NFL Rumors: Ranking the Rumors by Their Odds of Happening

Until NFL free agency begins in a couple weeks, the masses are left to survive on the scraps of conversations and rumors. So ranking them is a completely justified use of your time.

This particular article already has instant credibility. The earliest draft of this article had Baltimore Ravens center Matt Birk returning to the NFL for one more year.

So it was scribbled in a notebook, so it has been done. 

Therefore, the rest of the rankings are all completely correct. One relatively easy prediction surely warrants that conclusion.

7. Free-Agent Cornerback Cortland Finnegan to the Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions secondary was exposed repeatedly towards the end of the last season. Yet the reports that Detroit will be making a run at Cortland Finnegan are premature at best.

On the field, Finnegan would be a good fit. Finnegan is a physical cornerback who isn't afraid to mix it up. 

Additionally, he already knows a large part of the Lions' defensive system. He played for head coach Jim Schwartz when Schwartz was the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans.

However, the former All Pro is supposedly looking for a deal that would pay him $10 million a season. The Lions simply don't have the salary cap room to make that deal.

Detroit has precious little cap space to utilize and must re-sign either Cliff Avril or Stephen Tulloch. Further dimming this prospect is the report that the Lions are close to re-signing starting cornerback Eric Wright.

6. Mario Williams Will Sign with the New England Patriots

The New England Patriots have a history of adding veterans, but not until they are considered washed up. 

Randy Moss came aboard and promptly set records. Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth signed last year and provided little help.

Mario Williams will be akin to the former. If he signs with the Pats, it will be the most significant signing of the offseason.

Williams would fit in seamlessly scheme-wise. He has shown the versatility to excel in either a 4-3 or a 3-4, both of which Bill Belichick has used recently. 

New England already boasts a stout rushing defense. Adding an explosive pass-rusher in his prime would alter the fundamental complexion of this team. 

Unfortunately for Pats fans, the possibility seems remote.

New England has a decent amount of cap space, but still need to re-sign Wes Welker. Additionally, they will likely be bringing in multiple cost-effective draft picks.

Quite frankly, it wouldn't be the Patriot way. Yet Tom Brady and Belichick aren't getting any younger so the door remains slightly ajar.

5. Plaxico Burress Will Sign with the Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles won't surprise anyone this year. Primarily because it's impossible to rule anything out with them.

Plaxico Burress has stated unequivocally that he wants to join the Eagles. Despite the "Dream Team" label that Philly earned for signing big names, this move would make sense for both parties.

The Eagles will likely retain speedy wide receiver DeSean Jackson. Combined with Jeremy Maclin, the wideout position will be heavy on speed but short on height.

Burress doesn't find the type of separation from defensive backs he enjoyed earlier in his career. However, he is still 6'5" and capable of being a sizable red-zone target for a team lacking a physical receiver.

Most importantly, he would be cost-effective. Burress is not likely to demand much more than the $3 million he made last year with the New York Jets.

4. Randy Moss Will Contribute to an NFL Team in 2012

Randy Moss always finds himself in the middle of a firestorm.

Moss recently expressed his desire to return to the NFL. Whichever team takes a chance on him will be making a low-risk, high-reward bargain.

Cris Carter immediately countered Moss' statements by questioning Randy's level of commitment. Those comments shouldn't scare off teams in search of a vertical playmaker. 

The main concern is that the aging wide receiver will have lost too much speed to make an impact. As Carter pointed out, Moss' decreased speed is still faster than the vast majority of players.

Moss has great ball instincts and still checks in at 6'4". If the last two years have humbled him, then his new team will reap the benefit of a motivated attitude like the New England Patriots did.

3. The Dallas Cowboys Will Land a Big-Name Cornerback

The Dallas Cowboys begin every year with Super Bowl expectations. The team has the talent, but wasn't able to put everything together last season.

A main culprit was the suspect secondary. Tony Romo absorbed a disproportionate amount of blame for the Cowboys choking away second-half leads compared to his actual level of culpability.

The secondary routinely gave up big plays. Dallas was ranked in the bottom third of the league against the pass.

Thus, the reports that the Cowboys will actively pursue either Brandon Carr or Cortland Finnegan make sense. Jerry Jones is the type of owner who aggressively seeks what he perceives to be the answer.

However, Finnegan may not be the right fit. The Cowboys' defensive concerns were not against the run, so they should stick with trying to find a "cover" corner.

Regardless, Jones won't let Dallas' offseason pass without making a splash in the secondary.

2. Peyton Manning Will Not Be an Indianapolis Colt

Peyton Manning has already been linked to the Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals. That's not including reports that he may take the reins from Matt Schaub with the Houston Texans.

Now, there are indications that he may return to the Indianapolis Colts. This won't happen.

The Colts cannot currently compete for a championship. The team is much better off allowing presumed-No.1 pick Andrew Luck to learn on the job while expectations are manageable. 

Conversely, Manning has faced his football mortality. He will only be driven to win another ring during the time he has left.

This move makes sense for everyone involved.

1. The Cleveland Browns Will Trade Up for Robert Griffin III

Robert Griffin III would be the high-riser of this year's draft if he weren't already in the No. 2 spot. Every account has gushed about his performance at the combine and in his interviews with the teams. 

The Cleveland Browns need a quarterback and have the necessary currency to get one: draft picks. The Browns fleeced the Atlanta Falcons last year when Atlanta moved up to select Julio Jones.

Fans will surely argue that the team has too many holes, and should hold onto the extra picks.

However, from Ben Roethlisberger to Eli Manning, every recent Super Bowl champion has had a marquee signal-caller pulling the strings.

Mike Holmgren surely knows this. The Browns will make the smart play and acquire the cornerstone of their franchise moving forward.