The trade deadline is Tuesday and talks are heating up with teams attempting to snag some difference-makers, including Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson. There were previous reports that the Buccaneers received "tons of calls" from teams interested in acquiring the three-time Pro Bowler, and a few of those teams were revealed on Sunday.
NFL trade rumors surround Vincent Jackson, Doug Martin
Vincent Jackson and Doug Martin are just a couple of the players discussed as possible targets before Tuesday’s trade deadline.
The Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs have all called the Buccaneers about the possibility of acquiring Jackson, among other teams, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
With Jackson’s five-year, $55.6 million contract not expiring until after the 2016 season, it would make sense for the struggling Buccaneers to trade away the play-making receiver, but the team will be unwilling to do so without the proper compensation. That desired compensation is a second-round draft pick, according to Rapoport, which might be a little pricy for a 31-year-old receiver, but not outrageous considering the instant impact that Jackson could make for a playoff contender.
Likelihood: 5/10 - After vague reports of “tons of calls,” I guessed there was a 4/10 chance of a trade involving Jackson happening, but considering the teams named in Rapoport’s reports and the somewhat reasonable desired compensation, I’m bumping up the chances just a little.
Here are some other trade possibilities generating chatter two days before the deadline:
At 1-5, the Buccaneers are likely to listen to all offers and the team has received some for running back Doug Martin as well, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The 2012 first-round pick was a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie, but his production has tailed off significantly and injuries have stacked up.
Likelihood: 5/10 - Schefter says Martin is more likely to be dealt than Jackson, but its hard to imagine why the Buccaneers would want to part with a 25-year-old with the capability of being a bell cow back. It only makes sense if the team has given up on him entirely, and it would be tough to imagine another team wanting to make an investment on such a player.
The St. Louis Rams may have the best rookie in the NFL in defensive tackle Aaron Donald, and as such, Kendall Langford has been relegated to a rotational role. After four years as a starter with the Miami Dolphins, Langford signed a four-year, $24 million deal in free agency with the Rams. He had a career-best year in 2013 and his $5 million salary in 2014 is a fair amount for a player who can be an instant starter and impact player for many defenses.
Likelihood: 3/10 - The Rams have been fielding calls from teams interested in Langford, according to Rapoport. Still, it’s not like Donald’s emergence has made Langford a useless piece in the St. Louis defense. A dependable and versatile veteran who can still play in a rotational role is a valuable piece and the Rams have him at an affordable price.
Tony Carter
Like Langford, Tony Carter's time on the field has decreased, although it wasn't necessarily a drop-off in quality of play that caused it. After acquiring Aqib Talib and Bradley Roby in the offseason, Carter has been the odd man out for the Denver Broncos, as Chris Harris and Kayvon Webster have received a lot of defensive snaps as well. The 28-year-old slot cornerback has a minimum salary contract that expires after the 2014 season, making him a restricted free agent in the 2015 offseason.
Likelihood: 7/10 - Carter is cheap, not being used in Denver and can step right in for a team that is thin at cornerback. While his looming free agency would put his future in doubt, it shouldn’t cost much to pry Carter away from the Broncos, given his lack of play time with the team. His departure from the team via trade would make sense for all parties involved.
Between Aldon Smith, Glenn Dorsey, Navorro Bowman and Marcus Lattimore, the 49ers are holding a lot of roster spots for players that will return to the team soon. Upon their return, San Francisco will have to do some roster trimming, so why no pick up draft capital in the process? That's the line of logic Schefter presented in a Facebook post on Sunday morning.
According to the ESPN insider, the 49ers “will be interested in dealing a defensive player or two on the back end of their roster” to free up some room and add some late-round picks in future draft classes.
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