NFL Trade Rumors: Carson Palmer and the Top 10 Big Names That Could Be Dealt

Let's all be optimists today and assume that there will be no NFL lockout.

Yeah, I'm definitely not convinced that will be the case either. But alas, we're going to pretend it is.

So when a new CBA is reached—see what I did there?—we can turn our attentions from money and 18-game schedules to the NFL Draft, free agency and trades. 

And speaking of trades, there are plenty of stars who could be switching cities prior to next season.

In fact, it's time to take a look at 10 big names who could be dealt as soon as this month. 

10. Reggie Bush, RB New Orleans Saints

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 27: Reggie Bush #25 of the New Orleans Saints against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on December 27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The New Orleans Saints have a bit of a logjam at the running back position right now, with Chris Ivory, Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush as viable options in the team's backfield.

Ivory will definitely be back in 2011 and Thomas just signed a four-year deal to stay in New Orleans, so the Saints may not be willing to pay Bush the $11.8 million he's owed next season. 

While Bush will likely be brought back if he agrees to a significant pay cut (and maybe even if he doesn't), the Saints could choose to move him instead.

But that depends on the willingness of some other NFL team to take on his nearly $12 million salary.

As a Saints fan, I'd argue that Bush isn't worth it, but there could be several teams who would take a chance on the high risk, high reward back.

9. Larry Fitzgerald, WR Arizona Cardinals

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 12: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals warms up before the NFL game against the Denver Broncos at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Bro

If you listen to the guys over at NESN, Larry Fitzgerald is available via trade for the "right price."

Though the Arizona Cardinals aren't actively seeking to trade him, they are willing to entertain trade offers.

So, name your price.

My guess is that Arizona will be seeking at least a first and a third-rounder or two second-rounders, but probably something more like a first and a second-rounder.

New England is one of the few teams who can offer that, but that just wouldn't be fair.

8. Tim Tebow, QB Denver Broncos

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DENVER - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos gets back on his feet after being knocked down against the San Diego Chargers at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Image

When Tim Tebow was drafted by the Denver Broncos, he had one main supporter in the organization: head coach Josh McDaniels.

But now that McDaniels is gone and John Fox has said that Kyle Orton will be Denver's starting quarterback in 2011, the Broncos could look to move Tebow out of town.

There was speculation that Tebow could follow McDaniels to Minnesota, but McDaniels wound up in St. Louis as the offensive coordinator of the Rams instead.

Tebow now finds himself in a sticky situation in Denver, though a pretty solid showing in his few starts at the end of the 2010 season could make him more appealing to quarterback needy teams.

7. Carson Palmer, QB Cincinnati Bengals

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass against the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on November 25, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

As much as Cincinnati wants to hold onto Carson Palmer, he really doesn't want to play there in 2011. 

I mean, the guy would rather retire than play in Cincinnati, which is really saying something about the state of the Bengals right now.

And though the Bengals maintain that they won't trade him, there's gotta be a breaking point, right?

I like to think that Cincinnati could realistically get a second-round pick in exchange for Palmer, though it might not necessarily be an early second-rounder.

Of course, this would only work if the Bengals were really high on Blaine Gabbert and were willing to take him with their first pick, though.

6. Vincent Jackson, WR San Diego Chargers

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SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Wide receiver Vincent Jackson #83 of the San Diego Chargers stands on the field prior to playing the San Francisco 49ers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Image

The San Diego Chargers and Vincent Jackson seem destined for a split at some point, and it would be less than surprising to see San Diego slap him with the franchise tag (which they've already done), then try to trade him.

The bottom line is that the Chargers don't want to get nothing in exchange for one of the league's better offensive play makers. 

Wide receivers with Jackson's height, speed and ball skills are hard to come by, and about half the teams in the league are drooling over the prospects of acquiring him.

Though it does appear that San Diego will negotiate a long-term deal with Jackson now that he's been franchised, that hasn't worked out too well in the past, and Jackson may insist on being traded. 

5. Albert Haynesworth, DT Washington Redskins

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GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 02: Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth #92 of the Washington Redskins stands on the sidelines during preseason NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona

Some things are blatantly obvious, like the Lou Holtz love for Notre Dame, John Madden's obsession with Brett Favre, and the fact that Albert Haynesworth and the Washington Redskins were an awful fit from day one.

Haynesworth can't get along with Mike Shanahan, he doesn't like playing in a 3-4 defense, he was suspended for the Redskins' final four games, and his general demeanor has screamed, "Get me the hell out of Washington."

So unless Haynesworth has a sudden change of heart—that was a joke, people—he should be gone from the Redskins by the time the 2011 season rolls around.

If Washington can ease up on its demands and maybe accept a third or forth-round pick in return, we could see Haynesworth in a different uniform next year, possibly even back in Tennessee.

4. Chad Ochocinco, WR Cincinnati Bengals

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CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 26: Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals during their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Are we allowed to call Chad Ochocinco "Chad Johnson" again yet? Or has the name change still not happened?

Anyway, Ochocinco is owed $6.5 million in 2011, but, like Carson Palmer's chances of ever playing for the Bengals again, it's not looking like Ochocinco getting paid is going to happen.

So don't expect to see him receive that hefty salary from the Cincinnati Bengals next season.

He and Marvin Lewis are like two peas in a pod, except for the fact that they're like two peas in a pod who just can't get along.

And Ochocinco has even hinted at joining the New England Patriots or New York Jets.

I think both of those pairings are matches made in hell, but I guess those possibilities aren't completely dead.

Even if they are, though, I'd be shocked to see Ochocinco playing in black and orange next season.

3. Kevin Kolb, QB Philadelphia Eagles

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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)

With Michael Vick heading back to Philadelphia after receiving the franchise tag, the Eagles are going to have no shortage of suitors if they choose to move Kevin Kolb.

Though I personally think they should hang on to Kevin Kolb no matter what—why not have two starting-caliber QBs?—it'd be hard for the team not to move him if they get what they want in return.

Given the pressing need at quarterback for teams around the NFL, Kolb could probably net a first and a third-round pick, two second-round picks or even more if some team gets really desperate.

Because from the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee, a plethora of teams would love to have Kolb as their starting quarterback in 2011.

2. Donovan McNabb, QB Washington Redskins

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins on the sidelines against play against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Redskins have no clue how to get along with Albert Haynesworth, and Donovan McNabb's been the sequel to the Washington's "We have absolutely no idea how handle our stars" story.

I mean, McNabb was actually benched in favor of Rex Grossman...twice. Yeah, that's ridiculous.

And ESPN has reported several times in the past that the Redskins are really high up on both Grossman and John Beck, which makes me realize why Washington won't win the NFC East anytime soon.

Anyway, there's also a good chance that Washington will choose a quarterback of the future—either Blaine Gabbert or Cam Newton—with the tenth overall pick, too.

So, when you really think about it, does anyone actually believe McNabb will be a Redskin next year?

1. Vince Young, QB Tennessee Titans

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NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 21: Quarterback Vince Young #11 of the Tennessee Titans talks with a member of the training staff after leaving a game against the Washington Redskins at LP Field on November 21, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Redskins won 19-

Jeff Fisher is no longer in Tennessee, but the Titans are still going to get rid of Vince Young, too, and they'll try to do that through a trade rather than by simply releasing him.

It'll probably be the former, just so the team can at least get something in return for a guy they chose with the third overall pick back in 2006.

But that doesn't mean the Titans are going to get a ton of value for Young, who's won a lot of games but hasn't had the statistical production you want out of a supposed-to-be-elite quarterback.

If you're a team like Minnesota—the widely reported favorite to land him—or even an organization like Buffalo or Arizona, though, Young might be worth giving up a fourth-round pick for

Because, at best, he provides you with a guy who knows how to win, and, at worst, he gives you a veteran backup.