NFL Free Agents 2013: Updated Buzz on Weekends Most Talked About Names

Free agency typically signals the beginning of major moves in the NFL. This year is a little different, but there won’t be a shortage of big headlines when the window to begin signing free agents opens at 4 p.m. today.

The biggest surprises have come on the trade market thus far. Alex Smith is reportedly on his way to Kansas City, Anquan Boldin was the victim of cost-cutting measures in Baltimore (via ESPN) and the Seahawks made off with a true No. 1 option for Russell Wilson in Percy Harvin (via CBS Sports).

All that happened before free agency.

Players who were released from their contracts have been free to sign with a team at any time, but for the players who have waited for their contracts to expire, this afternoon represents a major turning point in the NFL offseason.

No deals are final, but some are close. Let’s take a look at the most prominent rumors involving some of this year’s biggest free agents.

Mike Wallace

The free agency process is fluid, but this rumor appears to be as concrete as any: According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, there’s a very good chance top free agent receiver Mike Wallace lands with the Dolphins:

None of this is particularly surprising—save the fact that it appears to be going off without a hitch. The Dolphins are in desperate need of a true No. 1 option and Wallace wants to get paid. It’s almost too easy.

Miami inked Brian Hartline to a new deal, but he’s not the top target Ryan Tannehill needs to be a successful NFL quarterback. Hartline will be a good No. 2 option, though, especially with Wallace in the fold.

A lot can change in the hours leading up to free agency, but it’s hard to imagine this potential deal falling through. It’s the perfect fit for both parties, and it seems to be the consensus that there isn’t any competition for Wallace (per Peter King of Sports Illustrated).

Jake Long

Miami Dolphins left tackle Jake Long has long been considered one of the NFL’s premier blindside protectors. A couple of subpar seasons have forced his fall from grace, though, and it seems he is likely to find a new home this offseason.

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com reports two very logical connections for Long on the free-agent market:

While it’s still possible for the Dolphins to re-sign the 27-year-old Michigan product, their interest in Wallace and the new contract they extended to Hartline would suggest they have other plans for the money Long would expect to receive.

Instead, it’s reasonable to expect Long to walk in free agency and end up with one of the many teams in desperate need of offensive line help.

St. Louis and Chicago are two such teams, and both make a lot of sense. Chicago’s pass-protection unit was one of the worst in the NFL last season, and the Rams’ offensive line wasn’t much better.

Both teams have good quarterbacks who haven’t been given enough protection to maximize their talent. Long would be a good solution to their problems, though it may all come down to how much money each team is willing to offer for his services.

Ed Reed

The San Francisco 49ers pulled off one of the biggest steals of the offseason by acquiring Anquan Boldin for a sixth-round draft pick. While taking on his $6 million 2013 salary will potentially limit their spending going forward, there’s reason to believe the 49ers may be able to corral another former Raven.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, safety Ed Reed could be the next Baltimore player to defect to the team Baltimore bested for the Lombardi Trophy in February:

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A league source with extensive knowledge of the current safety market believes that the 49ers could land Ravens safety Ed Reed.

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Dashon Goldson is a free agent and there’s little chance he returns to San Francisco; the 49ers simply aren’t willing to give him the lengthy contract he is looking for (per Scott Semmler of Yahoo! Sports).

With Goldson unlikely to remain in the Bay Area, it’s reasonable to expect the 49ers to make a play for a suitable replacement who would expect a shorter contract and less money. This year’s draft is deep at the safety position, and San Francisco could use Reed as a stop-gap option as they develop a future starter.

Reed may be nearing the end of his career, but he’s still a productive player with some tread left on his tires. As long as he can stay healthy and on the field, Reed could be a terrific replacement option for Goldson in San Francisco’s secondary.