NFL Trade Deadline 2016: Rumors on Joe Thomas, Terrelle Pryor and More News

The NFL trade deadline typically doesn’t bring the same season-altering moves that its NBA and MLB counterparts do, but some rumors are still circulating as the Nov. 1 date approaches.

With Week 6 largely in the books, some teams have already dropped out of realistic playoff contention and could look to move a player to a contender in an effort to accelerate their own rebuilding process.

The Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins meet that criteria, and players such as Joe Thomas, Terrelle Pryor and Cameron Wake are potential trade targets. Here is a look at some of the latest whispers surrounding the three talented difference-makers.

Joe Thomas Not Looking to Leave Cleveland

Every team in the league has at least one win—except the Browns.

It makes sense on the surface why they would look to move Thomas during what appears to be another lost season. They are in the middle of a rebuild under new coach Hue Jackson, and the 31-year-old offensive lineman will likely be past his prime by the time the team is ready to contend.

However, Pat McManamon of ESPN.com cited a source close to Thomas who said he will not ask for a trade before the deadline. McManamon also noted "the team has made it clear in the past months it does not want to trade Thomas."

McManamon wrote that Thomas lives in Cleveland and wants to play his entire career with the franchise, even though the Browns nearly traded him to the eventual Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos last year.

Connor Byrne of Pro Football Rumors pointed out any team that acquires Thomas would be responsible for the cap charges left on his seven-year, $84 million contract extension that he inked in 2011.

While the financial situation would impact any potential deal, talent is not a question for the No. 3 overall pick from the 2007 draft. He is a nine-time Pro Bowler with six First Team All-Pro appearances who consistently anchors the Cleveland line.

He is also durable and has appeared in all 150 games of his career to this point.

Terrelle Pryor Deemed Too Valuable to Move

Thomas isn’t the only player the Browns could move and ultimately won’t if recent reports are any indication.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, Cleveland views Pryor as someone who is "so valuable, he’s a rare player they won’t consider trading."

Keeping Pryor in the passing attack is almost a move of necessity at this point. Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer noted wide receiver Josh Gordon is likely done on the Browns after entering rehab, and rookie Corey Coleman broke his hand at practice and hasn’t appeared in a game since Sept. 18.

Coleman flashed promise with a combined 173 receiving yards and two touchdowns in his two games this year, but he is far from a proven commodity at this point.

Pryor has been a bright spot in the offense with 413 receiving yards and three touchdown catches—two of which came during Sunday’s loss to the Tennessee Titans. He also has a rushing score on the season.

The former Ohio State and Oakland Raiders quarterback has even taken snaps as a signal-caller for a Browns team that is plagued by injuries at the position. He has just 41 passing yards on the year, but he serves as a dual-threat option when he is behind center.

Pryor is just 27 years old with relatively fresh legs considering he has appeared in just 23 games throughout his career.

The Browns may not trade him, but he will be an unrestricted free agent after the season, per Spotrac. If he continues to serve as the team’s top receiver and a 6’4” red-zone threat in his prime, he will eventually command a pricey contract on the open market.

Cameron Wake Comments on Future with Dolphins

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Wake is 34 years old and has served as a staple of the Miami defense for much of his career, but he has never played in a postseason game. 

With that reality looming, Wake addressed whether remaining on the Dolphins his entire career or playing for a winner before he retires was more important.

"It's not a 'which one's more important,'" he said, according to Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald. "I just want to win. Obviously, I'm here in Miami and I'll be here as long as they have me, and I'll do everything I can to make sure Miami's a winner. I'm not concerned with going anywhere else, doing anything else."

He also said: “As long as they’ll have me, I’ll be here. And as long as I’m able, I’ll do whatever I can to make this a winning team.”

Wake has largely done that with 71.5 sacks in his career and three seasons with double-digit sack totals. He has made four Pro Bowls and was a member of the 2012 First Team All-Pro.

Wake is versatile enough to line up as a defensive end or a pass-rushing outside linebacker; however, Hal Habib of the Palm Beach Post said he has largely been used as a specialty pass-rusher this season.

The Dolphins beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, but they are still 2-4 and on the outside looking in at the postseason picture. Their only wins came against the 0-6 Browns and a Pittsburgh team that was limited because quarterback Ben Roethlisberger tore his meniscus during the game, per Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Wake’s postseason drought probably won’t end this season unless he is traded, but he apparently isn’t pushing for that as his career continues.