NFL Trade Rumors: Power Ranking the 20 Best Trades In NFL History

The NFL trade market doesn't get talked about a lot, but when a trade goes down, it's often times epic. There are time in the life of a GM where they are smart enough to see the writing on the wall. They know when it's time to say goodbye to a player or when they can get better value for the future. There are other times when they see a player not being used to their potential in one place and bring them over where they can get the most out of them.

These trades don't just define a career for the player, but often times define the direction of a team. They signify great change or a new attitude and can be the cornerstone of something special.

Here is a look at the 20 greatest trades of all time and what they meant to the team that pulled it off.  

Honorable Mention – Peyton Hillis to the Cleveland Browns

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CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 26: Tailback Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball by linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

In a city that had seen its share of heartbreak and disappointment, especially coming off LeBron James' “Decision”, the city of Cleveland needed something good to happen.

Enter Peyton Hillis. The Browns shipped out their overpriced, disappointing quarterback for a lesser known running back.

What the Denver Broncos got was a quarterback in Quinn who got buried in the depth chart, but what the Browns got was a back that ran for almost 1,200 yards and hit pay dirt 11 times. The Browns finally had something work in their favor. It had been a long time coming for that.  

20. The New York Jets Get Braylon Edwards

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Braylon Edwards #17 of the New York Jets celebrates on his way to defeating the Patriots 28 to 21 in their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Michael He

The Jets knew that Braylon Edwards needing a change of scenery from the Cleveland Browns. Four games into the 2009 season, the Cleveland Browns got an offer for their problematic wide receiver. The Jets gave them Chansi Stuckey, Jason Trusnik and a third and an fifth-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Edwards gave the Jets the threat they needed in the passing game and helped take the Jets to two consecutive AFC Championship games.  

19. The Philadelphia Eagles Get Terrell Owens

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IRVING, TX - OCTOBER 9: Wide receiver Terrell Owens #81 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Dallas Cowboys on October 9, 2005 at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 33-10. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

This was a must trade situation. Owens had worn out his welcome in the city by the bay and demanded that the 49ers trade him. They attempted to bring him to Baltimore, but Owens refused, saying he wouldn't show up. The 49ers were left with little options, so they moved him to Philadelphia for a fifth-round pick and defensive end Brandon Whiting.

While things with Owens eventually turned ugly, he did help get the Eagles to the Super Bowl in the 2004 season. And they gave up nothing to do it.

18. The Miami Dolphins Get Paul Warfield

The Miami Dolphins knew they were just a player away from being the kind of team that could win a Super Bowl, but they just never thought that player would be in Cleveland.

Before the 1970 season, the Miami Dolphins set their sights on Warfield and landed him for the draft pick the Browns would use on Mike Phipps. Warfield would end up being an important part of the Dolphins championship teams. In 1983, he was inducted into the pro football Hall of Fame.  

17. The New England Patriots Trade Randy Moss

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MINNEAPOLIS - OCTOBER 17: Wide receiver Randy Moss #84 the Minnesota Vikings looks on prior to the start of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mall of America Field on October 17, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

It's amazing how a guy can go from being a leader in the club house to being a guy that just has to go. During the 2010 regular season, Moss was unhappy with the Patriots organization. He felt as if they didn't want him back because he was not being offered a contract extension. Moss requested a trade after week one, and Belichick, knowing that Moss' attitude would only get worse, agreed.

Before the fifth week of the season, the New England Patriots traded Moss to the Minnesota Vikings for a third round selection in the 2011 NFL Draft.

The Patriots went on a tear after that, looking better without Moss and added to their collection of 2011 picks. The Vikings would only have Moss for five games before giving him his outright release from the team.  

16. The Miami Dolphins Get Ricky Williams

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 05: Running back Ricky Williams #34 of the Miami Dolphins is brought down by Sheldon Brown #24 of the Cleveland Browns at Sun Life Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

This isn't the Ricky Williams trade you might expect to see, but with a little perspective, it makes sense. After a rocky relationship in New Orleans, Ricky Williams was traded to the Miami Dolphins for two first-round and two second-round picks.

While there is the 2006 and 2007 season that Williams was out of football for, beyond that, he has amassed 6,436 yards with the Dolphins and 48 touchdowns. He's been as durable as they come too. He's played in every eligible game the last three years and has averaged over four yards a carry for the Dolphins in that time.

The Dolphins didn't get exactly what they wanted when they got him, but he's still given them more than others could have done.  

15. The New England Patriots Get Wes Welker

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DETROIT - NOVEMBER 25: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots congratulates teammate Wes Welker #83 after a fourth quarter touchdown during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 25, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. New England def

There are some deals that send shockwaves through the NFL. Then there are other deals that barely get whispered about. Wes Welker from the Miami Dolphins to the New England Patriots was one of those deals.

Before the start of the 2007 season, the New England Patriots decided they wanted the Dolphins offensive standout Wes Welker. The Dolphins were ruluctant to let Welker, then a restricted free agent, go. But a second and seventh round pick and an offer sheet that would have been too much to match forced the Dolphins to part company.

Welker has flourished in the Patriots offense, and his first three seasons in New England resulted in more than 300 receptions and 3,000 yards.  

14. The Denver Broncos Get Champ Bailey

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 12: Cornerback Champ Bailey #24 of the Denver Broncos stands on the sidelines during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeate

In a trade that looked like it was going to work out for both teams, it may have worked out more for the Denver Broncos.

Before the 2004 season, Champ Bailey was set to get a new contract. When the Washington Redskins tried to put the franchise tag on him, Bailey threatened to sit out camp. The Redskins ended up letting Champ seek out a trade.

The Broncos offered up their running back, Clinton Portis, and a seventh round pick for the Washington star cornerback. Since then, he has went on to make six Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams.  

13.The Atlanta Falcons Get Michael Vick

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ATLANTA - DECEMBER 06: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up on the field before facing the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on December 6, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

This trade worked out for both. The Falcons knew Michael Vick was their man, but it was the San Diego Chargers that had the overall first pick. The Falcons threw everything but the kitchen sink at San Deigo. They gave up their first-round, third-round, first-round pick the following season and wide receiver Tim Dwight just to get him.

The Chargers took it, and with the fifth pick in the draft(Atlanta's pick), acquired TCU stand out LaDainian Tomlinson. Tomlinson went on to win an MVP and carve out a place in Canton. Vick ended up being worth every penny..until that whole dog fighting thing happened.

12. The New England Patriots Get Randy Moss

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FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Randy Moss #81 of the New England Patriots runs to the line against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

When the rumor starting flying on draft day that problematic, but talented, wide reciever Randy Moss was going to be a Patriot, the reaction was one of surprise.

First, they couldn't believe that a system minded and disciplined coach like Bill Belichick would want a notorious cancer like Moss. The other half couldn't believe that the Oakland Raiders would trade away a singular talent like Moss for a fourth round pick, but the Raiders were certain that they could last with Moss and they were willing to part company.

Moss went on to become a vital part of the New England offense and broke the single season TD reception record in 2007 on the way to an undefeated regular season for the Patriots.

11. The Dallas Cowboys Get Tony Dorsett

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1986: Running back Tony Dorsett #33 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on during a playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams on January 4, 1986. The Rams defeated the Cowboys 20-0. (Photo by Mike Powell/Getty Images)

The Seattle Seahawks had Dorsett for the taking, but the Dallas Cowboys made them an offer they couldn't refuse. In the 1977 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys wanted in on the number two pick. They had the 24^th. So, they offered Seattle that pick as well as three second round picks in order to get the rights to draft Tony Dorsett.

In his 12-year career, he amassed 77 touchdowns and 12,000 rushing yards. He earned a Super Bowl ring and a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  

10. The San Diego Chargers Get Philip Rivers

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DENVER - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers takes the field against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 33-28. (Photo by Doug Pensing

It's rare that a quarterback swap would benefit both teams, but when life brings you lemons, as it did the San Diego Chargers, you make lemonade.

When the word came down that the consensus number one pick, Eli Manning, would refuse to play in San Diego, the Chargers had no choice but to look for a deal. The New York Giants had the no. 4 deal and agreed to draft Philip Rivers and swap him with Manning in exchange for two other picks. Those picks would turn into Pro Bowlers Nate Kneading and Shawn Merriman.

While Manning earned a ring with the 2007 Giants, the Chargers had to be happy with the haul they got out of that draft day debacle.  

9. The Detroit Lions Get Bobby Layne

Bobby Layne knew he was good, but it took a season in New York to prove it to himself and the Detroit Lions. After Layne knew his future in Chicago was limited, George Halas moved Layne to the New York Bulldogs. The franchise, which is no longer in existence, traded Bobby Layne after one season to the Detroit Lions.

The Lions knew they would have to give up defensive end Bob Mann, but they knew Layne would be worth it. In his first five seasons with the Lions, he led them to three NFL Championships and is largely credited with creating the two minute offense.  

8. The Pittsburgh Steelers Get Jerome Bettis

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DETROIT - FEBRUARY 05: Running back Jerome Bettis #36 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks for room to run against the Seattle Seahawks in the third quarter in Super Bowl XL at Ford Field on February 5, 2006 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Harry How/Getty I

Sometimes marijuana can rescue your career. Right before the 1996 NFL Draft, the Steelers lost their running back Bam Morris to a marijuana arrest. The Steelers, thinking that Bettis still had life left in his legs, decided to acquire him from the St. Louis Rams for a second round pick in that draft and the fourth-round pick in the next draft.

Bettis, who had seen limited playing time and was going to be asked to play full back for the Rams, was only delighted to come to Pittsburgh. He rushed for 1,000 plus yards in each of his first six seasons and played a pivotal role on the 2005 Super Bowl winning team.  

7. The St. Louis Rams Get Marshall Faulk

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ST. LOUIS - NOVEMBER 14: Marshall Faulk #28 of the St. Louis Rams carries the ball as Terreal Bierria #34 of the Seattle Seahawks tries make the stop on November 14, 2004 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri. The St. Louis Rams defeated the Se

Before Faulk was a Super Bowl success in St. Louis, he was a problem in Indianapolis. Faulk was highly regarded by the Indianapolis Colts when he was drafted in 1994. Through his first three years he lived up to his billing. But, in his fourth year due to contract disagreements and a toe injury, Faulk became a headache as far as the Colts brass was concerned.

When rumors started running that the Colts were interested in shopping the running back, the St. Louis Rams swooped in and offered a second and fifth-round pick for the running back. Upon his arrival in St. Louis, he became part of the “Greatest Show on Turf” and lead the Rams to two straight Super Bowls. Faulk earned an MVP in his time in St. Louis and earned a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  

6. The New England Patriots Get Bill Belichick

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Imag

This story isn't quite the trade it seems to be. The idea was that once Bill Parcells stepped down as the New York Jets head coach that Bill Belichick was going to replace him. So one day after the hiring was announced, Belichick scribbled his resignation on a piece of paper to the New York Jets and subsequently took the job in New England.

The Jets were furious and demanded that they be compensated for Belichick, who was still under contract. The Patriots obliged and gave the Jets a first-round draft pick.

It was a small price to pay for the best coach of the last decade.  

5. The San Francisco 49ers Get Steve Young

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12 Sep 1999: Steve Young #8 of the San Francisco 49ers moves with the ball during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Alltell Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars defeated the 49ers 41-3. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport

Steve Young may have solved the age old debate: is the quarterback bad, or is the team bad?

When Young was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1984 Supplemental draft, the Bucs had high hopes, but a poor stat line by Young, and consecutive 2-14 seasons, resulted in the Bucs listening to offers for the USFL standout.

The 49ers Bill Walsh believed it was Tampay Bay, and not Young, that was the problem. So when the Bucs drafted Vinny Testaverde in the 1987 draft, the 49ers offered a second and fourth-round pick for Young.

Young eventually took over the reigns from Joe Montana and won two MVP's and a Super Bowl for the 49ers.  

4. The Green Bay Packers Get Brett Favre

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GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 20: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Green Bay Packers warms his hand in between plays of the NFC championship game against the New York Giants on January 20, 2008 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Dan

There may not be a bigger trade for a team than the one that the Green Bay Packers made to acquire Brett Favre. The Southern Mississippi QB sat his rookie year, and reports were coming in that he wasn't a favorite of Atlanta Falcons head coach Jerry Glanville.

Well, the Packers saw an opportunity and struck a deal that brought Favre over to Green Bay in exchange for a first-round pick. The Packers ended up using Favre that season, and he would eventually break every Packer and NFL major passing record. He also took the Packers to two Super Bowls, winning one of them.

Favre seemed like he was never going to work out in Atlanta, but he worked out just fine in Green Bay.

3. The San Francisco 49ers Get Jerry Rice

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17 Dec 2000: Jerry Rice #80 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to the side while running during the game against the Chicago Bears at the 3Com Park in San Francisco, California. The 49ers defeated the Bears 17-0.Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport

Bill Walsh, the legendary 49ers head coach, wasn't just a genius for what he could do between the hash marks, but was also a genius for what he did on draft day. Before the New England Patriots were the smartest franchise in the league, they made one fatal franchise error. They gave up their No. 16 pick in the 1985 draft.

The 49ers gave up their first two pics to get Rice, and Bill Walsh soon found he was worth every penny. Rice would help take San Francisco to three Super Bowls and finished as the NFL leader in receptions, touchdowns, and total yards.

2. The Dallas Cowboys Trade Herschel Walker

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20 Jul 1997: Running back Herschel Walker #34 of the Dallas Cowboys in action during the Cowboys training camp in Austin, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport

There is no trade in the history of the NFL that gets more attention than the Vikings trading for Herschel Walker. He was a standout in college and at Dallas, but at the time of the trade, Dallas was going through a massive rebuilding phase. Legendary coach Tom Landry had been pushed out for hot college coach Jimmy Johnson, and the Cowboys were in the middle of a 1-15 season in 1989.

When the Vikings were so close to being a Super Bowl team, their ownership saw fit to come after star running back. They offered the Cowboys five players and eight draft picks for Walker.

The Cowboys obliged and used the draft picks to get, among others, Darren Woodson and Emmitt Smith.

The Cowboys went on to win three Super Bowls in the next decade, and Walker was out of Minnesota in two years.

1. The Denver Broncos Get John Elway

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22 Nov 1998: Quarterback John Elway #7 of the Denver Broncos prepares to throw a pass during a game against the Oakland Raiders at the Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 40-14. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Laforet/Allspo

Sometimes it pays to be a brat. When Elway was selected by the Baltimore Colts in the 1983 draft, Elway had no interest in playing for the Colts. He threatened to go play baseball for the New York Yankees(a real possibility) if the Colts intended on keeping him.

With the turmoil present, the Broncos stepped in and offered quarterback Mark Herrman and two offensive lineman for the Stanford standout. It was either this or walk.

The Broncos got their man and got five Super Bowl appearances and two Super Bowl rings.