If you had to pinpoint one thing missing from the NFL, what would it be?

In my mind, and without doubt, the NFL has serious lack of trades and, more importantly, trade ‘hype.’

Trade activity in the NFL has seemingly increased in recent years, Steve McNair to Baltimore, Randy Moss all over the place, and Terrell Owens moving as well. But with the exception of some truly whiny players and some draft day dodging, trades are a lost art in this league.

In baseball this off-season, we’ve already seen the league’s best pitcher - a two-time Cy Young - and a former MVP swapped. At the trade deadline last season we saw Mark Teixeira, one of the league’s brightest young stars, move as well. And that’s just naming a few recent blockbusters, and not even counting those that are likely still to come before Spring Training starts.

So what’s the NFL’s problem?

My guess is the lack of focus on player development in the NFL. Even with 53 spots on the roster, there simply isn’t room for the maybe-in-a-few-years type of player. Play and grow now, or find yourself another job. In baseball, however, most players don’t see major-league action for their first two years out of the draft. And two years would be putting them on a very fast track.

The #1 thing the NFL could use is a little more trade talk.  Just imagine a baseball-style rumor mill dealing with football.

So what would add to the NFL?