NFL Free Agents 2015: Breaking Down Top Rumors for Key Stars

This year's crop of NFL free agents is one of the most fascinating groups in a long time. It has everything all 32 teams are looking for, with a lot of star power at the top and more depth than anyone can handle.

One unfortunate byproduct of having so much talent available, depending on what happens with franchise tags, is some players worthy of big contracts are going to get less than anticipated because teams have so much leverage. 

Whatever ends up happening when free agency officially beings at 4 p.m. on March 10, it's going to be incredible watching it all unfold. Bad teams can become good in a hurry, while good teams can lose key pieces to become mediocre in the blink of an eye. 

Until players can start putting pen to paper, all that is left to talk about is rumors. Fortunately, those are coming fast and furious this time of the year. Here are the biggest rumors for some of the biggest stars available and what their future may hold. 

Randall Cobb An Extension Candidate

Last year, the Green Bay Packers took care of Jordy Nelson by giving him a four-year contract extension worth a total of $39 million ($14.2 million guaranteed). 

Now, it's Randall Cobb's turn to get paid. Whether it's from the Packers or someone else is up in the air, though Rob Demovsky of ESPN did note the Nelson deal is likely the barometer by which Cobb measures himself:

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There's no indication that Packers general manager Ted Thompson would resort to using the tag to keep Cobb. Thompson has until March 2, a week before free agency begins, to decide. 

...

Indications are that Cobb is seeking a deal that averages in the $9 million per year range. That would come close to the four-year, $39 million contract extension the Packers gave receiver Jordy Nelson last summer. 

It's unclear how far talks have progressed, if they have at all, between the Packers and Cobb's agent, Jimmy Sexton. Sexton did not return a message left Monday. The two sides likely will meet later this week at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. 

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Demovsky also mentions that the franchise tag for receivers will increase from the $12.312 million it was last season, so the Packers may not want to go with a one-year commitment if a long-term deal can save them more money against the cap. 

Even though Nelson is Aaron Rodgers' No. 1 option, Cobb has become one of the most valuable slot receivers in the NFL. He had 1,287 receiving yards in 2014, nearly half of which came after the catch, per Pro Football Focus:

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Most yards after catch among WRs: Golden Tate 709 Demaryius Thomas 672 Antonio Brown 615 Randall Cobb 603 Jordy Nelson 558 Julio Jones 552

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) December 29, 2014"

If the Packers decide Cobb isn't worth his price, or feel like Rodgers can make a receiver look better than he is, the team has the ability to elevate Davante Adams into a more prominent role.

Adams, as a rookie out of Fresno State, had several good games in 2014, most notably against New England (six catches, 121 yards) and the divisional-round game against Dallas (seven catches, 117 yards, one touchdown). 

It sounds like the Packers want to get a deal done with Cobb, which is understandable, but they have the league's best quarterback and the makings of a viable replacement if they want to invest money into another position. 

Jets Want Another Broncos WR

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

Whoever plays quarterback for the New York Jets in 2015, there's no denying the team has to upgrade a dreadful crop of wide receivers to help that person. The previous regime tried last year by signing Eric Decker, who was coming off a career year with Peyton Manning in Denver, to a big contract. 

The new regime, led by general manager Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles, are reportedly looking to dip their toes in the Denver water. 

According to B/R's Matt Miller, the Jets are planning to make their pitch to Demaryius Thomas.

"I'm told the New York Jets plan to roll out the red carpet for Demaryius Thomas if he doesn't receive the franchise tag from the Denver Broncos," Miller wrote. 

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

The Jets tried, and failed, to put together a passable receiving corps last year. Some of the blame can be placed on an unstable quarterback situation with Geno Smith and Michael Vick, but things were so bad that they had to trade for Percy Harvin after he burned all his bridges in Seattle. 

Decker wasn't bad last year, especially considering the Jets quarterbacks, as he ended up with 962 yards and five touchdowns on 74 receptions, but he's not the guy you build a receiving corps around. 

Thomas, on the other hand, is a proven game-changer. His career took off after Manning came to town, finishing with at least 92 catches and 1,430 yards in three straight years, but he also averaged 17.2 yards per catch with Tim Tebow as his primary starting quarterback in 2011. 

Unfortunately for the Jets, per Jeff Legwold of ESPN, it doesn't seem likely that Thomas will reach a point where he can negotiate with other teams because the Broncos are going to keep him, one way or another:

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While the Denver Broncos would certainly like to have a long-term deal worked out with wide receiver Demaryius Thomas at some point -- they have had the framework of a five-year on the table at times over the past year -- the team has been prepared to place the franchise player tag on Thomas in the coming days. 

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If the Jets draft a quarterback in the first round, presumably Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston, having one of the best receivers in the NFL already waiting would be a nice present. 

It's also easy to see why the Broncos would want to keep the 27-year-old, either on a one-year franchise tag or big-money extension. 

The Jets should dabble in the free-agent receiver market once again, but their dream of landing Thomas is a long shot. 

Josh McCown Keeping Options Open

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

For the second consecutive year, Josh McCown is a free agent. He may be the best of a mediocre bunch that includes Brian Hoyer, Jake Locker and Michael Vick, meaning teams in need of a short-term starter could come his way. 

One of those teams is the Buffalo Bills, who can be a playoff team with a mid-level quarterback because of their stifling defense. 

According to Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News, McCown had a meeting with the Bills on Monday that ended without a lot of discussion between the two sides:

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Free-agent quarterback Josh McCown visited the Buffalo Bills today, but left without a contract.The Bills did not even talk salary with McCown's representative, according to a league source.

McCown has at least one and maybe two other visits with NFL teams lined up, the source said.

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This feels like a smart move on both sides. The Bills still have a quarterback on the roster in EJ Manuel, who they have to make a decision on soon. He was a first-round pick in 2013 and has struggled, but how does a team give up on a quarterback taken that high after two years?

It's certainly possible Manuel will spend most of 2015 on the bench, but the Bills can at least fall back on him if they don't find a true starting option this offseason. 

McCown should play the field as much as possible. Buffalo seems like the best possible situation for a quarterback because of the need and how close the team is to being a playoff contender, yet there could be other circumstances at play. 

Last year, McCown thought he'd found an ideal situation by reuniting with Lovie Smith in Tampa Bay. It turned out to be a disaster for all involved. The veteran quarterback is going to be 36 in July, so this is likely his last chance to find a spot that will offer any significant playing time.