NFL Free Agency 2016: Rumors and Predictions for Top Undecided Players

In an alternate universe, the 2016 NFL free-agency class would form one of the best teams around.

Think about it. Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback. Matt Forte, Doug Martin, Lamar Miller and Arian Foster in the backfield with Travis Benjamin, Marvin Jones and Anquan Boldin at wideout. Defense? Try Malik Jackson, Damon Harrison, Mario Williams, George Iloka and Eric Weddle.

Indeed, this class has a little bit of everything, and that's after big names such as Von Miller and Alshon Jeffery stuck with their respective teams.

With another talented draft class on the way, rebuilders and contenders alike have a good opportunity here to build a strong foundation and better position themselves to compete. It's why the rumor mill is wilder than usual.

Let's take a look at the latest.

Browns Hunting Marvin Jones

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The Cleveland Browns figure to slot well into the "very active" column this trip to market, what with new coach Hue Jackson on board and their needing to patch so many holes.

Other than the issue under center, one of the biggest problems on the roster is the lack of receiving threats outside of tight end Gary Barnidge. The aforementioned Benjamin was second in receiving behind him this past season, with a running back coming in third.

As always seems to be the case, a new coach will have an interest in guys he's comfortable with, meaning former players. It makes sense, then, that Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported that the Browns have an interest in the aforementioned Jones:

"

The Browns will pursue Bengals receiver Marvin Jones in free agency, a league source told cleveland.com.

Jones, 25, played for Browns coach Hue Jackson in Cincinnati and Jackson would like to bring him to Cleveland as his No. 1 or No. 2 receiver.

"

Jones can certainly function in the way Jackson imagines. Last year he caught 65 passes for 816 yards and four scores, and in 2013 he managed to find pay dirt 10 times despite playing second fiddle to A.J. Green in the pecking order.

The biggest red flag with Jones would be his health. He's only played a full 16-game slate in two of his four years as a pro and missed the entirety of the 2014 season. On the field, though, he's got plenty of speed, a giant catch radius and great hands.

Jones is going to get the best deal from his former team or a guy like Jackson, who knows his potential. It seems obvious that the two sides will come to a deal if Cincinnati doesn't come up with a strong offer.

Prediction: Jones signs with the Browns

The George Iloka Sweepstakes

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Folks outside Cincinnati weren't quite keen on Bengals safety George Iloka, though now the Boise State product has the attention of most after beginning a serious bidding war.

Iloka is one of the game's brightest young safeties, which would explain the bevy of interest noted by Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer:

Just 25 years old and improving by the year, Iloka ranked as the No. 33 safety at Pro Football Focus last season. It doesn't sound great on paper, but he missed four games, and Cincinnati increased the usage of others in a budding rotation, almost halving his snaps from 2014, when he ranked 12th.

Each team listed could use a guy who can work at either safety spot while enforcing against the run and acting as a great presence deep in center field. Of the names, though, the Minnesota Vikings stick out.

Like Jones, Iloka will feel most comfortable inking a deal with a guy who knows how to use his talent and will offer him a fair price. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer would be such a guy, considering he helped bring Iloka into the league and molded him into the player he is today as his defensive coordinator.

Minnesota gave up less than 20 points per game last season but ranked 17th against the rush. Harrison Smith is still one of the best safeties in the league, but Andrew Sendejo is one of the weakest. Iloka provides an upgrade and a nasty one-two punch, which is what a team like Minnesota needs while residing in the same division as Aaron Rodgers.

Prediction: Iloka signs with the Vikings

Lamar Miller's New Home

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The above says "new home" for a reason when it comes to Miller, the now-former Miami Dolphins running back.

In one of the least shocking developments around, it doesn't sound like the Dolphins will have a way to keep the talented running back in town after years of odd usage.

According to Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Miller will join with another team and leave the Dolphins looking for relief from somebody else:

Luckily for the Dolphins, as hinted, free agency offers plenty of alternatives.

More interesting, though, is Miller's future. ESPN's Dianna Marie Russini offered an interesting note about how the market values his talent:

In other words, the Dolphins might have helped drive down Miller's value. For a solid example of why the situation has developed in such a way, look at his per-carry numbers over the years alongside the odd usage:

SEASON	ATT	YDS	AVG	TD
2012	51	250	4.9	1
2013	177	709	4.0	2
2014	216	1,099	5.1	8
2015	194	872	4.5	8

Any team from the Houston Texans to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and beyond should have an interest in the sort of production Miller can provide.

One team most haven't considered? The New England Patriots wouldn't mind featuring Miller in a committee with Dion Lewis, provided his comeback from injury goes well. Miller certainly fits the mold of a back who can catch passes when not stretching the ball out on a carry.

With Miller, it might come down to comfort. If he's not getting the money he wants, a nice consolation prize would be competing for a title while getting more usage than what the Dolphins felt comfortable offering. That screams New England, a team that knows what Miller can do well enough and will pay him accordingly.

Prediction: Miller signs with the Patriots

Stats courtesy of NFL.com and are accurate as of Tuesday. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.