NFL Rumors: Latest Trade Gossip Heading Towards Deadline

The NFL trade deadline doesn't generate nearly as much attention as its counterparts in other leagues. That's mostly because there's a lack of high-profile moves. You simply don't see many blockbusters. Now the question is if 2014 will be any different.

Perhaps the biggest reason for the lack of activity is the number of teams still reasonably alive in the playoff races. It makes trading away key assets difficult. That's why other deadlines are later in the campaign rather than at the midway point.

Alas, there's some buzz being generated one week out from the Oct. 28 deadline. So let's check out the latest gossip from around the league and examine what type of impact certain trades could make.

Vincent Jackson

Brian Blanco/Associated Press

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were hoping the arrival of Lovie Smith would help get the team back on track, especially on the defensive side. Instead, they are giving up a league-worst 34 points per game, and the offense isn't good enough to keep pace.

In turn, Tampa Bay is a team that could be looking to move some assets with an eye toward the future. Kevin Patra of NFL.com passed along comments from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport about the amount of interest Jackson is generating.

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"They are getting a ton of calls on him," Rapoport said. "With just one win, I'm told they are open to anything even though they love him as a player."

Trading Jackson would strip down the NFL's tallest receiving corps, but perhaps the Bucs believe they have his future replacement in rookie Mike Evans.

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The 31-year-old wideout remains a reliable option with 25 catches and a pair of touchdowns through six games. He would be a terrific red-zone threat for a contending team with a more proven quarterback. He's also durable, having missed more than one game just a single time since 2006.

Furthermore, as mentioned in the report, the Bucs also have Mike Evans. The rookie is still raw, but he should eventually fill the same role as Jackson. So if they are able to get a piece or two to help rebuild the defense, it would make sense to move the veteran.

Jermaine Gresham

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A couple of years ago, having two athletic pass-catching tight ends was all the craze. The Cincinnati Bengals thought they were in great shape with the combination of Gresham and Tyler Eifert. It's never really worked out according to plan, though.

Now one of them might be on the move. The aforementioned Rapoport notes Gresham is likely the one who would be traded if the Bengals decided to go that route. He's scheduled to become a free agent after the season.

Gresham is still just 26 and coming off a 10-catch outing against the Indianapolis Colts. Given the lack of depth at the tight end position, he would make a nice addition for plenty of offenses. And the Bengals would feel comfortable moving forward with Eifert, once healthy.

The question is what the Bengals would be seeking. Teams aren't going to pay much for a half-season rental. Either a contract extension would need to be in place or Cincinnati would be forced to take a lesser deal in order to get some type of return before he could leave for nothing.

Indianapolis Colts

One team that isn't afraid to make a splash is the Colts. Last season they traded for Trent Richardson, the 2012 third-overall pick who had struggled with the Cleveland Browns. It hasn't worked out, but it showed Indianapolis was willing to take a chance.

Stephen Holder of The Indianapolis Star reports there's been a lot of talk since Jim Irsay's suspension ended about possible moves. He notes a shift in philosophy might make things a little more complicated over the next week, however:

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One thing to know here is that Grigson has gone into a mode in which he is attempting to collect draft picks, rather than trading them away. The thinking is that the Colts will need the cheap contracts that come with draft picks in the coming years because they'll be paying out huge sums to Andrew Luck, T.Y. Hilton and others. So a move from the Colts is hardly a slam dunk.

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He also provided some remarks from Irsay:

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"Obviously we're taking it a game at a time, but this week Ryan and Chuck and I met and talked about anything we can do before the trade deadline (or) past the trade deadline in terms of having some young, ascending players who might be able to help us. . . and do whatever we can to get that edge," Irsay said.

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The Colts are playing pretty well in all phases right now. There isn't a glaring weakness that must be addressed for them to contend. If a move does come, it will probably be on the defensive side, where they could use more depth both up front and in the secondary.