NFL Rumors: Ranking the Top 10 Rumors Right Now by Chance of Happening

Has Peyton Manning signed his last Indianapolis Colts' jersey? Will Mike Wallace continue his assault on opposing defensive backs for a new AFC power? Will Wes Welker get Larry Fitzgerald money? 

The NFL offseason has been full of juicy rumors surrounding All-Pros and MVPs.

Which 10 rumors are most likely to actually happen? Click along and find out. 

Cleveland Browns Franchising Peyton Hillis

The Plain Dealer reports that this is a possibility.

Peyton Hillis came out of nowhere in 2010 to rush for nearly 1,200 yards. In 2011, he was expected to lead a resurgent Cleveland Browns' offense while they integrated Colt McCoy into his first season leading the team. 

Instead, Hillis let a contract dispute affect his play. The 250-lb back rushed for a career-low 3.6 yards per carry. He sat out six games while "suffering" through mysterious illnesses and injuries. There are too many burned bridges here, and ESPN AFC North blogger Jamison Hensley agrees with me: "I've long said that the Browns need to part ways with Hillis after a troubling season last year."

The Browns' camp is still split on whether or not to franchise Hillis, but it seems certain the team will not offer him a long-term deal. 

Chance the Browns use the franchise tag on Hillis: 30 percent

Wes Welker Seeking a Pay Raise

Like any NFL player, Welker obviously wants a long-term deal, and he has discussed that with the Patriots. However, the franchise tag option is there.

Wes Welker has been an ultimate professional since joining the New England Patriots. The union was perfect for both player and team, as Welker's skills are perfectly suited for New England's quick-pass offense. 

With that being said, the Patriots have let Super Bowl heroes walk before. Deion Branch was a Super Bowl MVP, and Adam Vinatieri's field goals proved to be the difference in three Super Bowl runs for the team. None of the players' big-game production could keep them in New England when they looked for a pay raise.

If you look at the box score, Welker has been one of the game's best and most consistent pass-catchers since signing with the team in 2007, accumulating no fewer than 86 catches in every season since. I believe Welker's outlandish production is a result of a perfect player in a perfect situation. Welker is a very good player, and was a Patriot-killer in his days with Miami, but would he be a guarantee for 100 catches every seasons in any other system?

I doubt it, and the Patriots are likely to see it the same way if Welker asks for too much. Besides, Welker will not have any of the good will from the Super Bowl to effect contract talks.   

Chance Wes Welker leaves the Patriots: 45 percent

AFC Rivals Trying to Steal Mike Wallace

The Pittsburgh Steelers absolutely want and need Mike Wallace back, and Wallace has indicated he wants to be back.

The problem is the Steelers are still about $8 million over the cap. They have said goodbye to some veterans and have been restructuring contracts left and right. Pittsburgh is reportedly ready to release Hines Ward or watch him retire and could do the same with James Farrior. Those two moves would get them just underneath the cap.

However, as Adam Schefter reports, AFC rivals with plenty of cap space could be the Steelers' biggest hurdle. The Cincinnati Bengals, for example, are $60 million under the cap. They would have to surrender their first-round pick but have two to work with—the 17th and the 21st. It may be worth it to them to gain a player of Wallace's ability, while simultaneously stealing their rivals' top deep threat.   

Chance Mike Wallace Leaves Steelers: 50 percent

Eagles Using Franchise Tag on DeSean Jackson

The Philadelphia Eagles spent a lot of money last offseason but did not show their top playmaker any love. DeSean Jackson has worked on a budget for his NFL career, and now, he wants to get paid.

Normally, after a season like Jackson's (admitting he was not going across the middle until he got his money) I would say he is absolutely gone. However, I think Jackson is a good fit for the Eagles, and vice versa. Eagles' management still seems high on Jackson, in spite of his "show me the money " act from 2011.  

Somehow, I think they get this worked out, though for just a year. I cannot see them agreeing to a multi-year contract, not this season at least.

A franchise tag with a big one-year raise could be the compromise these two sides need.   

Chance Eagles use franchise tag on Jackson: 60 percent

Reggie Wayne

"I know one thing, my phone works. I do have service and every last bar on it and their number has not come across it yet." That was a quote from Reggie Wayne 12 days ago. Until reading that, I would have thought Wayne's chances of returning to the Indianapolis Colts were pretty good. However, that quote is not a game-ender, either.

The Colts are waiting for a final decision to be made on Peyton Manning before making any free-agent endeavors. That could easily include signing their own free agents like Wayne and Robert Mathis. It does not look good now, but Indianapolis is where Wayne wants to retire, and we could easily see the sides coming to an agreement after the Manning situations is cleared up. 

Chance Wayne and the Colts part ways: 65 percent

Chicago Bears Seaching for a Top Wide Receiver

The Chicago Bears are $20 million under the cap and have two pressing needs. The first is re-signing Matt Forte to a long-term deal. The second is getting Jay Cutler some help in the form of a dominant wide receiver, which has people speculating widely.

There will be as many as six top-flight pass-catchers available via free agency: Reggie Wayne, Marques Colston, Dwayne Bowe, Wes Welker, DeSean Jackson and (restricted free agent) Mike Wallace. The Bears are a solid Super Bowl contender and would make an attractive destination for a free agent seeking new ground. 

I give the Bears a good shot at signing a primary receiver. 

Chance Bears sign Reggie Wayne, Marques Colston, Dwayne Bowe, Wes Welker, Mike Wallace or DeSean Jackson: 75 percent

Chiefs and Dwayne Bowe Talking Extension

The Kansas City Chiefs are reportedly $37 million under the cap, and GM Scott Pioli has said he hopes to re-sign Dwayne Bowe.

Bowe has been one of the most productive receivers in the league since the team drafted him out of LSU in 2007. Bowe only has one season where he did not eclipse at least 995 yards and five touchdowns. That was 2009, also the only year he did not reach 16 games, as injuries held him out of five contests.

Bowe will likely come back, but there are a few scenarios that could prevent the union. For one, if a desperate team overpaid for him. The other is if Bowe does not like the direction the team is heading. The team heads into the season with a new coach, and Matt Cassel's mediocre performance may raise doubts about his capability as a franchise quarterback.

It's certainly not a sure thing, but Bowe should be back in Kansas City.  

Chance Dwayne Bowe re-signs with Chiefs: 80 percent

Vincent Jackson Leaving the San Diego Chargers

The writing has been on the wall for quite some time for Vincent Jackson and the San Diego Chargers to part ways. 

First, there was Jackson's lengthy holdout in 2010 that resulted in him playing in just five games and making 14 grabs. This season was not a whole lot better, as Jackson was wildly inconsistent while still not getting the deal he desired. Jackson had some monster games to give him decent season stats but was held to five catches or less in 13 out of 16 games. 

Jackson and Chargers' GM AJ Smith have been at odds as much as any player/GM I can remember, and now, it many expect their relationship to finally come to an end. 

Chance Jackson leaves the Chargers: 85 percent

Cincinnati Bengals and Cedric Benson Parting Ways

In a move I do not fully understand, it seems like the Cincinnati Bengals are ready to say goodbye to Cedric Benson. In a recent interview on NFL Radio, Benson was asked about the contract talks with the Bengals. 

"I'm not sure. We haven't had any talks about a new deal." At this point in the offseason, that is a huge indication that he will not be back. Again, I do not understand this from Bengals' management's point of view.

Cincinnati gave Benson his second chance when it looked like he could be on his way out of the league. He has responded with three 1,000-yard seasons. And as I said in a previous slide, the Bengals are $60 million under the cap, so money is a non-issue. 

I don't get it, but the reports would indicate the team is ready to move on without their bruising back. 

Chance Benson and the Bengals part ways: 90 percent

Peyton Manning and Colts Severing Ties

I am in the camp that believes Jim Irsay took the coward's way out to say it was up to Peyton Manning whether or not he wanted to come back to the Indianapolis Colts. 

Sure, Manning can come back, but only if he sacrifices the majority of the contract he signed just a year ago. Normally, I am against players who choose money over loyalty, but I do not think this is the case in Manning's situation. 

It took a perfect storm of events for the Colts to be in this situation to try and force Manning's hand, and none of them are his fault. He took a sorry franchise and carried them for 13 seasons, delivered a Lombardi Trophy and millions upon millions of dollars to the city of Indianapolis.

He earned that contract, and for the Colts to leave it in his hands, is bogus. There's nothing wrong with having the best quarterback prospect since Manning himself (part of that perfect storm that brings up this situation) fall into your lap, and the business decision is to let Manning go. Just be man enough to say that. 

Chance Peyton Manning Leaves Colts: 99%

Alexander is a featured columnist for bleacherreport.com You can follow Alexander on twitter @thesportsdude7 or become a fan on his Bleacher Report profile.