5 biggest NFL trade deadline signings that went on to flop ft. Carson Palmer

With the 2022 NFL trade deadline fast approaching, we've seen some blockbuster moves already taking place. Christian McCaffrey has swapped the Carolina Panthers for the San Francisco 49ers. James Robinson moved from the Jacksonville Jaguars to the New York Jets. Time will tell whether or not these moves will play off, but there have been plenty of times throughout NFL history where teams have taken gambles on the trade deadline, only for it to backfire.

Here are the five worst NFL trade deadline signings ever:

#5 - Carson Palmer

Denver Broncos v Oakland Raiders

The Cincinnati Bengals sent quarterback Carson Palmer to the Oakland Raiders in 2011 after he held out. This forced the Bengals to start rookie Andy Dalton. Palmer was sent to Oakland in exchange for a first-round draft pick, but flopped once he arrived. In his two seasons with the team, Palmer only passed for 35 touchdowns against 30 interceptions, winning just eight of 25 starts.

#4 - Roy Williams

Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants

The Dallas Cowboys traded for wide receiver Roy Williams from the Detroit Lions in 2008 for a first-, third-, and fourth-round draft pick. Not only that, Dallas signed Williams to a six-year, $54 million contract, with $26 million guaranteed.

He only played three of those years with the Cowboys, catching 19, 38 and 37 passes in those years. He is known as one of the biggest in-season trade busts in NFL history.

#3 - Mohamed Sanu

New England Patriots v Baltimore Ravens

The New England Patriots were desperate for pass catchers for Tom Brady back in 2019. They sent a second-round draft pick to the Atlanta Falcons for Mohamed Sanu at the trade deadline.

Despite the high draft pick sent, Sanu flopped in New England. He caught just 26 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown with the team, as well as catching just one of five targets in the Patriots' AFC Wildcard loss to the Tennessee Titans. This would prove to be Brady and Sanu's last game with New England.

#2 - Herschel Walker

Georgia GOP Senate Candidate Herschel Walker Holds Rally Day Before Primary Election

Legendary running back Herschel Walker was traded by the Dallas Cowboys to the Minnesota Vikings back in 1989. It was one of the most lopsided trades in NFL history.

The Cowboys sent eight draft picks and five players to the Vikings in exchange for Walker and four draft picks. The Cowboys used some of the picks received to draft Emmit Smith amongst others and they dominated the 1990s with the Vikings' draft picks. Meanwhile, Walker flopped with Minnesota, spending just three seasons with the team and never topping 1,000 yards.

#1 - Trent Richardson

Houston Texans v Indianapolis Colts

Trent Richardson was drafted third-overall by the Cleveland Browns back in 2012. After a season with the team, the Colts traded away a first-round pick themselves to acquire him.

However, Richardson flopped in Indianapolis, rushing for less than 1,000 yards over his two seasons with the team, as well as only rushing for three touchdowns. The Colts waived Richardson just two years after spending a first-rounder on him, and he never played in the NFL again.