NFL Trade Deadline 2014: Rumors and Buzz Surrounding Players on the Block

Unlike baseball or basketball, the NFL trade deadline rarely brings significant fireworks.  As the most dynamic of systems in sports, the very nature of football makes it extremely difficult to successfully integrate a new player who has not had a significant background within the system.

However, as the shocking Percy Harvin episode illustrated, that does not mean teams will not consummate significant trades.  The Seattle Seahawks sought to reshape their roster by excising a square peg, but other organizations such as the New England Patriots have exhibited a willingness in the past (Deion Branch, Randy Moss) to bolster their roster ahead of the playoffs.

While trades are not necessarily expected, they may still impact the complexion of a serious championship contender.  In searching the rumor mill before the Oct. 28 trade deadline, there is at least one name that could make a similar difference in 2014.

Williams to Giants?

Disgruntled Buffalo Bills receiver Mike Williams, phased out of the offense over the past few weeks, has been the most prominent name associated with a potential trade.  Whisperings about Williams' unhappiness have been pervasive for weeks, and though the receiver denied he originated the original trade requests, Bills head coach Doug Marrone appears irked nonetheless:

Thus, it would seem reasonable to believe the Bills have at least shopped Williams.  Ralph Vacciano of the New York Daily News reported earlier that the New York Giants had expressed interest in exploring a potential trade, and the match would make sense given Victor Cruz's season-ending knee injury.

However, NJ.com's Jordan Raanan has since debunked those rumblings, noting the Giants' unwillingness to sacrifice a draft pick for someone who would likely be no more than their No. 3 receiver:

"

The Giants are not interested in giving up a draft pick and paying Williams a hefty salary, a person familiar with the situation told NJ.com. Williams is making over $1 million this year and guaranteed more than $5 million in 2015.

The more likely option is for the Giants is to roll with Preston Parker in the starting lineup -- which they did in Odell Beckham Jr.'s absence -- and promote Julian Talley from the practice squad. They also have two other wide receivers (Juron Criner and Travis Harvey) on the practice squad.

"

Under West Coast discipline Ben McAdoo, New York has greatly simplified its passing scheme from the option-heavy reads of the Kevin Gilbride era.  Nevertheless, Marrone has had to scale down Buffalo's passing game, first to account for EJ Manuel's limitations, and now to ease Kyle Orton's transition into the lineup.  Given those variables, it seems likely that even the Giants' scaled-back system would have more complexities than the Bills' scheme, which shows a heavy reliance on shallow crossing routes.

Unfortunately for the Bills, teams really have no incentive to take on Williams' hefty cap number.  According to Spotrac.com, Buffalo signed the 27-year-old to a five-year, $39.6 million extension upon trading for him in the offseason.  With his fully guaranteed $5.2 million base salary in 2015, no team can get out from under Williams' contract before then without eating a sizable cap hit.

With his volatility, no team is likely to incur that risk.  For all his talent, Williams has now posted two subpar seasons in a row following three strong campaigns in Tampa Bay.  Williams also comes with off-field baggage, as he quit the Syracuse football team in college and wore out his welcome with the Bucs.  This public spat only adds to his growing rap sheet, making him a likely candidate to remain in Buffalo.