NFL Czar: Trades winds ablowing

Since the beginning of the 2010 NFL offseason, there has been a new trend sweeping the league. This trend is trading veteran players. Teams all over the league are scrambling to rid themselves of huge contracts as we head for an uncapped season. And why are all these veterans getting traded? I think teams are finally realizing (outside Washington and Chicago) that champions are built through the draft, not free agency.

So, in almost every trade to happen thus far, the veteran player in question has been traded for draft picks, whether in the upcoming draft, or even in next year's draft as well.

Let's take a look at some of the trades that have happened:

- Arizona Cardinals trade WR Anquan Boldin to the Baltimore Ravens: This trade is significant for both teams. For Arizona, they gain a third round draft pick, and have youngsters Steve Breaston and Early Doucet move up the depth chart. For the Ravens, they get another outside threat for young quarterback Joe Flacco. Paired with Derrick Mason, Boldin should do some real damage.

- New York Jets trade SS Kerry Rhodes to the Cardinals: The day after sending Boldin out of town, the Cards brought in the veteran safety Rhodes from the Jets. Rhodes fell out of favour with Rex Ryan and the Jets' coaching staff, but should be an immediate starter in Arizona.

- Cleveland Browns trade QB Brady Quinn to the Denver Broncos: The Browns entered the offseason with questions at QB. Incumbents Derek Anderson and Quinn have since been ejected, and they are in the same situation. Quinn goes to Denver for fullback Peyton Hillis and a sixth round pick. Neither team really wins this trade, but if Quinn can finally show some skills, the Broncos will eventually get the better of this deal.

- San Diego Chargers trade CB Antonio Cromartie to the Jets: Perhaps the most unexpected trade thus far, the Bolts unloaded former Pro Bowl player Antonio Cromartie to the Jets for a conditional 2011 draft choice. Cromartie will become the starter opposite All-Pro Darrelle Revis, and make the Jets defence that much scarier this year.

The future should hold a number of trades as well. Due to the uncapped season and the fall of the collective bargaining agreement, many players that would be been unrestricted free agents are now restricted, and basically stuck with their current teams. This will open up more trade talks. Here are a few players that are now restricted free agents that could be on the move soon.

- Denver Broncos WR Brandon Marshall: It has been no secret that Marshall is unhappy. He continued to play at a high level in 2009, and should attract a fairly high draft pick in a trade. The Seattle Seahawks are one team who appear to be interested, and would likely have to give up a first or second round pick for the enigmatic receiver.

San Diego's Shawne Merriman could find himself with a new NFL home for 2010.

- San Diego Chargers LB Shawne Merriman: Merriman hasn't been the same since missing almost all of the 2008 season with a knee injury. While Shawne can still be “Lights Out” when he wants to be, it may be for another team in 2010. Again, the Chargers would likely seek a second or third round pick for Merriman's services, but they wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger if the right deal came across.

So, as you can see, a new trend is popping up in the league. Next week, I will take a look at how all 32 NFL teams stack up, in the Fanshawe edition of the NFL Czar's Power Rankings.

For more from the NFL Czar, check out his blog at jvzsblog.blogspot.com