The 2018 NFL trade deadline is approaching, and trade rumors suggest some high-profile names could be on the move by the end of October.
Week 8 is the cut-off point for the league’s contenders to plug holes in their rosters via trades. Running backs Le’Veon Bell and LeSean McCoy are among the notable players who have dominated NFL trade rumors of late, with the Eagles potentially being interested in either.
Last season, impact players like Jay Ajayi and Jimmy Garoppolo were dealt at the midseason deadline, offering upgrades to teams that were thinking about both the short-term future and the big picture.
NFL TRADE DEADLINE:
Why NFL typically lacks blockbuster deals
Here’s everything you need to know as this year’s NFL trade deadline approaches.
When is NFL trade deadline 2018?
Teams have until Tuesday, Oct. 30 to make a trade, and 4 p.m. ET is the cut-off time to report a deal to the league office.
Due to the nature of the process, news of some trades might not reach the public until shortly after the deadline.
Who are the top targets at the NFL trade deadline?
Le’Veon Bell, RB, Steelers: Bell, whose holdout has been the talk of the NFL since before the season began, is the potential crown jewel of the trade market. His value is obvious, as he has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in three of the last four seasons and has averaged almost 67 receptions per year in that timeframe.
Bell has stated his plans to return to the Steelers during their Week 7 bye, but his steep contract demands, coupled with the emergence of RB James Conner in Pittsburgh, could put him in a new uniform by the end of the month.
LeSean McCoy, RB, Bills: A reunion between the McCoy and the Eagles reportedly is in the cards. If Bell and the Steelers make peace for the rest of the season, McCoy could become the most valuable piece on the market. The six-time Pro Bowler has not started this season well (3.8 yards per carry, zero touchdowns), but he still has enough left in the tank, especially for a team in need.
Deone Bucannon, LB, Arizona Cardinals: The probability of the Cardinals making their way into contention this year is slim, and Bucannon seems to be the most likely player to go in the event that they sell. The former safety has yet to record fewer than 81 tackles in a season, and his versatility serves as a plus, especially in a 3-4 defense.
Tevin Coleman, RB, Atlanta Falcons: Coleman has always put up good numbers, both on the ground and in the passing game, despite playing second-fiddle to Devonta Freeman on the Falcons’ running back depth chart. With Atlanta off to a 1-4 start, he could depart if the team doesn’t find its way back near .500 soon. A free agent at the end of the season, he serves as a good alternative to a contender that misses out on Bell and McCoy.
NFL trade rumors
— Buffalo’s WIVB-TV reported Tuesday that the Eagles have called the Bills to gauge their interest in trading LeSean McCoy. Buffalo coach Sean McDermott sidestepped the question of whether, specifically, the Eagles had called about McCoy and whether the running back might be available.
— Arizona is “stepping up its efforts” to deal Deone Bucannon, a 26-year-old linebacker/safety, according to a report from CBS Sports. The team reportedly is in the process of realigning and adjusting after its 1-4 start.
— The Steelers were reportedly listening to trade offers for Le’Veon Bell earlier in the season and have still not ruled out moving him, according to a report from NBC Sports, which cited an unidentified league source.
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