NFL Rumors: Rounding Up Post-Combine Buzz as Free Agency Approaches

Hear that? 

It's an avalanche of NFL free-agency information on its way down the mountain now that the NFL Scouting Combine is in the books.

The NFL realm now turns its attention to impending free agency, where the prospects of a class that includes Dez Bryant, DeMarco Murray, Demaryius Thomas, Justin Houston and many more are alluring, to say the least.

As more and more information begins to trickle out, most concerns how teams will move forward with role players. Whether it's renegotiation, re-signings or cuts outright, a number of teams have big decisions to make that create ripple effects on the overarching strategy.

Below is the latest.

More Turnover in Baltimore? 

USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Ravens continue to change, the latest musings perhaps suggesting that linebacker Pernell McPhee will personify the alterations.

The Mississippi State product is four years deep into his pro career at the age of 26. He's quietly one of the better names set to hit unrestricted free agency, too, considering last year alone, he recorded 7.5 sacks and ranked as the No. 2 3-4 outside linebacker in 2014 at Pro Football Focus.

This puts the cap-strapped Ravens in a tough situation. While it's great the team is able to unearth gems on draft day, that same ability helps to put the best teams in financial straits.

According to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun, McPhee may be too pricey to bring back:

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McPhee, 26, is considered a luxury item the Ravens probably can't afford to retain as his four-year, $2.2 million rookie contract expires. The Ravens are dealing with a tight salary cap situation and have pressing needs at other positions.

McPhee is expected to command an annual salary between $8 million and $10 million when free agency begins March 10, according to NFL sources. Among the teams regarded as potential fits for McPhee: the Oakland Raiders, Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts.

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As ESPN's Jeremy Fowler helps to point out, McPhee is not exactly a secret in league circles:

McPhee is probably on his way out the door, and rightfully so if he can leverage the market to play teams against each other.

For the Ravens, it's back to the drawing board although McPhee's success hints the team may not find it too difficult to start over via the draft. For the teams interested, well, open up those checkbooks.

Tough Questions Ahead in Miami

Steven Senne/Associated Press

The Miami Dolphins tout a pair of underrated impending free agents. 

One is tight end Charles Clay, a crafty weapon who can play a number of different positions on the offensive side of things. Last year, Clay continued to be one of quarterback Ryan Tannehill's favorite targets and caught 58 passes for 605 yards and three scores.

The price to retain him already appears to be on the rise, though, per Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post, who notes that the Buffalo Bills have an apparent interest:

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What's unclear is if Buffalo is trying to raise Clay's price. Clay was initially expected to earn in the $4 million per year range. However, with interest from other teams' leaking, it could raise his asking price. A deal worth $5+ million a year could now be more realistic, especially in a weak year for tight ends in free agency and the draft.

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This sounds like an AFC East rival making things rough on a competitor, but Clay is only 26 years old and one of the more versatile weapons in the league.

Regardless, Clay is not the only concern in Miami. Per that same report, defensive tackle Jared Odrick is the Dolphins' priority as free agency looms closer.

"Miami's other top free agent, defensive tackle Jared Odrick, remains a priority for the Dolphins," Abramson wrote. "And even though Miami is expected to try to re-sign him, there's a growing belief that he will test the free-agent market, the Post has learned."

Odrick is one of the better tackles in the league smack dab in the middle of his prime, this past season ranking as the No. 19 player at the position at PFF.

The threads converge into one simple narrative here—Miami may find it difficult to keep either of these players if they choose to test the market. There is sure to be a hefty interest in both, especially as cheaper alternatives to the big names who currently hog the spotlight.

Keep a close eye on Miami's ability to negotiate as the clock continues to tick.

New Orleans' Quest to Fix Past Mistakes

Gerald Herbert/Associated Press

Despite free-agency splashes and brave drafting, things fell flat for the New Orleans Saints last year.

It's back to the drawing board, with arguably the biggest concern of all being cap space.

After all, the organization has a ridiculously large sum of money tied up in its interior offensive linemen.

Jahri Evans is the main point of focus. That would make a ton of sense considering he is a ridiculous $11 million cap hit next year, per Spotrac. Offensive guards are important, sure, but that's offensive tackle money—which would explain why the Saints are exploring their options, per Katherine Terrell of the The Times-Picayune:

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Those talks have included the possibility of a pay cut as Evans, who is slated to make $7.5 million in salary and bonuses in 2015, would carry a cap hit of $11 million. In 2016, his salary and bonuses escalate to $8.7 million with a cap number of $10.2 million.

With those numbers, the Saints also informed Evans' camp that an outright release could be a possibility. And it's not off the table yet, particularly if the two sides cannot reach an agreement in the coming weeks on restructuring Evans' deal. 

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The report also notes, per sources, "all scenarios remain on the table."

In other words, Evans will take a pay cut, or the team is likely to move on—after all, Evans will be 32 years old next August, and his play dipped dramatically in 2014, landing him as the No. 46 overall guard in the league at PFF.

New Orleans needs more cap space to continue to go all-in as Drew Brees plays out the final years of his career. Look for the front office to make plenty of moves to free up money with that goal in mind.

Note: Stats courtesy of NFL.com as of Feb. 24 at 9 p.m. ET. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus.