NFL Trade Rumors: Examining Latest Pre-Deadline Reports

Tuesday's NFL trade deadline is fast approaching, and we may begin to see some interesting names pop up as rumors continue to swirl around the Web. Although, things have remained relatively quiet since Percy Harvin was dealt to the New York Jets.

That just goes to show the hesitance of team owners and general managers to strike a deal at this time of year. Teams must be absolutely certain that an incoming player is worth the risk of taking on his contract and cutting another player to make room on the roster.

That said, there is some buzz revolving around players who are deemed to be on the trade block and others who are garnering interest from needy teams. Here's a look at all of the most recent gossip surrounding potential moves at the trade deadline.

Titans Ready to Offload?

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The Tennessee Titans are a team in flux right now. At 2-5 on the season, the team has very little chance of competing in the AFC South or even acquiring a playoff berth. This is a team looking toward the future, and that notion was reaffirmed due to a change at the quarterback position, via the Titans' official Twitter account:

So, with the team's focus on the future, which current players could be on their way out? Well, we already saw linebacker Akeem Ayers moved to the New England Patriots, and according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the team may not stop there:

Nate Washington has been a productive receiver in Nashville. He did accrue one 1,000-yard season and fell just short of that mark with 919 receiving yards last year. Although, the emergence of Justin Hunter shifted the veteran down the depth chart this season.

We can expect a wide receiver-needy team to make a run at Washington; however, his current contract could make things difficult. Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean tweeted what he is due per game for the remainder of the season:

Inside linebacker Wesley Woodyard could also be on the move. Tennessee could be looking to free up some cap space by sending him to a contender in need of an interior run-stuffer. The linebacker is currently in the first year of his four-year, $15.75 million contract, according to Spotrac.com.

The same story goes for safety Michael Griffin. He is useful when up along the line of scrimmage in run support, but he can be a bit of a detriment in coverage. Griffin is in the third year of his five-year, $35 million contract and is slated to make over $8 million in each remaining year, via Spotrac.com.

Latest on Vincent Jackson

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We've already seen Jackson's name pop up in regard to potential trade rumors. At 6'5", Jackson is a matchup nightmare for opposing defensive backs, and a contending team in need of a wide receiver—perhaps the Seattle Seahawks or New England Patriots—would benefit greatly from his services.

While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are not openly shopping the receiver, they have been entertaining phone calls. Well, according to Rapoport, via Around the NFL, the phone calls have been excessive:

Due to Jackson's prowess with the San Diego Chargers and the Buccaneers, it's clear he's not the product of any specific system, he's just a darn good receiver. Expect Tampa Bay's asking price to be very high if it is to move him and allow Mike Evans, his heir apparent, to take over the No. 1 spot this season.

As for Jackson, he'd like to remain in Tampa Bay, according to a tweet from Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times:

Unfortunately for Jackson, this decision isn't up to him. We'll see if a blockbuster deal gets done before October 28.

Latest on Jermaine Gresham

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It's been rather quiet on the trade front regarding the Cincinnati Bengals tight end; however, it's uncertain as to whether that is due to lack of interest or the team's unwillingness to move him. Rapoport first speculated on the idea of a potential trade on October 19:

He makes a very valid point that Gresham, a former first-round selection, is on the final year of his contract and is set to be replaced by another first-round tight end in Tyler Eifert. Cincinnati would at least be somewhat compensated by moving Gresham before the deadline rather than simply watch his contract expire.

One thing that could possibly be holding the Bengals back is Eifert's availability. According to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer, Eifert is due back for the team's contest on November 6 against the Cleveland Browns:

With the trade deadline set on October 28, that means the Bengals would be without both tight ends for their November 2 contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Quite possibly, the team just doesn't want to take the chance of playing a game without one of those players residing at the tight end position.

That is just speculation, and of course the team can always prove that wrong by dealing Gresham. Although, that seems a little unlikely at this point given the lack of buzz surrounding the tight end.