NFL Trade Deadline 2015: Date, End Time, Hottest Rumors, Predictions and More

Trade deadlines are supposed to be an exciting time in sports. This is not the case with the NFL.

If the NFL had a trade deadline that consisted of the trades that happened in the offseason, it'd be a blockbuster event. Alas, there hasn't been much traction in trade talks other than rampant speculation.

Nevertheless, here's everything you need to know for next week's NFL trade deadline, along with some rumors on where some of the market's top names will end up and our predictions.

NFL Trade Deadline Info

When: Tuesday, Nov. 3

Time: 4 p.m. ET

Matt Forte

The Chicago Bears are in rebuilding mode, and they haven't been afraid to pull the trade trigger this season with finding new homes for Jared Allen and Jonathan Bostic.

Surely, the Bears wouldn't go full fire-sale mode and move on from Matt Forte. If Chicago's front office is looking for some sort of endorsement as to why it should keep the Bears' Pro Bowl running back, Jay Cutler says he wouldn't trade Forte "for anybody," per Larry Mayer from ChicagoBears.com:

"He's a three-down back. He does so much protection-wise. He does so much in the passing game," Cutler said. "You can line him up in all different scenarios, all different sets. He gets the job done. He's kind of a security blanket for us."

For as valuable as Forte is to the Bears and what they do offensively, it's been a down year for Forte from a yardage standpoint. He's eclipsed 100 rushing yards only once this season, and that was in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers. Since then, Forte has averaged 3.6 yards per carry and has scored only three touchdowns.

It would make sense for Chicago to move on from Forte and give him a chance to succeed on a contending team, but it doesn't look like that'll be the case. 

First, it's unclear what the Bears would ask in return for Forte. He'll turn 30 years old in December, and teams will be wary to give up more than a mid-round pick for a running back that has struggled heavily this year. What would entice teams, however, is that Forte will be a free agent after this season. If a team were to acquire him by Tuesday, they can further evaluate Forte's worth on the open market. If he's not traded, it'd be hard to see him stay with Chicago.

Second, the Bears coaching staff really likes building around Forte, per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune:

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The bottom line is I don’t see a team that is driven to trade for a running back making a lot of money right now. The other issue at play here is I don’t think the coaching staff would be very happy if Forte was traded. He’s a huge part of the offense right now and losing Forte right now would create a challenging situation for offensive coordinator Adam Gase.

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The Bears hang on to Forte for the rest of the year, and then he goes looking for his last big contract in the offseason, preferably with a team that has a good chance to win a Super Bowl.

Vernon Davis

Nothing has changed since CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora's initial report that numerous teams have interest in acquiring Vernon Davis from the San Francisco 49ers.

But if there's anyone to keep an eye on before Tuesday, it'd be the San Francisco tight end that was reportedly in some hot water over a dispute with quarterback Colin Kaepernick, according to CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco.

Since that report, the air has since been cleared on Davis' issues with Kaepernick. If the 49ers are back on the same page, that's fine and dandy, but they've still been a major disappointment this year. 

Davis' situation is much like Forte's dilemma in Chicago. He's having a down year with only 12 catches and is on a team that's stuck in rebuilding mode.

And just like Forte, it's best to think Davis will stay with the 49ers and test his market value next offseason. He's still one of the most athletic tight ends in the NFL, when healthy, and could be a vital piece for a contender looking for a a big body that can catch passes over the middle. NFL.com's Gil Brandt thinks Davis would be a great fit on the Denver Broncos, but with how poorly Peyton Manning has thrown the ball this year, that wouldn't be a great idea.

On an expiring deal, it may be tempting, but the market has more than likely thinned if the 49ers' asking price is more than what teams want to give up. Davis should still be a 49er by next Sunday.

Sean Smith

Ed Zurga/Associated Press

Here's an intriguing name that's been getting some traction. Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Sean Smith is another name to watch out for in trade discussions.

Smith has not been linked to any trade rumors, but if the Chiefs are in a state of flux at 2-5 with no realistic chance of making the playoffs this year, all options should be considered. If Kansas City wants to start rebuilding its secondary around Marcus Peters, moving Smith elsewhere could be an idea.

Doug Kyed from NESN.com suggested that Smith is the kind of corner the New England Patriots need to bolster their secondary as the defending Super Bowl champions look to make a run for a second straight title:

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I could also see them pulling the trigger if Sean Smith is available from the Kansas City Chiefs. Bill Belichick and Chiefs head coach Andy Reid have a trading history, and NFL Media’s Gil Brandt believes Smith could be had for a sixth-round draft pick. One would think the Patriots would do that in a heartbeat. Acquiring Smith would shake up the secondary. Butler, Ryan and Smith would be the top three cornerbacks, which would mean Chung, Harmon and Richards would be sharing snaps at safety next to McCourty.

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This is interesting for a multitude of reasons. The Patriots would be willing to part ways with as many draft picks they could if it meant getting a player of Smith's caliber. If a sixth-round pick is all it would take, Robert Kraft could throw four sixth-round picks at the Chiefs if he wants.

Second, Peters is having a Pro Bowl-caliber rookie season for the Chiefs. He's ready now to be the No. 1 corner for Kansas City, and another solid draft could land Andy Reid another productive corner to put opposite of Peters. After losing Jamaal Charles for the year to a torn ACL in his right knee, there's really no need for the Chiefs to continue pushing forward.

Smith getting dealt to the Patriots seems like a realistic idea. If the Patriots are really that interested, this could be something that happens this week.