NFL Rumors: Asante Samuel Rumors and Latest Trade Buzz Around Pro Football

With the NFL draft approaching fast, it's never out of the question to see more than a few trades happen before or even during the event.

That said, here's a look at what's going on and what could happen in pro football before late April or next season.

Asante Samuel

According to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Eagles are expected to trade away cornerback Asante Samuel:

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Despite a few potential obstacles, the Eagles will try to trade Asante Samuel before April's draft.

The Eagles won't likely publicize their interest in dealing Samuel, who blasted the front office last October when rumors surfaced that he was on the market before the trade deadline.

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It's certainly a big interest, as the NFL evolves more into a passing league. And, although Asante is 31 years old, he is a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro selection.

A true playmaker at the corner position, Samuel has recorded 45 career picks in nine seasons and has 19 in the past three years.

Any team needing an experience corner to put at the No. 1 or No. 2 position, Samuel has to be an appealing player, because locking down half the field provides a major advantage.

Matt Forte

Most of the football world likely knows by now, but to reiterate; according to Michael C. Wright of ESPN Chicago last week, Bears running back Matt Forte has expressed himself:

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The Chicago Bears agreed to terms Thursday with former Oakland Raiders running back Michael Bush, and franchise back Matt Forte isn't happy about it.

Bush gets a four-year contract worth up to $14 million, including $7 million in guaranteed money, according to a source.

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To that end: should the Bears put Forte on the market? For years, the Bears have done well in a one-back system dating back to the days of Walter Payton. After him there was Neal Anderson, briefly Thomas Jones and then Forte.

With receiver Brandon Marshall out wide and a healthy quarterback in Jay Cutler, Chicago's passing game will take pressure off the rushing attack. The question, however; is whether the Bears want to go with a two-back system.

Despite being a backup in Oakland, Michael Bush still was reliably consistent behind Darren McFadden. Obviously, the Bears would have a great two-back set with Forte and Bush, but it comes down to the offensive philosophy.

Regardless of what happens with Forte, though, nothing at this point will be a surprise.

Jonathan Vilma

According to Mike Triplett of the Times-Picayune, the New Orleans Saints have signed linebacker Curtis Lofton:

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The New Orleans Saints made another splash in free agency late Saturday night, agreeing to a five-year deal with former Atlanta Falcons middle linebacker Curtis Lofton.

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Triplett went on to add about veteran Jonathan Vilma and Lofton:

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The Saints quickly insisted that they have no plans to release their current middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma.

It is possible, however, that Vilma could be facing a suspension by the NFL as part of its bounty investigation. Or if both linebackers are in the lineup, Loomis indicated in the team's press release that Lofton is versatile enough to play elsewhere.

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In a 4-3 defense, it would definitely be uncharacteristic to see a true middle 'backer like Lofton move to either outside linebacker positions. He's only 6' tall, so playing man or even zone coverage against tight ends will be a mismatch for the Saints.

Vilma on the other hand, is only turning 30 years old before the 2012 season kicks off; but he'll do the Big Easy no good if he receives a suspension. And, doesn't the signing of Lofton lead us to believe that the Saints are preparing for Vilma to possibly get a suspension?

If anything, New Orleans is playing the "better safe than sorry" card, which isn't a bad idea by any means.

Regardless, if New Orleans does decide to part ways with Jonathan at any point between now and the beginning of the season, trading him makes much more sense than releasing. This way, the Saints at least get something in return for one of the NFL's best all-around defensive players.

Detroit Lions

In an article by Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, the Lions may have been quiet but team GM Martin Mayhew says there are still options open:

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"We're looking at some opportunities now, but those opportunities are available to us around the draft, after the draft, for next year, even during the season, so we just continue to look," Mayhew said Monday at a town-hall meeting for season-ticket holders.

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This is certainly good news for Lions fans, because the franchise has displayed a lot of progression since the 2009 season.

There's no question Detroit is just a few steps back from becoming legit NFC title contenders, especially after how well the Lions performed with no consistency in 2011, except for a passing offense.

Provided that Detroit improves even a little on the ground and gets some solid run defenders in its front seven, the Motor City can make significant strides next fall. Mayhew clearly has ideas for the short and long-term, so it would not be surprising to see Detroit make some noise before the draft.

John Rozum is on Twitter.