NFL Trade Rumors: Which 10 Teams Have New Trade Targets After NFL Combine?
There are many reasons for NFL scouts to be keeping a close eye on the NFL Scouting Combine. After all, you want to know as much as you can about players, especially if they will be taken with the team's first pick. While a good pick may not necessarily give any team a Super Bowl victory, a bad pick can absolutely set a team back a couple years.
Besides that obvious situation, the combine also creates questions about players already in the NFL. If a team is thrilled with the wide receiver class, would they try to acquire other positions through free agency, or vice-versa? That's definitely a possibility for any team.
What teams are likely to make a move in the free agent or trade markets after seeing players perform at the combine, presuming that an agreement is signed and they can actually sign these players? Here are ten teams and where they might make these moves.
Miami Dolphins: Running Back
1 of 10
Mark Ingram was not expected to have the fastest speed at the combine, but scouts did expect to see the burst of energy back from when he was a Heisman winner. Instead, he ran a 4.62 in the 40-yard dash, and as a result his status as the clear top running back is in question.
The Miami Dolphins have been selecting Mark Ingram on every mock draft, yet the possibility of the Dolphins passing on him after this performance is very real, especially when there are possibilities like Clinton Portis available for acquisition.
New Orleans Saints: Running Back
2 of 10
While running back isn't the need for the Saints that it is for the Dolphins, they don't have that one dominant back many other playoff teams have. They have several good ones, like Chris Ivory, but they were watching the running backs to see if any could be great for their team.
For the most part, the running back class was disappointing at the top end, and unless the Saints really loved what they saw from DeMarco Murray, they won't pick a running back unless it's on day three. Even if they do, if they think they need to replace Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush, then they will do so through free agency. They need to use those first couple picks on the front seven anyway, rather than a back.
Washington Redskins: Offensive Line
3 of 10
The Redskins need help in a lot of areas, not the least of which is a quarterback. Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert had solid enough performances, however, that if Mike Shanahan likes either, they will be selected at number ten. If neither are available, they will bolster their defensive line, as many players there had good combines.
While they could use some offensive line help to protect their quarterback, none of the linemen in this draft impressed enough to be selected with that number ten pick. As a result of that, combined with the McNabb/Haynesworth problems, I see the Redskins using those picks as damage control while signing free agents on the line now that the combine is over.
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Seattle Seahawks: Offensive Line
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The Seattle Seahawks badly need offensive line help to protect Matt Hasselbeck. They also need a quarterback to groom after Hasselbeck retires, which I see happening at the end of 2011, personally.
Most mocks have been drifting to having Seattle draft a lineman, but after Jake Locker had a solid combine and Christian Ponder looked great, there is a very real possibility that Seattle drafts one of them with the 25th pick. Should that happen, they will need to find some line talent in the free agent market, as what they have now won't do.
Carolina Panthers: Quarterback
5 of 10
Whether they decide to handle Jimmy Clausen for another year or go in a different direction, the Panthers need someone at quarterback. After Cam Newton's media day, there were talks about the Panthers drafting him with the first overall pick, since we all know that teams love to use that first pick on quarterbacks.
After the combine, however, none of the quarterbacks looked worthy of that number one pick, and selecting a quarterback in a later round doesn't make sense in this situation. As a result, the Panthers will address their other needs in the draft, and if they want to light a fire under Clausen, there are plenty of solid quarterbacks available for trade.
Minnesota Vikings: Quarterback
6 of 10
With Brett Favre gone, even if he actually does make a return (you can never count him out), the Vikings need to find their quarterback of the future. That 12th pick will not land them a solid quarterback, since Newton and Gabbert are likely top ten picks and no one else is really first-round worthy.
Who are the Vikings' best options at this spot? All of them happen to be either free agents or trade bait. If they can get Vince Young matured, for example, that could be a nice fit. Either way, Locker or Mallett are not only reaches, but terrible choices for here.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Defensive Back
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The Jaguars, on top of not really having a pass rush, have a secondary that really needs work. They would have either went for the pass rusher or playmaking back in the first round, but after great performances by Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara, there's no way they fall that far.
While Jimmy Smith could be available there, his combine results and attitude make me think he'll fall a bit. Besides him, it doesn't seem like any other members of the defensive backfield are worth taking. As a result, the Jags will fix their pass rush early on and try to find a few solid player on the free agent market for their secondary.
Detroit Lions: Cornerback
8 of 10
The Detroit Lions are in pretty much the same situation as the Jaguars, since they need cornerback help. However, they also need some help on the offensive line help as well for Matthew Stafford.
While a couple of offensive lineman were solid enough that being selected with the 13th pick would not be a stretch, the same can't be said for the second tier of defensive backs or Akeem Ayers, who seemed like a possibility here too. Expect some secondary bolstering through free agency while the Lions fix the offensive line and outside linebacker spots through the draft.
Cleveland Browns: Wide Receiver
9 of 10
A lot of mock drafts had the Browns selecting A.J. Green with the sixth pick in the draft. After a not-so-good combine from him and a fantastic combine from Julio Jones, two questions need to be answered: which wideout is the better prospect for them, and would either actually fit?
After a great combine by many of the lineman, the defensive line is still very likely to be the Browns' top pick. The Browns could bring in a free agent wideout to help out there, and the second-round receiving talent in this draft is actually pretty good, even if they pass on the other two.
St. Louis Rams: Wide Receiver
10 of 10
Julio Jones was going to the St. Louis Rams on every mock draft up through the combine. After Julio Jones' performance, however, that has suddenly come under question because of how amazing Jones was there.
The odds of Julio Jones still being at the number 14 spot went from almost certain to almost nonexistant, as one of the teams above them will likely take a flyer on him. Since there are no other first-round quality wideouts, the Rams may have to look for one in free agency, while selecting Jonathan Baldwin, Leonard Hankerson, or someone else in the second round.
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