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

The NFL's offseason is fully underway, and while much of the recent chatter has to do with the scouting combine and upcoming draft, we can't overlook the free-agency period.

This year's crop of free agents may be the most talented ever. It's not often we see several top-tier wide receivers, the NFL's rushing leader, a couple of the league's elite defensive linemen and a tight end coming off a double-digit touchdown season available. With so many big names set to hit the open market, rumors are starting to become plentiful.

So, what's being said about these marquee players? Better yet, where are they likely to call home for the 2015 NFL season? Let's take a look at some rumors that have recently surfaced around the Web and predict where some of this year's top free agents will ultimately land.

Jason Pierre-Paul

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As of Friday, Jason Pierre-Paul's rookie deal with the New York Giants expired. Now, as the team awaits the free-agency period to begin, it must decide if the defensive end is in its long-term plans or if a shorter contract is in the cards. After all, owner John Mara has already expressed his willingness to use the franchise tag on Pierre-Paul.

According to Ebenezer Samuel of the New York Daily News, the estimated one-year salary for a franchised tagged defensive end is $15 million, quite a lofty number. Perhaps that is one of the reasons why Samuel also reported the Giants have yet to enter talks with the defensive end:

Surely there will be a market for Pierre-Paul this year. After all, his resurgent 2014 campaign netted 77 tackles, 12.5 sacks and three forced fumbles—the most in each category since his breakout 2011 season.

Due to the defensive end's recent injury history, applying the franchise tag appears to be the wise move here. Pierre-Paul's proved he's worth the money, and if he can remain healthy for another full season, the Giants can begin to talk about a long-term deal. Expect this defensive end back in New York for 2015.

Prediction: Pierre-Paul remains in New York with franchise tag

Demaryius Thomas

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One of the NFL's most explosive wide receivers, Demaryius Thomas racked up a career-high 111 receptions for 1,619 yards in 2014. His 11 touchdown receptions marked his third consecutive season in double-digit numbers. Now, he's set to hit the open market.

A game-changing receiver and quite possibly the most coveted free agent in 2015, the Denver Broncos will need to move fast to keep Thomas in house. According to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com, the team is making him its top priority:

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Thomas is a freak of nature and, sources said, the top offseason priority for the Broncos. He will be franchised in hopes of getting a long-term deal done. Whether it's Peyton Manning or Brock Osweiler at quarterback, this is the most vital target in the passing game. If the Broncos are able to get a long-term deal done, then franchising tight end Julius Thomas at least becomes a topic of conversation, but it's doubtful that ends up being the case.

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Due to Thomas' gaudy numbers over the last three seasons, he'll command top-five money in his new deal. That means he'll be making somewhere in the vicinity of $12.5 million per year. According to Spotrac.com, Denver will have roughly $26.7 million in available cap space in 2015, giving the team plenty of room to strike a deal with this prolific wide receiver.

With Thomas being considered Denver's top priority, there's no reason to think he'll be headed elsewhere any time soon.

Prediction: Thomas re-signs with Denver

Dez Bryant

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The Dallas Cowboys were one of the league's biggest surprises in 2014, and wide receiver Dez Bryant was a big reason for that. He was unstoppable for much of the year, racking up 88 receptions for 1,320 yards and 16 touchdowns on a resilient Cowboys offense.

Bryant is set to become a free agent this year, and according to La Canfora's report, getting a long-term deal done in Dallas may not be as easy as you'd think:

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Bryant's off-field issues are having a significant impact in talks on a long-term deal, league sources said, and trepidation about putting a ton of guaranteed money on the table is likely to limit the tenor of long-term talks. Going year-to-year with Bryant is OK with Jerry Jones, even at this steep price, and in terms of on-field importance, Bryant is seen as more significant than franchising running back DeMarco Murray.

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There are two big takeaways from that statement. Dallas doesn't feel comfortable giving Bryant a long-term deal; however, the wide receiver is still viewed as a priority—even over DeMarco Murray, the NFL's rushing leader.

That said, there doesn't seem to be a scenario in which Bryant leaves Dallas. While the team probably won't be offering the wide receiver a five-year deal, it won't be looking to apply the franchise tag, either. Expect something along the lines of an incentive-laden three-year deal with injury guarantees that will ensure Bryant remains a Cowboy.

Prediction: Bryant re-signs with Dallas

Ndamukong Suh

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Like Pierre-Paul, Ndamukong Suh's contract expired Friday, and the clock is ticking for the Detroit Lions to strike a deal with their highly coveted defensive tackle before he hits the open market. However, don't expect negotiations to be easy.

While franchising Suh may seem like a legitimate option (defensive tackles cost roughly $11 million), he earned $22.4 million in 2014 and would be due a 20 percent raise with a franchise tag, costing the Lions $26.9 million for one year.

Detroit does have an available $15.2 million in cap space heading into 2015, according to Spotrac.com, so the team will have to be clever with its money to keep Suh around on any kind of deal.

Still, according to a report from Drew Birkett of USA Today, the Lions are making an attempt to get something done with their prized defensive tackle: "The team also has told the agent of at least one pending free agent defensive tackle that they expect Suh to return, though the two sides have not yet resumed negotiations after the Lions tabled talks in July."

There's plenty of interest in Suh heading into the free-agency period, and since he's looking to become the highest-paid defensive player in the game, he could receive a far more lucrative offer from a team with more available money than Detroit.

With the Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals and Chicago Bears all tabbed as great fits for Suh, and each having far more cap space to work with, it's difficult to see the defensive tackle remaining a Lion in 2015.

Prediction: Suh signs with Raiders