NFL Rumors: Latest Gossip on Robert Griffin III and 2016 Free Agency

When Robert Griffin III came off the board second in the 2012 NFL draft, neither of the teams involved in getting him into the league in such a manner could have ever predicted he'd be the headline act of 2016 free agency. 

At least not in such a negative way.

RG3 sits in the top slot for the market the rest of the way, a leader in a way most would have never dared predict. The market boasts plenty of talent across many positions despite the flurry of early action, so a team making a pivotal add remains a possibility.

With such a notion in mind, here's a look at the latest.

Shea McClellin's Market

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

In some ways, Shea McClellin is just like RG3.

McClellin entered the league via the same draft at No. 19 but never panned out with the Chicago Bears, struggling with position changes and productivity before the two sides decided a split needed to happen.

Despite the rough start, McClellin still looks like a guy with plenty of upside as a contributor if he can land in the right situation. It's why Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune hears the New York Jets stand as a suitor:

McClellin is just 26 years old, so the notion that a change of scenery could do him some good won't just go away. But over four years he's recorded just 7.5 sacks, last year playing in just 12 games and not registering a single sack as the coaching staff began to work away from him. 

The Jets seem like the model team of interest, though. New York, formerly known as a defensive powerhouse, only mustered 39 sacks last year. The coaching staff still has the defensive-central mindset, though, and a former top pick who needs a new situation seems like the perfect project.

No matter where McClellin ends up, he's viable to get another look as a rotational rusher. It's a last chance, and the market expanding a bit for his services might occur next.

Eric Weddle's Decision 

Ben Margot/Associated Press

Eric Weddle isn't LeBron James by any means, but he's got at least four reported franchises awaiting his decision with future plans swinging in the balance.

By now, most know about Weddle's ugly split with the San Diego Chargers. What most don't know, though, is the fact the Utah product still remains one of the best players in the league at his position. 

Last year, Weddle ranked as the 12th safety in the league at Pro Football Focus, totaling 58 tackles and only allowing two passing touchdowns. He might be 31 years old, but plenty of teams need help in the area.

According to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Weddle will pick from a pool of four teams:

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport provided more context as to what plays a part in Weddle's decision: 

Exact names haven't come up, but teams such as the Pittsburgh Steelers and many more need help in the defensive backfield. Outside of a select few, safety remains one of the weaker positions in the league due to its degree of difficulty.

Weddle still has enough to contribute for years, hence the handful of teams fighting it out for him. Whether he picks the Steelers or maybe the Oakland Raiders to get a shot at his old team twice a year, rest assured the team that lands him frees up its list of future moves quite a bit.

All Things RG3

On to the unexpected star of the show.

RG3's name is beginning to come up everywhere now that he's finally been freed from Washington. Earlier in the week, ESPN's Adam Schefter noted the Denver Broncos had an interest thanks to Brock Osweiler's departure.

Now it's all about the Jets, again according to Schefter:

If this sounds like a leverage play by the Jets, it probably is.

Remember, New York wants Ryan Fitzpatrick back under center, the guy who completed 59.6 percent of his passes with 3,905 yards and 31 touchdowns to 15 interceptions last season.

Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News wrote about how both parties could use the visit to their advantage:

"

Griffin’s visit appears to be a leverage play by the Jets to prompt Fitzpatrick to take their offer, but the team is also doing homework on other available options should the veteran actually find another home. Griffin wants as many look-sees as possible too, so his trip to team headquarters was likely mutually beneficial.

"

Granted, the Jets could end up signing RG3. It wouldn't be the worst landing spot for him, either, not with a strong defense to lean on, the newly signed Matt Forte in the backfield and the duo of Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker to spam the ball to on each down.

But priority No. 1 for the Jets seems to be Fitzpatrick. For RG3, it's landing in the best possible situation. Teams around the league might believe he can still play like the guy who completed 65.6 percent of his passes with 3,200 yards and 20 touchdowns through the air, and 815 and seven more on the ground as a rookie, with Washington no longer holding him hostage.

Maybe the two will eventually put ink to paper. Maybe not. Either way, both parties took a large step forward in improving their situation due to the visit. Keep a close eye on both.

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