NFL Rumors: Buzz and Predictions After Day 1 of Free Agency

Its seems NFL free agency has outdone itself once again. 

Many, many new faces reside in new places. But few things were as shocking as, say, Lamar Miller becoming the new Arian Foster with the Houston Texans, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Or how about Brock Osweiler ditching the Denver Broncos for those same Texans, according to NFL Network's Rand Getlin.

The last move was so unexpected that a name nobody thought would emerge again might become the starting quarterback for the defending Super Bowl champs—Robert Griffin III.

So yes, this year seems wilder than usual. Here's a look at the latest with predictions.

Denver Courting RG3

So it has all come down to this. The brass in the Broncos front office held pat, not wanting to throw major change at a quarterback who only started seven games and eventually had to sit back down when Peyton Manning got healthy.

Now Manning is gone, though, and the eventual successor decided to leave town.

What's interesting is how confident the Denver front office is that the team can win with almost anyone under center. It makes a small semblance of sense, as Manning wasn't close to his usual self, and the team leaned on a Von Miller-led defense and strong offensive weapons such as Demaryius Thomas for wins.

But to think the same approach would work with the embattled RG3 is certainly eyebrow-raising. Schefter revealed that the former Washington star is on Denver's list:

Griffin broke down over his years in Washington, starting strong as a rookie in 2012 with 20 touchdowns to five interceptions and using his legs to total another 826 yards and seven scores. Injuries and an odd relationship with the organization derailed things.

At this point, though, Denver might stand as the only team desperate enough to give RG3 another chance. It's not a terrible idea, either, as the Baylor product is just 26 years old, and an old-fashioned change of scenery might work wonders.

This marriage makes too much sense to ignore. RG3 wants another shot in the NFL and could get it with the defending champions. Those champions don't have a much better option now and simply need a game manager, and signing RG3 beats spending a high pick on a rookie and throwing him to the wolves.

Prediction: Griffin signs with the Broncos

The Robert Ayers Market

William Perlman-USA TODAY Sports

Robert Ayers now stands as one of the biggest consolation prizes on the open market, a description not really doing his potential impact on a unit justice.

Ayers might be 30 years old, but he experienced a career renaissance of sorts last year with the New York Giants, ranking as the seventh-best 4-3 end in the NFL at Pro Football Focus with 10 sacks, 13 hits and 25 hurries.

With some of the bigger names off the market, Ayers now dominates the area. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, he's drawing strong interest from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

The Buccaneers are one of the teams most commonly seen taking pass-rushing help in mock drafts, but this would seem like a pretty sly move by the organization.

After tallying 38 sacks as a unit last year and needing someone to pair with the surprising Jacquies Smith (seven sacks), not to mention stout-rushing tackle Gerald McCoy (8.5), nabbing Ayers would be a smart way to avoid spending a high pick on the need.

Ayers might have a bigger market than some would expect. Tampa Bay's front office isn't foolish, though—it'll overpay to ensure Ayers' visit becomes a permanent one, in large part to free up a top pick in the first round to attack other needs.

Prediction: Ayers signs with the Buccaneers

An Unexpected C.J. Anderson Market

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

With major names such as Miller, Foster, Doug Martin and Matt Forte having headlined this year's free-agent class at running back, few expected Denver Broncos' lead man C.J. Anderson to enter the fray.

As it turns out, other teams might keep stealing from the Broncos.

According to ProFootballTalk.com's Mike Florio, a flurry of teams have an interest in picking Anderson off the Broncos roster after a small tender by the front office:

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Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Patriots, Dolphins, 49ers, and Bears already have expressed interest in man who currently is the best tailback on the Denver roster.

The Broncos tendered Anderson at the lowest level, giving them only a right to match any offer Anderson signs elsewhere.

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Call it one of the most interesting situations left. Two of the four teams left figure to put in serious offers because of a strong need. The San Francisco 49ers need a complement to Carlos Hyde but don't figure to get too aggressive. Ditto for the Chicago Bears—losing Forte stinks, but Jeremy Langford showed last year why they were comfortable letting the franchise legend walk in the first place.

The New England Patriots seem like a different story. Dion Lewis, smack in the middle of a breakout season, suffered a serious leg injury and might need more time to recover. James White and Brandon Bolden aren't a viable starting duo.

Also in the AFC East, the Miami Dolphins lost the aforementioned Miller. Jay Ajayi seems like a promising prospect, but grabbing a little proven insurance and forming what would morph into a solid committee only improves the team.

Anderson is only 25 years old, having received a minimum of 150 carries in each of the past two years, resulting in a minimum of 720 yards. He's a career 4.7 yards-per-carry rusher with 13 total scores, a perfect complementary piece worth the investment.

This seems like a move the Patriots would make. It was fun to speculate about how the franchise could entice Forte or another notable veteran to town to play behind Tom Brady, but it's the younger Anderson who could help round out one of the most lethal backfields in the league once Lewis returns.

And at this pace, Denver won't want to match. Running back is something the team can feel comfortable about addressing in the draft.

Prediction: Anderson signs with the Patriots

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