At the start of the week, the Giants gave Osi Umenyiora permission to seek a trade but have since reneged on their decision. That has reportedly left the defensive end “fuming,” so it’s unclear what the next step is in this ongoing drama.

But if he is eventually traded, here are five potential landing spots for Umenyiora, and why they may or may not be a fit for the 29-year-old.

1. Seattle Seahawks
ESPN’s John Clayton has already reported that Umenyiora wants to go to Seattle, so maybe if the Giants came down from their asking price of a first-round pick then he’ll get his wish. Perhaps the biggest weakness on Seattle’s defense is its cornerbacks, so it would be wise for Pistol Pete to load up on pass-rushers. That said, linebacker is a potential weakness as well so much like the Rams, the Hawks may not want to part with a future pick in order to address a position that’s not a huge need.

2. Denver Broncos
The Broncos won’t, nor should, give up a first round pick to acquire Umenyiora. They’re a rebuilding team and rebuilding teams don’t need to part with first round picks in exchange for soon-to-be 30-year-old defensive ends (even when they’re as good as Umenyiora). That said, if the Broncos could acquire him for a third round selection (I’m not saying they could), he would certainly be worth the price. Denver doesn’t know how quickly Elvis Dumervil will make an impact after missing all of 2010 with a pectoral injury and former first round pick Robert Ayers may not develop like the Broncos hope. There’s no doubt that Denver’s defense could use Umenyiora (what defense couldn’t?), but at what price?

3. St. Louis Rams
The Rams are the most logical fit for Umenyiora because his former defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is the head coach. Under Spagnuolo’s guidance in 2007, Umenyiora racked up 13 sacks and a career-high five forced fumbles as the Giants went on to ruin the Patriots’ undefeated season. The problem is that the Rams have already invested first round selections in Chris Long and Robert Quinn, and James Hall is coming off an 11-sack season. While teams can never have too many quality pass-rushers, the Rams might not be willing to sacrifice a second or third-round pick to acquire Umenyiora when they have more pressing needs to address (i.e. defensive tackle).

4. Baltimore Ravens
Just like the Chargers listed below, Umenyiora would have to make the transition from a 4-3 to a 3-4. But unlike the Chargers, he would arguably be a better fit in Baltimore based on the fact that the Ravens play enough 4-3 for him to make a seamless transition. He and Terrell Suggs would make a fierce pass-rushing duo and his presence would help Baltimore’s cornerbacks as well. The problem, of course, is that Umenyiora wants a new contract and it’s going to cost a team a pick in the first three rounds to acquire him from New York (unless the Giants release him, that is). Ozzie Newsome is a savvy GM and while he’s parted with high picks in the past to acquire marquee talent from other teams (see Anquan Boldin last year), he might not be as willing this time around. Still, if the Ravens want to get over the playoff hump, adding a marquee talent like Umenyiora is intriguing.

5. San Diego Chargers
The Bolts would be an interesting fit for Umenyiora for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, he would be switching from a 4-3 defensive end to a 3-4 outside linebacker. The Chargers love to blitz their LBs so he certainly wouldn’t have a problem making the transition but then again, he’s likely to struggle in coverage no matter what. But if the Bolts do pursue him, they’d essentially be confirming that Larry English’s foot problems are more serious than they’re letting on. Plus, Antwan Barnes is a decent pass-rusher in the true mold of a 3-4 ‘backer, so giving up a second round pick and paying Umenyiora top dollar to play a position he’s never played before might not be worth it. In the end, San Diego doesn’t make a ton of sense.

Wildcard: Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons already have John Abraham and underrated youngster Kroy Biermann at defensive end, plus they just signed free agent Ray Edwards from Minnesota. But the Falcons are obviously in win-now mode after mortgaging their future for Julio Jones in April’s draft, and may stockpile talent in order to make a Super Bowl run this season. With the way Atlanta rotates its defensive linemen to keep them fresh, there will be plenty of snaps for Abraham, Biermann and Edwards if the Falcons were to acquire Umenyiora from New York. In the end I don’t think Atlanta will pull the trigger but I think they’re the one team not many people are talking about as a possibly landing spot for Umenyiora.