NFL Trade Rumors: 10 Players Most Likely To Be Traded Pre-Draft
NFL Trade Rumors To Swirl, Even Without A CBA
NFL Trade Rumors go on no matter what the status of the labor situation. The players and owners would need to reach an agreement before any such trade would go through.
But assuming the two sides come together—and they have at least agreed to something, a mediator—these deals would be able to go through.
Each of these players could be on the move and would shake up the draft.
No. 10: Bob Sanders, S, Indianapolis Colts
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Current Contract: Through 2012
Neither side wants it, but maybe it's time for the Colts and Sanders to part ways.
And they've still managed to make the playoffs the past two seasons, even without Sanders on the field.
Sanders trade value continues to plummet because of his injuries, only playing eight games in the last three years.
Still, he's a superstar NAME. Plenty of teams would love to have a recent AP Defensive Player of the Year whose won a Super Bowl.
And if the Colts can get a pick for it, that would benefit the club long term.
No. 9: Justin Forsett, RB, Seattle Seahawks
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Current Contract: Through 2011
At first, Marshawn Lynch's arrival in Seattle didn't seem to signal the end of Forsett's tenure in Seattle.
But because Lynch rose to the spotlight at the end of the season and the playoffs, it seems like the club has a feature back for 2011.
With Leon Washington a free agent this year, the Seahawks really don't want to see both Lynch and Forsett become free agents after 2011.
They should trade Forsett and sign Lynch to a long-term deal. That would leave the club open to drafting a back in one of the early rounds.
No. 8: Chad Ochocinco, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
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Current Contract: Through 2011
Big changes seem to be on the horizon in Cincinnati, regardless of Marvin Lewis' future.
It would seem a major blow to the offense if both Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco were gone. But for a team that went 4-12, how valuable could T.O. and Ochocinco really have been.
Ochocinco still has plenty of value, even if he is 33 and had a fairly down season in 2010.
There are a handful of teams out there (St. Louis, Cleveland, Chicago) who could use a veteran wide receiver and since Ochocinco is less problematic than Randy Moss or Terrell Owens, he is fairly attractive.
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No. 7: Matt Flynn, QB, Green Bay Packers
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Current Contract: Through 2011
Flynn crawled out of NFL obscurity with a great effort in the near win over New England and by serving as backup on a Super Bowl champion team.
But since Aaron Rodgers isn't going anywhere and his stock is fairly high, the Packers might want to explore his trade value.
Teams are often willing to take a look at quarterbacks in these types of pseudo-backup situations: Matt Cassel, Scott Mitchell, Kevin Kolb, etc.
And since Flynn has plenty of big game, championship experience on his resume, from his time at LSU, he would be intriguing to plenty of teams looking for a quarterback and willing to part with a mid-round pick.
No. 6: Albert Haynesworth, DT, Washington Redskins
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Current Contract: Through 2014
Well, trading Haynesworth for anything just got a lot harder now that he is embroiled in legal trouble, on top of his plummeting NFL stock.
Still, if he is willing to accept a pay cut (and maybe now he has no choice but to take one) teams would take a look at him.
Rumors have the Eagles interested in acquiring him: a reunion with Eagles defensive line coach Jim Washburn, who was Haynesworth's position coach when he earned back-to-back All Pro selections.
If the Eagles are willing to acquire him, perhaps other teams would as well.
No. 5: Brandon Jacobs, RB, New York Giants
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Current Contract: Through 2012
Jacobs helmet throwing and saltiness during the 2010 season isn't enough to push him out of New York.
His salary is as much a concern.
Maybe Ahmad Bradshaw is less reliable when it comes to protecting the football, but he's younger and was far more effective in 2010: Not only did he rush for over 1,200 yards, but he caught 47 passes as well.
Jacobs should be able to land the Giants a midround pick, which would help the Giants address other needs.
No. 4: Steve Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers
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Current Contract: Through 2012
Smith isn't at a point in his career where sticking around during the rebuilding phase is all that intriguing.
He'll be 32 at the start of next season and recovering from yet another terrible injury.
And although it doesn't make much sense for the Panthers to deal away a good wide out (they have so few), moving Smith would benefit the club long term.
The ideal situation would be packaging Smith and the first overall pick and getting a ton in return, but that's wishful thinking.
Either way, teams would be lucky to have Smith on their club, especially a contender, where he would flourish in the spotlight.
No. 3: Kevin Kolb, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
8 of 10
Current Contract: Through 2011
With Michael Vick now franchised, it COULD signify the end of Kolb's stay in Philly.
They might be working on a long term deal which would mean keeping Kolb around after 2011, but that doesn't make sense.
And since they'd get nothing in return for him if he left as a free agent, they should just bite the bullet, unload him now, gamble on Vick staying healthy or the development of Mike Kafka and move Kolb.
With San Francisco, Arizona, Tennessee, Washington, Minnesota and a few other teams in the market for a new young quarterback with some experience, Kolb will attract plenty of interest.
No. 2: Vince Young, QB, Tennessee Titans
9 of 10
Current Contract: Through 2011
Young did major damage to his off-the-field reputation by quarreling with Jeff Fisher, (allegedly) walking out on his teammates and ultimately ruining his relationship with his biggest fan, Bud Adams.
But on the field, he was in the middle of a pretty good season before injuries landed him on the IR.
The last two years, he has taken care of the football (only 14 turnovers) much better than he did in 2006 and 2007 and seems to be improving his accuracy.
Plenty of head coaches and offensive coordinators across the league will be confident in their ability to manage his personality and ride his skill set to the playoffs. If it costs a midround pick, it's worth it.
No. 1: Carson Palmer, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
10 of 10
Current Contract: Through 2014
Palmer seems intent on leaving the Bengals. He's reportedly put his house up for sale and has reportedly demanded a trade, threatening retirement if he doesn't get one.
A move back home to California, with the 49ers, seems like the most likely spot, but that could be too difficult and not in Jim Harbaugh's game plan for rebuilding the club: giving up draft picks for a damaged goods quarterback whose making a lot of money rarely is.
Nevertheless, Palmer would have suitors elsewhere. The Redskins are never shy about bringing in veterans with a lot of baggage. The Titans, Cardinals, Vikings, are in the market as well.
And with his former head coach at USC up in Seattle, that's another ideal scenario. They are only committed to Charlie Whitehurst for one more year and Matt Hasselbeck is a free agent.
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