NFL Trade Speculation: The Top 10 Players Who Could Be Traded Pre-Draft
As the NFL draft approaches, teams look to address area's of need on their roster, adding new talent at some positions and adding depth at others.
By adding seven rounds worth of new players, some teams find players who become expendable.
The month or so before the draft has become a time known for trades. In recent years, high profile players such as Santonio Holmes, Kellen Winslow, and Jay Cutler have all been traded pre-draft.
Here are 10 players who could find new homes before draft day.
1. Cincinnati QB Carson Palmer
1 of 10
Palmer has already told Bengals management that he would retire this season if not traded, and the fact he put his Ohio home on the market is not a good sign that he will remain in Cincinnati.
Palmer has had some rough years recently, but there are many teams willing to take a risk on the former number one overall pick.
Despite resistance from management (team owner Mike Brown reiterated Monday the team has no plans to trade Palmer), this situation has only one possible outcome. Management will have to trade Palmer if he refuses to attend camp.
And it appears Palmer is intent on holding true to his decision to retire if not traded. The QB has said he has saved up enough money to live comfortably away from football.
Expect the Bengals to give in to his trade demands; San Francisco, Miami, and Tennessee are three teams that could acquire the former Pro-Bowl QB.
2. San Diego WR Vincent Jackson
2 of 10
Jackson underwent a long holdout last season, appearing in only five games.
Although he was "tagged" by the Chargers, Jackson still wants a long-term deal. If the Chargers still feel he is asking for too much money, another holdout could ensue.
Or the Chargers could put Jackson on the trading block. Jackson is a premier number one receiver in this league and the Chargers could find a team willing to give up quite a lot for the talented receiver.
The Chargers could look to get compensation similar to the package the Broncos got from the Brandon Marshall deal before last year's draft (two second-round picks).
3. Denver QB Kyle Orton
3 of 10
New coach John Fox has a tough decision in Denver, stick with incumbent QB Kyle Orton or switch to the talented, but still raw, QB Tim Tebow.
Orton has been under-appreciated since coming into the league, but he flourished under old coach Josh McDaniels' passing scheme, throwing 20 touchdowns to only nine picks.
There are many teams that need a QB, and many analysts feel Orton is the odd man out in Denver.
The odds of him being traded pre-draft are rather high.
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
4. New England RB BenJarvus Green Ellis
4 of 10
Ellis had his most productive season ever last year jumping from 114 yards rushing the year before to over 1,000 this season.
But "The Law Firm" was also inconsistent, he had six games under 40 yards. It also hurts that he has little receiving skills, a quality that the Patriots look for in their RB's.
Ellis had a great season, but it's unsure whether he can be the Patriots future number one back.
With three picks in the top 33, the Patriots could look to add talent at the RB position, making Ellis expendable.
The talented runner from Mississippi would certainly draw major interest on the open market.
5. Philadelphia QB Kevin Kolb
5 of 10
Trade rumors have swirled around Kolb since Mike Vick stole away his starting job in the season opener against Green Bay.
Kolb has limited playing time, but has shown promise. He has three 300-yard passing games in just eight career starts.
Kolb's confidence has to be shot after playing the role of backup to two different QB's. He has stated he would like to be a starting QB again in the league, and that opportunity will not arise in Philly.
With reports of deals involving first-round picks already surfacing, Kolb appears likely to be playing elsewhere next season. Arizona, Cleveland, and Miami are options to land the talented QB.
6. Tennessee QB Vince Young
6 of 10
Another high profile QB may be traded pre-draft in Young, who has already been told he is no longer in the Titans future plans.
Although coach Jeff Fisher, whose coaching style and personality often clashed with Young, no longer remains, owner Bud Adams has held true to his statements of wishing to trade Young, even though the QB said he wants to remain in Tennessee.
Young has a career record of 30-17, and is coming off his highest QB rating of his career.
Personal issues surround Young and he may have to be a backup before starting again, but some team will take a chance on the dual-threat QB.
7. San Diego RB Mike Tolbert
7 of 10
Ryan Matthews had an injury plagued rookie campaign, and no one took advantage more than Tolbert.
He started four games, rushing for 735 yards with an impressive 11 touchdowns.
However, the Chargers already have Darren Sproles in the backfield with Matthews, so Tolbert might be the odd man out.
There would be a number of teams willing to trade for the big, physical back out of Coastal Carolina.
The Redskins, Seahawks, and Dolphins are all possibilities.
8. Cincinnati WR Chad Johnson
8 of 10
The embattled WR is changing his name once again, and he also might being changing homes.
Johnson seems to have worn out his welcome in Cincinnati. Questions of a lack of effort surfaced last season, and at 33, his best days are behind him.
But he is still a great route runner and has good hands. Playing for a competitive team might renew his focus.
With a track record like his, the list of potential suitors should be long. But Johnson's playing days in Cincinnati appear numbered.
9. Buffalo RB Fred Jackson
9 of 10
This is purely speculation, but after spending a top ten pick on C.J. Spiller just a year ago, the Bills might not have room for Jackson in the backfield.
After a slow first half of the season, Jackson turned it on, posting three 100-yard rushing games and one 100-yard receiving game over his final eight.
He's talented, but the future at RB for Buffalo is Spiller, who has the speed and burst Jackson lacks.
The Bills still might want to ease Spiller into the starting job, splitting carries with Jackson as appropriate.
But if he becomes available, there are a number of teams that would love to acquire Jackson.
10. Green Bay LB Nick Barnett
10 of 10
Barnett is an integral part of the Packers defense, but after winning the Super Bowl without him, he may be replaceable.
He is entering his 10th NFL season, and Desmond Bishop and Frank Zombo did a great job filling in for him in his abscence.
The Packers may try to rid themselves of his contract and get younger at the position.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
