NFL Trade Rumors: 10 Teams That Should Deal for Steve Smith

Steve Smith is 31 years old. He led the Panthers in receiving with 554, but only scored two touchdowns. His production has decreased over the last few years. 

Smith has been in the league 10 years, all with Carolina. It is time for the veteran to move on. He's frustrated with the losing team, and he knows the Panthers aren't going anywhere with Jimmy Clausen under center. 

Smith has hinted at wanting out, but new head coach Ron Rivera wants him to stay. Rivera says he is part of the Panthers plan "right now". However, if the right deal were to come along I believe Rivera should take it. 

Smith is aging and is obviously frustrated with being a Panther. He's set to make over $14 million over the next two years. It would be nice to move that contract. No deal will happen until after the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.  

If they do decide to trade him here are 10 teams in no particular order that should deal for Steve Smith. 

10. Kansas City Chiefs

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 02: Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe #82 of the Kansas City Chiefs bobbles the ball in a game against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Tim Umphrey/Getty Images)

Dwayne Bowe can't do it alone. Adding Smith to the Chiefs would make this team a lot stronger. Smith would undoubtedly play harder because he would be on a contending team. 

Matt Cassel struggled at times to move the ball down the field. If Bowe was covered there weren't many other options for Cassel. Bowe led the team in receiving. The two guys below him were a tight end and a running back. The Chiefs need receiver depth. 

Bringing Smith in would tremendously help this offense because they could be more balanced. They were first overall in rushing, but they ranked 30th in passing. Maybe then the Chiefs can get past the first round of the playoffs. 

9. Buffalo Bills

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 26: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Buffalo Bills readies to pass against the New England Patriots at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

The Bills ranked 24th in passing this past season. Ryan Fitzpatrick had a great year, but only had one threat at receiver in Steve Johnson. Adding a veteran like Steve Smith would greatly help Fitzpatrick's game. 

If the Bills are serious about Fitzpatrick as their quarterback then they need to upgrade the talent around him. They could trade for Smith and add some more offensive fire power to a losing team. Maybe then they could win more games. 

8. Atlanta Falcons

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons runs for yards after the catch against the Green Bay Packers during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka

The Falcons are a very balanced team. Michael Turner gets around 25 carries a game, and Matt Ryan gets close to 30-35 throws a game. The only problem is that Roddy White is the only go-to receiver on this team. Tight end Tony Gonzalez is always a threat but he isn't getting any younger.

Adding the veteran Smith would give this team some much needed depth at receiver. Michael Jenkins and Harry Douglas weren't a huge factor last year. Smith could be the missing piece this team needs to make a championship run.

Atlanta could and should try to trade for Steve Smith, but I don't see the Panthers trading Smith within the division. Doesn't mean you give up hope, though.   

7. Cincinnati Bengals

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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

The Bengals could be switching up the top players on their team. Receivers Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco could both be on the move. Carson Palmer also wants out.

If the Bengals lose all these guys they're going to need to add some type of talent to have a chance in the AFC. Trade for Steve Smith and you have a veteran leader at receiver. He could help whoever the quarterback is, just as long as they're better than Jimmy Clausen. 

Anyone think Palmer is done as a Bengal? He said he would retire if he isn't traded. If he's gone the Bengals could be using the fourth overall pick to draft a quarterback. 

6. Cleveland Browns

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CLEVELAND - AUGUST 21: Running back Lee Suggs #44 of the Cleveland Browns is welcomed into the Dawg Pound after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter of the pre-season game between the Cleveland Browns and the Detroit Lions on August 21, 2004 at

Cleveland sure has some great fans. They'll stick by any team whether they're winning or losing. Typically the Cleveland sports team is losing. 

The Browns leading receiver was tight end Ben Watson. He had 300 more yards than wideout Mohamed Massaquoi. The Browns have the sixth overall pick but the best receiver in the draft could be taken by then. And with so many other needs for the Browns they'll draft the best available player and not stretch for a receiver. 

Cleveland should trade for Steve Smith and add some depth at receiver. The veteran wideout would help the young guys on this team, and maybe Cleveland would win some more games. That would sure make the fans happier. 

5. Chicago Bears

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears on the sideline in the third quarter after leaving the game with an injury against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago

Jay Cutler lacked an elite receiver last year. The Bears are a good team and should be in the playoff hunt once again next year. However, without a strong wideout for Cutler to throw to, they won't get too far. 

Dealing for Smith would give Cutler a more reliable receiver to throw to. Cutler has the speedy Johnny Knox, but he could certainly use the intelligence of veteran Steve Smith. 

Smith would gladly go to the Bears because he knows he would make the reigning NFC North champs that much better. 

4. St. Louis Rams

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams scrambles with the football during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christia

The Rams have found their franchise quarterback in Sam Bradford. Now they must surround him with talent. Bradford lacked a dependable receiver his rookie year, but next season he should have more consistent guys to throw to. 

Trading for Smith gives Bradford a reliable receiver to throw to. He knows he would have a true weapon running routes. No receiver for the Rams had over 700 yards or even four touchdowns last year. Smith would find his youthful days play with a young star in the making named Sam Bradford.

Many people are projecting the Rams to draft Julio Jones with the No. 14 pick. However, that isn't a given and the Rams shouldn't wait until then to upgrade their team.  

3. Oakland Raiders

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Jason Campbell #8 of the Oakland Raiders throws a pass in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Tim Umphrey/Getty Images)

Jason Campbell needs some help. He can only hand off the Darren McFadden so many times. Occasionally, Campbell needs to throw the ball, and he needs someone to help him out. The teams leading receiver was tight end Zach Miller. 

Dealing for Smith would help this Raiders team win more games. Oakland swept the AFC West last season but only won eight games. They are without a first-round pick in the draft so they need to improve their team via the trade market. 

2. New York Jets

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets drops back during their 19 to 24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ronald Martine

A veteran receiver could greatly help quarterback Mark Sanchez. The Jets top wideouts Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes are both free agents. New York may not be re-signing either of these guys, meaning they need to find a wideout that Sanchez can rely on. 

Trading for Smith would give the Jets a receiver that really wants to win. Smith got a taste of winning in his early years with the Panthers, but Carolina hasn't been relevant in the last few years.

The Jets have made great playoff runs the last two years. Bringing in the veteran Smith could be the player to help them get to a Super Bowl.  

1. New England Patriots

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks to pass during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/G

The Patriots already have one veteran receiver in Deion Branch, why not add another? They know they're always going to get great play from Wes Welker, but Branch was inconsistent at times and struggled to get open late in the season. 

Trading for Steve Smith would give the Patriots some more depth. The Panthers need draft picks and the Patriots are masters of the draft. Somehow, Bill Belichick always increases his number of draft picks through trades. He could use some of his later-round picks to get Smith. 

Tom Brady would love having Smith on the team. Smith would definitely play his heart knowing he's on one of the best teams in the AFC, and he has Brady throwing to him. Smith has never had an elite quarterback throw him the ball. With Brady leading the team Smith's numbers would be similar to his days of old.