NFL Free Agents 2015: Latest Rumors and Predictions for Defensive Playmakers

As the NFL offseason draws closer, many teams will be looking to add some key pieces to their defenses. Fortunately for those teams, there are a few intriguing defensive playmakers who will be free agents, and there are already rumors surrounding those names.

The league's free-agency period is still a few months away, starting in March, but there are some players already starting to look at their options for the 2015 season. Some may want to stay with the teams they've played their entire careers with, but most will look at this as a business decision, looking for the best fit with a team that will make sure to compensate them appropriately.

While some players and fans look forward to the playoffs, others are already looking at the upcoming offseason, so let's check in on some of the latest rumors surrounding potentially available defensive playmakers as well as predictions for where they'll end up.

Note: All contract and salary cap information is provided by Spotrac.

Ndamukong Suh

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As one of the most dominant and meanest defensive linemen in the NFL, Ndamukong Suh has developed a reputation for himself. Most recently, he was suspended after stepping on Aaron Rodgers but won his appeal and was given a $70,000 fine instead, according to Michael Rothstein and Ed Werder of ESPN.com.

Suh will now be playing against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, but at the same time, he may also be looking toward his future. The 27-year-old has a player option for 2015, but if he chooses to become a free agent, he could instead become one of the highest-paid defensive players in the NFL.

There aren't a lot of teams that would be able to afford Suh, but according to Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com, the Cleveland Browns might be one that's interested, saying:

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I have heard the Browns are considering Suh as a prime free agent target. They are once again among the league leaders in projected salary cap room and may be willing to make him the highest-paid defensive lineman in NFL history. That’s the type of contract it will take to attract Suh. 

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The Browns defense played pretty well this season, but adding Suh would take it over the top. However, Cleveland isn't the only team with a lot of cap room and a need for some more defensive talent. The Oakland Raiders will have an estimated $50 million in cap space, and they could use a player like Suh to pair with the young talent of Sio Moore and Khalil Mack.

As always, the problem with Suh will be whether he can avoid suspensions and more fines for on-field incidents. But the Raiders need someone with an attitude to bring a winning mentality to their locker room, and Suh would be able to do just that.

Prediction: Suh signs with Raiders.

Buster Skrine

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Many in the Browns organization expected Justin Gilbert to be the No. 2 cornerback behind Joe Haden after selecting him in the first round. However, it was Buster Skrine, a former fifth-round pick back in 2011, who took over that role, and now, he'll be looking for a bigger payday as his rookie deal comes to a close.

It has been a productive season for Skrine, who came up with four interceptions and 18 passes defended, but the 25-year-old also had trouble with penalties. Among eligible cornerbacks, Skrine ranked first with 17 penalties this season, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

As Zac Jackson from Fox Sports Ohio points out, the struggles of Gilbert in his rookie year have made Skrine an offseason target despite those penalties.

According to Tom Reed of the Northeast Ohio Media Group, Skrine claimed he would like to return but declined to talk about this offseason, saying:

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Skrine made it clear he wants to return and spoke of his friendships with Joe Haden, Tashaun Gipson, Donte Whitner and Gilbert. He declined to discuss anything about contracts or what his agent is telling him about the Browns' stance.

There's no doubt Skrine would attract serious interest on the open market.It's believed the Browns tried to sign him last offseason, but he wanted No. 2 cornerback money. He's likely to command it if he reaches free agency in March.

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Cleveland is going to need some help with its secondary in 2015, and while Skrine's asking price has gone up this season, he still won't be getting too big of a contract. The Browns have the cap space, and I expect them to bring back Skrine.

Prediction: Skrine re-signs with Browns.

Jason Pierre-Paul

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At just 26 years old, Jason Pierre-Paul has spent his first five seasons in the NFL with the New York Giants, picking up 42 sacks in that time. After playing in all 16 games while picking up 12.5 sacks this season, it looks like JPP might finally be ready for a big payday.

The Giants have a club option to bring back Pierre-Paul in 2015, but with how productive he has been, they may want to consider offering him a long-term extension. According to ESPN's Josina Anderson, that has yet to happen, but it is reportedly not a concern.

Pierre-Paul also sounded relatively optimistic about returning after Week 17, according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News, but he still didn't give a definitive answer.

This is a tricky situation for the Giants, who need as much help defensively as possible down the road. JPP was one of the more productive pass-rushers in the league this past season, and his presence will be needed if the Giants defense is going to turn things around.

One realistic option for the Giants would be to place the franchise tag on JPP. It would give the Giants another year to work out a long-term deal, but it wouldn't be cheap, with the franchise tag number for defensive ends coming in at about $15 million, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com.

"That is certainly one of our options, but we really haven't fully discussed that yet," Giants owner John Mara told Graziano. "I have no idea what his agent is going to do. Actually, I do have a pretty good idea of what his agent is going to be asking for. And whether we want to do that or franchise him is something we will have to fully discuss."

Although Pierre-Paul had some rough seasons in 2012 and 2013, it looks like he's back in full force after such a strong season. I expect the Giants to work something out and avoid the franchise tag so that they can pay JPP without having to break the bank in 2015 with a franchise tag.

Prediction: Pierre-Paul re-signs with Giants.