NFL Trade Deadline: Rumors Swirling Around Asante Samuel, Peyton Hillis

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There were plenty of others that were discussed but never materialized. Here’s a recap of the moves that were made and the ones that weren’t.

Raiders strike a deal for Carson Palmer. This is clearly the headliner of the 2011 NFL trade deadline. There usually aren’t a lot of major trades made near the deadline, let alone major trades involving quarterbacks, but the Raiders and Bengals were able to come to an agreement -- a 2012 first round pick and a conditional first in 2013 -- to send Palmer to Oakland. This is one of the biggest deadline deals in NFL history.

The NFL trade deadline was at 4:00 p.m. (ET) on Tuesday and news of this trade was made public right at the deadline.

This is a pretty minor trade considering each player is averaging about two touches per game. SB Nation’s Bleeding Green Nation and Pride of Detroit will have a full break down of the trade.

As illogical as it sounds, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported today that the Browns could indeed be persuaded to move Hillis.

That’s more action than the trade deadline is used to seeing so it’s already a busy trading season. The reason we often don’t see a lot of movement around the trade deadline is because it comes so early in the year -- after Week 6. Teams aren’t quite ready to give up on their season yet and have fire sales like they do in other sports. Football is also different from baseball and basketball in that it’s hard for just one player to make a significant difference on the season (unless we’re talking about a quarterback).

Teams have been talking trade rumors for a few weeks now and just a few hours before the 4:00 p.m. (ET) deadline, here are a few moves teams should consider.

Owners of a very disappointing 2-4 record and Super Bowl hopes, the Dream Team might be more concerned about getting an established player as opposed to a haul of draft picks. Most specifically, the Eagles could be looking for help at linebacker or along the defensive line. Opponents have been running unhindered through the Eagles defense this year.

The Raiders now don’t have their first, second, third, fourth or seventh round picks in the 2012 NFL draft.

The Raiders now have a new quarterback and Cincinnati gets the over-the-top compensation they were looking for in a Palmer trade.

There are a couple of components to this deal. First, the Raiders are giving up their 2012 first round pick, which would mean they don’t have first, second, third, fourth or seventh round picks in next April’s draft. Second, the Raiders are also giving up a 2013 conditional draft pick that could turn into another first round pick depending on playing time and incentives.

So it’s possible that, when it’s all said and done, the Raiders give up two first round picks for Palmer. That’s almost unbelievable considering we thought the going rate for Palmer would be around a second round pick.

This would be stunning for a number of reasons. First, after Palmer told the Bengals earlier this summer that he would retire if he weren’t traded, the Bengals held firm in their stance that they wouldn’t trade him. Second, the Raiders would be trading away a 2012 first round pick meaning they wouldn’t have picks in the first, second, third or fourth rounds of the 2012 draft. Third, is Palmer really worth a first round pick? The scuttlebutt going around the league had him pegged as worth a second round pick, at best.

Stay tuned for more updates on this situation. The trade deadline comes at 4:00 p.m. (ET). SB Nation’s Cincy Jungleand Silver and Black Pride are buzzing over the news.

NFL teams have until 4pm ET on Tuesday to finalize trades for the 2011 league year.

This year has been no different.

No, this doesn’t mean Forte is on the trade block in Chicago.

Of course other teams have looked into the possibility. Forte and the Bears have been talking about a contract extension but haven’t gotten close on the money so other teams are just preparing for the possibility that Forte won’t be a Bear. Still, don’t expect the Bears to trade away who is clearly their most valuable player.

The NFC East could be a player as the NFL trade deadline nears because all four teams are still in contention in the division. The Eagles’ ‘Dream Team’ has a lot of talent but they haven’t won consistently, the Giants are winning despite a rash of injuries, the Redskins could use some offensive line help after an injury-riddled Week 6 and the Cowboys are more likely to be sellers, not buyers, at the deadline.

Here’s a look at where the NFC East stands entering Tuesday’s trade deadline:

Team needs: tight end, safety, outside linebacker

It seems unlikely any trade will happen but the Chargers have been active at the deadline in the past.

Needs: cornerback, safety, extra room in the trophy case

Potential targets: none

The standings are packed pretty tightly in the NFC South. No team in a division packed with offensive firepower has yet to pull away after six weeks of the season. Three of the division’s four teams own pretty solid rosters, but each one has its own glaring weaknesses. With the NFL trade deadline tomorrow, the right move could give one of these three teams in position to run away with the division and make a deep run into the playoffs.

Needs: offensive line, wide receiver, linebacker

With the trade deadline looming, here is what each AFC South team could do to improve their chances at making it the post season.

Biggest Need: wide receiver

The AFC North has proven once again through the first third of the season that it is one of the toughest divisions in the NFL. The top three defenses all belong to the AFC North, the Bengals at No. 1, the Steelers at No. 2 and the Ravens at No. 3. Even though the division is still a tough one, the AFC North’s usual leader just doesn’t look like they used to.

With the trade deadline looming, here are moves each team could make to make improve their teams.

Needs: wide receiver, cornerback

Needs: wide receiver, offensive line, linebacker

ESPN reports that Harris planned to formally request a trade from the Bears.

Harris’ agent has confirmed that report and writes on Twitter that the Bears have indeed granted him permission to seek a trade. The NFL trade deadline comes on Tuesday so Harris and his agent have a little over 24 hours to find a trade partner.

Orton wouldn’t really fit in well with the Raiders downfield passing attack but he’s about as good as you can get six weeks into the season. The Raiders are 4-2 and still in the thick of the hunt in the AFC West while the Broncos are 1-4 and essentially out of any division title talk.

There’s no word on what Orton might cost but a mid round pick for an average quarterback in the final year of his contract makes sense.

Check out SB Nation’s Silver and Black Pride to see what quarterbacks the Raiders could be considering.

Trade rumors continue to swirl around Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, with the latest reports suggesting he could be gone by Monday afternoon. Rumors about Lloyd’s status with the Broncos, and the team’s desire to trade him, popped up last week and have persisted throughout Denver’s bye week.

According to the Denver Post, the Broncos want to move Lloyd before practice resumes on Monday.

It isn’t exactly surprising that Orton would be interested in making a move, nor that they’d be willing to give him a chance somewhere else -- even a divisional rival, as the Denver Post reported on Sunday night.

Mike Klis, the Post writer who reported the above, later posted on Twitter that Orton has not specifically requested a trade. Regardless, the fact remains that he could be sent down the line anyway regardless if it that’s what he wants.

ESPN’s John Clayton shot down some of the speculation about the Indianapolis Colts potentially trading wide receiver Reggie Wayne and defensive end Robert Mathis. Clayton replied to a question about the rumor on Twitter this afternoon. Here is Clayton’s response:

For more on Brandon Lloyd and the Denver Broncos, visit SB Nation’s Broncos blog Mile High Report.