NFL Free-Agency Rumors: Latest Buzz on Available Stars

The NFL free-agent period is moving a hundred miles per minute, and it's not going to die down just yet.

Despite all the players that wasted no time inking new deals, plenty of potential employees remain available for hire. Patient teams can still secure a major piece to a championship puzzle before the season begins.

There's a good chance 15 more players sign by the time you finish reading this article, so let's not waste much time. Hopefully the players in focus don't end the rumor cycle before you get to their portion.

While all three of these players are looking to play for a different club, one may leave the NFL if he doesn't find a good fit. The other two will likely catch passes in a different uniform this fall.

Julian Edelman to Cleveland Browns?

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Julian Edelman entered the 2013 season with 69 career catches through four years. Including postseason play, he matched that reception total in his final eight games of the 2013-14 campaign.

The former seventh-round selection finished the regular season with a career-high 105 receptions, which ranked fourth among wideouts. Tom Brady struggled to find his go-to target in lieu of Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski, but Edelman eventually became the undisputed choice.

It appears that connection could be heading for a split, as CSN New England's Mike Giardi linked Edelman to the Cleveland Browns.

Fox Sports' Mike Garafolo does not expect the wideout to rush his decision.

While Edelman will miss Brady, he would enjoy getting overlooked with Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron lining up beside him. His targets would decrease, but he'd receive more space to make the most of his looks.

He'd also receive more money, as the Patriots are never wont to overpay even their sturdiest contributors. Edelman probably played too well for New England to stay there.

Jared Allen Considering Retirement

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We might have seen Jared Allen suit up for the last time.

The Minnesota Vikings let their star defensive end walk after collecting 11.5 sacks during an otherwise disastrous year for the franchise. That success, along with his illustrious resume, should land him a lucrative contract, but Allen is ready to call it a career if he's not adequately compensated.

Per NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, Allen will consider retirement if he does not receive an offer he likes.

On NFL Network's Free Agent Frenzy, via Marc Sessler, Rapoport added that Allen expressed his adoration for Barry Sanders, who retired during his prime at age 31.

"I will tell you this," Rapoport said. "Jared Allen has a ton of admiration for Barry Sanders, who walked away from football while still having his best, still able to play at a high level. He walked on his own terms, it's something Jared Allen has always respected."

Allen has recorded 128.5 sacks throughout his 10-year career while racking up a double-digit tally in each of his six seasons with the Vikings. He has also played in all 96 games with Minnesota, so the 31-year-old has plenty more good football left in him. 

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Allen has discussed a deal with the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks.

The Bears held the league's worst rushing defense last year, and they recently cut Julius Peppers. They certainly can use Allen if they can work out the financial terms.

Steve Smith Prepared to Test Market

The Carolina Panthers are slim at wide receiver, but that didn't stop them from letting their top one loose.

On Wednesday, the Panthers released Steve Smith, who collected 65 catches for 745 yards during his 13th NFL season. Shortly after, Schefter tweeted that the Baltimore Ravens are the early favorites to sign him.

During an interview on Sirius XM's Bleacher Report Radio (via ESPN.com's David Newton), Smith made it clear that he intends to milk the process for all it's worth.

"I'm going to get a few free dinners out of it at nice, expensive restaurants and see what it's [recruiting process] like," Smith said. "I want to enjoy and absorb this experience that, quite frankly, I will never experience again.''

According to Yahoo Sports' Eric Edholm, the Ravens are far from the only interested team. He listed five teams that have contacted Smith since his release.

He also admitted during the Bleacher Report Radio that he's "no longer a No. 1 wide receiver," an important realization since none of those squads would use him at that capacity. At this juncture on his career, he'd be better served as a No. 2 or 3 wideout that doesn't receive the bulk of the defense's attention.