NFL Trade Speculation: 20 Blockbuster Trades We'd Love to See Happen
With the 2011 NFL Draft in the books and the offseason underway, the buzz around the league revolves around the lockout, and whether or not there will be a 2011-2012 NFL season.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is optimistic there will in fact be football this season despite the lingering, evident disagreement between the NFLPA and NFL owners.
Once it has been announced as to whether or not there will be a season next year, teams will then begin to test the free-agency market and contemplate trade opportunities.
Assuming there will be football, here are the 20 blockbuster trades most NFL fans nationwide would love to see happen.
Note: These are trades we would enjoy to see happen in the NFL, not necessarily trades that would or will happen.
Jay Cutler and Brian Urlacher for Chad Henne and Ronnie Brown
1 of 20
Although it seems likely the veteran, future hall-of-fame middle linebacker will end his career in Chicago, the trade would have Brian Urlacher going to the Miami Dolphins for Chad Henne and Ronnie Brown.
Dolphins quarterback Henne is a talent that has yet to blossom in the league, and adding him to the starting unit in Chicago might just be a gamble the Bears would be interested in making.
The Bears could also use a running back to help move the chains on offense; Ronnie Brown would provide just that.
The Dolphins would receive a talented quarterback in Jay Cutler who has shown a more consistent level of winning play as of late for the Bears.
Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco for Santana Moss and Albert Haynesworth
2 of 20
This trade between the Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Redskins would send both T.O. and Chad Ochocinco to Washington in exchange for wide receiver Santana Moss and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.
Adding Haynesworth to the defensive line of the Bengals could prove to be quite a positive move for the big fella.
If there’s one thing that’s certain, it's that the Bengals are a team that need change offensively. Getting rid of these two big names might just be the right move for the team.
The Redskins would bring in two veteran receivers who still have plenty of gas left in their tanks. The Redskins are in need of an improved receiving corps, and by unloading Haynesworth, the trade would likely benefit both teams.
Quentin Jammer and Darren Sproles for Jerod Mayo
3 of 20
The San Diego Chargers would trade cornerback Quentin Jammer and running back Darren Sproles to the New England Patriots for the services of linebacker Jerod Mayo.
The Patriots would give up arguably their best defensive player for a solid, proven talent at the cornerback position in Jammer and a quick, elusive running back in Darren Sproles, who would help open up Brady’s options on offense.
This trade could indeed benefit both sides if it was to go through; the Patriots need more consistent play in the secondary, while the Chargers could use another linebacker to further improve the run-defense.
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Matt Ryan for Joe Flacco and Anquan Boldin
4 of 20
Much like the Brady for Manning trade, swapping Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco and wide receiver Anquan Boldin would make for quite the swap.
The Baltimore Ravens would deal Flacco and Boldin to the Atlanta Falcons for Matt Ryan in a trade that would shock the NFL.
Ryan is arguably the more talented of the two, although Flacco has had his share of success winning football games with the Ravens in his young career. The Falcons would also get the services of Boldin, arguably one of the more talented receivers in the NFL.
Vernon Davis and Patrick Willis for Thomas Jones and Brandon Flowers
5 of 20
The San Francisco 49ers would trade tight end Vernon Davis and inside linebacker Patrick Willis in exchange for Kansas City Chiefs running back Thomas Jones and cornerback Brandon Flowers.
The 49ers are a team that struggles defensively against the pass, and Flowers is a cornerback who would make an immediate impact for the team. Last season he recorded 61 tackles and two interceptions for the Chiefs. Davis is a player who has been nothing but a disappointment for the team overall. Sending him to the Chiefs also adds to quarterback Matt Cassel’s options.
The Chiefs would add Patrick Willis to their defensive unit, a player who could prove vital on a team that is known for inconsistent defense as of late.
Nnamdi Asomugha and Jason Campbell for Darrelle Revis
6 of 20
Two of the league's best cornerbacks who wouldn’t like to see how the change of scenery alters either the Oakland Raiders or the New York Jets.
The Raiders would re-sign Asomugha, then trade him for arguably the NFL’s best cornerback in Revis. The Jets would also pick up quarterback Jason Campbell in the process, giving Sanchez a decent back-up in the case of injury.
This would certainly go down as one of the more interesting trades over the last decade in the NFL.
Nick Barnett and Brandon Jackson for Joseph Addai
7 of 20
Desmond Bishop has proven to be quite the talent at the linebacker position, so this trade would have Nick Barnett finding his way out of Green Bay.
The Packers would trade Barnett and Brandon Jackson for Indianapolis Colts running back Joseph Addai.
Unlike Jackson, a softer back known for his speed, Addai would give the Packers a power-runner who also boasts his share of speed at times. A one-two-punch with Addai and Starks could potentially be one to reckon with.
In return, the Colts get the services of the talented, effective linebacker (Barnett), while also adding Brandon Jackson to their backfield. Potentially a risky trade for the Colts, but this could possibly an effective one for the team.
Steve Slaton and Amobi Okoye for Cadillac Williams and Ronde Barber
8 of 20
The Houston Texans trade running back Steve Slaton and defensive tackle Amobi Okoye for running back Cadillac Williams and veteran cornerback Ronde Barber.
Barber is a veteran talent who would make a solid addition to the Texans' secondary.
Slaton has lost his chance with the Texans, as Arian Foster is an up-and-coming back who had a memorable rookie season with the team. Slaton gives the Bucs a new look in the backfield, while Okoye can help the Bucs' weak rush-defense.
Reggie Bush for Brandon Jackson and Third-Round Pick
9 of 20
The New Orleans Saints have used running back Reggie Bush effectively in spurts, but have gradually come to the realization that Bush is not a back who can carry the ball more than 10-15 times a game.The trade would send Bush to the Green Bay Packers for running back Brandon Jackson and a third-round pick.
Last year’s Super Bowl champions could use Bush's services.
The Packers would get the services of a back who can attack the outside lanes and force defenses to think twice when blitzing. After Jackson went down due to injury, running back James Starks stepped up and made the most of his playing time when the Packers needed it most in the late stretch of the postseason.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie for Brandon Marshall and Second-Round Pick
10 of 20
Losing wide receiver Anquan Boldin seemed to take its toll on the Arizona Cardinals, as the passing offense was ranked 31st in the league.
The Cardinals would trade cornerback DRC for arguably one of the league's more talented wideouts in Brandon Marshall and a second-round pick. The pick could end up being a favorable selection since the Dolphins have been a struggling organization as of late.
The Dolphins would upgrade their secondary, an area where they showed evident weakness last season.
Willis McGahee and Derrick Mason for Brandon Tate and Second-Round Pick
11 of 20
The Baltimore Ravens trade running back Willis McGahee and wide receiver Derrick Mason to the New England Patriots for Brandon Tate and a second-round pick.
McGahee is a solid running back who provides the Patriots an edge at the running back position, while Mason could add to a receiving corps that is in need of improvement and a change of flavor.
On the other hand, Tate would give the Ravens a young, talented receiver to add to arguably the most talented, veteran receiving corps in football.
Vince Young and Second-Round Pick for Albert Haynesworth
12 of 20
This trade gives view to another scenario as to where Vince Young may end up.
The Washington Redskins are in dire need of a quarterback, so they would get Young and a second-round selection for defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. Haynesworth was a world of trouble for the Redskins to handle last season; he and 'Skins head coach Mike Shanahan had their share of disputes.
Meanwhile, the Titans drastically improve the defensive line, giving Haynesworth another opportunity to play with the team.
Jason Campbell and Darren McFadden for Vince Young
13 of 20
The struggling Oakland Raiders give up quarterback Jason Campbell and running back Darren McFadden for Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young.
Young had his share of disputes with the organization last season, so a trade that would send him out of Tennessee is likely. The Raiders are in need of a talent at quarterback, as Campbell is notorious for his inconsistent play. McFadden would be a solid back-up running back for Chris Johnson, giving the team a scary one-two-punch in the backfield.
Meanwhile the Titans get the services of Campbell, who is still young and has plenty to prove in the league.
Kyle Orton and Knowshon Moreno for Ronnie Brown and Fifth-Round Pick
14 of 20
The Miami Dolphins would pick up a rising talent in Kyle Orton at the quarterback position, as well as a young, talented running back in Knowshon Moreno, while trading the Denver Broncos running back talent Ronnie Brown and a fifth-round selection in the 2012 NFL Draft.
After an unsuccessful season behind Chad Henne, the Dolphins are a team in need of a winning quarterback. Despite underachieving in his career, Orton is a consistent winner who provides stability at the position.
Picking up Brown is an acquisition that adds depth to a Denver running game that struggled mightily last season.
Terrell Owens for T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Prescott Burgess
15 of 20
The Cincinnati Bengals trade veteran talent T.O. to the Baltimore Ravens for wideout T.J. Houshmandzadeh and linebacker Prescott Burgess.
The Ravens are in need of a go-to wide receiver; last season’s postseason run proved the Ravens' wide receiving corps couldn’t get it done come playoff time. On the other side, the Bengals get back Houshmandzadeh and a solid back-up left outside linebacker in Burgess.
Although the Bengals run a 4-3 base defense, Burgess could fulfill a starting role as the weakside linebacker in the formation.
Steve Smith and Sixth-Round Pick for Kevin Kolb and Todd Herremans
16 of 20
Talk about a trade.
The Charlotte Observer reports that Steve Smith was a no-show at the Panthers' workout, and there are rumors Smith may well be traded this offseason.
Unlike the previous trade, the Eagles would vastly improve the offense by adding a talented receiver in Smith. This would provide starting quarterback Michael Vick a couple deep-ball threats.
In return, Carolina gets a potential talent at quarterback in Kolb and solid left guard in Todd Herremans. The Panthers had their struggles offensively last year, so this trade would have the team playing a much improved offense next season.
Kevin Kolb and Third-Round Pick for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Derek Anderson
17 of 20
The Philadelphia Eagles would trade Kevin Kolb and a third-round draft pick for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and quarterback Derek Anderson.
As the Eagles reportedly search the value for Kolb, trading with the Cardinals for Rodgers-Cromartie would give the Eagles arguably the best cornerback tandem in the NFL with Asante Samuel on the other side.
The Cardinals would get a quarterback and attain a third-round pick in the process.
Tom Brady and Wes Welker for Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne
18 of 20
Now, wouldn’t that be something. Not the most likely of moves to say the least.
Arguably involving the two best quarterbacks of their time, the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts would deal Tom Brady and Wes Welker for Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne.
Talk about a trade that would shock the league. It would make for an interesting change of scenery for both Brady and Manning.
Chad Ochocinco and Cedric Benson for Wes Welker and Rob Ninkovich
19 of 20
The New England Patriots trade wide receiver Wes Welker and linebacker Rob Ninkovich for wide receiver Chad Ochocinco and running back Cedric Benson.
The Patriots could use a deep threat at the wide receiver position to open up the short-yard game for Tom Brady and the offense. Brady would be pleased to have a deep threat, as the departure of Randy Moss proved to hurt the offense as the season continued on.
The Cincinnati Bengals are a defense lacking talent. Rob Ninkovich comes off a positive season as a starting linebacker with the Patriots.
This idea roots another piece on Bleacher Report: 2011 NFL Trade Rumors: 10 Trades That Will Happen in the Offseason
Brandon Jacobs and Second-Round Pick for James Harrison and Sixth-Round Pick
20 of 20
The New York Giants are in need of more talent at the linebacker position, so they would give up Jacobs and a second-round selection to the Pittsburgh Steelers for James Harrison and a sixth-round pick.
Jacobs would fit comfortably in the pound-the-ball, run-first offense Pittsburgh runs under head coach Mike Tomlin. The Steelers give up arguably one of the best linebackers the league has to offer, but would also give up an aging player in the process.
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