NFL Trade Rumors: Latest Gossip Before Sunday's Week 8 Games

Though the NFL trade deadline usually brings less activity than in other sports, recent weeks have illustrated how transactions can emerge without warning.  The Percy Harvin bombshell holds significant implications for the defending champions, while the New England Patriots also addressed a pressing edge-rushing need by buying low on the once-promising Akeem Ayers.

With a pair of Super Bowl contenders shifting their rosters, it seems natural to expect a response from their competition.  That does not guarantee activity, of course, as football is an extremely dynamic system that is sensitive to even the slightest changes in variables.  Nonetheless, while integrating new players midseason is difficult, it is far from impossible.

As the Oct. 28 deadline approaches, whispers about potential moves have increased substantially.  Read on for the latest buzz about the biggest names reportedly on the block, as well as the possible implications if they do move.

VJax in Demand

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have floundered in the first year of the Lovie Smith regime, with numerous veterans disappointing during what was supposed to represent a bounceback campaign for the organization.  Included in that group is veteran wideout Vincent Jackson, whose name has appeared at the forefront of numerous trade rumors in the past week:

Jackson has posted 25 receptions over six games this season, putting himself on pace for his usual 70-80 catch season, but his yards per reception and touchdown totals are down.  Though that is partially a byproduct of Tampa's flux at quarterback, the typically steady veteran ranks second-to-last in Football Outsiders' DVOA metric among all qualified receivers, indicating a low per-target success rate.

Still, for a team in need of a perimeter presence, Jackson represents an intriguing option.  Jackson has dropped just one pass on routes outside the numbers, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), though he has also caught just three of 16 targets of passes over 20 yards in the air.

If paired with more stable quarterback play, it is not difficult to imagine Jackson thriving in a vertically based passing offense like Seattle or Cleveland.  While it is unclear if any team will emerge as a front-runner for Jackson's services, his skill set would allow him to fulfill an immediate red-zone niche as he grasps the playbook.

Titans Teardown?

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The perpetually average Tennessee Titans may have finally seen the bottom fall out in 2014.  With the frustrating Jake Locker era likely at its end, the 2-5 Titans could shed a few veterans as part of a total rebuild:

This would be a change of course for a franchise that has historically been reluctant to embrace a teardown.  But Bud Adams' death and the subsequent new ownership may have changed that attitude, and though neither Washington nor Griffin are flashy game-changers, they are steady veteran presences who could contribute to a contending team's rotation.

Of the two, Washington looks like the more intriguing option.  The 10-year vet has averaged 15.2 yards per catch over his career as one of the league's underrated split end "X" receiver options.  Washington is on pace for his lowest target total since 2007, however, and it would likely be best for Tennessee to turn the passing game over to Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter, a pair of young receivers with high ceilings.

Griffin has traditionally struggled in pass coverage due to his limited range, but he remains one of the league's best in-the-box run support safeties.  For teams like the New Orleans Saints or Philadelphia Eagles that use three-safety "big nickel" personnel to maximize their sub-package versatility, Griffin could help fill an important role.

Daniel a QB Sleeper?

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Teams almost always turn to the draft when ushering in a new long-term quarterback plan, but Chase Daniel could represent a low-cost alternative avenue for a club.  As ESPN's Adam Caplan reveals, multiple clubs have harbored a belief that the Kansas City Chiefs backup could turn into a starter (subscription required):

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At least two teams privately discussed the possibility of trading for the veteran signal-caller earlier this year, sources told me. While nothing materialized, it's not out of the question that some teams will inquire about his availability heading into free agency in March. Daniel, who has one year left on his contract, had interest from multiple teams prior to signing a three-year, $10 million deal in March 2013 with the Chiefs.

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Daniel impressed in his only career start during Week 17 last season, nearly leading the Chiefs to a road upset that would have extinguished the San Diego Chargers' playoff aspirations.  Working with a cast of fellow reserves in that game, Daniel still completed 21 of 30 passes for 200 yards and one touchdown.  

That relief appearance has seemingly justified Kansas City's investment in Daniel, who they signed to a three-year, $10 million contract after three seasons as Drew Brees' backup in New Orleans.  Among backup quarterbacks, Daniel's average annual salary trails that of only Michael Vick and Matt Moore.  For a team with postseason aspirations, giving away a capable backup at the game's most valuable position might not make much business sense:

Daniel is set to hit free agency this offseason, and with Alex Smith under a long-term contract, the Chiefs may simply let him walk.  While a team might be able to get a headstart on Daniel by sacrificing a conditional draft pick, it seems premature to expect any team to commit to Daniel long term.