2011 NFL Trade Rumors: Ranking the Top 10 Defensive Players Who Could Be Dealt

The 2010-2011 NFL season will come to a close Sunday, February 6 when the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers battle in Super Bowl XLV.

That doesn’t mean football will be over.

Sure, no games will be played.

But there will still be battles in the sport.

Players will battle management and vice-versa.

Fans will battle other fans for football supremacy.

The offseason is a popular scene for tumultuous times. As free agency and the NFL draft approaches, management will analyze every aspect of their team as they look to improve the entire organization heading into the 2011 season with the No. 1 goal to win a Super Bowl Championship.

As players and management become increasingly unhappy with the way things are headed, we could see several trades this offseason.

Here are the top 10 defensive players who could be moved this offseason.

10. Bob Sanders, Indianapolis Colts S

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 18: Bob Sanders #21 of the Indianapolis Colts stretches prior to the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on December 18, 2008 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Indianapolis will surely ask Bob Sanders to take a pay cut since he can never stay on the field.

Yet when he is on the field, Sanders is one of the best defenders in the game. He has fantastic run-stopping ability, quickness and instincts.

If Sanders doesn’t wish to take the pay cut, Indianapolis could shop him around the league for a late-round pick during April’s draft.

If he could stay healthy, which is a big if, he would be quite the force for an up-and-coming team.

Imagine Sanders in Oakland or San Francisco.

9. Channing Crowder, Miami Dolphins LB

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 4: Linebacker Channing Crowder #52 of the Miami Dolphins sets for play against the Baltimore Ravens in an NFL Wildcard Playoff Game at Dolphins Stadium on January 4, 2009 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Channing Crowder has made some awesome comments before.

He may very well be an idiot.

But every now and then, the kid can play some football.

He’s a good tackler.

Miami should want to be done with him just because I don’t understand how he can’t drive management nuts.

If they could unload him for a late-round pick, I’d do it.

8. Tanard Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers S

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NEW ORLEANS - DECEMBER 27: Tanard Jackson #36 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers moves on the field during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on December 27, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Jackson has kept himself in shape after being suspended indefinitely for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

Jackson was supposed to be an important piece to the improved Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense.

Turns out, they didn’t need their mouthpiece as much as thought they did in 2010.

Although the Bucs could use safety help, they will probably try to unload him for a late-round draft pick if a team is willing to take a chance on him.

Jackson has more than an affordable contract for 2011 and will be a free agent in 2012.

7. Parys Haralson, San Francisco 49ers LB

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 03: Parys Haralson #98 of the San Francisco 49ers against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on October 3, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

San Francisco will be looking elsewhere for a pass rusher considering Haralson’s production has dipped for three straight seasons. He went from eight sacks in 2008 to five in 2009 to four in 2010.

It’s clearly time for San Francisco to move on, but that doesn’t mean another team couldn’t use his services.

A team like Miami or Arizona could use a cheap piece.

6. Brandon Spikes, New England Patriots LB

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FOXBORO, MA - AUGUST 26: Michael Hoomanawanui #86 of the St. Louis Rams scores a touchdown as Brandon Spikes #55 of the New England Patriots defends on August 26, 2010 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Spikes had a good rookie campaign until he was suspended four games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

In the AFC Divisional loss to the New York Jets, he barely played.

Fellow linebacker Gary Guyton played well for Bill Belichick in Spikes’ absence.

What does that mean?

Belichick could look to unload Spikes for a draft pick even if he is the better run stopper between the two linebackers.

The New York Giants and St. Louis Rams could both use a potentially great young linebacker who will only be entering his second year in the league.

5. Nick Barnett, Green Bay Packers LB

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GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 18: Nick Barnett #56 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a defensive stop against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on October 18, 2009 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Lions 26-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty

Nick Barnett used to be one of the better linebackers in the league.

That was years ago.

Barnett now is often injured and is making a nice chunk of change.

Green Bay is looking to win Super Bowl XLV after making it to the big stage without Nick Barnett.

Clearly, Barnett’s impact and importance on the team has diminished.

He still has two years left on his contract and will make around $12 million the next two seasons. A team could get a healthy Barnett for a mid-to-late round pick.

4. A.J. Hawk, Green Bay Packers LB

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GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 16: Linebacker A.J. Hawk #50 of the Green Bay Packers lead his team in defense with six tackles and one assist against the Chicago Bears during NFL action at Lambeau Field on November 16, 2008 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers

I was a huge fan of A.J. Hawk coming out of Ohio State. I pegged him to be a Green Bay Packer and was ecstatic when he was drafted to upgrade the Packers defense.

Unfortunately, Hawk has not exactly lived up to his hype.

He was one year left remaining on his contract but is expected to make $10 million. For that, Green Bay may look to unload him for a third-, fourth- or fifth-round draft pick.

Plenty of teams could use Hawk as a rental as they look to make a run at a Super Bowl Championship.

3. Shaun Rogers, Cleveland Browns DT

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CLEVELAND - OCTOBER 04: Shaun Rogers #92 of the Cleveland Browns in action against the Cincinnati Bengals during their game at Cleveland Browns Stadium on October 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Bengals defeated the Browns 23-20 in overtime. (Photo by J

Shaun Rogers is a beast of man.

Unfortunately, he does not play as hard when he is unhappy. Why is he unhappy? He is constantly playing for losing teams.

Rogers could be dealt by the Cleveland Browns who are attempting to overhaul the team.

New Orleans could look into acquiring the defensive tackle monster but another interesting fit could be in Carolina.

No, Carolina is not a winning squad, but we have seen teams at the bottom of the NFC South turn it around and win the division after one solid offseason.

The Panthers have been rumored to draft Auburn’s defensive tackle Nick Fairley. Fairley has questions marks of his own. Superstar wide receiver Steve Smith is unhappy in Carolina. Cleveland desperately needs a playmaker at the receiver position for quarterback Colt McCoy and running back Peyton Hillis.

This would allow Carolina to upgrade its defensive line and still take another player with the No. 1 overall pick like wide receiver A.J. Green, defensive end Da’Quan Bowers or linebacker Von Miller.

2. Vince Wilfork, New England Patriots DT

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FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Vince Wilfork #75 of the New England Patriots looks on during drills before a against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Wilfork had a solid 2010 with two sacks and 57 tackles and has only missed six regular season games in his career.

The Patriots paid Wilfork last offseason, making him the second highest-paid defensive tackle in the league after our No. one defensive player who could be dealt.

I’ll let you take a few guesses on who that might be before moving forward.

Bill Belichick coached one of his best seasons but lost to the New York Jets at home in the AFC Divisional round.

What does that mean?

Belichick could be looking to make changes and it usually starts with the players making the most since he can find pieces to plug in for his defense.

If Wilfork is traded, look for the New Orleans Saints to be one of the top teams looking to acquire one of the league’s best defensive tackles.

1. Albert Haynesworth, Washington Redskins DT

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GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 02: Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth #92 of the Washington Redskins stands on the sidelines during preseason NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona

The Albert Haynesworth experiment in Washington has been one of the worst in recent sports memory.

Mike Shanahan made him look like a fool taking conditioning tests in preseason.

I don’t know about you, but I loved every damn second of it.

Haynesworth deserved it.

He’s been a headache ever since he arrived in Washington.

He was ultimately suspended for the final month of the 2010 season after barely playing.

Tennessee was rumored to acquire Haynesworth during the season. Haynesworth was one of the best defensive players in the league during his time with Tennessee. It’s a perfect fit and a trade that should happen this offseason.