NFL Rumors: Deadline-Day Trade Buzz on Vincent Jackson, Doug Martin and More

With the 2014 NFL trade deadline just hours away, league insiders have been taking to the Internet to divulge their latest findings about marquee players who have surfaced in trade discussions. The recent gossip could send shock waves through the NFL.

Of course, there's no way of telling if a rumored move will actually come to fruition before the trade deadline passes, but it's always fun to speculate. After all, there are certain rumors that can be tied together to formulate a move that would actually make sense for both teams involved.

So, which franchises and players are the subjects of trade discussions as the first half of the regular season winds down? Here's a look at some of the best—and most intriguing—recent buzz from trusted sources around the Web.

Vincent Jackson Latest

Bill Haber/Associated Press

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport made it known that Jackson was garnering trade interest over a week before the deadline. Apparently, the calls keep coming, as Rapoport reported which teams have actually called the Tampa Bay Buccaneers about their All-Pro wide receiver in a couple of tweets:

All of those aforementioned teams make complete sense. They are all contenders and could all benefit from the services of a wide receiver like Jackson. However, at this time of year, not all reports see eye to eye.

According to a tweet from Rotoworld's Evan Silva, ESPN's Chris Mortensen does not believe the team will part ways with its top wide receiver before the deadline:

Of course, if one of those teams were to give the Buccaneers an offer they couldn't refuse, who's to say they won't pull the trigger? We've seen unexpected trades just before previous deadlines, and there's no reason to think this year will be any different.

Patriots a Suitor for Doug Martin?

Reinhold Matay/Associated Press

Jackson has been the center of attention regarding Buccaneers' trade talk, but ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted another member of the team's offense that could garner plenty of interest prior to the deadline:

Doug Martin has fallen out of favor in Tampa Bay. He hasn't exactly been able to get it going since his stellar 2012 campaign. That talent appears to be there; however, the running back could need a change of scenery to regain his form.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, there is one team in search of a running back that could be a suitor. He writes, "Per a league source, the Pats and coach Bill Belichick are looking for a running back."

Since Stevan Ridley went down with a season-ending knee injury, the Patriots have suddenly become rather thin in the backfield. Martin is a veteran ball-carrier with a history of success, and it's not too far-fetched to think he could wind up in New England if the price is right.

Are the Eagles Shopping?

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

The Philadelphia Eagles haven't exactly been solid in the defensive secondary this season. That was wildly apparent when the team gave up two very long touchdown passes to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8. There has been some recent buzz about the team trading for a safety lately, and Rapoport tweeted a couple of possibilities:

These are two high-priced safeties that non-contenders would love to offload in an effort to free up some cap space going forward. Rapoport's tweet indicates they could be had at a decent price, so it should be safe to assume the Eagles have made some exploratory phone calls—or have they?

According to Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer, head coach Chip Kelly snickers at the idea:

While Kelly appears adamant there are no trade discussions ongoing, it's difficult to decipher what is actually going on behind the scenes at this time of year. We'll find out for sure by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.