NFL Free Agency 2015: Breaking Down Rumors and Predictions for Top Players

The 2015 NFL free-agency period doesn't begin until March 10, but as of Monday, teams are already able to designate franchise players for the coming season. Due to a bevy of high-quality players set to hit the open market, we should expect a few big names to receive such a tender.

Players who don't receive the franchise tag have two options: either agree to a long-term deal with their current team or seek out a new home in free agency. While many teams are likely to retain key players with lucrative contracts, there will still be some familiar faces in new places once the 2015 season begins.

There have been some recent rumors regarding a few top players floating around the Web, so let's take a look at the buzz and predict how it will affect each impending free agent.

Demaryius Thomas

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

Should Demaryius Thomas hit the open market, he'll immediately become one of the most coveted free agents this year. In each of the past three seasons, the wide receiver has successfully eclipsed 1,400 yards and scored double-digit touchdowns. He's coming off a 1,619-yard, 11-touchdown 2014 campaign.

Before the 2014 season began, the Denver Broncos offered Thomas a five-year contract extension—the financial terms were undisclosed—which he turned down. Interestingly enough, the receiver did tell Dan Hellie on NFL Network's NFL Total Access that he would take a hometown discount to stay in Denver.

Well, Thomas' rookie contract is now expired, and while the Broncos are expected to make a strong push to keep the prolific wideout in the fold—which includes a potential franchise tag—he's already garnering attention from other NFL teams.

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller reported one specific interested franchise: "I'm told the New York Jets plan to roll out the red carpet for Demaryius Thomas if he doesn't receive the franchise tag from the Denver Broncos."

That's not the first report of a potential courting of Thomas by the Jets, as Brian Costello of the New York Post recently learned current Jet and Thomas' former teammate, Eric Decker, was already recruiting the wide receiver to follow him to New York.

So, what does all this mean for Thomas?

The Broncos appear to be getting Peyton Manning back for another season, and considering the team could be losing tight end Julius Thomas, it can't afford to allow yet another talented pass-catcher leave town. If the wide receiver isn't offered a long-term deal he deems reasonable, expect Denver to go ahead and apply the franchise tag.

Prediction: Thomas stays in Denver via franchise tag

Larry Fitzgerald

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald isn't set to hit free agency this season—in fact, he's under contract through 2018. The talented pass-catcher is in the midst of his seven-year, $113 million deal; however, there's one big problem: The Cardinals don't want to pay him the $23.6 million he's owed in 2015.

Hit by the injury bug in 2014, Arizona needs to make several moves throughout the offseason to bolster its roster. Having additional cap space will allow the team to fill its voids by acquiring key free agents. Although, the Cardinals will need Fitzgerald to restructure his contract to get that done.

According to Dan Hanzus of NFL.com, the two sides are currently in negotiations:

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NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Thursday's edition of NFL Total Access that Fitzgerald's agent and the Cardinals have started talks with the hope they can work out an agreement that will allow the star wide receiver to finish his career in Arizona.

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Here's the catch: Fitzgerald already restructured his contract last year. Now, the team is asking him to do it again. This could cause the receiver to part ways with the team that drafted him in the third round back in 2004.

Should the Cardinals and Fitzgerald fail to reach common ground, the team will likely release the receiver, making him a very coveted free agent. Even though Fitzgerald is 31 years of age and is coming off a down season—he caught 63 passes for 784 yards and two touchdowns in 2014—he still demands plenty of attention on the football field and could be an acquisition that puts a contending team over the top.

That said, teams looking for wide receiver help on the open market should focus their attention elsewhere. After 11 years in Arizona, it's hard to believe the sides won't be able to get close enough to keep Fitzgerald in the fold for at least a 12th.

Prediction: Fitzgerald restructures and remains in Arizona

Shane Vereen

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New England Patriots running back Shane Vereen is set to hit the open market following the expiration of his four-year rookie deal that paid him just shy of $3.5 million. He's demonstrated the ability to act as a chess piece and add versatility to an offense, and his skill set should afford him a nice raise heading into the 2015 season.

So, how much is Vereen worth? Well, Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com relayed a comparable contract to what the ball-carrier will be looking for and gave his thoughts as to Vereen's future in New England:

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For those looking at a potential financial market for running back Shane Vereen in free agency, one respected NFL source pointed me to the three-year, $10.5 million deal ($4 million guaranteed) signed by Donald Brown with the Chargers last year as the starting point. I could see Vereen exceeding that, and I have doubts the Patriots—given their recent free-agent history with running backs BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead—would match it.

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Brown's contract is actually a pretty reasonable comparison to the value that Vereen holds heading into the free-agency period. The running back is coming off a productive season, rushing for 391 yards, accumulating 447 receiving yards and totaling five touchdowns. Expect a running back-needy team to pay for those services.

Reiss brings up another very valid point—the Patriots haven't been known to commit to previous running backs who were slated to hit the open market, and based on that history, it's unlikely the team will be shelling out top dollar to maintain Vereen.

If that's the case, there is one team that could conceivably be a great fit for the running back—the Buffalo Bills.

With C.J. Spiller a free agent this year, the Bills should be looking for added versatility in the backfield—the team could really use another target in the passing game as well. Vereen fits that mold, and head coach Rex Ryan is very familiar with the ball-carrier after spending six seasons with the Jets. Buffalo has plenty of cap space, so adding Vereen won't be a financial strain, either.

Prediction: Vereen signs with Buffalo