NFL Trade Deadline 2018: Date, End Time, Hottest Rumors, Predictions and More

NFL teams have until Tuesday to improve their rosters by way of trades.

A handful of deals occurred before the start of Week 8, as the Dallas Cowboys acquired wide receiver Amari Cooper from the Oakland Raiders and the New York Giants shipped cornerback Eli Apple to the New Orleans Saints and defensive tackle Damon Harrison to the Detroit Lions.

The Giants and Raiders could still be among the sellers before the 4 p.m. ET deadline, while the Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers could all send players to contending franchises as well.

Once the games conclude Sunday, there should be an uptick in interest surrounding a few high-profile players, some of whom are already being linked with potential deals.

Hottest Rumors and Predictions

DeSean Jackson

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver DeSean Jackson requested a trade not too long ago, per NFL Network's Ian Rapaport.

According to Rapaport's report, the Buccaneers refused to grant the 31-year-old speedster's request.

Jackson, who has three 100-yard receiving performances in 2018, is halfway to his sixth 1,000-yard receiving season, but his production declined since Jameis Winston returned to the starting quarterback role in place of Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Jason Behnken/Associated Press

Although the Buccaneers turned down Jackson's initial request, they could justify trading Jackson and slide Chris Godwin into the No. 2 wide receiver role behind Mike Evans.

If a deal for Jackson were to go down, a team would have to take on the back half of his $11 million deal for 2018 and the $10 million he's owed next season, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

The Houston Texans are among the teams in need of a wide receiver after Will Fuller suffered a torn ACL in Thursday's game against the Miami Dolphins, while one of Jackson's former teams, the Washington Redskins, could use an upgrade as they chase the NFC East title.

It's hard to see Tampa Bay trading Jackson already, and it could have more reluctance to do so if it beats the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday to put itself into the NFC wild-card conversation at 4-3.

Prediction: Jackson garners some interest, but stays with Tampa Bay.

Tyrod Taylor

There's always a need across the NFL at quarterback, and Cleveland Browns backup Tyrod Taylor could fill that hole for a few teams.

Taylor lost the starting job in Cleveland to rookie Baker Mayfield early in the season, and he could be a perfect fit elsewhere as either a fill-in starter or a trustworthy backup.

According to the MMQB's Albert Breer, the Browns will listen to offers for the 29-year-old ahead of Tuesday's deadline.

Ron Schwane/Associated Press

As recently as Oct. 17, Browns head coach Hue Jackson told reporters there were no discussions about trading Taylor, per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.

However, the right offer could sway the Browns' thinking, and they showed they are willing to trade veteran players when they shipped Carlos Hyde to the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier in October.

If the Browns are receptive to offers for their backup signal-caller, a handful of teams should be interested, but it might hard for the Jaguars to enter the race for Taylor after already giving up a fifth-round pick to the Browns in exchange for Hyde.

The more likely scenario involving a trade for Taylor would see a contender go after the former Buffalo Bills quarterback as an insurance policy just in case a starter gets injured.

It all comes down to the right fit for Taylor, and although there might be some teams struggling with quarterback play, there's a lot of commitment by general managers and head coaches to stick with their signal-callers.

If a trade were to occur, a team in need of a reliable backup, such as like Dallas or Miami, could come calling for Taylor. But the best option for the Browns is to keep Taylor as he continues to help Mayfield develop.

Prediction: Browns receive an offer or two but decide to keep Taylor.

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.