the NFL and would be on most other teams in the league. But he is stuck at second on the depth chart behind one of the league's best, Jason Witten.
Bennett's name has surfaced in trade talks before and the 23-year-old out of Texas A&M has made it clear that he's ready to be "The Guy."
Jerry Jones has said he has "breakout potential." Some possible destinations for Bennett would be Cincinnati and St. Louis.
14. Clinton Portis, Running Back, Washington Redskins
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It's going to be tough for the Redskins to pull this one off because Portis is set to make $8.254 million next year. Nobody wants to pay that much for a running back with, at the very best, a year left in the tank. Coach Mike Shanahan can clearly do without Portis, seeing as he traded him once in his career at Denver.
I would look for the Redskins to do their best to trade Portis for cheap or cut him. He has only played 13 games in the past two seasons due to various injuries. But when he has been in, he's averaged over four yards per carry.
Look for teams desperate for a third-down back that have a ton of money to possibly take a look. But Portis could have already played his final NFL game.
13. Roy Williams, Wide Receiver, Dallas Cowboys
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Dallas gave up a ton to get Roy Williams and saying it hasn't paid off is a vast understatement. In Williams' 39 games as a Cowboy, he has 94 receptions for 1,324 yards and 13 touchdowns. He is now the third option behind Miles Austin and rookie Dez Bryant.
He would be a good fit on a big market team with some money and a good quarterback that already has some weapons. Williams has proven he is not a go-to receiver, but he can be a quality third option. He is going to have to take a pay cut as well. Nobody will want him for the $9.25 million he is set to make next year.
12. Brandon Jacobs, Running Back, New York Giants
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Brandon Jacobs is going to need to change his tune if he has any hopes of getting traded somewhere else where he can be the man. I don't know if he couldn't handle the bright lights or the fact that Ahmad Bradshaw was stealing some thunder, but he has been a distraction at times for this year's underachieving Giants squad.
Jacobs will be entering his seventh season next year and could potentially be put on the trading block by the Giants. Jacobs is set to make $4.65 and $4.9 million over the next two seasons.
If he is running like "Pre-Big Contract Brandon Jacobs," then he would be worth every penny. Change of scenery would do him and the Giants good.
He would be scary good for the Packers.
11. Vince Wilfork, Defensive Tackle, New England Patriots
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A trade to a team in Florida, (Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa Bay), would be something that the former University of Miami star would be interested in. But the Patriots would likely not be interested in a trade simply because they gave him an uncharacteristic amount of money to remain in New England last year.
He signed a five-year, $40 million deal worth $25 million guaranteed. He is valued by the Patriots and anchors their defensive front. It is unlikely that any team, especially in Florida, would provide the Patriots with a suitable offer to fill his void.
But the one thing those former Hurricanes love almost as much as money is Miami.
10. A.J. Hawk, Linebacker, Green Bay Packers
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A.J. Hawk is set to make $10 million next year. He isn't worth anything near that. A trade would be great for the Green Bay Packers, if only to dump that contract. Replacing him wouldn't be too difficult.
The Packers could pick up a draft pick in the trade and give it another shot with a rookie in the second or third round. Or they could sign a free agent. Hawk has all the tools to be a Pro Bowl player, but he just hasn't put them together yet. He is good enough to play in this league, but not $10 million good.
If a team would be willing to pay that for the one remaining year on his contract, then re-sign him for a more deserving number, it would be a good deal for all involved.
It would be a very good deal if Hawk started playing like $10 million linebacker.
9. LaDainian Tomlinson Running Back, New York Jets
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LaDainian Tomlinson is having a better year than everyone expected and the Jets look smart for getting him at a reasonable $5.2 million for two years. With one year just finishing up, he will have one year left in which he will make less than $3 million.
Tomlinson would be a great mentor to a young back and be a solid third-down back. It could be interesting to see what backs go where on draft day. I don't think he'll go anywhere until then. The Jets love him, but could get some decent value for him due to his small contract and decent numbers.
8. Chad Ochocinco, Wide Receiver, Cincinnati Bengals
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Chad Ochocinco is getting older and his stats aren't getting any better. He is to the point now where he could still put up solid numbers only as a second or third option. As cocky as Ochocinco is, he can be a team player in the right situation. But he can certainly be a pain to deal with sometimes.
He and coach Marvin Lewis got into an altercation in late December before the Bengals played San Diego, when Lewis described Ochocinco as "mopey."
Now with quarterback Carson Palmer possibly on the move, I wouldn't be shocked to see Ochocinco sent to a big market team for draft picks.
He would probably welcome it as a way to promote his antics and be in a situation to start winning.
7. Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver, Arizona Cardinals
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Larry Fitzgerald is arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL. He has prototypical size, speed and strength and would be a perfect fit anywhere he goes. But wherever he were to go, that team would have to give up a lot to acquire him.
In a year in which Arizona had horrendous quarterback play, Fitzgerald finished with 97 catches for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns. At 27-years-old, Fitzgerald is in his prime.
Arizona would be admitting defeat by trading Fitzgerald, but would get multiple high draft picks and probably a solid defensive player for him. One place that is a possibility is Minnesota, his hometown.
6. Steve Smith, Wide Receiver, Carolina Panthers
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The Carolina Panthers might be looking to get rid of Steve Smith for a few reasons, the main one being they have nobody to get him the ball. If Andrew Luck were leaving Stanford it would be smart to keep the veteran receiver. Now the Panthers should simply take the best overall player with their top pick in next year's draft. That would probably be defensive end Da'Quan Bowers out of Clemson.
Smith missed two weeks with injuries this season and finished with 46 catches for 546 yards and only two touchdowns. That's down 20 catches from last season. It's fair to say that the quarterback play was responsible.
The Panthers are looking to build towards the future and Smith represents the past. They should get rid of him now while they still can and gain some more picks in the draft to begin the long rebuilding process.
5. Vince Young, Quarterback, Tennessee Titans
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Vince Young is not as level-headed as you would like your starting quarterback, but he is far more athletic than you could ever hope for your in a quarterback. The team that snags Young from the Titans, which have him on the trade block, will get an inconsistent guy but a player who will make you say "wow!" every once in awhile.
Young just needs to put the pieces together. He has before and it paid off in him leading his team to the playoffs. Young is 26-13 as a starter and has proven that he can be an NFL quarterback. But any type of criticism by the staff caused him to respond like a three-year-old.
The final straw was when he threw his shoulder pads into the crowd when pulled from a game in which he tore a tendon in his thumb. He argued with Jeff Fisher and left without speaking to the media. He later apologized to Fisher.
What a pro.
Young was a third overall pick and is young enough to take over a franchise for the next 8-10 years, provided he can keep it together.
Who knows what they can get for him. There is going to be lots of interest, but his behavior and the fact that the Titans have made it clear they don't want him might decrease his value. .
4. Albert Haynesworth, Defensive Tackle, Washington Redskins
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Albert Haynesworth has been Mike Shanahan's nemesis since arriving in D.C, but the guy is a heck of a football player when he wants to play. Haynesworth will either be traded or cut, but he will not be a Redskin next year.
The Washington Redskins have had nothing but injuries and off-the-field problems with him. He felt disrespected by them as well. But the guy is a dominant defensive tackle in either a 4-3 or a 3-4.
There will be no shortage of teams interested in him, especially since his deal is much more feasible to most teams now that his enormous signing bonus is out of the way. He will make $5.4 million base salary next season.
He'll be out of town as quickly as he can be dealt and for less than one would probably assume.
3. Carson Palmer, Quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals
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Nobody knows why, but Carson Palmer just is not the quarterback he used to be. Palmer threw for 3,970 yards, including 26 touchdowns this year while completing almost 63 percent of his passes. He had two good receivers in Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco. Having the 27th-ranked rushing offense in the league certainly didn't open things up for the pass.
With a chink in his armor visible, you better believe that some of the league's bottom feeders desperate for a quarterback are going to make a play for Palmer in hopes that a change of scenery will turn him into the Pro Bowler he was for two seasons (2005, 2006).
Despite what Marvin Lewis says, the Bengals are going to listen.
2. Donovan McNabb, Quarterback, Washington Redskins
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Donovan McNabb wants to be a starter and feels he should be treated better than Mike Shanahan has been treating him. He probably deserves to be and that's probably why a trade is imminent. McNabb played poorly last season and definitely is not the quarterback he was in Philadelphia.
But he has a few more years left and I wouldn't be shocked to see him sent down to Miami for a couple draft picks. Miami needs help at the quarterback position.
McNabb definitely is not a long-term answer for Miami, but the Dolphins are currently stuck with one of the worst quarterbacks in the league in Chad Henne. McNabb would be a good short-term answer.
1. Kevin Kolb, Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles
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Michael Vick will be a free agent and Kevin Kolb does not want to sit on the bench. The Eagles have the kind of problem every GM in the league dreams about. Ideally, they would keep both. Kevin Kolb is the better long-term investment, while Vick, now 30, has said he has a couple years left.
I think it's going to come down to Kolb being shipped out of Philly. Vick is too good and there are still some question marks with Kolb. The Eagles were good this year and could be better next year with Vick at the helm.
Kolb will be sought after and most likely the Eagles can get something decent back in return. Maybe Kolb and a fourth-round pick for a second-round pick to get one of this year's quarterbacks (Locker, Gabbert, Ponder, etc).
Let Kolb go start somewhere and groom the rookie behind Vick.
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