2011 NFL Trades: Grading the Risk Factor for Every Trade This Year

National Football League teams don't make high-risk trades anymore.

In a climate where it's better for GM's and VP's to act conservatively and get consistently above-average results, rather than show less abandon and get potentially disastrous results, it's just not worth it for the people whose jobs are on the line.

We're probably never again going to see the days when Herschel Walker could be traded from Dallas to Minnesota for five players and six draft picks or when New Orleans could trade eight draft picks to Washington just for the chance to draft Ricky Williams.

Even the league's boldest trade in recent memory wasn't really that risky when you think about it.

Atlanta took some heat surrounding the 2011 NFL draft for trading Cleveland five draft picks for the chance to draft wide receiver Julio Jones, but with the Falcons knocking on the door of an NFC title right now, losing a handful of picks (and technically just one first-rounder) to get a game-changing playmaker helps them more in the short term than it hurts them in the long term.

Looking at every trade of the 2011 offseason, there are no deals that were decisive W's for either side, and no deals that should come back to cost any front-office employee their job—so long as they know how to talk their way out of a tough spot:

Albert Haynesworth to New England

The deal: Redskins trade DT Albert Haynesworth to Patriots for fifth-round pick in 2013

Risk for Washington: Moderate

Risk for New England: Low

For all his talent and gigantic salary, Haynesworth wasn't going to give the Redskins anything. The relationship between him and coach Mike Shanahan was wrecked beyond repair, which also drove down the big man's trade value since other teams knew Washington was eager to let Haynesworth go.

So getting "only" a fifth-round pick two years down the road for a player with Pro Bowl ability who just turned 30 isn't as bad for the 'Skins as it may look on paper. Even if Haynesworth regains his dominant form in New England, it's not like he would have produced that way for Washington.

A lot of people think the Patriots are playing with fire by bringing a guy with "character issues" into their locker room, but it's not like Bill Belichick wouldn't simply cut Haynesworth if he became a problem. When the Pats had Randy Moss and he started acting up, he was shown the door, and N.E. barely missed a beat.

Brodrick Bunkley to Denver

The deal: Eagles trade DT Brodrick Bunkley to Broncos for conditional draft pick in 2013

Risk for Philadelphia: Low

Risk for Denver: Low

This trade looks even better for the Broncos since they've learned DT Ty Warren will likely miss the entire season with a triceps injury. With Bunkley taking over that starting spot, basically the Broncos got a young and talented starter for a draft pick most people won't even remember.

The Eagles are loaded all over the field and won't miss Bunkley that much.

Chad Ochocinco to New England

The deal: Bengals trade WR Chad Ochocinco to Patriots for fifth-round pick in 2012 and sixth-round pick in 2013.

Risk for Cincinnati: Moderate

Risk for New England: Low

Just like with Haynesworth, any potential distraction posed by Ocho can be solved with a simple pink slip, and the Patriots would still be one of the best teams in the NFL.

For the Bengals, giving up their most talented player and one of the few who brings fans out to the stadium isn't going to help them in the win-loss column or on the attendance tracker. But the team does have their next star receiver lined up in rookie A.J. Green, and Ocho's personality appeared to be grating on Marvin Lewis and the coaching staff.

Donovan McNabb to Minnesota

The deal: Redskins trade QB Donovan McNabb to Vikings for sixth-round pick in 2012 and conditional pick in 2013

Risk for Washington: Moderate

Risk for Minnesota: Low

McNabb's tenure in D.C. seemed ruined from the moment Mike Shanahan benched him mid-game in favor of Rex Grossman. Had McNabb stayed, the constant QB controversy could have enveloped the team and probably wasn't worth the distraction for a franchise trying to start over.

At the same time, McNabb and Shanahan are grown men with a lot of years in the NFL under their belts. You would think they'd be able to iron out their issues if they were being professional. So in that respect, Washington may have given up on McNabb too early, especially when they don't have a decent starting QB ready to take over for him.

The Vikings have a rookie QB in Christian Ponder that they're obviously aiming to groom into a starter, but while they still have talented vets like RB Adrian Peterson, OG Steve Hutchinson, DE Jared Allen and CB Antoine Winfield, having a proven quarterback who can lead them to the playoffs makes sure they're not wasting time by essentially sacrificing a season.

McNabb can still play, and even if he's not a superstar anymore, is better than a lot of QB's around the league.

Greg Olsen to Carolina

The deal: Bears trade TE Greg Olsen to Panthers for third-round pick in 2012

Risk for Chicago: Moderate

Risk for Carolina: Low

Teams that are rebuilding always covet draft picks, especially in the first three rounds. But the point of having draft picks is to acquire young talent, and the rebuilding Panthers did that by getting the 26-year-old Olsen.

He will play a vital role in first-year coach Ron Rivera's scheme. In fact, Olsen could shine under Carolina offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, a former NFL tight end who coached Antonio Gates in San Diego.

The Bears gave up a player who caught 60 passes and eight touchdowns during the '09 season, although he only had 41 catches in the team's revamped offense during the 2010 campaign. And apparently O-coordinator Mike Martz is such a genius, his offense can put up 30 points per game using mannequins.

Seriously, though, the Bears are now relying on Kellen Davis to fill the void left by Olsen. The third-round pick they received from Carolina will look nice next year, but Davis has only 10 catches in his career, and the Bears have a chance to win the NFC this year.

Jabar Gaffney to Washington

The deal: Broncos trade WR Jabar Gaffney to Redskins for DE Jeremy Jarmon

Risk for Denver: Low

Risk for Washington: Low

The Redskins need offense wherever they can find it, and Gaffney showed he can still be explosive when he turned in a 12-catch, 140-yard effort against the Colts last season. To get a starting-caliber receiver for the cost of a backup lineman who didn't have a role in Washington's 3-4 defense was a good move.

For the Broncos, adding much-needed depth to their defense was a big priority. Gaffney was one of Denver's better receivers last season, but at 30 years old with two years left on his contract, he probably didn't fit into their long-term plans.

John Greco to Cleveland

The deal: Rams trade OG John Greco to Browns for seventh-round pick in 2012

Risk for St. Louis: Low

Risk for Cleveland: Low

So far, Greco is penciled in as a backup for the Browns, who gave up a low pick to get an extra body on the offensive line.

The Rams didn't use Greco as a starter, either, so this trade isn't a big-impact move for either side.

Kevin Kolb to Arizona

The deal: Eagles trade QB Kevin Kolb to Cardinals for CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and second-round pick in 2012

Risk for Philadelphia: Low

Risk for Arizona: Moderate

This would have been a moderate-to-high risk move for the Eagles had they not later signed Vince Young as their backup quarterback. Now if Michael Vick gets hurt, Philly's No. 2 option in Young is actually an upgrade from Kolb.

Not to mention, Philly added a talented young cornerback in Rodgers-Cromartie who is good enough to make four-time Pro Bowl CB Asante Samuel expendable.

Kolb has been handed the keys in Arizona to lead the Cardinals back to glory (or at least to the playoffs). At first, I said Rodgers-Cromartie and a pick would be too much to give up, but the Cardinals want to win now, and they had to do something significant to upgrade at QB with superstar WR Larry Fitzgerald's contract extension negotiations coming up.

Lee Evans to Baltimore

The deal: Bills trade WR Lee Evans to Ravens for fourth-round pick in 2012

Risk for Buffalo: Moderate

Risk for Baltimore: Low

The Bills didn't have a lot of playmakers before they traded Evans, who had racked up 43 touchdowns and almost 6,000 receiving yards in his seven-year tenure with the team.

But it wasn't like Buffalo was going to snap its 11-season playoff-less streak this year anyway, so picking up a future draft pick for a guy who is now 30 years old and becoming less of a deep threat in Buffalo's short passing game plan isn't the worst move in the world.

The Ravens were/are one big playmaking receiver away from being a full-service offensive machine, and Evans might be the guy they've been looking for.

With some of their best players—Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, etc.—reaching the twilight of their careers, the time for Baltimore to make a move is now and not worry about next year's draft.

Reggie Bush to Miami

The deal: Saints trade RB Reggie Bush to Dolphins for FS Jonathon Amaya

Risk for New Orleans: Moderate

Risk for Miami: Low

His production hasn't matched his hype, but Bush is arguably the most talented pure runner in the NFL. The Dolphins get the next chance to unlock Bush's potential as a running back, receiver and returner, and all they had to give up is a backup safety.

The Saints had a logjam at running back after drafting '09 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram in the first round, and Bush was seen as making too much money for being a third-down back. New Orleans is losing an X-factor who added a dangerous element to their offense, but they still have enough on that side of the ball to put up a lot of points.

Tim Hightower to Washington

The deal: Cardinals trade RB Tim Hightower to Redskins for DE Vonnie Holliday and conditional pick in 2012

Risk for Arizona: Moderate

Risk for Washington: Low

If youngsters Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams don't produce up to Arizona's expectations, then they just gave up their best running back for a 35-year-old backup defensive lineman and a late-round draft pick. That wouldn't be good in hindsight.

The Redskins have already moved Hightower—Arizona's leading rusher last season—to the top of their depth chart. If they have landed a guy who can move the chains for a struggling offense in exchange for a 35-year-old backup defensive lineman and a late-round pick, that would look good in hindsight.

2011 NFL Draft Trades

No need to go into detail with all the minor deals that happened during the draft, but there were a handful of trades in the first couple of rounds that should have a significant impact in the immediate future:

* Browns trade No. 6 pick (WR Julio Jones) to Falcons for first-round, second-round and fourth-round picks in 2011, plus first-round and fourth-round picks in 2012.

Moderate risk for Atlanta, who gets a big-play receiver with Pro Bowl potential in Jones to complement certified Pro Bowl receiver Roddy White—last season's NFL leader in receptions and yards. Five draft picks seems like a lot to give up for one player, but the Falcons have an opportunity to contend for a Super Bowl now, so it's worth it to make a bold move.

Moderate risk for Cleveland, who hasn't had a franchise-changing star at any of the skill positions in at least a decade. They could have scored a future superstar with that No. 6 pick but opted for depth over one shining talent. If any of the players they could have taken sixth becomes a superstar, the Browns will hear about it later.

* Chiefs trade 21st pick (DT Phil Taylor) to Browns for 26th pick (WR Jonathan Baldwin) and third-round pick.

Low risk for Kansas City, who acquired an extra pick and still got the receiver they wanted.

Low risk for Cleveland, who were loaded with draft picks after the Julio Jones trade and only fell five more spots, where they landed an immediate starter in Taylor.

* Redskins trade 10th pick (QB Blaine Gabbert) to Jaguars for 16th pick (DE Ryan Kerrigan) and second-round pick.

Moderate risk for Washington, who were/are desperately in need of a quarterback but obviously weren't sold on any of the options available with the 10th pick.

Low risk for Jacksonville, who got their QB of the future for the cost of a second-round pick.

* Patriots trade 28th pick (RB Mark Ingram) to Saints for second-round pick in 2011, plus first-round pick in 2012.

Low risk for New England, who already have most of their pieces in place and scored another first-round pick for the future.

Low risk for New Orleans, who landed a potential star running back in Ingram to add to a roster that's ready to win now.

* Broncos trade 36th pick (QB Colin Kaepernick) to 49ers for second-round, fourth-round and fifth-round picks.

Low risk for Denver, who needed more picks to shore up a weak defense.

Low risk for San Francisco, who needed to find their quarterback of the future more than anything.

* Redskins trade 49th pick (OG Ben Ijalana) to Colts for second-round and fourth-round picks.

Low risk for Washington, who added more draft picks to their rebuilding effort.

Low risk for Indianapolis, who needed to upgrade their offensive line and preserve Peyton Manning more than they need future picks.