2015 NFL Free Agents: Latest Rumors, Predictions After Divisional Round

The NFL's real free-agency frenzy won't begin until March, when most unrestricted players are free to negotiate with teams of their choosing, but the rumors are already flying.

Considering just four teams are left to solely concentrate on this year's Super Bowl after a riveting spate of games in the divisional round of the 2015 NFL playoffs, it makes sense that the winter chatter is heating up as the rest of the league's squads figure out how they can make sure they're the ones left fighting in January.

Let's take a look at three players who could be on the move this offseason, one of whom who could be coming to the NFL from across the northern border.


Frank Gore

Tony Avelar/Associated Press

For a rough-and-tumble player at a position notorious for short football lifespans, Frank Gore is certainly aging well. The 31-year-old back had a bit of a down year statistically in 2014, but it wasn't for a lack of ability. Gore put up 4.3 yards per carry, right in line with his career 4.5 average and a slight uptick from his 2013 rate (4.1).

However, the San Francisco 49ers moved away from the power running game a bit this year. Gore carried the ball just 255 times for 1,106 yards and four rushing touchdowns, his lowest totals since an injury-shortened 2010 campaign. The team opted for more four- and five-wide receiver sets this year to take advantage of Colin Kaepernick's talents, which are ostensibly well suited for a spread-out field. 

It's quite possible Gore could be on his way out of San Francisco this offseason, and even though his age makes him a serious risk at running back, he should attract attention from potential suitors if he hits the open market in March.

Ben Margot/Associated Press

According to Gabrielle McMillen of Sporting News, the Washington Redskins' latest personnel move makes them a potential landing spot for the star tailback: 

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Scot McCloughan was announced as Washington's new general manager on Friday. It was McCloughan who drafted Gore for the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft.

McCloughan has expressed his high opinion of Gore in the past and even talked about hiring him to scout once he was finished playing football.

Gore has said he wants to stay with the 49ers and the team has said they want to re-sign him. However, Gore is curious to see how the next 49ers coach works with the team.

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Another potential landing spot is the Indianapolis Colts, who could use help at running back after averaging 3.9 yards per carry as a team in 2014. According to Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee, Gore's top choice is staying with the Niners, but he's apparently interested in playing with rising superstar Andrew Luck.

San Francisco might not be terribly motivated to retain Gore considering it has a potential replacement in the wings in the form of young Carlos Hyde.

Gore is still missing a Super Bowl ring to count among his career achievements. This is what he should be going for with his days in the NFL numbered, although he certainly has many other considerations, both personal and professional, to factor into this decision.

Assuming glory is his ultimate goal, the Redskins aren't anywhere close to making this happen and would be an unlikely option.

If he's willing to take a pay cut and split carries with the likes of Trent Richardson and/or Boom Herron, Gore's best bet at a championship appears to be with Luck in Indy.

Prediction: Gore signs with the Colts

Brian Hoyer

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Despite Johnny Manziel's discouraging start to his pro career, there's a decent chance that if he keeps his head down and works hard in the offseason, the Cleveland Browns will reward him with a chance to prove himself in the 2015 campaign. 

Veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer started the majority of the 2014 season but was eventually sent to the bench in favor of the Texas A&M product. Hoyer threw for 3,326 yards, 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last year, but he faded badly down the stretch. The 29-year-old pivot threw three touchdowns against 11 picks in November and December.

Hoyer could hit the market as a free agent this season, and it appears the team isn't quite ready to give up on him, per ESPN Insider Field Yates (subscription required):

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Browns GM Ray Farmer recently discussed the possibility of Hoyer's return to Cleveland, but it seems unlikely given the team's investment in Johnny Manziel and the need to develop the former Heisman Trophy winner (if Hoyer returns to Cleveland, it's almost certainly to be the starter, not to help in Manziel's development). Schefter has reported that Hoyer is unlikely to return to Cleveland, and earmarked the Texans as a team to keep an eye on for the 29-year-old.

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Hoyer's best bet to be a starting quarterback at the beginning of the 2015 season is likely in Houston, as it is highly unlikely to draft a signal-caller in the first round and will do whatever it takes to avoid a revolving door at this position. However, the Browns are looking for a new offensive coordinator after Kyle Shanahan's resignation, which means young Manziel will likely be learning a brand-new system in his sophomore season.

Even if Cleveland goes all in on the contentious young quarterback, retaining a veteran like Hoyer would be extremely important for a team that was in the playoff chase until the final third of the regular season. If Manziel flames out, Hoyer would likely take the reigns again as a stopgap solution with decent potential if he can stay in the game-manager groove that proved successful at the beginning of the 2014 campaign.

Prediction: Hoyer stays in Cleveland

Duron Carter

Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

If anyone has the genetic makeup to play football in the NFL, it's Canadian Football League All-Star Duron Carter, the son of Hall of Fame wideout Cris Carter.

After a successful stint in the CFL, Carter has his sights set on playing for the Shield. It seems his pop's former franchise, the Minnesota Vikings, is at least one potential landing spot for the young Carter, perhaps even a front-runner.

“It went really well,” Carter said after a workout at Winter Park (per the Star Tribune's Mark Craig). “I met everybody and it looked really good. I like Minnesota, I like the facilities, I like the coaches and everything. It seems like things are looking up. I would say Minnesota is probably my front-runner right now.”

Craig noted that Carter has worked out with or is set to meet with several other NFL teams, suggesting the league is bullish on the 23-year-old's talents:

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Carter had already worked out for Tampa Bay, Indianapolis and Kansas City. He said he hasn’t ruled them out and plans to continue his tour of NFL teams with visits to Cleveland, Carolina, San Francisco and Washington. He said Cleveland is scheduled for next Friday, while Carolina could be as early as next week depending on the outcome of the Panthers’ playoff game at Seattle on Saturday.

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Carter is a big, lanky target at 6'5" and could be a useful weapon for talented young quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner has worked with some of best wide receivers in the NFL in his many years of coaching, and he got plenty of production out of the towering Vincent Jackson when both were members of the San Diego Chargers organization.

Bleacher Report's own Matt Miller provided a detailed scouting report on Carter, noting he is a "solid route-runner with an ankle-breaking inside move on slants and posts" and "can play both in the slot and on the boundary with success." Miller also compared Carter to Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Martavis Bryant.

The Vikings could take a chance on Carter and see if he can work himself into the offense ahead of the likes of a struggling Cordarrelle Patterson, who has yet to harness his myriad physical tools.

It also doesn't hurt that the elder Carter remains one of the Vikings' best all-time players, making this signing a potential bit of fan service in addition to addressing a potential need.

Prediction: Carter goes to Minnesota