Unlike in other sports, we don't generally see a lot of in-season NFL trades. They do happenthe Green Bay Packers recently acquired running back Knile Davis from the Kansas City Chiefsbut blockbuster trades during the season are not a staple of the National Football League.However, this doesn't stop the rumor mill from ramping up production whenever the annual trade deadline approaches. Things are no different this yearthe trade deadline is 4 p.m. ET on November 1and a number of quality players are rumored to be on the trading block.This shouldn't be surprising, as there are plenty of potential contenders in need of additional talent and a handful of teams essentially already out of contention.Let's take a look at some of the latest trade rumors and what they could mean moving forward. Torrey Smith, WR, San Francisco 49ersNFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Monday that the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers were discussing a potential deal that would send wide receiver Torrey Smith to Philadelphia.Such a deal would make sense for the Eagles, who could use the extra offensive firepower. Though Philadelphia is 4-2 and very much in the hunt for the NFC East title, the team is lacking in receiving talent. Jordan Matthews is the only wideout on the team with more than 200 yards receiving or 20 receptions.As a team, the Eagles average just 210.7 yards passing per game (29th in the NFL) and are rated a pedestrian 17th in receiving by Pro Football Focus.Adding Smith to the mix would give the Eagles a legitimate deep threat with which to attack downfield. While he hasn't been extremely productive this seasonjust 13 receptions for 199 yards and two touchdownsSmith can bring big-play potential. He has averaged 17.2 yards per reception for his career.Smith is also just 27 years old.A deal would give the 49ers a chance to get out from under Smith's $40 million contract, which runs through 2019.On paper, this appears to be a win for both sides. The 49ers are in the beginning of what should be a massive rebuild, and Smith's contract dollars could likely be better spent elsewhere.This is, naturally, assuming the 49ers are willing to deal the wide receiver. Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com reported"the 49ers are neither shopping Smith nor is a trade anticipated." Alshon Jeffery, WR, Chicago BearsESPN's Benjamin Albright has reported that the Eagles are also interested in acquiring Chicago Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery:This is a move that, in many ways, makes more sense than acquiring Smith. Jeffery is a more complete receiver and one who has been more productive this season. Despite having multiple injuries at the quarterback position, Jeffery has caught 32 passes for 520 yards so far.Like the 49ers, the Bears are 1-6 and unlikely to win anything this season. Chicago is also set to potentially lose Jeffery in the offseason, as he is playing underthe franchise tag. It would make sense for the Bears to get something in return for Jeffery while they can. It would also make sense to avoid paying the remainder of his 2016 salary when the season is already lost.The issue here is trying to convince the Eagles to take on Jeffery's contract without the guarantee of keeping him around beyond the 2016 season. As Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer pointed out, the Eagles wouldn't be able to extend Jeffery until after the season:This means the best Philadelphia could hope for is Jeffery agreeing in principle on a future deal and actually following through in the offseason. There would be nothing to actually stop Jeffery from hitting the free-agent market, though, save for the franchise tag.Tagging Jeffery next offseason would require paying him 120 percent of this year's tag price, so that's probably not going to happen.This is definitely a deal that could still get done. Given the lack of guarantees for Philadelphia, though, it would likely only bring a mid-round pick to Chicago. This could essentially be seen as a half-year rental. Joe Thomas, OT, Cleveland BrownsThere are a couple of reasons why Joe Thomas' name comes up in trade rumors this time of year. For one, Thomas is the walking definition of a premier left tackle. He has never missed a pro snap, has been to the Pro Bowl in each of his nine seasons and is currently rated fifth overall among all offensive tackles by Pro Football Focus.The second reason is that Thomas plays for the Cleveland Browns, and the Browns are usually out of the playoff hunt by the time the trade deadline hits.There are a number of potential contenders that should be interested in acquiring Thomas this season. Perhaps the most notable are the Minnesota Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks, who are respectively rated 31st and 32nd in pass blocking by Pro Football Focus.This only works, though, if the Browns are willing to move Thomas. According to Browns head coach Hue Jackson, this isn't going to happen."We are not going to trade Joe Thomas,'' Jackson said, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. "Joe Thomas has a lot to do with what we are trying to accomplish here in our future. There are a lot of reports, but that is what they are."On one hand, moving Thomas would make some sense. Cleveland is undertaking a significant rebuild and needs capital with which to build for the future. On the other hand, Thomas isn't the type of player a team can easily replace.It makes even more sense for the Browns to hang onto the one proven building block the team has.Unless a team throws a truly wild offer Cleveland's way, expect this trade rumor to remain nothing more than a rumor.
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