NFL Trade Scenarios: 10 Possible Destinations for Chad Ochocinco
Chad Ochocinco is one of the most revered wide receivers on the field. When he is dedicated, his work ethic is tough to match. He has exceptional ability as he has good speed, fantastic reliable hands and great route running skills. He knows how to create separation and at this point in his career, has seen just about everything a defense can throw at him.
Although he suffered a down season as he faced double teams nearly every game, he is still one of the most talented receivers in the league.
The Cincinnati Bengals, to put it nicely, are a complete mess. They cannot afford to have another tumultuous season, which they are heading for given this raucous offseason.
Quarterback Carson Palmer has threatened to retire before returning to the team. Even worse, head coach Marvin Lewis has repeatedly taken shots at his superstar receiver. At this point, the only justifiable option is to trade Chad Ochocinco and receive compensation as soon as possible before he completely quits on the organization and tries his humorous hand at playing professional soccer.
There is no way the Bengals can repair this situation as Lewis clearly has no respect for Ochocinco and vice-versa. With a host of teams in need of a wide receiver, these are the top 10 possible destinations for Chad Ochocinco’s services.
10. Green Bay Packers
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The defending Super Bowl Champs would remain the favorites heading into the 2011 season with Chad Ochocinco on board.
It remains to be seen if free agent James Jones will return because I think one team will overpay for his services. Chad Ochocinco can do everything Jones can do—but better. Elite quarterback Aaron Rodgers would have two remarkable wide receivers to throw to in 85 and Greg Jennings.
Donald Driver is aging rapidly and comes with injury concerns. Driver would not be relied upon as much with Ochocinco starting, which would keep Driver fresh for the stretch run late in the season.
Chad can dominate any corner in the NFC North and his presence would make it difficult for opposing defenses because they wouldn’t know who to double, Jennings or Ochocinco.
85 would be working with the best quarterback he’s ever had, who is equipped with a rocket arm and precision passing ability. Given Chad’s great hands and route running, he would be able to post career highs in every statistical category.
If that’s not enough—he would be winning.
9. Arizona Cardinals
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The Cardinals, in the NFC West, need just a few pieces to win the division again. Although quarterback is a huge issue, head coach Ken Whisenhunt needs to bring in another receiver to compliment Larry Fitzgerald.
I highly doubt we will see No. 2 receiver and free agent Steve Breaston returns and Early Doucet is better suited for the slot, so the Cardinals will be holding auditions for one lucky receiver to work opposite Fitzgerald.
The Cardinals would once again have two superstar receivers, which they grew accustomed to with Anquan Boldin and Fitzgerald working together for years.
Fitzgerald and Chad Ochocinco would instantly become one of the most feared receiver duos in the game. They both have exceptional hands and fantastic route running. My personal favorite quality is that they are both willing to go over the middle as they are two of the tougher receivers in the NFL.
In the NFC West, Arizona could quickly get back to the top of the mountain as they would open the run game for Chris ‘Beanie’ Wells and Tim Hightower. Whichever quarterback Whisenhunt decides to start would be at a huge advantage in the NFC West, because this would be the best offense in the division.
8. Detroit Lions
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The Lions are a few pieces away from making a run at the NFC North division. The offense is just about set with Calvin Johnson, Jahvid Best and Matthew Stafford. Nate Burleson was a fine No. 2 receiver, but Chad Ochocinco would put this offense through the roof.
It would be nearly impossible to double-team Johnson the way teams do with Ochocinco on the other side.
At least for Ochocinco himself, he would be thrilled to play with a receiver the caliber of Megatron. He would no longer see constant double-teams because defenses would gear up to stop Calvin.
With limited defensive attention, Chad would thrive in Detroit. On the field, this is one of the ideal situations for Ochocinco because he would match up with No. 2 cornerbacks and would never see a double team once in his tenure with the Lions.
For the Lions, they would inch closer to the Division title.
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7. Washington Redskins
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Owner Daniel Snyder is always looking to make a splash and attempt to bring the Redskins back to the top.
Free agent Santana Moss has previously stated that he wants to remain in Washington, and even if he does, the ‘Skins should still consider bringing Chad Ochocinco in.
Ochocinco and Moss would create one of the better veteran receiver tandems in the league.
Washington needs a ton of help on the offensive side of the ball, but at least Moss and Ochocinco would solidify the receiver position.
If Donovan McNabb actually stays in Washington, he would have two of the best receivers he’s ever played with throughout his career and might just be able to give the Redskins, as bad as they are, a .500 season.
6. Chicago Bears
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The two positions the Bears need to upgrade this offseason as they eye a Championship run are offensive line and wide receiver.
With one swift move, Chicago could actually eliminate one major need by trading for Chad Ochocinco. He would instantly become the best receiver on the team and give Jay Cutler a legitimate threat everywhere on the field.
85 would flourish in Mike Martz’ offense and Cutler would finally have a fantastic route runner with great hands and good speed.
Ochocinco knows how to create separation from opposing cornerbacks, which would keep Cutler from getting annihilated behind the line.
He would prove to be invaluable to this team with his experience and skills. The overall team would be a great fit for Chad himself as superstar defenders Brian Urlacher, Julius Peppers and Lance Briggs would keep him from getting too out of line with his big mouth.
5. Miami Dolphins
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The Dolphins already have a very good wide receiver corps., but if they can continue building upon their strengths, it should help make up, slightly, for their weaknesses.
For the city itself, Chad Ochocinco would bring in even more star power. Imagine a city with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Brandon Marshall and Chad Ochocinco! The fun possibilities are endless!
On the field, the Dolphins are searching for a wide receiver opposite Marshall. Davone Bess is one of the better possession receivers in the league, but he is much better suited for the slot. Marshall and Ochocinco would create one of the best tandems in the league and as far as self promoters go—the best.
Having Brandon, Chad and Davone on the field would greatly help incumbent quarterback Chad Henne, who will most likely receive one final opportunity to start in Miami. They would also open the run game for whichever running back the Dolphins decide to bring in.
4. Oakland Raiders
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Newly hired head coach Hue Jackson was actually the wide receivers coach in Cincinnati from 2004 to 2006, so he and Chad Ochocinco already have a connection. This would be a great fit for both parties as the Raiders still need a few pieces to get over the hump in the AFC West after finishing a fine 2010 season.
Ochocinco would not only give Al Davis a star attraction, but he would instantly become Oakland’s best receiver. Given Ochocinco’s route running and defensive attention, he would be able to open things for Darrius Heyward-Bey, who is still trying to shake off the “potential bust” label.
If free agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha re-signs with Oakland, he would give Ochocinco incredible competition in practice and would increase Chad’s work ethic each and every day, especially on game days.
Given the Raiders’ recent reputation, Marvin Lewis may enjoy shipping Ochocinco off to “the Black Hole,” as possible revenge—even though the Raiders should be better than the Bengals in 2011.
3. New York Jets
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We all know what happens when a big star is rumored to be on the trade or free agent market—the New York Jets probably want in.
The Jets and head coach Rex Ryan are religiously seeking headline news. Few players in either market can make as big a splash for the Jets across New York and the NFL Universe than Ochocinco.
Ochocinco would surely love to come in and play for Ryan and further his fame on the biggest stage in the biggest city. His marketing ventures would skyrocket and he would feel greatly appreciated by Ryan.
The Jets need another star receiver as they will most likely lose one of Braylon Edwards or Santonio Holmes.
At this point, it may be even more beneficial for New York to just re-sign Holmes and trade for 85. He is a far better route runner than Edwards with far, far more reliable hands. He would certainly open the field more for Holmes, who is the most clutch receiver in the NFL today.
With Chad on offense, the Jets would have a better chance at getting back to the AFC Championship for the third-consecutive season.
2. St. Louis Rams
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No team in the NFL needs a wide receiver at the moment more than Sam Bradford’s Rams. It now looks like they won’t be able to land the steal of the NFL draft at the No. 14 position—wide receiver Julio Jones out of Alabama.
Jones was a perfect fit for Rams but his overly impressive combine has most analysts now predicting him to be drafted in the top 10.
The Rams could go after another wide receiver in the draft or possibly sign Terrell Owens. I would highly recommend both options to the Rams, who, with a wide receiver, could very well win the NFC West.
Even so, I’d still recommend trying to trade for Chad Ochocinco. He would add star power to the team and give Bradford the most reliable threat possible in their predicament. He would be entering a franchise trending up instead of trending down, which would keep him happy, for a while, on the last legs of his career.
1. New England Patriots
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Two months ago, Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald reported that Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said, when asked about the New England Patriots trading for Chad Ochocinco, “Belichick’s smarter than that.”
Actually, Lewis, Belichick is just smart—that’s why he has multiple Super Bowl rings, a perennial winning team and is, in my eyes, the greatest head coach of all-time.
And it’s also why he would trade for Ochocinco.
Belichick and superstar leader Tom Brady would “put Ochocinco in his place” and make sure he is on his best behavior.
The Patriots need another wide receiver, even if they do bring back Randy Moss. Chad still has a lot left in the tank and with his remarkable hands and precise route running, would turn into a Pro Bowl receiver once again with Tom Brady.
On a team with a great chance to win a Super Bowl, we could possibly see Ochocinco have a career season.
Given Lewis’ comments earlier this year, it would only be fitting for Belichick to prove how smart he truly is by trading for Ochocinco and going on to winning another Super Bowl.
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