NFL Trade Rumors: Latest on Darren McFadden, Joe Thomas & More as Deadline Looms

With the eighth-week season nearing its end, we're now counting down the hours until the 2016 NFL trade deadline. If teams are looking to make moves, they'll have to do so before 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 1.

As is normally the case this time of year, there have been numerous intriguing trade rumors circulating. As is also often the case, we have yet to see any blockbuster in-season deals actually come to fruition. Despite having no shortage of potential contenders with notable needs, we just haven't seen the type of active market we tend to see in a sport like baseball.

This, of course, hasn't stopped those rumors from spreading, and it doesn't mean one or more of them won't come true before the trade deadline.

Today, we're going to run down the latest trade rumors and what they could mean moving forward.

Darren McFadden, RB, Dallas Cowboys

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One name that has recently come to the forefront of the rumor mill is Dallas Cowboys running back Darren McFadden. The Arkansas product performed well for Dallas a year ago (1,089 yards rushing) but has been sidelined this year with an elbow injury.

In addition to being injured, McFadden has also watched rookie Ezekiel Elliott take control of the starting role in the backfield. Elliott has already racked up 703 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.

The reality is that the Cowboys don't really have a need for McFadden so long as Elliott and backup Alfred Morris are healthy.

McFadden is now healthy too, which is precisely why he has entered the trade discussion.

“Elbow is feeling great,” McFadden said earlier this month, per Drew Davison of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “Just sitting back and waiting for my time to get back on the field."

McFadden's time back on the field might not come in Dallas, but there is no shortage of teams that could give him opportunities. The Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos have all lost their starting running backs to injuries this season. Each is currently in position to battle for a playoff berth.

McFadden, though, doesn't seem interested in landing with a different team.

“No, I can’t say that,” McFadden said, also per Davison. “I love it here. I’ve pretty much made this my home, so I love being here. I just want to be out there contributing and playing.”

The question is whether McFadden would be unhappy enough with a trade to prevent a team from actually dealing for him. If not—and it's hard to imagine he's that averse to a potential starting role—then it makes sense for Dallas to do a deal.

If the Cowboys could snag themselves a contributing player or a future draft pick for a back they haven't needed, it would be a win. The team acquiring him, in turn, would gain a player capable of boosting its backfield.

This is one rumored trade that could realistically get done before the deadline.

Brandon Marshall, WR, New York Jets

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Another name that has recently surfaced is New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall. The reason Marshall has been linked to the trade market, though, is much different than the one for McFadden.

The 2-5 Jets are close to seeing an unofficial end to their season. Marshall, who is 32 years old and in the second year of a three-year deal, is a guy who could immediately boost the passing attack of a potential contender.

Marshall has racked up 472 yards and two touchdowns so far this season.

Greg A. Bedard of SI.com is one analyst who has suggested the Jets should move Marshall.

The problem with this rumor is that it doesn't make a ton of sense for New York to trade Marshall away. He is productive and provides a strong veteran presence in the Jets offense.

"His leadership has been good. Period,” Jets head coach Todd Bowles said, per Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. “There’s a couple guys that talk behind the scenes that you don’t see in public, that do a lot more than talk football, that kind of keep this team together. Brandon is one of those guys.”

It seems increasingly likely the Jets will soon turn to one of the young quarterbacks on their roster—Christian Hackenberg or Bryce Petty—or will draft another next year. Keeping a seasoned veteran like Marshall for a young quarterback's development makes too much sense.

The only reason the Jets should even entertain the idea of moving Marshall is if a team offers a player of equal talent or a high draft pick. Given Marshall's age, that doesn't feel incredibly likely.

According to Mehta, two unnamed NFL executives suggested the Jets wouldn't get anything more than a fifth-round pick.

This feels like a potential deal that simply won't get done.

Joe Thomas, OT, Cleveland Browns

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Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas has been heavily present in the rumor mill, and for good reason. The 0-7 Browns are going nowhere this season, and Thomas is one of the most proven commodities in the entire league.

Thomas has never missed a snap, has been named to the Pro Bowl in all nine of his NFL seasons and is currently rated sixth overall among all offensive tackles by Pro Football Focus.

Thomas has maintained that he would like to remain in Cleveland, and Browns head coach Hue Jackson has made it clear he doesn't want to move Thomas.

However, Jackson doesn't make the personnel decisions in Cleveland. The decision to deal Thomas would likely come from executive VP of football operations Sashi Brown. According to Bleacher Report NFL Insider Jason Cole, that decision could realistically come before the trade deadline.

There are plenty of potential contenders that could use an elite tackle like Thomas. The Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks—rated 31st and 32nd in pass-blocking by Pro Football Focus, respectively—are just two of them.

Cole has also reported that the Indianapolis Colts are another team interested in acquiring line help.

Unless Browns owner Jimmy Haslam values Jackson's input to the point that he won't move Thomas, this is a deal that could happen. It wouldn't make a lot of sense for Cleveland because trying to rebuild without an anchor tackle will be a lot more difficult than with one, but it's a real possibility.

This is a rumor that should continue to intensify as we draw closer to the deadline.