NFL Trade Rumors: The Top 10 Potential Destinations for Osi Umenyiora

The New York Giants have given disgruntled defensive end Osi Umenyiora permission to seek out a trade.

This slideshow depicts the Top 10 teams he is most likely to join.

He would obviously be better suited in a 4-3 verses a 3-4 defense, so I limited the potential suitors to those running a four-man front.

Umenyiora is one of the best defensive ends in the league, and any team would improve noticeably by adding him to their roster.

Cincinnati Bengals

Projected Starting Defensive Line

DE Carlos Dunlap

DT Domata Peko

DT Pat Sims

DE Michael Johnson

Why It Could Work

The Bengals have a pretty poor defensive line and a weak defense overall.

They could use a superstar like Umenyiora to improve it.

Osi might be attracted to the Bengals, because his scrappy style and showy attitude would mesh well with the care-free Cincinnati squad.

Why It Might Not Work

The Bengals have potentially the worst roster in the NFL, and if Umenyiora wants to win games next year, Cincy wouldn't be the best place for him to go.

It would also worsen his image in the public eye, because Bengals players are often disliked by basically everyone.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Projected Starting Defensive Line

DE Jeremy Mincey

DT Terrance Knighton

DT Tyson Aluala

DE Aaron Kampman

Why It Could Work

The Jaguars could easily take on a high-priced end like Umenyiora, considering they are still $34 million under the salary cap.

Jeremy Mincey isn't your ideal starter opposite Aaron Kampman, and Umenyiora would be a proven veteran addition on the defensive line, which would be a great improvement over the busts that Jacksonville has been selecting in the draft.

Why It Might Not Work

The defensive linemen for the Jags seem to have great chemistry, and adding an egotistical athlete like Osi Umenyiora might diminish the play of the team, rather than improve it.

Jacksonville's squad has been relatively quiet when it comes to media loud mouths, and Osi could quickly spoil that reputation.

 

Denver Broncos

Projected Starting Defensive Line

DE Robert Ayers

DT Brodrick Bunkley

DT Marcus Thomas

DE Elvis Dumervil

Why It Could Work

With the Broncos making the transition back to the 4-3, having a proven end like Osi Umenyiora there would ease the transition and bring a dynamic play-maker across from Elvis Dumervil.

Denver has a decent defense, but having Osi just might take them over the top.

Why It Might Not Work

Denver has been struggling with cap issues as of late, and bringing in Umenyiora would probably just add insult to injury.

Also, I don't really see Osi enjoying his stay in Denver.

He wouldn't mesh very well with the other players there and would have trouble accepting that it is "Champ Bailey's team."

Tennessee Titans

Projected Starting Defensive Line

DE Jacob Ford

DT Jason Jones

DT Jovan Haye

DE Derrick Morgan

Why It Could Work

Young Derrick Morgan could use a veteran mentor like Umenyiora to help him become a star in this league.

The Titans lost star Jason Babin to free agency, so they could definitely use that extra end to help clog up the line.

Why It Might Not Work

Osi might be too focused on himself to be a mentor to anyone.

The Titans are in a big of a rebuilding mode, and this could be very frustrating for Umenyiora, causing him to not play to his full potential, as he is a very inconsistent player.

Philadelphia Eagles

Projected Starting Defensive Line

DE Jason Babin

DT Cullen Jenkins

DT Mike Patterson

DE Trent Cole

 

Why It Could Work

The Eagles have been on a rampage, dominating the offseason via trades and free-agent signings.

Seeing them make another blockbuster trade wouldn't be a surprise at all.

Philadelphia's defense is slowly becoming one of the best in the league, and Umenyiora would love the opportunity to play the Giants twice a year.

Why It Might Not Work

The defensive end position is already very crowded in Philly.

They signed Jason Babin this offseason and still have Ricky Sapp, Brandon Graham, Juqua Parker and Darryl Tapp, who all have starting potential.

Also, having three superstar ends (Cole, Babin, Umenyiora) on one team could cause some drama when it comes to playing time.

Detroit Lions

Projected Starting Defensive Line

DE Cliff Avril

DT Ndamukong Suh

DT Nick Fairley

DE Kyle Vanden Bosch

Why It Could Work

The Lions surprised many last season by not being last in their division.

Next year, they should have a pretty legitimate shot at a wild card spot, but to make those chances even greater, they need to improve their defense a little more.

Adding Osi Umenyiora would definitely benefit them and their potential success.

Why It Might Not Work

Detroit already has a pretty good set of ends.

They don't really have any players they would willingly offer back to the Giants, and they probably wouldn't want to give up any high draft picks.

Chicago Bears

Projected Starting Defensive Line

DE Julius Peppers

DT Amobi Okoye

DT Anthony Adams

DE Israel Idonije

Why It Could Work

Osi Umenyiora would love to play on the same defensive front as Julius Peppers. They would be one of the most dominant duos the league has seen in years.

Chicago already has a pretty solid defense, and adding Umenyiora would make it even better.

They also have a lot of salary cap space ($24 million) to work with.

Why It Might Not Work

Playing on Soldier Field in the winter months won't be a very appealing aspect for Umenyiora.

Chicago just really isn't a city for an ego-maniac like Umenyiora to try to be happy in.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Projected Starting Defensive Line

DE Da'Quan Bowers

DT Gerald McCoy

DT Brian Price

DE Adrian Clayborn

Why It Could Work

Da'Quan Bowers is almost a guaranteed injury concern for next season, and they really don't have any other starter-worthy ends on the roster.

Umenyiora would be the addition that Tampa Bay has been looking for for some time now.

He could also lead by example for the rookie ends on the line.

Why It Might Not Work

The Buccaneers haven't been known for signing or trading for big-name players.

Lately, they have just been building through the draft, and that strategy has been working for them.

Clayborn and Bowers both have great potential (if they can stay healthy), and obtaining Umenyiora would limit their opportunities to display that potential.

Atlanta Falcons

Projected Starting Defensive Line

DE Ray Edwards

DT Peria Jerry

DT Jonathan Babineaux

DE John Abraham

Why It Could Work

Obtaining Ray Edwards definitely isn't going to solve the Falcons' continuing struggles to get to the quarterback.

John Abraham is slowly working his way out of Atlanta, as he is becoming less effective year after year.

Osi Umenyiora could be that one extra player the Falcons need to make it to the Super Bowl.

Why It Might Not Work

The Falcons haven't really shown too much interest in obtaining Umenyiora.

And if they haven't by now, it would be sort of surprising to see them get him. However, anything can happen.

Seattle Seahawks

Projected Starting Defensive Line

DE Jimmy Wilkerson

DT Brandon Mebane

DT Collin Cole

DE Chris Clemons

Why Seattle Is the Most Likely Destination for Osi Umenyiora

The Seahawks have been one of the most active teams during free agency, already signing star athletes on the offensive end like tight end Zach Miller and Sidney Rice.

Now it's time to make a move to improve their defense, especially after releasing Lofa Tatupu, their best defensive player.

Seattle has shown a lot of interest in obtaining Osi Umenyiora.

Jimmy Wilkerson is the projected starter at end across from Chris Clemons. He didn't start any games last year, so putting him into a starting role would not be the best transitional move.

As of now, it appears that Seattle is where Osi Umenyiora is most likely to play in the upcoming season.