2015 NFL Free Agents: Analyzing Gossip, Rumors and Predictions Before Super Bowl

Thirty NFL teams have officially begun their offseasons, and each has its own agenda for the impending free-agency period. Whether these squads will be looking to re-sign their own free agents or aim to make a blockbuster move for a big name on the open market, they all have one thing in common: Each must improve to earn a Super Bowl berth next season.

Due to an expected bevy of talent in the 2015 free-agency period, there will be plenty of ways for these teams to improve; however, with the Super Bowl yet to kick off, gossip has remained rather limited. Fortunately, some trusted sources around the Web have come forth with some early intriguing information regarding a few key players.

Before the NFL's championship game commences, here's a look at some recent free-agent rumors and predictions regarding hot names set to hit the open market.

Justin Forsett

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Forsett was a revelation out of the Baltimore Ravens backfield in 2014. The team began the regular season with uncertainty at the running back position, but Forsett made his mark immediately, averaging 6.4 yards per carry and scoring a touchdown in Week 1. He continued that trend throughout the season and finished the year rushing for 1,266 yards and eight touchdowns with a league-leading average of 5.4 yards per carry.

As it turns out, the Ravens got one heck of a deal in signing the journeyman ball-carrier to a one-year deal worth $730,000, according to Spotrac.com. Although, the team now faces a dilemma: Forsett is now worth a significant amount of money, and the Ravens must decide if they are willing to pay the running back, who will turn 30 in October.

According to Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com, Forsett would like to return to Baltimore; however, he also had this to say:

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There's also a business side of it, where unfortunately I've been in the 'friend zone' for most of my career. Hopefully we can get into a deeper commitment somewhere down the road and get some stability.

I would love to be a part of [next year's team]. This is an organization that first gave me my shot, my first real opportunity, and I would love to stay.

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There will be some intriguing options at running back—which may include 2014 rushing leader DeMarco Murray—in free agency in 2015. The Ravens must upgrade their backfield, as Bernard Pierce was rather unimpressive during the regular season, and Forsett could prove to be a cost-effective option.

Considering Forsett still has plenty of tread left on his tires and will be a cheaper option than the likes of Murray, C.J. Spiller or Ryan Mathews, expect to see him back in Baltimore's backfield alongside a 2015 draft pick.

Prediction: Forsett re-signs with the Ravens.

Brian Hoyer

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The Cleveland Browns offense is in disarray heading into the offseason, and Hoyer could prove to be a pivotal component for the team's success in the immediate future. The veteran signal-caller is set to hit free agency March 10, but according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal, the team has expressed interest in bringing him back:

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Hoyer repeatedly said last season he would love to stay with his hometown team, but he also made it clear he wants to play. He is expected to meet with coach Mike Pettine, general manager Ray Farmer and offensive coordinator John DeFilippo soon. If he likes what he hears, he'll give [agent Joe] Linta the green light to attempt to engage the Browns in discussions about a new deal.

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Ulrich also stated that Linta expressed Hoyer's desire to compete for the starting job, and the veteran quarterback would be willing to negotiate a new deal based on that contingency.

Hoyer began the 2014 season as one of the league's more consistent quarterbacks, tossing 10 touchdown passes and just four interceptions over his first nine games. Unfortunately, the wheels fell off thereafter, and he tossed two scores against nine picks over his last five games, leading to his benching in favor of rookie Johnny Manziel.

Cleveland's experiment with the Texas A&M product didn't get off to a roaring start, as Manziel produced three lackluster performances en route to a 42.0 passer rating on the season. The question marks surrounding the former Aggie could be enough for the Browns to pull the trigger and bring back Hoyer for at least another season.

Prediction: Hoyer re-signs with the Browns.

Duron Carter

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Over the last two seasons, Carter has emerged as one of the CFL's biggest playmakers at the wide receiver position, hauling in a total of 124 receptions for 1,939 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Montreal Alouettes over that span.

The son of Hall of Famer Cris Carter, Duron comes from a great bloodline and has showed his big-play ability up north. He's intrigued several NFL teams and has participated in workouts around the nation. According to Ben Goessling of ESPN, Carter is now down to two finalists:

While Goessling didn't reveal which two teams were the finalists, we can always speculate. Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star revealed the Kansas City Chiefs were out of the running for the 6'5", 205-pound receiver. Paylor also noted a previous report from the Minneapolis Star Tribune in which Carter called the Minnesota Vikings his front-runner.

So, if the Vikings are one of the finalists, which team is the other? Well, according to Stephen Holder of The Indianapolis Star, that would be the Indianapolis Colts: "Canadian Football League standout Duron Carter can't sign with an NFL team until Feb. 10, but a source with knowledge of the situation said the Colts remain one of the front-runners for the services of the former Ohio State and Alabama receiver."

Both the Vikings and Colts should be looking to upgrade at wide receiver over the offseason. Indianapolis will likely be looking to replace veteran Reggie Wayne, and Minnesota will aim to build on a young, budding wide receiver corps. Each squad makes sense for Carter; however, it's tough to see him declining the opportunity to don the same color jersey as his father.

Prediction: Carter signs with the Vikings.