NFL Trade Speculation: 5 Questionable Offseason Moves That Might Still Happen

The NFL's lockout-stained offseason rambles on, but speculation about possible trades continues to get out about the names most circled as trade bait heading in.

While trades still tend to be a rarity in the NFL, there are some that have been wildly beneficial for the receiving teams. Jay Culter to the Bears and Matt Cassel to the Chiefs are two recent examples.

But all trades are not created equal. There are some moves that have been speculated that don't seem to add up. 

Here are five moves talked about this offseason that are questionable at best for the teams involved.

Kevin Kolb to Seattle Seahawks

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 17: Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles passes against the Atlanta Falcons during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 17, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The Seahawks have been rumored to want Kolb, but that might not be the best situation for Seattle. 

They gave up draft picks during the 2010 draft for Charlie Whitehurst, and Matt Hassellbeck is still a good enough quarterback to lead the Seahawks back into the playoffs. 

Instead of again mortgaging more draft picks for Kolb, the Seahawks would be better off weathering a few more seasons out of Hasselbeck and Whitehurst while taking a quarterback high in the 2012 draft. 

Besides, the 2012 draft looks to be top-heavy with franchise-changing signal callers. Taking a risk on a quarterback that another team is so willing to trade might not be the best choice.

Donovan McNabb to Minnesota Vikings

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LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 15: Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins waits for play to resume in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 15, 2010 at FedExField in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Whether you think he was a reach or not, the Vikings did the right thing in taking Christian Ponder with their first-round pick. 

They now have a sense of stability at the quarterback position, something they've lacked since the days of Daunte Culpepper. 

This also makes their former interest in McNabb a moot point. Ponder could likely handle the offense if he was forced to start right away, and the Vikings also have Joe Webb still on the roster. 

A veteran quarterback will likely be brought in, but McNabb isn't the best fit.

The Bengals Not Trading Carson Palmer

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CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 31: Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals gives instructions to his team during the NFL game against the Miami Dolphins at Paul Brown Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Word today out of Cincinnati was that owner Mike Brown is still holding strong in his belief that Palmer can either retire or come back to the Bengals. He won't be a part of any trade.

This is still a mistake by Brown and the Bengals. 

They drafted Andy Dalton to be their franchise quarterback, and while having Palmer around would likely benefit Dalton, he's already made himself a cancer to that organization. 

If traded, the Bengals would at least be getting something in return for a player they invested a No. 1 overall pick in.

Chad Ochocinco to New England Patriots

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FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 12: Coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots shakes hands with Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals at the completion of the NFL season opener at Gillette Stadium on September 12, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. T

Ochocinco and Patriots coach Bill Belichick share a mutual admiration for each other, but that doesn't mean New England should be sending trade offers west to Cincinnati. 

The Patriots have slowly built themselves a solid receiving core, and adding Ochocinco could take away from their tight end heavy approach they've discovered in the last few seasons. 

And while the Patriots were able to handle Randy Moss in the locker room, I'm not sure Ochocinco would so easily conform as Moss did. 

Even the rock-solid Patriots organization might not be able to shake Ochocinco's "look at me" personality. 

Matt Flynn to Any Team in Need of a Quarterback

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Matt Flynn #10 of the Green Bay Packers losens up on the sideline against the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty

As an observer of the Packers, I'll be the first to admit that I think Flynn could be a good quarterback. 

But a good starting quarterback? I'm not so sold on that idea.

Flynn certainly played well against the Patriots in December, but that's a secondary that had its struggles in 2010. And when pressed into duty against the Lions, Flynn was below average and managed just a field goal. 

At this point, Flynn isn't worth anything more than a middle-round draft choice. He's better suited as the Packers backup for now, a spot where he's likely to stay anyway.