NFL Trade Speculation: Reggie Bush Among the 10 Fastest Players on the Block
As NFL fans count down the days until the beginning of the 2011 season, it's time to rank the NFL's 10 fastest players who could be on the trading block.
One of those players is New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush, who is blazing fast but hasn't lived up to his first-round draft status and will likely be traded this coming season.
Players who have virtually no chance of being traded are not eligible for this list, but others who are not currently rumored trade options may still be included based on speculatory scenarios.
So who is the league's fastest player who might be on this year's trading block? We'll take a look at Nos. 10 to 1 right here.
Sources: NFL.com, BleacherReport.com, WalterFootball.com
10. Lee Evans, WR, Buffalo Bills
1 of 10Lee Evans has had a solid career with the Buffalo Bills, but his days might be numbered.
Evans has slowed down just a bit after averaging at least 15 yards per catch in all but one of his seasons. However, he still has some speed to burn.
Evans is too talented to be cut, so if Buffalo decides to part ways with their former No. 1 receiver, it will be through a trade. Someone will be delighted to get his services as a secondary deep threat.
9. Kelly Jennings, CB, Seattle Seahawks
2 of 10Seattle's Kelly Jennings is a relatively unknown athlete and an average cornerback. The Seahawks are rumored to be trading Jennings this coming season.
But while he may not be a superior all-around player, speed is one big asset he possesses. Jennings ran an official time of 4.39 seconds in the 40 yard dash at the NFL combine, according to NFL.com.
Any team in need of cornerback depth would be happy to offer Seattle a low- or mid-round draft pick to obtain Jennings' speedy services.
8. Jerious Norwood, RB, Atlanta Falcons
3 of 10The Atlanta Falcons selected Oregon State running back Jacquizz Rodgers in the fifth round, signaling what may be the end of Jerious Norwood's time as Atlanta's third down back.
Norwood has been a great player when healthy, but injuries have plagued him throughout his six year career and the Falcons may decide to start fresh with Rodgers.
One of Norwood's strongest attributes is his speed, and a 4.40 second 40 yard dash in the combine serves as great evidence. A team in need of a third down back/homerun threat will be happy to add Norwood to the backfield.
7. Laurent Robinson, WR, St. Louis Rams
4 of 10With a logjam of young and talented receivers on the St. Louis' roster, the Rams have to pare the position down a little bit. Unfortunately, Laurent Robinson may be the odd man out this coming season.
Mark Clayton is showing signs of resurrecting his career in St. Louis, Danny Amendola may start in the slot this coming year, Danario Alexander showed infinite promise as a rookie last year, and the Rams drafted both Austin Pettis and Greg Salas in the 2011 NFL Draft.
That leaves Laurent Robinson and Donnie Avery as legitimate trading pieces, and while both of them are blazers, I think Robinson has the best chance of being traded.
Robinson recorded a 4.37 second 40 yard dash at his NFL combine, and if he were able to stay healthy, he would be a strong No. 2 option at receiver. His speed alone has to be attractive, and his recent injuries might make him a bargain.
6. Eddie Royal, WR, Denver Broncos
5 of 10Eddie Royal has endured two coaching changes with the Denver Broncos since his breakout rookie season. He has never been the same since that year.
Royal didn't just lose his talent; it could be argued that his regression was the result of improper utilization by former head coach Josh McDaniels. Either way, with yet another staff shakeup and players like Brandon Lloyd and Demaryius Thomas overshadowing him, Royal may be on his way out.
The former Virginia Tech star was a dangerous kick returner in college and has repeatedly shown blazing speed. Royal recorded a 4.39 second 40 yard dash in the combine.
If he is traded, he might have a lot more luck with a team who correctly utilizes his immense talent. He's a legitimate No. 2 receiver.
5. David Clowney, WR, Carolina Panthers
6 of 10While there are no known trade rumors involving David Clowney, the current Carolina Panther has been a journeyman throughout his short career.
While it's also possible he could just be cut, his speed is undeniable and that alone may prompt Carolina to try and get a draft pick for him. After all, the Panthers can't get enough of those right now.
Clowney blazed a 4.36 second 40 yard dash during his combine, and has flashed that speed in past preseason games.
There's a chance Clowney could break out sometime soon and become a consistently dangerous deep threat.
4. Ted Ginn Jr., WR/KR, San Francisco 49ers
7 of 10Ted Ginn Jr. was a highly touted prospect out of Ohio State and has never lived up to his huge billing.
However, something that has never been denied is his sensational speed.
Ginn will never be a reliable receiver in his career, but his explosiveness makes him a dangerous special teams dynamo. Ginn has consistently been clocked with a sub-4.4 second 40 yard dash time, and it's been rumored that he's been timed at an astounding 4.16 seconds.
Whether that's true or not, it isn't debatable that Ginn is wicked-fast.
In reality, there's probably not too much of a chance the 'Niners trade him. But they did draft USC's Ronald Johnson at receiver, making Ginn's exit a possibility.
3. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Arizona Cardinals
8 of 10Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has been a very good cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals.
But when the Cardinals drafted LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson in the 2011 NFL Draft, DRC's days in Arizona began counting down.
As good a tandem as Peterson and Rodgers-Cromartie would make, chances are the Cards will not be able to afford both players. DRC could potentially be worth a future first round pick, and if Arizona could get that for him, they'd probably let him go.
The speedy cornerback ran a 4.33 second 40 yard dash at his combine, and he's shown the ability to stick with any receiver in the league.
2. Reggie Bush, RB, New Orleans Saints
9 of 10Reggie Bush entered the league as one of the most hyped players in years. He dominated the college ranks with his incredible speed and won the Heisman Trophy.
But since being drafted by the Saints, he has had an underwhelming career and may be on his way out. The Saints drafted running back Mark Ingram in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and the backfield now seems too crowded for the oft-injured and embattled Bush.
Regardless of your own personal opinion on Bush, his speed is an undeniable asset he possesses.
Bush has consistenly been timed in the 4.3s in the 40 yard dash throughout his football career, and wherever he ends up, he'll be a threat to go the distance every play he is on the field for.
1. Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Oakland Raiders
10 of 10Oakland Raiders receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey tops this list.
Heyward-Bey was drafted in the top 10 of the 2009 NFL Draft and was frankly paid way too much money.
His 35 career receptions for just 490 yards and two touchdowns were not what owner Al Davis envisioned, and several other young receivers such as Jacoby Ford, Louis Murphy and Chaz Schilens have overtaken him. If DHB doesn't have a breakout third year, he may be traded away before the deadline.
Despite being a bust up until this point, there's a reason Heyward-Bey was drafted with such a high pick—his speed. DHB blazed at his NFL combine, running a 4.30 second 40 yard dash at 6'2", 210 pounds.
If he can ever match his abilities as a receiver with his pure speed, he'll have a great career yet. However, that probably won't happen with the Raiders.
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