NFL Trade Reaction: 7 Key Trades That Should've Been Made in 2010

Looking back on this past NFL season and into the league's murky immediate future with the lockout, one might wonder how their team might have improved with a trade.

Several mediocre teams could have gotten over the hump with the addition of a veteran quarterback (Matt Hasselbeck, Donovan McNabb, Carson Palmer) or a top defender like Oakland's Nnamdi Asomugha.

Trades have never been of frequent occurrence in the NFL, but it seems as if 2010 more than ever offered unhappy guys looking to change teams. Albert Haynesworth drove Mike Shanahan's Redskins to their breaking point, and even recently in Philadelphia, Kevin Kolb continued to hint at a trade. Kolb's major options included Tennessee, Jacksonville and Minnesota before April's draft, but all three teams drafted quarterbacks. 

The St. Louis Rams are an interesting case, considering they just missed the playoffs with a rookie quarterback and an embarrassing receiving corps. Vincent Jackson would've had room to restructure a contract with an organization that has lacked a star wideout since the days of Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce.

Although Jackson faced a suspension in 2010, he was available in the second half of the season and would've made a huge difference with the absence of Donnie Avery and Mark Clayton.

Which other marginally big names should have been on the move in 2010? Let's dig in...

Carson Palmer to Seattle

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CINCINNATI - DECEMBER 26: Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals 34-20. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The saga with Carson Palmer had to be expected in Cincinnati, especially after a dismal season in comparison to the team's playoff berth in 2009.

As 2010 progressed, the team only got worse, and so did Palmer's numbers.

Now, Palmer has threatened to retire from the NFL altogether without a trade, but his most likely suitor, the Seattle Seahawks, have decided to keep Matt Hasselbeck.

Aside from maybe San Francisco, Palmer's arrival in Seattle made the most sense. He would be reunited with his college coach and mentor at USC, Pete Carroll. Seattle's offense doesn't exactly "wow" anyone on paper, but Palmer would be closer to home, compete in a lackluster division and improve the passing game.

Some might question whether or not the Seahawks even needed Palmer after beating the Saints in the NFC Divisional Round, but based on quarterback pocket skills, Palmer is still the better player.

Marshawn Lynch to Green Bay

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks runs for a 67-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, W

Now, let's be honest, nobody could have predicted Green Bay's miraculous Super Bowl season when the team was on the brink of missing the playoffs in Week 15.

The running game was dismal after Ryan Grant's early season-ending injury because Brandon Jackson proved to be nothing more than a slow back who couldn't average near 4.0 yards per carry. John Kuhn was actually the fullback, and luckily James Starks saved the season.

Having a guy like Marshawn Lynch made a ton of sense for the Packers. He probably wouldn't have cost more than a mid-round draft pick, especially considering his suspension early in the season and the emergence of Fred Jackson in Buffalo. Rookie running back C.J. Spiller is also waiting in the wings for the Bills.

Lynch ended up breaking off one of the most eye-popping runs ever seen in playoff history to beat the Saints while with the Seahawks. He'll be the starter there now and probably get paid more.

Lynch would have made Green Bay's lethal passing attack even better because of his downhill style and threat to break loose for the big play on the ground.

Steve Smith to New Orleans

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SEATTLE - DECEMBER 05: Wide receiver Steve Smith #89 of the Carolina Panthers looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on December 5, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks won, 31-14. (Photo by Otto Greule

Here's a case of a wily veteran starving to win. For Steve Smith, the day has finally come when he'll move on from the Carolina Panthers, a team headed for a youth movement.

Unfortunately for Smith, he had the worst season of his career last year, as it was almost a waste of time and talent considering the quarterback situation in Carolina. Had Smith been traded to a playoff contender like the Saints, he would have been happier, more effective and quieter.

Although it may seem like the Saints have a complete receiving corps, Smith's small stature but blazing speed would've allowed Drew Brees to stretch the field even better than he does with Robert Meachem or Devery Henderson.

Also, for Marques Colston, the middle of the field would've presented more opportunity for easier catches.

The Saints struggled to run the football in big games last season, but Smith would have made it less of an issue had he been running wild after the catch for the Saints. He doesn't have many solid seasons left, so Smith owes it to himself to find a team that will contend.

Nnamdi Asomugha to the Highest Bidder

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SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 05: Nnamdi Asomugha #21 the Oakland Raiders looks on from the sideline against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 28-13. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Ge

Nnamdi Asomugha is arguably the best cornerback in the NFL. He plays for a team in the Oakland Raiders lacking the major pieces to make a playoff run, hence the reason why they should trade him to acquire more talent through the draft.

Asomugha deserves big money, and although he feels happy in Oakland, he'd be of much more significance playing for a team headed for the playoffs.

For example, a team like the Eagles or Ravens would make things very interesting in two divisions loaded with possible contenders. He'd be worth at least two draft picks, including a first-rounder, but even that price might be a bargain.

For now, Asomugha claims to be happy with the Raiders, but the team should have traded him last season with the intentions of continuing to build through the draft and avoiding his giant upcoming contract.

Kevin Kolb to Miami

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 02: Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Dallas Cowboys on January 2, 2011 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Kevin Kolb currently stands as the most intriguing trading piece behind Nnamdi Asomugha, as he should be.

Kolb showed shades of success through the duration of Donovan McNabb's 2009 injury and had the spotlight stolen from him with the unlikely emergence of Michael Vick in Philadelphia. He by no means is a proven product, but Kolb possesses all the attributes expected of a prototypical NFL quarterback.

As for his fitting with the Dolphins, he'd be a shoo-in. Miami made no major commitment to Chad Henne, especially after his erratic decision making in 2010. Kolb could have stepped in immediately with the Dolphins, making Brandon Marshall the scoring threat of old with the long ball.

Since most of the suitors for Kolb have drafted quarterbacks of the future by now, Miami seems to be one of the only teams in need of a signal caller.

The Dolphins running game needs help too, but everything starts with the consistency of the quarterback. Kolb should've already been dealt once Vick's success was evident, but maybe Vick's injury caused the Eagles to keep him.

Vincent Jackson to St. Louis

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SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 12: Vincent Jackson #83 of the San Diego Chargers carries the ball on a reverse against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on December 12, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty

The Chargers tendered Vincent Jackson for a first-round pick in 2010, but even after he didn't report to the team during his holdout, they should have traded him for less.

He helped the Chargers once he returned, but they missed the playoffs after another slow start (nothing new) and stood as a distraction to the team with his demand for a superstar contract.

Jackson would have been a perfect fit in St. Louis, and I'd go so far as to say he would have been the difference in the team's playoff fate in 2010.

Sam Bradford did a terrific job when considering just how poor his arsenal of passing weapons was, but Jackson could have been the go-to guy.

He has the ability to catch any pass, of course making it easier on a rookie quarterback who's bound to make some mistakes on tough throws. Jackson loves to run downfield and make the big play, which, as mentioned, hasn't been a part of this team's offense since the days of Mike Martz, Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce.

Lastly, the Rams had the financial means to provide Jackson with his idea of a nice contract, locking him up for several years while he became an imperative part of Bradford's development as one of the league's star quarterbacks.

Albert Haynesworth to Tennessee

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GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 02: Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth #92 of the Washington Redskins in action during preseason NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardina

Again? Yes, again, but only because Bud Adams actually pitched the idea.

As fate would have it, the Titans didn't take Nick Fairley with their 2011 first-round pick, further dragging on the need for size on the defensive line. Tennessee has struggled since Haynesworth's departure, but his ability to be effective should definitely be questioned at this point.

Haynesworth has been close to useless on the field for Washington in the past two seasons. After signing the most lucrative contract for a defensive player in NFL history, his contract hangs over any suitor's head.

He has also been the biggest locker room distraction, and "Fat Albert" can't seem to avoid the law.

So why didn't the Redskins get rid of him when they could have in 2010? I couldn't tell you.