NFL Trade Rumors: Nick Barnett and 10 Defensive Players on the Move in 2011

Anyone needing to improve their defense still has options.

Plenty of free agents remain on the market, and many like Mike Vrabel, Fabian Washington and Marcus Spears will likely be on the move. Inside linebacker Nick Barnett will be joining them more than likely following a recent announcement by Packers coach Mike McCarthy.

Who will join that bunch?

I've got a good idea. Besides Barnett, here are 10 other defensive players on the move:

Chris Carr, CB, Baltimore Ravens

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 10: Chris Carr #25 of the Baltimore Ravens runs for yards after he intercepted a pass in the first quarter against the New England Patriots during the 2010 AFC wild-card playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 10, 2010 in Foxbor

Carr is an unrestricted free agent and wasn't among the list of players tendered by the team.

He started every game last year and told Pro Football Weekly he's open to re-signing with the team. The website reports that there have been "preliminary" talks with Carr, who said he likes the team's camaraderie and is excited about Chuck Pagano being promoted from Ravens secondary coach to defensive coordinator.

Shaun Ellis, DE, New York Jets

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Shaun Ellis #92 of the New York Jets takes the field with his teammates to play against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. T

Ellis has been with the Jets for 11 years and has become one of the faces of the franchise.

Last year he had 4.5 sacks and 36 total tackles, his fewest since 2005. Ellis is 33, and there is an abundance of talented defensive ends in the draft. 

Bart Scott, though, is hoping Ellis returns. 

"Of course, he played tremendous for us throughout the playoffs," Scott told ESPNNewYork.com.

"Of course I’d like to see him back. He’s a tremendous teammate, a tremendous leader. He's one of those staples, like Ray Lewis is in Baltimore. He’s one of those guys. When you say Shaun Ellis, you think of the Jets." 

Drayton Florence, DB, Buffalo Bills

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 05: Drayton Florence #29 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates a touchdown after he intercepted a pass by Tarvaris Jackson #7 of the Minnesota Vikings at the Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on December 5, 20

Florence, a free agent, wasn't among those mentioned by general manager Buddy Nix when he talked about the starting cornerbacks in 2011.

Looks like the team will be sticking with Terrence McGree and Leodis McKelvin.

"I think Leodis had a good year, not a great year,” Nix told the team's website. "Leodis has missed a lot of time and the upside is really good on him. Terrence is hitting that magic number (turning 30) and is going to have to keep himself in great shape to play a lot longer."

Gerald Sensabaugh, S, Dallas Cowboys

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LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 27: Gerald Sensabaugh #43 of the Dallas Cowboys poses with a fan before the game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on December 27, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins 17-0. (Photo by Larry Fre

Sensabaugh was fourth on the team last year in tackles with 71.

He was a free agent after 2009 and was hoping for a multi-year contract, but ended up with a one-year deal. Sensabaugh and Alan Ball were the starters at the safety positions last year, and part of a Cowboys secondary that was among the NFL's worst.

There need to be major changes at both the safety and cornerback positions, and no one from those groups should be untouchable.

Mike Vrabel, LB, Kansas City Chiefs

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ST. LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 03: Quarterback Kyle Boller #12 of the St. Louis Rams looks to pass over the defense of linebacker Mike Vrabel #50 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter of the preseason game at the Edward Jones Dome on September 3,

Vrabel will turn 36 in August.

Last year, he finished with 48 total tackles. Don't be shocked if the Chiefs try to find his replacement in the draft. 

Barrett Ruud, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 30: Linebacker Barrett Ruud #51 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sets on defense against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on November 30, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

He wasn't tendered by the team last month and is likely seeking a higher-paying contract elsewhere.

Ruud would be a quality addition for any team.

He's missed one game since 2007, and has over 110 tackles in each of the last four seasons, including a career-high 142 in 2009.

Cullen Jenkins, DE, Green Bay Packers

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 01: Cullen Jenkins #77 of the Green Bay Packers addresses the media during Super Bowl XLV Media Day ahead of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 1, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. The Pittsburgh Steelers will play the Green B

He persisted last year through a broken hand and calf injury and was still a contributor for the Super Bowl champs.

Jenkins has since said in numerous reports that he's expecting to be gone, and that it's "time for a new start."

At least he's realistic about the situation.

Fabian Washington, CB, Baltimore Ravens

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 11: Michael Jenkins #12 of the Atlanta Falcons pulls in this reception against Fabian Washington #31 of the Baltimore Ravens at Georgia Dome on November 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The unrestricted free agent recently told the Carroll County Times he doesn't expect to have a spot on the team's roster.

"I just don't see where I would fit in their plans," Washington told the paper.

"I feel like they've got to sign either Josh or Chris back to go with Foxy and Lardarius Webb. It's a business. I absolutely enjoyed my time there. I have nothing bad to say about the organization. I'm pretty confident I'll find another job once we find out what's going on with the labor stuff."

Washington, who could play nickel, thinks he can help teams like Arizona, Jacksonville and Houston.

Marcus Spears, DE, Dallas Cowboys

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 9: Marcus Spears #96 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts in the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2010 NFC wild-card playoff game at Cowboys Stadium on January 9, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Ge

The Cowboys are allowing Spears and Gerald Sensabaugh to test free agency.

Spears, who had 19 total tackles last year, hasn't lived up to the potential the Cowboys saw in him when he was a first-round pick.

Spears even seems content with the situation, recently tweeting, "Testing the market folks! Thank you all in Dallas for the support. It’s still possible I could be back, but it’s shaky."

Nick Barnett, LB, Green Bay Packers

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GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 19: Nick Barnett #56 of the Green Bay Packers tackles Marshawn Lynch #23 of the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field on September 19, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Bills 34-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Im

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said that Barnett's days as a starter are done.

"We line up tomorrow, it's A.J. (Hawk) and (Desmond) Bishop," McCarthy told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel while at Wisconsin's pro day.

The paper reported that Barnett is set to receive $6.25 million this year, which would make him the highest-paid backup in the league.

Barnett missed most of last year with a wrist injury similar to the one Brian Urlacher had in 2009.

Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Oakland Raiders

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SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 05: Nnamdi Asomugha #21 the Oakland Raiders looks on from the sideline against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 28-13. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Ge

Ah yes, my favorite moment—writing about something Raiders-related, while eagerly awaiting for my favorite fanbase to curse me out just for the sake of it.

Let's assess the facts: Richard Seymour got a two-year, $30 million deal, including $22.5 million guaranteed. The team also signed cornerback Stanford Routt to a three-year, $31.5 million deal.

I don't think Nnamdi's going to ask for chump change, so do you still think, Raider fan, that you're going to keep your All-Pro? Michael Lombardi of the NFL Network doesn't like Oakland's chances, telling USA Today they're "slim and none, and I would favor none."