The 10 NFL Players with the Highest 2011 Trade Value

To say that the NFL lockout of 2011 hasn't created a ton of speculation would be an understatement.

Today our society craves the NFL.  We live it, breathe it, sleep it, and I'm sure the NFL is looking into ways to sell it to us in a form where we can eat and drink it.

Had this been a normal year, the majority of the speculation would be pretty much over. 

The big names in free agency would have already been signed, the 2011 Draft would be over (thank God that wasn't affected by the lockout) and because most of the big name players are traded for draft picks, the majority of trades would have already happened.

However, the players are locked out and business as usual has yet to begin so guys like me can continue to speculate because we have absolutely nothing else better to do.

Albert Haynesworth

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 24: Chris Williams #74 of the Chicago Bears blocks Albert Haynesworth #92 of the Washington Redskins at Soldier Field on October 24, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Redskins defeated the Bears 17-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

About a month ago I would have said Albert Haynesworth had zero trade value.

However, with recent reports that the Eagles are interested in his services, it makes one wonder what his value really is.

Obviously that's just one team, and even though the Redskins would love to rid themselves of Haynesworth they're not just going to give him away to a division rival.  If the Eagles want to trade for him they'll have to overpay.

Also, all it takes is one more team to have an interest (the Titans are reported to have some) and a bidding war could ensue.

I think if two or more teams become interested in trading for him, the price could go up to a fourth, or maybe even a third round pick, with the possibility of a conditional pick in 2013 being thrown in.

Steve Smith (Carolina)

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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

Though this hasn't been confirmed, it would seem that the Panthers and Steve Smith are ready to part ways.

Though the receiver is getting up there in years, he would still be a weapon on any team with a big outside threat. Smith could move into the slot, where his speed and elusiveness could cause opposing defenses trouble.

Unlike Haynesworth, Smith probably doesn't need a bidding war to get the Panthers a fourth round pick.

Donovan McNabb

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins on the sidelines against play against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

One year ago Donovan McNabb nabbed the Eagles a second and fourth round pick.  Now the Redskins are hoping to get just a fourth round pick for him.

I don't think McNabb is finished in the league like some others have said, but I think any team that trades for him should already have their quarterback of the future on the roster. I see Minnesota, Carolina, and Arizona as possible landing spots for the All-Pro.

In spite of his play last season, McNabb could be worth a fourth or a third round pick.

Chad Ochocinco

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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 23: Chad Ochocinco reacts during his tryout with Sporting Kansas City on March 23, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

It's always hard to tell what's going through the mind of the man formerly known as Chad Johnson.

As of right now, when he's not playing soccer (futbol), or riding bulls, he seems to be doing a lot of complaining about his coach and his team.

It doesn't appear that Marvin Lewis is going anywhere, and I think Lewis and owner Mike Brown might have had all the shenanigans they can handle from good old number 85.

Coming off of two down seasons, Chad may have overstayed his welcome in Cincinnati.

However, he's still a young, gifted receiver, so I could see a team offering up at least a third round pick and maybe a later pick in 2012 or a conditional in 2013 for his services.

Carson Palmer

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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)

Another disgruntled Bengals employee, Carson Palmer, has demanded a trade and threatens to retire if he isn't dealt.

Palmer hasn't really been the same since his knee injury against the Steelers in the playoffs a few seasons back, but the Bengals as a team haven't been as good since then either.

Franchise quarterbacks don't grow on trees, so if the Bengals do decide to deal him they could get a third round pick in 2012 and probably a fourth rounder in 2013.

If they trade Palmer and Chad this season, they could start hoarding their picks, like New England.

Reggie Bush

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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: Reggie Bush #25 of the New Orleans Saints is helped off the field after being injured against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on September 20, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed

It seemed like the Saints might have started thinking about getting rid of Reggie Bush around the time he broke his leg against the 49ers last season.  After all, they seemed to get along nicely without him.

Then, with the 28th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Saints took running back Mark Ingram.

It started to seem like Reggie was on his way out, but because of the lockout the team couldn't make any official moves. Still, they found a way to make their intentions clear when then informed Bush he had been given permission to shop around for a trade.

It looks like Bush will be running the ball in a new city next season, and I have no doubt the Saints will get at least a third round pick for him.

Osi Umenyiora

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LANDOVER, MD - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Rex Grossman #5 of the Washington Redskins is hit by defensive end Osi Umenyiora #72 of the New York Giants at FedEx Field on January 2, 2011 in Landover, Maryland. The Giants won the game 17-14. (Photo by Win McNa

Osi Umenyiora wants a new contract, or he wants out of New York.

Who knows what will happen in negotiations, but if the Giants give in to his trade demands, Umenyiora could bring them a wealth of picks. 

I wouldn't see him going for anything less than a third this season and maybe a third next year as well. However, getting a seconder round plus a conditional in 2013 isn't out of the realm of possibility either.

Sure, he was really only been used on passing situations this past season, but on the right team (Greg Williams' blitz-happy D in New Orleans, maybe?) Osi could be a Pro-Bowler again.

Vincent Jackson

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SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Wide receiver Vincent Jackson #83 of the San Diego Chargers scores a touchdown on an 11-yard pass in the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Phot

Vincent Jackson is due to become a free agent this off-season, but all signs point to him being named the San Diego chargers' franchise player.

Jackson hasn't been pleased with the Chargers, especially after the free-agent tender they gave him last season.

If the Chargers tag him and decide to trade him I don't doubt they'll ask for a first round pick. Just like last season, no one will be dumb enough to give it to them, but they'll probably end up with a second or third round pick for him.

Kevin Kolb

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 02: Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles is sacked by DeMarcus Ware #94 of the Dallas Cowboys on January 2, 2011 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 14-13. (Photo by Ji

He was the starter, then he got hurt. Then, after an injury to Michael Vick, he became the starter again, and it looked like he was going to do to Vick what Vick did to him.

However Andy Reid knew what he had in Vick, and knew he could hype up Kolb for a trade to another team. Because Vick would be a free agent, Kolb became the expendable asset .

It doesn't hurt that Kolb had a handful of decent starts, but he has a summer-blockbuster movie marketing campaign behind him that makes him seem like more of a Tom Brady than a Joe Flacco.

If I were assigning my own personal value here, I'd say Kolb would be further down this list, probably only worth a fourth or maybe a third round pick.

However, Andy Reid's hype machine has teams believing Kolb is worth more.

Reid is asking for a first but he'll get a second round pick, and for the second year in a row he'll have pulled the wool over another teams eyes and sold them a fancy box with a bunch of junk on the inside.

Kyle Orton

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 12: Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos runs out onto the field before the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated

This is far from certain, but if I were a betting man I'd bet that Tim Tebow is in in Denver and Kyle Orton is out.

Orton is getting some buzz, but not nearly as much as Kevin Kolb.

Overall Orton is the better value because he has more experience and frankly just looks better on the field then Kolb does.

Not to mention Kolb went out with a concussion last season, and those tend to be recurring, especially in quarterbacks.

Orton, like Kolb, will probably be worth a second-round pick, but what ranks him higher than Kolb is the fact that there's a larger sample of Orton's work out there, so teams know what they're getting. In my opinion, the jury is still out on whether or not Kolb is a good NFL quarterback.