NFL Trade Deadline: Grading Rumored Players' Chances of Moving Today

Unlike the trade deadline in most professional sports league, the NFL's version of the in-season swap meet is about as anticlimactic as they come. Few players are talked about, and even fewer end up moving.

We've already seen several deals go down, including Brandon Lloyd to the St. Louis Rams, Derrick Mason to the Houston Texans and Aaron Curry to the Oakland Raiders.

Let's have a look at who else might move and the likelihood of each deal going down.

Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals

In a world ruled by logic, Carson Palmer would already be on his way up from San Diego to Oakland to suit up for the Silver and Black. The Raiders need a quarterback now that Jason Campbell is out indefinitely, and Palmer is just sitting on his couch at home, waiting for a call.

But this is the NFL, folks, a league in which egos too often override reason. Few figures in the league have bigger egos (or bellies) than that of Bengals owner Mike Brown. An old-school loyalty and blockhead all the same, Brown has stubbornly refused to trade Palmer for months, even though it's clear that his organization has moved on, with Andy Dalton under center, and could use Palmer to rake in a draft pick or two.

As much as this deal should happen, it probably won't, since the Raiders have neither the time nor the resources (they don't have picks in the second, third or fourth rounds of the 2012 NFL Draft left to trade) to change Brown's mind, nor does Brown seem particularly keen on being coaxed into making a deal.

Chance This Deal Will Happen: 15%

Kyle Orton, Denver Broncos

The Raiders might also seek out Kyle Orton of the rival Broncos to fill their void under center, though working out a deal with Denver has nearly as many logistical hoops to jump through.

Aside from the obvious problem of working out a trade with a divisional foe and the aforementioned lack of draft picks to trade, Oakland doesn't have quite enough room under the cap to make a deal work. More specifically, the Raiders have about $6 million to work with, while Orton's cap hit is just under $9 million.

And realistically, would the Silver and Black be any better off with Captain Neckbeard stewarding their ship of misfits?

Still, the Raiders will feel the need to do something to make sure their 4-2 record doesn't go to waste.

Chance This Deal Will Happen: 35%

Eddie Royal, Denver Broncos

The Broncos seem intent to "Suck For Luck," which would at least partially explain why gave Tim Tebow the keys to the family van and traded away Brandon Lloyd within the span of a week.

Denver has also shown a willingness to discuss the availability of Eddie Royal, in part because he wants out. Contrary to popular belief, not everyone in the Mile High City is thrilled about Tebow taking over as the man of the hour.

A few teams out there could use help at wide receiver, including the Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots and New York Jets, though the likelihood of Royal bidding the Broncos farewell might have as much to do with not totally tanking the season for the sake of the fans as with whatever value he brings in return and how much interest there is in him.

Chance This Deal Will Happen: 55%

Robert Mathis, Indianapolis Colts

Ah yes, the power of ESPN and its pundits.

All Adam Schefter had to do was float the theoretical possibility of Robert Mathis going to the New York Jets to set the blogosphere ablaze with speculation and rumor.

You can hardly fault Schefter for throwing it out there. After all, Mathis is quite possibly the ideal candidate to be dealt at the deadline—a veteran free-agent-to-be at a high-value position (defensive end), Mathis has a Pro Bowl pedigree, plays for a horrible team (the Colts) and could bring back immense value in return.

There's always a market for a guy with four double-digit-sack seasons on his resume, especially with pass-rush poor teams like the Pats and the Jets in contention.

The question remains: is Colts owner Jim Irsay ready to throw in the towel on the 2011 season? Or will he hold onto a player who may yet re-sign with Indy in the offseason to help give Peyton Manning one last go at a Super Bowl?

Chance This Deal Will Happen: 32%

Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts

The Colts have enough trouble being the Colts without Peyton Manning. Can they really survive the loss of Reggie Wayne, too?

Time will tell, but he's looking more and more like a fading relic by the game.

It's not that he's not good anymore, but rather that Pierre Garcon has emerged as the team's go-to star receiver. Could it be a function of Wayne's perceived stubbornness to perform with anyone other than Peyton? Perhaps, but, like Mathis, Wayne has other issues to worry about, like his age (32) and the fact that he'll be a free agent after the season.

Irsay doesn't seem to keen to let Wayne go, but he and general manager Bill Polian just may warm up to the idea if they're presented with a nice, shiny draft pick to play with.

Then again, would Indy's front office really trust itself with another pick when it's done so poorly in the draft in recent years?

Chance This Deal Will Happen: 39.95%