2015 NFL Free Agents: Early Market Rumors and Predictions for Top Names

Ndamukong Suh leads the NFL free-agency charge. 

The league may not want Suh leading anything at this point outside of television ratings, but the Detroit Lions' elimination from the postseason means the headline act of the 2015 class sets off a chain of drama befit of Kardashian levels.

Other notable names might hit the market. Right now, though, all is mum when it comes to Justin Houston, Dez Brant, Demaryius Thomas and others.

Things will pick up, but for now Suh is right where he belongs—atop the NFL chatter.

Duron Carter's Suitors

Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

First, a bit of a lesser-known name.

That depends on one's definition of "known" though. Duron Carter, son of Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter, is now making the tryout rounds at the NFL level.

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora mentions a few of the teams on his list:

At this pace, the list will grow longer than the list of Cleveland Browns quarterbacks in recent years.

For good reason, too. 

Carter is 23 years old and one of the Canadian Football League's top stars. Many likely know him as the promising player who spent one year with the Ohio State Buckeyes before a transfer and circuit trip with no-name schools that led to undrafted pro status, but a 6'5", 205-pound threat with sure hands can be hard to find.

In two seasons with the Montreal Alouettes, Carter caught 124 passes for 1,939 yards and 12 touchdowns, according to CFL.ca.

Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

Now, about those teams with interest. Tampa Bay seems a strange fit given the presence of Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans. Who knows, though? The quarterback situation is a work in progress.

Indianapolis makes sense with Reggie Wayne surely posting a few gray hairs at the age of 36. Andy Reid's offensive reputation suffered this past season when his receivers failed to score a touchdown. Teddy Bridgewater's future is bright in Minnesota, but top wideout Cordarrelle Patterson caught just 33 passes for 384 yards and one score last season.

In other words, littering the suitor list is the usual suspects.

The Vikings, of course, are where the elder Carter spent most of his pro days. The need is obvious, the future is bright under coach Mike Zimmer and the younger Carter can develop right along with Bridgewater.

What's not to like?

Prediction: Carter signs with the Vikings.

The Ndamukong Suh Saga

USA TODAY Sports

Now, about that Suh. 

The No. 3 overall defensive tackle in the NFL this year at Pro Football Focus (subscription required) and owner of 8.5 sacks—giving him a minimum of eight in three of his five years as a pro—is apparently the top thing the Lions care about this season.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport shares the rumblings:

It sounds so obvious. Really, not really though.

The Lions have to love Suh's production. His aforementioned stellar play is a large part of the reason the team ranked 13th against the pass (it would have been much worse if his interior pressure had not hit home consistently) and first against the rush.

"There's no question about it," coach Jim Caldwell said, per ESPN.com's Michael Rothstein. "He's a dominant, dominant player who we benefit greatly from having his services. He's a tremendous asset to our team, and I'll leave it at that."

The only problem for the Lions is that little nugget about allowing him to gauge his value. A team such as the Cleveland Browns may not let him return to the Motor City, as Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com hints:

"

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. His defensive line teammate, Nick Fairley, also is a free agent and would be considered a consolation prize to teams failing to land Suh.

"

It makes sense that Cleveland, a team that wound up ranked dead last against the rush, would go all-in on Suh.

The problem is, so too would any number of teams on the market. Detroit is not the only front office willing to put up with questionable antics—as well as throw dump trucks of cash his way—for the benefit he brings a team on the field.

A team like Cleveland needs to get out of the cellar of its own division. Look for the Browns to take advantage of the Lions in this situation, as Detroit says the right things concerning the situation but the price and sense of relief in letting Suh walk may be exactly what the front office wants.

Prediction: Suh signs with Browns.

Stats courtesy of NFL.com. Advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus (subscription required).