NFL Trade Rumors: Stock Up/Down on the Top 10 Offensive Players on the Block
At some point this offseason, there will be a free-agent market, and teams will be able to trade players on their roster and trade for players to fill holes they were unable to fill during the 2011 NFL draft.
Once the NFL owners and Trade Association, formerly the NFLPA, agree to a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the trade market will pick up in a hurry.
Which players are seeing their stock rise and fall as the rumor mill churns during this dead period of the NFL offseason?
Quarterback Carson Palmer: Stock Down
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Carson Palmer wants to be traded, or else.
Palmer stated that he would retire if the Bengals do not trade him. To which Bengals' owner Mike Brown said, "Go ahead."
Brown isn't willing to trade Palmer, and Palmer is not willing to play for Brown. It's all very confusing.
What we can say is that Palmer's stock is way down with news today that Mike Brown will not consider trading the veteran quarterback.
Quarterback Kyle Orton: Stock Down
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Kyle Orton is far from a lock to be traded. It's very possible the Broncos will keep Orton, their most experienced quarterback, to start for the team in 2011 while Tim Tebow continues to learn the ropes of the NFL.
Orton has value as a starting quarterback and experience, two things that will be in heavy demand during this 2011 offseason.
Recent reports that Denver wants at least a high second-round pick for Orton will only continue to drive down the market value and minimize the list of potential suitors for Orton.
Quarterback Donovan McNabb: Stock Up
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Mike Shanahan decided within one season that Donovan McNabb is not his quarterback in Washington.
With Shanahan having no need for McNabb it's likely owner Daniel Snyder will try to trade McNabb and regain some of the draft picks he gave up for McNabb last offseason.
McNabb is a steady hand at quarterback, has experience grooming young quarterbacks and knows the West Coast offense as well as most coaches in the NFL.
He makes sense as a fit in both Arizona, Minnesota and Tennessee.
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Quarterback Kevin Kolb: Stock Down
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Why would the stock for Kevin Kolb be on a downward spiral when he's the most talked about available quarterback in the NFL?
We believe the asking price for Kolb has gotten too high.
Reports from The Inquisitor indicate the Eagles are asking for a "first-round pick and a defensive starter" in return for their backup quarterback.
With other quarterbacks on the market this offseason, Kevin Kolb should not command that high value on the trade block.
Quarterback Matt Flynn: Stock Down
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We previously believed the Packers would be willing to trade No. 2 quarterback Matt Flynn this offseason in an attempt to get some value for him before his contact expires after the 2011 season.
And then we remembered that starter Aaron Rodgers missed Week 15 versus New England with a concussion.
The NFL is cracking down on concussions and limiting players' ability to get back in games after suffering a concussion. This makes the need for a good backup all the more important and reinforces our new belief that Flynn will not be traded this offseason.
Quarterback Jimmy Clausen: Stock Up
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Not many people have talked about the Panthers trading 2010 second-round pick Jimmy Clausen, but they should.
Clausen's time in Carolina is done. The team drafted Cam Newton No. 1 overall in 2011 and plans to hand him the reigns to the franchise.
What Clausen can do to benefit the Panthers is to go elsewhere in a trade.
Clausen would have little value compared to his draft status but would give Carolina something in return for what is, as of now, a wasted second-round pick.
Running Back Pierre Thomas: Stock Up
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Many would tell you that Pierre Thomas is the best running back on the New Orleans Saints roster. Those people must have forgotten that Thomas played in only six games during the 2010 season, and of those, he only started three.
Add to that the fact the Saints drafted a player with the exact same skill set in first-rounder Mark Ingram, and it would appear that it's Pierre Thomas and not Reggie Bush who is on his way out of New Orleans.
Thomas is a very good back when he wants to be. He spent a large part of the season in Sean Payton's doghouse after coming back from injury slower than the coach thought necessary and could be eliminated from some teams' value board based on this alone.
Running Back Ryan Grant: Stock Up
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The Packers won the Super Bowl in 2010 without Ryan Grant carrying the football. To add insult to injury the Packers then drafted Alex Green to pair with James Starks in 2011.
This makes Grant expendable and valuable as a tradeable commodity this offseason.
Grant would receive considerable attention if placed on the trade block by Green Bay. He's relatively young and fresh and has proven productivity.
Given a chance, Grant could reclaim his status as a premier running back.
Wide Receiver Steve Smith: Stock Up
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Steve Smith hasn't demanded a trade, he's just asked the Panthers to be in a "competitive situation" per Pro Football Weekly.
Said Smith,
""These people that keep writing these articles, none of them have even spoken to me. What I want to do is be classy and not tip my cards, be respectful to the [Panthers] organization."
"
While Smith didn't come out and ask for a trade, he knows the Panthers cannot be in a competitive situation in 2011.
Smith's stock will remain high as he is the best wide receiver on the market.
Wide Receiver Chad Ochocinco: Stock Down
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The Bengals Chad Ochocinco has not asked to be traded, in fact it would seem that he wants to stay in Cincinnati. In this case, the Bengals want to ship Ochocinco out and get anything possible in return for him.
Ochocinco has gone on a sort of other sport media tour this summer, first playing soccer and then riding bulls during the time the NFL has locked out the players.
Ochocinco is known as a prima donna, but he's also known as a hard worker when on the football field. So why is the stock down on No. 85?
Largely because of the talent at wide receiver available this summer. When compared to Steve Smith, Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards, there really is no comparison.
Wide Receiver Vincent Jackson: Stock Up
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Vincent Jackson is a Pro Bowl talent at wide receiver, but he's been unhappy with this contract situation with the Chargers for two seasons.
General manager A.J. Smith may not let Jackson go, as he likes to assert his control over disgruntled players, but as the team's franchise player, Jackson could be signed if the new team is willing to send a first-round pick to San Diego for his services.
This limits the potential suitors, but we do think Smith would listen to offers from NFC teams like the St. Louis Rams.
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