NFL Trade Rumors: Analyzing Latest Buzz on Joe Thomas, Doug Martin and More

The multitude of big names involved in the latest NFL trade rumors suggests this year's deadline—which expires Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET—may be far more eventful than previous years. 

As non-contenders explore the opportunity to gain compensation for their most valuable players, and playoff hopefuls seek to add a spark to their rosters, numerous high-profile stars' futures are at stake. A report from Sunday by CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora mentions that so many teams are in the market for a trade that it's hard to zero in on a select few.

Pulling some of the latest buzz from La Canfora's report—along with others rumors floating around—what follows is analysis of what the pre-deadline whispers mean and how feasible it is for said players to be traded.

Joe Thomas Headlines Browns Veterans on Trade Block

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NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports Thomas, along with Pro Bowl center Alex Mack, are among the players Cleveland general manager Ray Farmer is considering selling. ESPN's Adam Schefter added linebacker Paul Kruger, and Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot has heard linebacker Barkevious Mingo is on the block too.

Mack can opt out of his contract after this season, so shopping him makes some sense. The same is true for the expensive Paul Kruger and 2013 first-round pick Mingo, who have mostly underwhelmed during their time with the Browns.

But what can Farmer possibly gain by trading Thomas? Peter King of The MMQB believes—as yours truly does—nothing:

Thomas is the face of the franchise and has remained loyal to a team that has been miserable, failing to add a long-term quarterback since his arrival. His commitment to the Browns still hasn't wavered, based on his comments following Sunday's loss to Arizona, per Cabot:

"

I'm not a quitter. I'm not a guy that gives up on my goals and my goal from day one was to be part of the turnaround here and that hasn't changed. [...] I want to be here. I want to finish my career here. I want to be part of the turnaround here. That's the way it is sometimes, you've got to control the things you can control.

"

With how awful Farmer's current resume has been between declining, aging players added through free agency and horrendous draft picks, there's no way he sticks around beyond 2015. At least such should be the case. Trading Thomas would only harm his already tarnished legacy.

Farmer has refused to add top-tier playmakers through the draft and it has cost Cleveland in a big way. Thomas can play as well as anyone in the NFL at left tackle, but it doesn't matter if the Browns don't have skill players to execute and put points on the scoreboard.

The offense hasn't been an outright disaster in 2015 with Josh McCown under center, yet the Browns are 2-6. They have Thomas under contract through 2018 and need to retain the single most positive piece of their foundation.

Doug Martin Won't Be Dealt Away from Tampa Bay

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A recent resurgence has removed Martin from trade consideration, according to ProFootballTalk.com's Mike Florio.

Martin has battled injuries since his breakout rookie campaign in 2012. Finally healthy this season, he has shown flashes of the first-year wunderkind who burst onto the scene as a first-round pick out of Boise State.

Ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing with 612 yards, there's no denying Martin has immediate value to the Buccaneers. Rookie QB Jameis Winston benefits from having Martin in the backfield to lean on and should only improve as long as Tampa Bay's rushing attack keeps opponents honest.

Thanks to Week 8's win over the Atlanta Falcons, the Bucs are suddenly 3-4 with at least a puncher's chance to make a second-half push for the playoffs. Any decent returns Martin would command on the trade market are outweighed by the success he's enjoying now, which has helped make Tampa Bay relevant again.

NFL.com's Marc Sessler notes how Martin has had some help to stay fresh—all the more reason to keep him around:

If Martin demands too much salary for a new deal this offseason, it's still possible for the Bucs to stick with Charles Sims going forward as the feature back. Sims is still developing as a runner, but has excellent pass-catching skills.

The current circumstances with a new contract on the horizon will ensure Martin continues to run hard and reestablish himself as one of the league's premier backs. Should the wins continue coming in as well, both parties are bound to agree to a long-term reunion once free agency commences.

Seahawks Searching for Offensive Line Help

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Among the notable details on La Canfora's report are Seattle's priority on upgrading the trenches on offense. QB Russell Wilson has been running for his life all year long, evident in the Seahawks' dead-last ranking in pass protection through Week 7, per Football Outsiders.

La Canfora indicates Seattle is willing to trade any young wideout to get a deal done, save for promising rookie Tyler Lockett. He specifies Chris Matthews as a potential candidate to be dealt away.

Wilson doesn't have the greatest receiving corps, and tight end Jimmy Graham hasn't lived up to expectations to date in 2015. But with the way Wilson can create plays on his own and how he's thrived with a limited supporting cast in the past, exchanging a depth receiver for better protection in the pocket is a logical move.

Plus, Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch stands to benefit from such an exchange. Lynch creates a ton of yards after contact but isn't getting any younger and is averaging just 3.6 yards per carry thus far. Seattle has to prepare for Lynch's inevitable drop in production and also set up a favorable situation for whomever Beast Mode's successor is.

Another reason for Seattle to focus on upgrading a clear area of offensive weakness is due to its defense's sensational form, which Fox Sports' Peter Schrager alludes to:

The "Legion of Boom" secondary has had its swagger back for the most part since safety Kam Chancellor's return from a holdout. Additionally, a tenacious defensive front led by Michael Bennett is making an impact and has the Seahawks ranked third in points allowed per contest.

Even with Wilson's unique knack for manufacturing yards out of busted plays and Lynch's ability to break tackles, Seattle is scoring a meager 20.9 points on average.

A bye in Week 9 is at the team's disposal to work any new acquisitions into the rotation ahead of Week 10's NFC West clash at home against the Cardinals. Therefore, the Seahawks have no excuse to stand pat through Tuesday's deadline without at least making a significant effort to swing a trade.