2011 NFL Trade Scenarios: 10 Teams With the Best Odds to Land Kevin Kolb

The hottest name in the NFL offseason hasn’t been Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers or even Cam Newton. No, the biggest name circling several NFL teams as the draft approaches is Kevin Kolb.

It appears the young, promising Philadelphia Eagles quarterback has got the rest of the league speculating on where he’ll be playing next season.

There are several teams who have interest in a young quarterback with NFL experience and a big upside. Though just because a team wants him doesn’t mean they have the means, or ultimately the want, to get him. If the Eagles part with Kolb and hitch their wagon to Michael Vick for good then they are going to ask teams to give up something significant in return.

Here are the 10 teams that are the most likely destinations for the Eagles QB. 

The Long Long Shots

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 17: Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles passes against the Atlanta Falcons during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 17, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Let’s remove several teams from the discussion. These are the 100-1 shot teams (yes, the odds could be higher but there’s no need. Just cap it there).  These teams haven’t even considered getting Kolb and won’t because they already have someone in place.

New England Patriots

Indianapolis Colts

San Diego Chargers

Atlanta Falcons

Green Bay Packers

St. Louis Rams

Pittsburgh Steelers

Baltimore Ravens

Kansas City Chiefs

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Dallas Cowboys

10. Oakland Raiders

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ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 18: Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis speaks during a press conference on January 18, 2011 in Alameda, California. Hue Jackson was introduced as the new coach of the Oakland Raiders, replacing the fired Tom Cable. (Photo by Justin Sul

Odds: 50-1

The Raiders make more sense for Kolb than a lot of the other teams in the NFL. One, they have a hole in the quarterback spot that could be filled by Kolb. The other reason is that Al Davis is likely to give up the farm to see a young quarterback head out to Oakland.

Of course the last thing Kolb wants to do is head to a dysfunctional mess like Oakland, but if he wants the Eagles to ship him to a place he can start then he’ll have to take what he can get.

But the likelihood of this trade happening is slim. Oakland has to give their only first-round pick to the Patriots and that leaves them with little value to give the Eagles in return. Unless Andy Reid is enamored by accumulating a slew of draft picks in the later rounds (assuming Al Davis agrees to that), this trade is possible but the least likely.

9. Seattle Seahawks

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks looks on from the sideline in the first half against the Chicago Bears in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by

Odds: 25-1

The Seahawks are in the process of taking an older team and transforming it into a younger team. Having a piece like Kevin Kolb, in a weak division like the NFC West, could prove to be a power move and make the Seahawks perennial playoff contenders.

There are just a few problems. The first is that Matt Hasselbeck is still their quarterback and if Kevin Kolb goes anywhere he’s going to want to be there with the intention of starting. Of course they could always drop their longtime QB, but Carroll would have to know for sure that Kolb is ready.

The other issue is the Seahawks' draft pick. If Reid and company were willing to deal you’d have to assume they’d do so with Seattle’s first-round pick, but it’s actually two spots lower than they pick. So the Eagles would have to consider the quantity over the quality.

Still, it’s not out of the question, but it’s certainly not a given.  

8. Carolina Panthers

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Jimmy Clausen #2 of the Carolina Panthers looks on from the sidelines during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Odds:  15-1

The Panthers have to be shaking their heads that Andrew Luck didn’t come out. His being in the draft makes everything easier. Still, they must move on without him and Kolb is a good piece for a team on the rebuild.

There is no doubt that Jimmy Clausen was bad his first year out. The Panthers have to wonder if they are really ready to hitch their wagon to the former Notre Dame Fighting Irish star.

If they wanted Kolb, they have the best trading chip in the race, but there is no way they give up the number one pick in the draft for Kolb. They are more likely to give up several late-round picks and a high future pick in exchange for his services.

Another interesting scenario that was floated about was giving up Clausen in the trade. Reid is a quarterback guru. He could have a shot at turning Clausen into a fine backup for Vick. Still, with the Panthers holding that big pick, they’d be asked to give up far more than they want to.

But if they get creative, they can have him.         

7. Buffalo Bills

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

Odds: 10-1

The Buffalo Bills will have to decide how close they are to being relevant before the draft arrives. If the Bills feel they are on the cusp of something special then they could justify giving up a draft pick or two to the Eagles for Kolb.

If the Bills feel they are a young team on the come, but still years away, then they have the third pick in the draft, which gives them a chance to draft Blane Gabbert or Cam Newton. There is a good chance both men will be around at that point.

The Eagles would be most interested in doing a deal with the Bills because they have five picks in the first 117 selections so they can get back a lot of value.

The question would be for the Bills: If they see the opportunity to get a good run-stopping defensive player with the Eagles' No. 23 pick, could they swap their third-rounder for Kolb and the third pick?

They may stay away from a quarterback altogether and take their chances with Ryan Fitzpatrick, but either way they present an interesting position for the Eagles to consider.

6. Tennessee Titans

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Vince Young #10 of the Tennessee Titans plays against the San Diego Chargers in the game at Qualcomm Stadium on October 31, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Chargers defeated the Titans 33-25. (Photo by Jeff Gross/G

Odds: 9-1

This possibility hinges completely on Vince Young. There has been talk that he’s going to be shipped out of Tennessee, but there has been very little movement yet. So, if they do decide to keep Vince Young then they will have no interest in Kevin Kolb.

But the reports are that the Titans are truly done with Young and so they will need a quarterback come training camp. The Titans have the eighth pick in the draft and so there is bargaining power (assuming they don’t have their heart set on anyone that high).

Is it possible that the Eagles and the Titans make a straight-up trade? It sounds nuts, but it would make sense to have Young come to Philadelphia to shadow a quarterback who does what Vince Young does better than Vince Young can do it. Then if Vick doesn’t last a season you still have a proven commodity as your backup.

Of course, that is not the likely scenario, but the Titans do pick five times in the first 140 picks, so there is some room to maneuver. 

5. Miami Dolphins

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 17: Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles passes a touchdown to Jeremy Maclin #18 in the third quarteragainst the Atlanta Falcons during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 17, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (

Odds: 7-1

The Dolphins are in need of a lot, which makes dealing Kevin Kolb both a necessity and a difficulty. They have the 15th pick in the draft. They seem to be set on getting Mark Ingram in that spot, because they are losing both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams.

However, they are in need of a quarterback just as bad, if not more. They know that the longer they go without making Brandon Marshall a bigger part of the offense the more likely it is that he becomes a thorn in their side.

Still, getting Kolb makes the most sense. They could trade that 15 and still know they could draft a running back in the second round. There are talks they are going to be picking up Brandon Jacobs, so it’s not out of the question that they give up that 15th pick a perhaps a late pick for Kolb.

The Dolphins don’t want to have to go through growing pains with a rookie, so they might get Kolb to take that out of the equation.

4. Arizona Cardinals

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 2: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a touchdown against the San Francisco 49er during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on January 2, 2011 in San Francisco, California.(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Odds: 5-1

The Cardinals are in need of a quarterback in the worst possible way. They spent last season with a pathetic offense that couldn’t move the football no matter what.

They know that there are bigger things at stake than just getting a solid QB in the mix. They are doing everything they can to keep their standout wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald happy.

They have the fifth pick in the draft, which means they have the bait to get the Eagles to bite. Also, don’t forget this team still has many of the players that it went to a Super Bowl with. In a weak NFC West, Kolb could mean the difference in them being a perennial playoff contender.

The Cardinals don’t want to waste the two years it will take for a young quarterback to be ready. Kolb is ready; they want him now. 

3. Minnesota Vikings

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 28: Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings runs against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 26, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Odds: 5-1

The Vikings are exactly what was described with the Cardinals, only they are a little closer. Now that Minnesota cleaned house, they are looking for a quarterback that can take an aging, veteran team that was one terrible play away from the Super Bowl and bring them back there.

The Vikings don’t feel they have that far to go, and if they think Kolb is the man, they could offer the No. 12 pick in the draft.  They don’t have many picks in the draft so it might be worth it for them to take the picks they have and get the best return for it.

That comes with getting a proven commodity. 

2. San Francisco 49ers

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 07: Jim Harbaugh speaks at a press conference where he was introduced as the new San Francisco 49ers head coach at the Palace Hotel on January 7, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Odds: 4-1

There isn’t a place in the league where Kolb looks more perfect to go than to San Francisco. Jim Harbaugh can tell the media whatever he wants, but there is just no way he’s happy with the idea of having Alex Smith as his everyday quarterback.

The truth is that Kolb is the perfect guy to take a 49ers team that is in a winnable division and put them back on track. Kolb gives them, along with a talented defense, the chance to win right now. They have the draft picks to trade for Kolb and Reid would be willing to part company for the right combination.

It’s got all the makings of a great trade for San Fran. 

1. Philadelphia Eagles

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles scrtambles against B.J. Raji #90 of the Green Bay Packers during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (

Odds: 2-1

Here’s the thing the Eagles have to know about Michael Vick.

First, they need to know if last year was fluke. Even assuming that he’s still a good quarterback, how good will this year be? It’s unlikely that he has THAT good a season again, but will it be close or will he be a far cry from what he was able to do?

Second, they need to know how durable he can be. He’s not the kind of quarterback that avoids contact and spends his time heading for the sidelines. He absorbs hits and puts himself at risk. It’s the gamble the Eagles take putting him under center.

If either of these two questions are answered incorrectly, then they will be regretting trading Kevin Kolb. The easiest thing for the Eagles to do is to keep Kevin Kolb for the year and truly see what Vick gives them. If he’s brilliant again then Reid can trade Kolb after the season.

The league will never stop having quarterback problems. Andy Reid is just going to do his best to not create them.