Fantasy Football: 3 Trades That Could Radically Impact the NFL Landscape

Trades in the NFL do not happen nearly as often as in the NBA or MLB, but as deals in this abbreviated off-season featuring players such as quarterback Kevin Kolb and wide receiver Chad Ochocoinco have shown they do happen, and these trades can have a major impact on fantasy football leagues everywhere.

With that in mind here are a few potential deals that could send shock waves across the fantasy football landscape, and while these trades may not happen (or even be likely to) they are at least possibilities, and were it not for a touch of speculation now and then I'd probably be writing Chinese restaurant menus instead of fantasy football articles.

Believe me, there are only so many things to say about General Tso and his chicken, no matter how good it tastes.

1.) Vincent Jackson to the Cleveland Browns

Wide receiver Vincent Jackson of the San Diego Chargers has made it abundantly clear to Chargers management that he wants a long-term contract that puts him among the highest-paid players at his position. San Diego brass has made it just as clear, by again slapping him with the franchise tag, that they are in no big hurry to give him one. Meanwhile, no team in the NFL is as much in need of an elite wideout as Cleveland, and the Browns have both an extra first round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft and the salary cap room to accommodate a big payday for V-Jax.

This one's pure speculation on my part. It's unlikely that the Chargers will part with their best wide receiver, especially should Malcolm Floyd depart via free agency, and a move to the shores of Lake Erie would be just as bad for Jackson's fantasy prospects as it would be good for those of the likes of Browns quarterback Colt McCoy and running back Peyton Hillis. Besides, Vincent Jackson being traded to Cleveland would make Browns fans happy, and that's something that for whatever reason the cosmos refuses to allow.

ODDS: Not good. Stupid Cosmos.

2.) Carson Palmer to the Seattle Seahawks

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer has demanded to be traded, stating that he would rather retire to a life of leisurely counting his money than play another down for the Bengals. Bengals owner Mike Brown has steadfastly refused, leaving the two men locked in a months-long standoff in which each has been holding his breath waiting for the other to flinch. So far all we have is two grown men turning bluer by the moment, which is entertaining in it's own right but doesn't help fantasy football players much.

Webster's dictionary defines desperation as having Tavaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst as your quarterbacks, meaning that the Seattle Seahawks are officially desperate for an upgrade at signal-caller. Pete Carroll has experience dealing with spoiled children from his time paying them at USC, so perhaps, just perhaps, he's the man that can get through to Brown, get Carson Palmer headed west, and salvage some fantasy football value for newcomers Sidney Rice and tight end Zach Miller.

ODDS: Counting on Mike Brown to do the rational thing and salvage some value for Palmer? Don't, at least not anytime soon.

3.) Kyle Orton to the Miami Dolphins

Kyle Orton has actually been a serviceable fantasy quarterback the past two seasons, topping 3,500 passing yards and 20 touchdowns each year while at the helm of the Denver Broncos offense. Unfortunately for Orton Denver lurched to a 4-12 record in 2010 and the Mile High City is now firmly in the grasp of Tebow Fever, meaning that the writing is more than on the wall that Orton's days in Denver are likely numbered.

This trade was actually in the news for some time until the Miami Dolphins got cold feet either due to the Broncos asking price or Orton's red zone and third down struggles in Denver, but with Chad Henne and Matt Moore (yes, that Matt Moore) under center on South Beach Miami would be well served to reconsider it, and should the deal get done it would certainly be a boost to the fantasy fortunes of players such as Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

ODDS: This one needs to happen, if only to prevent Marshall from any more "mishaps", such as being injured in a freak snow-cone machine accident (don't laugh, it could happen).