NFL Free Agents 2013: Predicting Where Top Remaining Players Will Land

What makes NFL free agency better than any other sport's offseason spending spree is the pace at which everything happens. The top players are, for the most part, already off the board, leaving a lot of bargains to be fought over between 32 teams. 

You won't find that kind of action in baseball, where free agency starts in early November and nothing happens until the Winter Meetings in December. 

With things moving at such a frenetic pace, it can be difficult to keep up with all the news, rumors and speculation going around. So in the interest of keeping things sane, here are our predictions for where the top remaining free agents will land. 

Wide receiver Greg Jennings

Age: 29 (Turns 30 on September 21)

If he had not battled injuries that robbed him of eight games in 2012, Jennings, not Mike Wallace, might have gotten the biggest contract of any wide receiver in this year's class. As things stand, some team is likely looking at a great bargain. 

Jennings' health has been a lingering issue, as he also missed three games in 2011, but when he is on the field, he produces. He is a touchdown machine, scoring 53 times in 96 career games and breaking the 1,100-yard barrier in three straight seasons from 2008-10. 

A lot has been said about where Jennings might go, with Adam Schefter of ESPN reporting that the star wideout had a meeting on Thursday with Minnesota. 

The Vikings just traded Percy Harvin earlier this week (via Jay Glazer of Fox Sports) and will need several weapons to help open things up in the passing game. 

Indianapolis has been talked about, but Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star reported that there doesn't seem to be any interest from the Colts. 

The Colts want to go young all over the field, so bringing in a receiver, even a productive one, at the age of 30 doesn't make sense. 

Jason Wilde of ESPN Wisconsin reported that the Packers did make an offer to Jennings, though the use of the word "a while ago" makes you wonder what that means for right now. 

All of this is to say we still don't have a clear sense of where the market for Jennings is, or who might be in the lead for his services. If you were to ask today, the Vikings make the most sense because of their need, so that's what we will go with. 

Prediction: Minnesota Vikings

Cornerback Aqib Talib

Age: 27

Talib has all the talent in the world, which is why he was a first-round pick in the 2008 draft. The problem is keeping him on the field and his character in check.

One big factor working in Talib's favor is the way he played down the stretch this season after being traded from Tampa Bay to New England. He missed most of the AFC Championship game after suffering a leg injury, allowing Joe Flacco to pick the defense apart in the second half. 

Another thing teams will like about Talib is how big he is. The world saw what a difference big cornerbacks who can actually play, like Seattle's Richard Sherman, can do for a defense. While Talib isn't quite as big as Sherman, he is listed at 6'1", 202 pounds and plays very physical. 

Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan in Washington reports that the Redskins have made Talib their top priority. 

Considering how dreadful the Redskins were in the secondary last season, Talib makes perfect sense. He won't be an expensive addition, because teams don't trust his injury history or off-field issues. 

Greg Bedard of the Boston Globe reported that the Patriots also want to "get cornerback Aqib Talib done soon." 

The lack of depth in the secondary, especially without Talib, has to be concerning for Bill Belichick. But we also know that he won't pay one cent over what he thinks you are worth, which could hurt him if a bidding war begins. 

Ultimately, the Patriots have to do something right this offseason, right?

Prediction: New England Patriots

Offensive tackle Andre Smith

Age: 26

Smith looked like he was going to turn into a bust after playing in just five games total in his first two seasons. He has since played in 30 out of 32 games, including all 16 in 2012. 

While cynics will say that Smith managed to put everything together in a contract year, don't forget that he was a top-10 pick in the 2009 draft out of Alabama, which turns out offensive linemen like Hostess used to bring on the Twinkies. 

Being an offensive lineman, especially a tackle, could be bad for your free agency this season because there are so many available on the market and in the draft. But Smith is a rare talent that can lead any line, so there should be plenty of suitors. 

Dan Graziano of ESPN.com reported that Smith has drawn the eye of the Philadelphia Eagles, who have been trying to patch together an offensive line for years with no success. 

The report also says the Eagles are looking at former New England tackle Sebastian Vollmer this offseason. 

Given where the Bengals are as a team right now, with an opportunity to take control of the AFC North, it would seem like letting Smith go as he enters his prime years seems odd. 

For now, because there isn't much of a market for him, you have to like what Smith would bring to Chip Kelly's offense in Philadelphia. 

Prediction: Philadelphia Eagles

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