NFL Trade Deadline 2014: Rumors and Predictions for Biggest Names on Block

The 2014 NFL trade deadline will pass on Tuesday, halting any and all transactions between teams looking to wheel and deal. Although, due to some recent rumors that have surfaced around the web, there are a few big names that are likely to be moved prior to the cutoff date.

Some players have been firmly placed on the trade block by their respective teams due to a bevy of different circumstances. Other teams may not be looking to trade one of their star players but sometimes are given an offer they can't refuse by a contending team. Both of these scenarios are in play this season.

With the trade deadline only days away, let's take a look at a few players rumored to be involved in trade discussions and predict where they are likely to end up.

Vincent Jackson

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Jackson is arguably the biggest name surrounded by trade talk this year. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren't exactly looking to offload their All-Pro receiver, but that hasn't stopped plenty of teams from inquiring about his availability, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport:

Tampa Bay is certainly wise to consider these offers, as the team sits with a 1-5 record and a slim-to-none chance of earning a playoff berth this season. Adding to the team's potential willingness to deal Jackson is the addition of rookie wide receiver Mike Evans.

Evans was the Buccaneers' first-round draft pick in 2014. He has a similar size to Jackson and is deemed as the veteran's heir apparent.

Jackson is due more than $12.2 million over the next two seasons, according to Spotrac.com, and Tampa Bay may be wise to offload that huge contract. So, which team is in line to land this prolific receiver?

A team must be willing to trade a high draft pick, have sufficient cap space, must be a contender and have a big need at the wide receiver position. There's one team in particular that meets all of those requirements.

Prediction: New England Patriots

Jermaine Gresham

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This Cincinnati Bengals tight end is in a contract year and his replacement, Tyler Eifert, was drafted in 2013 and is set to return from injury in short order. Gresham is a former first-round pick, and while he hasn't quite lived up to expectations, he is a tremendous physical specimen.

Contending tight end-needy teams could have some interest in trading a late-round draft pick for Gresham—a scenario that would at least give the Bengals some sort of compensation. According to Rapoport, Gresham could be had at the right price:

Considering that price may not be too high, we could expect a deal to come to fruition. But, who is the most likely candidate to snatch this tight end away from Cincinnati?

There's one team that should be a front-runner for Gresham's services. This is a contending team but needs better production from the tight end position to make a run into the playoffs. So far in 2014, the team's top three tight ends have only accumulated a total of 17 receptions for 220 yards and one touchdown. Also, cap space is not an issue in this scenario.

Prediction: Seattle Seahawks

Tony Carter

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Carter has been a productive cornerback when given the opportunity to take the field with the Denver Broncos. He played in 15 games in 2012, accumulating 27 tackles, one fumble recovery, two interceptions, 12 passes defensed and one touchdown.

That season, he was ranked 26th in the league out of 113 eligible cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus (subscription required), with a plus-6.9 efficiency rating. Unfortunately, changes in Denver led to Carter sliding down the pecking order.

The addition of Aqib Talib, solid play of Chris Harris and emergence of rookie Bradley Roby has made Carter expendable. However, he is generating interest, according to Rapoport:

Now, the question becomes: Which teams have genuine interest in Carter?

This could be a tough call. Carter is only on a one-year, $730,000 contract, via Spotrac.com, making him easily affordable. There are also plenty of contending teams in need of a solid cornerback.

One team in particular just drafted a similar cornerback and could use added depth at the position while they continue to contend with some of the best quarterbacks in the league. This could prompt a rare intra-division trade.

Prediction: San Diego Chargers