Osi Umenyiora and 5 Players Who've Seen Their Trade Value Drop the Most

The value of a player on the NFL trade market can fluctuate faster than the Dow Jones. Age, injuries and character issues are the major reasons a player’s stock could plummet.

These five guys were once considered the league’s elite and coveted by opposing teams across the NFL. Now, for varying reasons, they can be had for less than ever before.

5. Tashard Choice, Dallas Cowboys

Tashard Choice has shown flashes of greatness. He had 100 yards rushing last season in Week 12 against the Colts and averaged 5.5 yards per carry in 2009. With a deep rushing attack in Dallas, Choice is now in danger of being cut.

Felix Jones will get the bulk of the carries in 2011, and second year RB Lonyae Miller currently follows Jones on the depth chart. If that wasn’t enough to put Choice’s roster spot in jeopardy, Dallas signed former Middle Tennesee RB Phillip Tanner, and he’s impressed the front office thus far in camp. He could even pass Tanner as Jones' backup.

Following the lockout, Choice could have easily netted Dallas a third or fourth round pick. However, with the recent additions to the Cowboys' running attack and Choice's apparent decline, they’ll be lucky to acquire a sixth rounder. 

4. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals owner Mike Brown has already expressed his unwillingness to deal their disgruntled quarterback. However, there is still a chance that the franchise could lighten their stance in hopes of acquiring some value. Prior to Cincinnati and Palmer’s relationship turning sour, he had serious trade value on the open market.

Now that other teams know how brutal this relationship has become, the Bengals have lost all leverage. The longer the Bengals wait to cut ties with the former USC signal caller, the further his trade value will plummet. It has been reported that Palmer has more than $80 million sitting in the bank.

If this is in fact true, then Palmer is probably relaxing without participating in any football related activities. The rust is building fast on a guy who would really help a team like the Redskins, Dolphins or 49ers.

3. Chad Ochocinco, New England Patriots

Ochocinco has caught for over 1,000 yards in seven of his 10 seasons with the Bengals. There was a time in which the six-time Pro-Bowler was considered a top-five receiver in the league. Since then, like Palmer, he has had a poisonous relationship with the Bengals front office.

Chad had just 831 receiving in 2010 and caught just four touchdowns. He’s also established himself as an off-the-field superstar, which is often considered a distraction to his respective team.

Even at 33, Chad’s trade value would still be high had it not been for his statistical decline and his infatuation with making headlines off the field. When the Patriots traded for him earlier this offseason, it only took a fifth and a sixth round pick to pry him from the Bengals claws.

2. Osi Umenyiora, New York Giants

Osi Umenyiora is still considered one of the more talented defenders in the league. However, his recent contract dispute, combined with lingering injuries, has his trade value falling fast. When the Giants put Umenyiora on the market earlier this offseason, they were seeking a first round pick. Opposing front offices scoffed at the Giants demands as New York promptly reduced their requests to a second rounder, then took him off the market all together.

Osi will be out for at least three weeks, as he recently underwent arthroscopic knee surgery. When he does return, the Giants are likely to keep him, mainly due to his declining value.

Umenyiora is still just 29 years old. He finished last season with 11.5 sacks and was selected to his second All-Pro team. However, the questions about his knee and his dissatisfaction with his current contract are red flags for potential suitors.

1. Albert Haynesworth, New England Patriots

Albert Haynesworth is another player that the Patriots acquired for an extremely low price. Once considered the most-dominant defensive player in the league, Haynesworth was had by New England for a fifth-round pick.

Albert’s value has been on a steep decline ever since he became the highest paid defender in NFL history by the Washington Redskins. Haynesworth’s weight spiraled out of control in Washington, and his work-ethic seemed to vanish entirely. He clashed frequently with Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan, and missed time for repeatedly failing a conditioning test.

Haynesworth has also had recent run-ins with the law, making him an even higher risk acquisition. Considering the fact that teams were willing to invest so much money in Albert less than three years ago, his decline in value has been the steepest of all. 

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