McNabb Available

Update: According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Oakland Raiders are the "favorite" for acquiring McNabb.

Your favorite NFL team can have Donovan McNabb for a top 42 draft pick. The Philadelphia Eagles have made it known that McNabb's services are available for the right price. McNabb would rather stay in Philly, but if he is dealt, he says Minnesota is his preference.

That creates a stir. The Vikes can do it. They do have the 30th overall pick and there's always that drama the accompanies Brett Favre. The Vikings would be rid of all of that if they made the deal. With all the latest talk about this possibly happening, don't think for a minute that this would push Favre into a decision. It's not.

Minnesota isn't the only team that could use Donovan McNabb. Interested? These teams should be.

1. Buffalo - The Bills have an extreme need at QB. Using Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick last season didn't quite get the job done. But, the Bills need more than just help at the QB position. There are other needs that cannot be passed over. I don't think the #9 overall pick would be sent, but Buffalo does have the 41st overall selection. The Bills just don't have a offensive line to protect McNabb. Decent running backs and a good receiving corps.

2. Oakland - So JaMarcus Russell has reportedly shed a few pounds and is in the best shape he's ever been in during his NFL career. The Raiders needed this commitment a couple of years ago (at least) from the former #1 overall selection. You know you'll get that from day one with McNabb, but the Raiders may not be the best option. Like Buffalo, Oakland has other gaps...and the 39th overall pick. The Raiders are interested.

3. Carolina - Matt Moore? Really? Is Moore better than Donovan McNabb? The Panthers are a good fit. Great running game and a Pro-Bowl receiver. What's not to like? Carolina doesn't have a draft pick until #48. They traded 2010's first round pick (to San Francisco) during the '09 draft to select Everett Brown. There is a chance Philly could give on that top 42 "demand" if Carolina could add a player plus that 48th overall selection.


4. San Francisco - Alex Smith appears to have the job, but who wouldn't rather have McNabb? The Niners have two first round picks (#13 and #17), but I'm not sure the brass in San Francisco would be willing to send a top 20 pick, but I think it could be a great move. Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis and Frank Gore are three big reasons why San Francisco should be constantly ringing the Eagles' phone. The 49ers aren't that far away from the postseason.

5. Arizona - A number of analysts have mentioned the Cardinals as a great place for McNabb. Fitzgerald, Beaston, Wells. Nice offensive skill, but the defense took a hit losing Karlos Dansby and Antrell Rolle. Plus, didn't the Cards just bring in Derek Anderson? Don't they also have Matt Leinart? Wait. Neither Leinart or Anderson have been able to keep their starting job before. What's different now?

Here's a trio of teams that could use McNabb, but for other reasons.

1. New York Jets - I know. They moved up to #5 overall last year to get Mark Sanchez. I thought the idea was preposterous until I heard Skip Bayless mention it yesterday. It made me think this. Sanchez could "season" with McNabb and learn the game from a veteran that has been to multiple NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl. Yes, the Jets did reach the AFC Championship game last year, but they haven't been to the big game in over 40 years now. The Jets are just a tick away and while I like Sanchez, getting McNabb could put them over the hump for 2010. The Jets have the 29th overall pick.

2. Jacksonville - McNabb can do many things current Jags QB David Garrard can't and one would be putting butts into the numerous empty seats. The Jags only sold out for one lousy home game last season and that was the game against the Indianapolis Colts. Don't know if the Jags front office would be willing to send that #10 overall pick (their only pick in the first two rounds) for McNabb, though.

This next one will really make you scratch your head.

3. Pittsburgh - We just don't know where all the Ben Roethlisberger troubles will lead. There's the ongoing investigation in Georgia and there's still the civil case in Nevada. NFL Commish Roger Goddell wants a face-to-face with Ben so that everything can be out in the open about how the league feels about his latest off-field issue. Think about this. This is really a win-win situation. Roethlisberger would have the ability to take care of all the personal matters and not be a bigger distraction to arguably the proudest franchise in all of professional sports. The Steelers would have an option better than Dennis Dixon and Charlie Batch combined. It would only be for one season. Well, McNabb is in the last year of his contract, so why not?

A major reach, I know.