2016 NFL Free Agents: Early Market Rumors and Predictions for Top Names

The approaching NFL free-agency market is more interesting than in most years.

There's simply bad blood between team and player (Eric Weddle), there's backs it's hard to know if anybody will pay (Doug Martin, Matt Forte), ditto for quarterbacks (Kirk Cousins, Sam Bradford) and there's sheer superstars (Von Miller, Muhammad Wilkerson).

Call it an exciting time for the league but another dose of holiday cheer for fans as they daydream about teams gunning for big names.

Below, let's look at some of the latest updates on the biggest names and nail down predictions for their final destinations.

Eric Weddle to Miami? 

Jim Steve-USA TODAY Sports

Weddle doesn't like the San Diego Chargers too much.

The organization stopped trying to get the 31-year-old safety a new deal this past offseason. He played in 13 games this year, but the team hit him with a fine for watching his daughter dance at halftime near the end of the season, then slapped him on injured reserve despite him seeming healthy.

So no, Weddle won't be putting ink to paper with the Chargers. In fact, he recently talked about getting a chance to play against them.

“I hope we kill them,” Weddle said, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune. “That’s the only way I know how to (play). Whoever I’m with, I’m rolling with. … We’ll see. I’m sure (the matchup) will happen.”

Weddle ranked as the 12th safety in the league at Pro Football Focus, so despite his age, plenty of teams figure to come calling about his services.

One of those might be the Miami Dolphins.

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Weddle and the franchise seem like a fit: "San Diego's Eric Weddle, an impending free agent, would welcome a Dolphins' offer, but he would be costly."

The Dolphins spent big cash on Ndamukong Suh last year. Opening up the checkbook for Weddle to shore up the position next to Reshad Jones would make plenty of sense. It would for Weddle, too, as he'd at least remain in the AFC and get another shot at the Chargers.

The old cliche about smoke and fire makes sense here. Look for the Dolphins, clear big spenders, to bring Weddle to town.

Prediction: Weddle signs with the Dolphins.

Doug Martin and the Changing Buccaneers 

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers now look like one of the most unpredictable teams around after the surprising firing of head coach Lovie Smith.

Before, many figured the Buccaneers wouldn't have a problem bringing back running back Doug Martin, who almost won the rush title with his 1,402 rushing yards before being named an All-Pro.

Now? Who knows?

Maybe the new brass in Tampa Bay will be content to give the tandem of Charles Sims and Bobby Rainey some serious runs. The former did run for almost five yards per carry over his 107 attempts, so there's hints he can act as an every-down back. Rainy has proved in the past he can be explosive.

According to Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times, though, the organization seems to want Martin back and vice versa: "How important is it to sign Doug Martin to a new deal? The NFL's No. 2 rusher is an unrestricted free agent, and there's mutual interest in a contract to keep him in Tampa Bay."

It might come down to money. Running backs aren't getting paid on the market anymore and Martin is already 27 years old, meaning this might be his last chance at a major deal. If Tampa Bay balks at the idea of big money and knows it can fall back on other players, the man formerly known as the Muscle Hamster might take his talents elsewhere.

Just don't count on it. With other big names such as Matt Forte hitting the market, it's hard to imagine Martin will have a wealth of options. Expect him to settle with the Buccaneers rather than dive into the unknown for what figures to be minimal extra cash.

Prediction: Martin re-signs with the Buccaneers.

Sam Bradford on the Way Out?

If the Buccaneers classify as unpredictable, well, there isn't really a word for the Philadelphia Eagles. 

The recent firing of Chip Kelly and surefire future changes leaves a quarterback like Bradford in limbo after the old coach brought him to town to be the guy.

From the sounds of it, according to Sports Illustrated's Peter King, Bradford doesn't want to be in Philadelphia anymore, anyway:

"

Three: Bradford won’t be motivated to return to Philadelphia over any other team now that free agency looms. His agent, Tom Condon, is a get-the-most-you-can-regardless-of-team guy, and Bradford isn’t crazy about Philadelphia the city anyway. He probably wishes there was a team in his favorite place, Oklahoma City. And who’s to say the next coach—current offensive coordinators Adam Gase of Chicago and Doug Pederson of Kansas City are popular early names—will want Bradford at $18 million a year or more?

"

Well, all right then.

In his one season with the Eagles, Bradford completed 65 percent of his passes with 19 touchdowns to 14 interceptions while appearing in 14 games. Or, translated—not what anyone expected from a hyped Kelly offense.

To be fair, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer provided some much-needed context:

Still, at the most, Philadelphia only figures to offer Bradford a team-friendly deal, meaning he's going to leave.

Now, what organization needs a quarterback, has a nice environment in place and might be willing to pay up to compete?

How about the Houston Texans?

The Texans have Arian Foster and DeAndre Hopkins in place, not to mention an elite defense already helping the team hit the postseason with Brian Hoyer under center. Head coach Bill O'Brien's a guru and could use an upgrade, but the team won't be in a position to get a stud in the draft. The AFC South gives Bradford a consistent shot at the playoffs.

It's that or the Cleveland Browns, folks. Or the St. Louis Rams. Look for Bradford to seek out the Texans.

Prediction: Bradford signs with the Texans.

Stats courtesy of NFL.com and accurate as of January 13. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.