NFL Trade Rumors: 7 Notable Players Who Could Be Dealt by the Trade Deadline

The amount of wheeling and dealing that occurs between the start of the regular season and the trade deadline at mid-season is minimal. 

But for the exchanges that do occur, they can be extremely significant in mapping out the road to the playoffs.

There are seven players who, if dealt prior to October 16, could have a positive impact on the team they join.

Carson Palmer

Granted, the Bengals are 1-0, but the prospects for a successful season are cloudy at best.

Their gloomy outlook won't persuade Carson Palmer to want to come back in the orange and black.

Palmer has vowed to never play another down in a Cincinnati Bengals uniform. The Bengals brass has vowed that they won't trade the former Heisman Trophy winner.

But this standoff could end within the next month. Consider that there will be at least one team with quarterback issues, whether it be injuries or poor performances. Those teams will be contacting Cincinnati and offering a potentially enticing scenario.

Before his value fades away, the Bengals should swallow their pride and attempt to ship Palmer to greener pastures.

Lance Briggs

The team says they aren't shopping one of their mainstays at linebacker, but that statement doesn't mean some action won't be taken within the next month.

In late August, news surfaced that the long-time Bears linebacker wants to negotiate a new contract before the end of this season or he will demand a trade.

The six-time Pro Bowler, who has three years left on the six-year, $36 million deal he signed in 2007, has been a central figure to Chicago's defense. However, the Bears could very well put him on the trading block at midseason rather than risk giving him an even more lucrative deal in 2012.

Vincent Jackson

In six seasons with the San Diego Chargers, Vincent Jackson has proven to be an offensive asset with his play on the field—and a pain in the neck with his actions off of it.

The Northern Colorado product has a one-year contract worth $11.42 million and he's made it clear that he'd like to see that income increase prior to the 2012 campaign.

Even though Jackson has the potential to be a top-five wideout in the NFL, the Chargers may be more willing to get rid of a malcontent at midseason rather than letting him go as a free agent next offseason.

Matt Flynn

Super Bowl XLV MVP Aaron Rodgers picked up right where he left off during last year's playoff run, thrashing the New Orleans Saints defense on opening night.

That, on the surface, may mean that backup Matt Flynn is expendable.

But Green Bay's title run did encounter a slight bump in the road at midseason when Rodgers went out with a concussion. In his place was  Flynn, completed 23-of-37 pass attempts for 254 yards and three touchdowns in a narrow Sunday night loss to the New England Patriots—a performance that certainly did not go unnoticed by other teams that may need a QB down the road.

Although it's always nice to have a viable backup in place—especially at quarterback—the offers coming the Packers' way may be tempting.

Osi Umenyiora

By the time this year's trade deadline hits, Osi could be waving "adios" to the New York Giants.

In mid-August, Umenyiora had the most noteworthy trade demand of the preseason. Right now, he isn't asking to be moved, yet the odds of the multi-Pro Bowl defensive end being dealt aren't zero.

Last season, Osi had 11.5 sacks and a whopping 10 forced fumbles, which means that any trade would likely be the most significant of the season.

Although he missed Week 1 and is still uncertain to be on the field for Week 2, there are a laundry list of teams that will clamor for this fantastic pass rusher to be inserted into their defensive systems.

Asante Samuel

When the Eagles made the biggest splash of the offseason by trading for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and signing free agent prize Nnamdi Asomugha, the logical conclusion from these additions were that Asante Samuel would be subtracted from the Eagles' roster.

The rumors of Samuel departing from the crowded Eagle secondary have cooled off for the time being, but could heat up as the regular season progresses—especially as teams see that they have a need for someone of his abilities.

Conversely, Philadelphia will observe its weaknesses and could use Samuel as a trading chip to then pick up a player that can fill its glaring needs—such as their porous offensive line.

Fred Jackson

A 41-7 thrashing of the Kansas City Chiefs and the hope for a turnaround in Buffalo may not halt Fred Jackson's demands.

He ran for 927 yards in 2010 and scored five touchdowns on the ground on 222 carries, which went completely unnoticed as the Bills went through another rough season. Last Sunday, he had 112 yards on 20 attempts.

While he remains a key part of the offense, the issue the team should be fully aware of is that the 30-year-old Jackson is reaching the age when running backs tend to drop off in production.

Combine that with the fact that he feels unappreciated in Buffalo and the possible naming of second-year player C.J. Spiller as the starter at running back, and it's no surprise that he would want a trade.