Trade Analysis

This past off season has produced a bunch of trades. Here is a breakdown of some of them.

• Philadelphia Eagles trade DT Brodrick Bunkley to the Denver Broncos for a 2013 draft pick.

This was a little confusing because Bunkley was originally traded to the Browns but now has been traded to the Eagles. Anyways Brunkley was moved because he was expendable since the Eagles signed Cullen Jenkins. For Denver this is huge because they were lacking depth inside since they moved from the 3-4 to the 4-3. Bunkley should step in right away and give Denver an inside presence that they could really use.

• Bears trade TE Greg Olsen to the Carolina Panthers for a 2012 3rd Round Pick.

It was unfortunate that Greg Olsen didn't have the success many thought he would have when he was drafted in the 1st round. The coaches never seemed to know how to get the most out of him and with Mike Martz in town he didn't have any plans on featuring Olsen in the passing game. Both teams feel that they won this trade because the Panthers get a player that will provide a safety blanket for Cam Newton and take some of the pressure off of Steve Smith. The Bears get rid of a player that didn't fit their scheme and get what will probably be a high 3rd round pick.

• Cincinnati Bengals trade WR Chad Johnson to the New England Patriots for a 2012 and 2013 late round pick.

Ever since the end of the season the talk of Chad Johnson leaving was pretty clear. He had voiced his displeasure with the Bengals and talked about wanting to go to the Patriots. However many think it was going to happen. Cincinnati clears room for their new #1 WR in AJ Green and the rest of their young receivers. New England is hoping to have a similar outcome that Randy Moss gave them for his first two seasons with the team. Johnson will help stretch the field and free up room for Hernandez, Gronkowski, and Welker.

• Philadelphia Eagles trade QB Kevin Kolb to the Arizona Cardinals for CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a 2012 2nd round pick.

This is the big move of the free agency. It was pretty clear that Kolb was going to be in a new uniform but it was a matter of who wanted him more. Arizona wanted him pretty bad because they gave up a 2nd round pick and young Pro Bowl corner whose best football is still ahead of him. DRC along with Asante Samuel and newly signed Nnamdi Asomugha give the Eagles possibly the best cornerback group in NFL history. DRC is a very talented cover corner who will help the Eagles play a lot of man to man coverage and blitz from all over the field.

• New Orleans Saints trade RB Reggie Bush to the Miami Dolphins for a 2012 late round pick.

It was no surprise that Reggie Bush was moved. He hasn't really lived up to any of his college hype and with Mark Ingram being drafted the writing was on the wall. Bush will go to Miami and provide a complement to rookie Daniel Thomas and help the Dolphins in the return game which they haven't had any real game breakers. Both team won here. Bush adds a playmaker to the Dolphins and the Saints were able to get something out of Bush instead of just cutting him.

• Washington Redskins trade Albert Haynesworth to the New England Patriots for a 2012 5th round pick.

Washington had to get rid of Haynesworth who was eating up a huge salary, wasn't happy, or motivated. Out of the blue Haynesworth is traded and it was to the Patriots who have a habit of taking players who have history of being malcontents and turning them around. Corey Dillion was one and Randy Moss was another. I believe Haynesworth will be another. Washington wanted him to play the NT position in their 3-4 but I've always thought that if Haynesworth was going to play in the 3-4 the DE spot would be the perfect fit. That's where he'll play in New England and I have no worries that Bilicheck will get the most of him. And for a 5th round pick it could be highway robbery.

• Washington Redskins trade Donnavan McNabb to the Minnesota Vikings for a 2012 6th round pick and a 2013 conditional 6th round pick.

Very similar to the Haynesworth pick, it was clear after Shanahan threw him under the bus that wasn't going to be in Washington this season. Minnesota was always thought to be a logical placement where he could go for a year or maybe two and bridge the gap to Christian Ponder. McNabb didn't look good last year but a new team and a new outlook might rejuvenate him into a serviceable starter. Washington makes out alright because they get some draft picks out of it instead of nothing if they would have cut him.