2011 NFL Trade Rumors: Kevin Kolb and 10 Rising Stars on the Move This Offseason
New 2011 NFL trade rumors are going to start to start exploding this week with everyone gathering in Dallas this week to discuss and speculate about next year.
The quarterback situation in Philadelphia and a few other places will be among those that grab our attention, but with 32 teams and the uncertainty regarding next year's labor situation, there will be plenty of players to be rumored about.
We'll keep this list reasonable by listing only "rising stars" or players who have not yet established themselves as one of the NFL's elite.
No. 10: Justin Forsett, RB, Seattle Seahawks
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The Seahawks will probably go out and add someone to their backfield this offseason, and most likely that player will come from the draft.
So with Marshawn Lynch unmovable after his play in the win over New Orleans, Forsett should be the odd man out.
He is definitely not a star yet, but he showed some moves and versatility out of the backfield. Plus, since he's only making $550,000 next season, teams will take a second look at him.
No. 9: Parys Haralson, LB, San Francisco 49ers
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Patrick Willis is definitely the star of that 49ers defense. But Haralson has been a very effective pass rusher the past three years.
But he isn't great in coverage and Jim Harbaugh could use more versatility when he shakes things up this offseason.
There are plenty of holes on that team and if the 49ers can deal Haralson, whom they can replace with a player like Ahmad Brooks, they should.
No. 8: Aaron Hernandez, TE, New England Patriots
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If there's a team that loves to trade players, it's the Pats. And although Hernandez had an outstanding rookie season (45 catches, 563 yards, six TD) do they really need him and Rob Gronkowski?
Grownkowski is much bigger and had an even better season as a rookie last year, catching 42 passes for 546 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Hernandez's stock will probably never be higher, and since Tom Brady has so many other weapons in the passing game, they move him to supplement their young defense.
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No. 7: Chad Henne, QB, Miami Dolphins
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Henne started the season out with such promise only to become scapegoat for the Dolphins' terrible play in the second half of the season.
And although Tony Sporano and Jeff Ireland don't have a very good backup plan in store (Tyler Thigpen was bad and Chad Pennington continues to be injury-prone), Henne will be better off elsewhere. The Miami fans just don't want him around any longer.
The Dolphins are going to go through several changes on the offensive side of the ball and if they unload him now, they can get something for him before he become a free agent next year.
No. 6: Robert Meachem, WR, New Orleans Saints
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The Saints have three very good wide receivers in Meachem, Devery Henderson and Lance Moore to supplement their best one, Marques Colston.
Look for them to re-sign Moore, who is a free agent—and Henderson they signed to a four-year deal in 2009.
Meachem is a free agent after next year and because he has great size (6'2", 210 pounds) he is appealing to many teams out there.
No. 5: Brandon Spikes, LB, New England Patriots
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Of course, Spikes is talented. Not only that, he had a great rookie season...until he was suspended for the final four games of the season.
He's been involved in a few other "character issues" since becoming a big star at Florida.
That, coupled with the fact that Gary Guyton played well in his place, should have Bill Belichick and company considering a deal.
They certainly have no problem trading big-name players (Randy Moss, Richard Seymour), and a dozen teams around the league would have interest in adding the second-year linebacker.
No. 4: Mario Manningham, WR, New York Giants
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With Steve Smith out, Manningham had an incredible finish to the 2010 season: 16 catches, 346 yards, four touchdowns in the final three games.
There are seveal teams out there in need of young wide receivers and the Giants can afford to deal Manningham: With Hakeem Nicks, Smith coming back healthy next year, and perhaps the return of Plaxico Burress, the Giants have possibilities.
And since the Giants' explosive passing game failed to earn a playoff berth this year, redirecting their focus to the run attack is going to be a big part of their approach in 2011.
No. 3: Donald Brown, RB, Indianapolis Colts
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Maybe the Colts will re-sign Joseph Addai, maybe they won't. But somewhere along the line (either the draft or via free agency) Indianapolis needs to bring in someone new to carry the ball.
For whatever reason, Brown just hasn't fit into that offense and hasn't been able to stay healthy.
Nevertheless, he is talented and has showed flashes of fine play, like his 14-carry, 129-yard day in the crucial win over the Jaguars.
In a different offense that puts running backs in better position to be successful on the ground, Brown could become a 1,000-yard back.
No. 2: Vince Young, QB, Tennessee Titans
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No one doubts Young's athleticism. And he was having a great season through the air in 2010 (98.6 quarterback rating) before the injuries and quarreling with Jeff Fisher.
Despite all the concerns, he is still a big name and will be attractive to teams in need of a new quarterback, like Minnesota and Miami.
Parting ways with Jeff Fisher does help the Titans a bit when they try to trade Young instead of just cutting him.
With Fisher gone, there is still a possibility that they keep Young (even though unlikely), so teams cannot just bank on him being available as a free agent sometime this summer.
No. 1: Kevin Kolb, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
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We've all suspected that the Eagles would tag Michael Vick in order to keep him and hope to later extend him to a long-term deal. And now it's clear that will happen.
The second part of the Eagles' quarterback future is much more hazy: Do they want to keep Kolb as insurance for Vick, a 30-year-old quarterback who has been somewhat injury-riddled thanks to his reckless running style?
Kolb would provide a great backup plan, but since he is a free agent after next year, he would almost certainly leave if he has to spend another season on the bench.
He may not have been as flashy as Vick, or even as productive throwing the ball. But Kolb has the skills and the experience to start for any one of the teams (Minnesota, Miami, Tennessee) in need of a new starter.
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