NFL Trade Deadline 2015: Latest Rumors on Tamba Hali, Browns and More

We're edging ever closer to the Nov. 3 National Football League trade deadline, and there is no shortage of rumors when it comes to players possibly being shipped out of town.

NFL teams rarely make blockbuster trades midseason, but it doesn't mean there isn't the possibility important players are on the move. The Cleveland Browns looked like they may be contenders early in the season, but three straight losses have dropped them to 2-6 and most likely sellers at the deadline.

The Kansas City Chiefs have won two of three games since losing running back Jamaal Charles for the season on Oct. 11. At 3-5, they may be looking to keep their team intact for a possible playoff run. 

Let's take an in-depth look at some trades that could materialize before Nov 3.

Chiefs Plan to Hold onto Defensive Veteran Tamba Hali

After a 16-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 18, the Chiefs fell to 1-5 and looked to be playing for next season. However, two wins over the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions later, Kansas City is still in the thick of the wild-card race. That keeps them from being sellers, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

Florio also said four-time Pro Bowler Tamba Hali, who has been with the Chiefs since 2006, is expected to stay in Kansas City. His one-year, $6 million contract only has a base salary of $1 million, per Spotrac, and he could be a great fit for a contender looking for defensive help in the middle of the field.

Kansas City is only one game out of the wild-card picture and through the toughest part of its schedule. It makes sense for them to keep the team together and fight for the playoff spot.

The Chiefs, of course, could always trade Hali for the right number. Just don't expect it to happen.

Browns Go from Contenders to Pretenders, Become Sellers 

The Browns' recent downfall has the rumor mill swirling, as they could be looking to move players on both sides of the ball.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Browns have discussed trading Paul Kruger. The linebacker is coming off an 11-sack, 2014 season, but he has just 0.5 sacks through eight games in 2015.

He is under contract through the 2017 season and has a pretty hefty tag of nearly $7 million per year. Kruger has heard the recent rumors but said he isn't paying much attention to them, per Daryl Ruiter of Cleveland's 92.3 The Fan.

The Browns won't be able to get a lot for a guy who is not living up to a big contract, but if it's a situation where they feel he is not a good fit, they may ship him anyway.

Also possibly on the way out of Cleveland is a pair of offensive linemen. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said left tackle Joe Thomas, and center Alex Mack have come up in trade discussions.

Thomas is an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, and Mack was named to the 2013 NFL All-Pro second team.

Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer also revealed Browns' linebacker Barkevious Mingo has come up in trade talks.

Whenever there are this many rumors involving one team making the rounds, it's likely at least something will come to fruition. At this point, the player most likely to be moved could be Kruger. Despite his hefty contract, according to Cabot, Kruger himself wouldn't be surprised if he were traded.

The Browns aren't making the playoffs, and if they can do anything to add a few draft picks at this point, they should jump on the chance.

Jets Looking for a Quarterback After Injuries Put Them in Peril

Florio reported injuries suffered by two quarterbacks on Sunday has the New York Jets searching for another quarterback.

Starter Ryan Fitzpatrick tore ligaments in his left thumb, and backup Geno Smith left briefly in the fourth quarter of the defeat to Oakland with shoulder and abdomen injuries. Fitzpatrick did actually return for two plays, and Smith came back to finish the game, but it's a dicey situation for the team right now.

One possible replacement could be the maligned former Houston Texans quarterback Ryan Mallett, who was released earlier in the week after numerous reported off-field issues.

Florio suggested the Jets may be out of luck because there just aren't that many options. He mentioned Zach Mettenberger could come in from the Tennessee Titans, but with starter Marcus Mariota injured, that is unlikely to happen.

The Jets need to do something if Fitzpatrick and Smith can't play, but the fact Smith finished the game against the Raiders is a good sign. Don't look for any moves to happen unless these injuries are worse than first reported.

According to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk, the Jets will soon find out whether that's the case. Fitzpatrick will receive an MRI on his thumb on Monday. Smith will undergo further evaluation to see the extent of his injuries. If neither can go Sunday, that would leave third-stringer Bryce Petty as the only active quarterback on the roster. If so, the Jets would need to at least make a short-term move for Week 9.

Best-case scenario for the Jets is Fitzpatrick's injury is not as bad as first thought. If he can't play, Smith would be the next-best option. He has been a starter in the past and wouldn't have to learn a new system.

Smith has gone from the second quarterback selected in the 2013 draft to struggling early on in his career to missing time this season after being punched in the jaw by a now-former teammate. That's not exactly a glowing endorsement, but he has thrown 27 career touchdowns and has two-and-a-half years in the NFL under his belt. 

Mallett has shown some success as a backup with the New England Patriots and a part-time starter with the Houston Texans, but his attitude is what led to being cut. The Jets don't need to add someone with those issues.