NFL Trade Speculation: 6 Big Trades That Could Still Happen

Today, final rosters are being made and that means there will be some lesser known players moving around the league.

But what about the big names?

There's always a couple surprising trades during the year for big names. This year should be no different. These six names could change the scene of the NFL for years to come. All these players were selected based on their current contract situations, team rebuilding efforts, and overall value.  

Carson Palmer

Carson Palmer could seriously spice up week one of the season if he reports to Bengal's headquarters. 

Palmer has yet to file retirement papers, which may be the biggest indication that he could still show up and seek revenge on the Bengals front office by creating drama and an all together undesirable situation; just like the Bengals did to him last year.

If Palmer shows up they've got a few options: Trade him, release him, or play him. I personally think it would be funny to see Palmer be an $11.5 million dollar backup to Andy Dalton, who seems firmly entrenched as the starter at this point and I'm sure Palmer would find it amusing as well.

Also, the Bengals cannot afford $11.5 million against their cap. Palmer could very well win this game of cat and mouse between himself and owner Mike Brown.

If Palmer is traded, the most likely destination seems to be Seattle. Tavaris Jackson doesn't look like he's going to pan out, and Charlie Whitehurst isn't much more promising. It would be possible to see Palmer in Carolina if the Panthers want to find an aging veteran quarterback for Cam Newton to sit behind for a year or two. Miami already tried to get Kyle Orton, so why wouldn't they go after Palmer? Mike Shanahan might be convinced of John Beck's talent, but I'm pretty sure no one else is.   

Asante Samuel

Andy Reid is similar to Bill Belichick in that they both know when it's time to trade or let go of an aging player. 

Asante Samuel is entering his 10th year in the league and is a ripe 30 years old and will be turning 31 in early January. He's coming off one of the best years of his career, and his value remains high. 

The Eagles have a great, young corner in Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie. Combined with one of the leagues top two corners, prized free agency acquisition Nnamdi Asomugha, they are set at the position for at least a few years. 

The Eagles like to flip players (especially quarterbacks) that are at their prime value, and about to hit their declining years. Samuel fits that mold as well as anyone, and some teams could view him as the final piece to a Super Bowl puzzle. 

Teams like the Saints, Giants (especially after injuries to their top three corners in preseason), Patriots, Falcons, and Bucs could all use Samuel. It would be easy seeing Samuel return to the Patriots and end his career there, pairing up with young superstar Devin McCourty. 

Lance Briggs

The word is a lot of people playing for the Bears are not happy, especially Lance Briggs.

Briggs has reportedly asked for a trade—twice.

It doesn't come as much of a surprise. Briggs signed a six year deal, and now he wants out after three because he wants more money. The only question remains is what the Bears will do with him.

It would be silly to not entertain any trade offers. Briggs is a 30 year old outside linebacker in a 4-3 defense. Those kind of guys are replaceable, even if Briggs is still an above average defender. 

Rumors are already coming out about interest from the Raiders. Specifically, if Briggs could be the next Richard Seymour for the Raiders (that is to say a good, but aging defender they would spend way too money much on). The Raiders have shown they're willing to trade quite a bit when they see a player they like.

It would be smart for the Bears to flip Briggs; removing a problem from the locker room and adding young draft picks or young players.  

Adrian Peterson

You might think I'm crazy, but trading AP just makes sense. 

Peterson is in the final year of his contract, and knows he's essentially "in the driver's seat." He didn't hold out this year because he didn't have to. He's proven that despite a shaky passing offense and a bad to terrible offensive line that he is still one of the most consistently dominant players in the league.

They always have the option of laying the franchise tag on him, which would no doubt earn him upwards of $12 million next year. The smart thing to do, however, would be to trade him by next March.

The Vikings are clearly in a rebuilding stage at this point. An aging defense and the loss of key offensive players spell out a messy season in Minnesota. They've been delaying the rebuilding process for the last few years, bringing in veteran after veteran quarterback in an attempt to win right now. It didn't work. Now, it's time to burn it down and build it up again.

There's no doubt that if they sought a trade partner one would emerge. Peterson is a once in a generation back, and a possible future hall of famer. Peterson's the kind of player that can make a mediocre offense dominant, and everyone in the league knows it.  

Osi Umenyiora

Umenyiora was the flavor of last month, but that doesn't mean he still couldn't be on the move. 

The Giants are deep at the defensive end position, and know there are teams out there willing to entertain a second round pick for Umenyiora. It is still up in the air whether or not Umenyiora will even start the season opener due to a knee injury.

The Bears could flip him for a second rounder and that would pave the way for the very good looking Jason Pierre-Paul to play. The Giants are four deep with talented defensive ends. Considering how their secondary has been ravaged by injuries this offseason, it would make sense for the Giants to get rid of a headache and to try and find either a suitable corner or a second round draft pick.

Asante Samuel anyone? 

Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow may not be a "big trade" in the sense of him being a great player, but he is a big, big name. 

It really comes down to whether or not they think Tebow could be their guy. The front office is clearly not sold on him, and views him more as a developmental project. They have been pushing back against the rather harsh criticism Tebow finds himself drawing, which could be an conscious effort of the Broncos' front office to try and pump up his trade value again.

If John Fox doesn't want Tebow around, he'll end up flipping him and trying to make up for the damage of a lost first round draft pick. However, he might just hold onto him until he's sure Tebow won't work out, or he finds a solid value for him. In this quarterback hungry league there's almost always a team willing to work out a deal. 

The Tebow saga continues, as he's the third quarterback behind Brady Quinn. For now.