NFL Trade Rumors: 10 Blockbuster Trades That Will Shift the Power Balance

Right now, Kevin Kolb is the hottest name on the trade market. One of the biggest questions heading into this off-season is what will the Eagles do with Kolb? I've heard a lot of people wanting to keep him and some say they should trade him. Others say they should trade Vick instead. 

Either way all eyes will be watching to see what happens with Kevin Kolb this offseason. Any type of trade most likely will not be made until after there is a new collective bargaining agreement. So basically there could be no trades at all. 

We're going to ignore the looming NFL lockout and pretend all is well for now. For the sake of this article trades will be happening, and there could be some big deals in 2011. 

Several teams need quarterbacks. It appears that most will try to acquire new signal callers through trade or free agency. Andrew Luck's decision to return to Stanford means there isn't clear cut number one quarterback. Sorry folks, gut feeling here, I'm not buying on all the Blaine Gabbert hype.

So which guys will be on the move this off-season? Here are 10 potential trades that we could see.  

10. Matt Flynn to the Tennessee Titans

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Matt Flynn #10 of the Green Bay Packers losens up on the sideline against the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty

Matt Flynn just won a Super Bowl ring...as a backup quarterback. He wants to be a starter in the NFL, as would any player on any team. Will the Packers ship him out? 

Flynn was quite impressive stepping in for Aaron Rodgers in a Week 15 loss to the New England Patriots, throwing for 251 yards and three touchdowns. Flynn was drafted in the seventh round in 2008, and has been waiting for a chance that he will never have in Green Bay. The Packers will be Aaron Rodgers team for a long time. 

The Titans desperately need another quarterback. I highly doubt Kerry Collins can make it through a full season. Trading for Flynn wouldn't cost Tennessee all that much. Getting the 25 year old is a smarter move than drafting a rookie quarterback with the eighth overall pick. It's too risky to select an unproven QB with that pick, which is why they should go after Flynn. 

9. Albert Haynesworth to the Philadelphia Eagles

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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 Eagles have dealt with attitude problems before. While they may not want to risk dealing with a giant diva in Albert Haynesworth, the potential reward outweighs the risk. 

The Eagles might consider working a deal with the Redskins in the off-season once again. It's obvious they're not happy with him and things haven't worked out since the day he arrived. 

Haynesworth's former position coach at Tennessee was just hired by the Eagles. He said he owes Jim Washburn everything. Does this mean Washburn pleads for a Haynesworth trade? The Eagles could definitely use him. They could give up one of their current draft picks, or one they'll be getting when they trade Kevin Kolb. 

8. Brandon Jacobs to the Detroit Lions

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DETROIT - DECEMBER 13: Brandon Jacobs #27 of the New York Giants runs for a first down during the second quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 13, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

The Detroit Lions are on the rise. You may have just laughed out loud at that sentence but seriously think about it. Yes they only won six games but they were closely competing in just about every game this season. And that was with their second and third string quarterback! 

The Lions need to get a power back. Brandon Jacobs signed a big contract with the Giants a few years back but New York may want to let him go and only keep Ahmad Bradshaw. Bradshaw is a free agent this off-season and I highly doubt they're going to let him get away. 

If the Lions pull a deal and get Jacobs they will have a perfect duo in the backfield. Strong and powerful like with Brandon Jacobs, and fast and elusive with Jahvid Best. This move would give them a great chance at winning the NFC North. They'd only have to give up a third maybe second round draft pick from this year or 2012. 

7. T.J. Houshmandzadeh to the New England Patriots

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CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 21: T.J. Houshmandzadeh #84 of the Baltimore Ravens against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots are very savvy with their draft picks. It's no secret they could use another receiver. I don't see them drafting a receiver that could help them right away. Therefore, expect Belichick to wheel and deal during the NFL Draft.

They could trade one of their current draft picks or any of the ones they acquire while at the draft. The Ravens can't be too thrilled from the production they got from Houshmandzadeh this past season. He had 30 receptions for only 398 yards in 2010. That's just sad. His yard total hasn't been lower than 900 since 2002.

He struggled in Baltimore and I don't see things getting any better. They're not to happy about his dropped catch that cost them the game during the playoffs.  

6. Vincent Jackson to the Atlanta Falcons

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SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Wide receiver Vincent Jackson #83 of the San Diego Chargers celebrates scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Don

The Atlanta Falcons were the best team in the NFC last season. Well according to their record they were. However they couldn't beat the Packers when it counted most. One of the reasons they lost that game is because Roddy White is their only reliable receiver. Michael Jenkins is decent at best and can sometimes make the big catch. 

The Chargers are expected to place the franchise tag on Vincent Jackson. Things didn't go so well in 2010, and I'm skeptic to think 2011 will be any better. They're best option is trading the disgruntled receiver.

The Falcons could get this strong quality receiver for a couple draft picks. Obtaining Vincent Jackson would propel Atlanta to new heights in 2011. They would be a very dangerous team. Matt Ryan would be free to throw more relieving some of the pressure put on Michael Turner.  

5. Kyle Orton to the San Francisco 49ers

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 12: Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos stands on the sideline during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the

New head coach Jim Harbaugh may want to stick with Alex Smith, but it sure wouldn't hurt to add another quarterback in the mix. This way you have a more reliable back up than Troy Smith. 

Denver has a decision to make. At the end of the season they pulled Kyle Orton and made Tim Tebow the starter. They knew their season was done and they wanted to see how the kid would play. Tebow did a decent job and will continue to improve his skills over the years. Because of this they have to get rid of Orton. 

The 49ers will consider drafting a quarterback with the seventh overall pick, but it is way to risky to do that. Trade some draft picks for Kyle Orton and have a real QB race heading into training camp. The 49ers would be an improved team with Orton behind center. He had some rough spots in 2010, but he can throw it with the best of them. 

4. Carson Palmer to the Washington Redskins

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals calls a play at the line of scrimage while playing the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty

Carson Palmer gave the Bengals an option, trade me or I'm retiring. Palmer took it a step further and recently put his house up for sale.  

The Redskins aren't very pleased with Donovan McNabb. Mike Shanahan would love to have Carson Palmer as his quarterback. Washington would probably have to give up their first round pick, which is No. 10 overall.

Palmer wants to be on a winning team, but he has no control of where he gets traded. I think he'll be happy anywhere he goes. He'll instantly make the team better.

Palmer is one of the top 10 quarterbacks in the league today. If the Bengals trade him it's going to be at a hefty price. The Redskins would be a much better team with Palmer and make the NFC East the toughest division in the league, as well as the best quarterback division. 

3. Vince Young to the Carolina Panthers

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 18: Quarterback Vince Young #10 of the Tennessee Titans grimaces in pain during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the game at EverBank Field on October 18, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by J. Me

That would be Vince Young's reaction to the news of him being traded to the Panthers. 

It's no secret Carolina needs a quarterback, and the Titans need to get rid of one. Young has great potential but with attitude problems and character issue Tennessee has decided it's time to part ways with the quarterback. 

Young would greatly improve the Panthers. It wouldn't cost too much to trade for him because of his past issues. A third round pick from this year and possibly a future pick as well should get the job done. Young to the Panthers would give the NFC South one heck of a quarterback p.  

2. Donovan McNabb to the Minnesota Vikings

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 05: Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins looks to throw a pass against the New York Giants on December 5, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Redskins 31-7. (

It worked the first time Minnesota got a veteran quarterback to run their team. However it was a huge bust the second go around. Third times a charm right?  

Brett Favre is done with football (no, seriously). That leaves the Vikings with a huge question mark on offense. If they could somehow get Donovan McNabb they would be a strong contender.

McNabb was able to thrive in Philadelphia will great talent around him. In Minnesota he'll have Adrian Peterson to hand off to, and he'll also have Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin, and Visanthe Shiancoe to throw to.  The Vikings would be a very dangerous team. This is a deal Minnesota needs to make.  

1. Kevin Kolb to the Arizona Cardinals

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 02: Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws a pass against the Dallas Cowboys on January 2, 2011 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Larry Fitzgerald gave his advice about which quarterback the Cardinals should pick up. His No. 1 choice was Kevin Kolb. It's obvious Fitzgerald wants a young quarterback to throw him the ball for many years to come. He knows that he'll get a huge deal from the Cardinals to stay and play in Arizona. Ftizgerald just wants a good quarterback leading his team. 

Head coach Ken Whisenthunt made it clear Fitzgerald doesn't make the decisions around here. Even though he doesn't have the final say Whisenhunt should seriously listen to the best player on his team. If he doesn't make Ftizgerald happy then don't expect him to resign with the Cardinals when his contract ends this year. 

Kolb leading the way for the Cardinals would give them a strong chance to finish on top of the weak NFC West. He makes them a much better team, and gives them hope for the future.