2015 NFL Free Agents: Rumors and Predictions for Top Players on the Market

On the heels of the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine comes a refocusing on the free-agent class set to become available in a few short weeks, and the chatter is heating up surrounding notable players on the market.

With many of the league's executives and front-office personnel flocking to Indianapolis over the weekend, the focus didn't shift away from the already established players on the market even with impressive draft prospects in front of them. A number of star-studded players remain available as well as valuable assets, and the market certainly doesn't appear to be dry for them.

It's very early on in the process, perhaps with months remaining before any real movement is made surrounding these players. But let's take a few steps ahead and make predictions over players recently mentioned in the rumor mill.

Julius Thomas

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

Julius Thomas broke out from an unheralded player unfit to play tight end to one of the league's best with the Denver Broncos. But it's looking increasingly likely his career will continue elsewhere.

Thomas' agent made himself clear in comments to Mike Klis of The Denver Post that the tight end is being pushed away from Denver from within the organization. But if the Broncos aren't going to pony up for Thomas, it appears there are plenty of suitors who will.

Cecil Lammey of ESPN reported the following about the Falcons and Jaguars having interest:

There always remained an option to place the franchise tag on Thomas in order to keep him around for perhaps one or two more go-arounds with Peyton Manning at the helm. But given general manager John Elway's latest comments, it appears fellow free-agent wideout Demaryius Thomas will get the nod in that department, per Lindsay Jones of USA Today:

In a relatively weak class of tight ends in this free-agency cycle, Thomas figures to get the most money—by far—out of any of the available players at his position. That should only make it harder for the Broncos to pull the impossible feat of keeping him around.

If the Jaguars are for real about Thomas, though, they should get him. The AFC South cellar-dwellers have loads of cap space with a young roster, and quarterback Blake Bortles needs all of the help he can get in the passing game. 

They will have their fair share of suitors to hold off, but Jacksonville should have every opportunity to woo the top tight end in the class.

Prediction: Thomas signs with Jacksonville.

Ryan Mathews

Denis Poroy/Associated Press

The San Francisco 49ers will be in the market for a No. 2 running back should Frank Gore walk in free agency, and they might not look far from the West Coast to get him.

Another notable free agent looms in San Diego, with Chargers running back Ryan Mathews set to hit free agency in March when the cycle begins. And according to Bleacher Report's Jason Cole, he will be a priority for the Niners if Gore can't be retained:

Of course, this is all assuming Gore will not be in the fold in San Francisco past this season. That's a possibility, however, that general manager Trent Baalke isn't hoping for, per Andrew Siciliano of NFL Network:

Mathews may be a few years younger than Gore, but is arguably an even bigger risk in the injury department. While Gore's dependability has taken a hit over the last few seasons, Mathews missed 10 games in 2014.

The Niners already have had their hands full with injury-ridden players in recent seasons, so it's hard to see them adding another to a key position. What's more, the Chargers don't seem intent on letting their prized back go, per UT-San Diego's Michael Gehlken:

Mathews has been hot and cold in his tenured career with the Chargers, but he's also proved during stretches to be the team's best rusher. Philip Rivers and the San Diego offense showed nothing in 2014 to suggest they are incapable of making a playoff run with the current core.

Prediction: Mathews re-signs with San Diego.

Byron Maxwell

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

When a player cannot establish himself as the best at his position on his team yet still proves to be one of the best in the business, holding onto said player can prove an impossible task.

The Seattle Seahawks are learning that lesson yet again in their vaunted Legion of Boom secondary, with cornerback Byron Maxwell the latest to come to prominence. The soon-to-be free agent has been linked to the Philadelphia Eagles, who appear as the front-runners early on, according to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (via WalterFootball.com).

"Since my posting Friday on the belief the Philadelphia Eagles are the front-runners for Byron Maxwell, additional sources have told me they agree with the assessment and feel Maxwell ends up with the team," Pauline reported.

It shouldn't be much of a surprise for Seahawks fans to see their cornerback rumored to land elsewhere. Seattle general manager John Schneider opened up about it at the combine, per CSN Philadelphia's Reuben Frank, stating, "It would be hard to see him leave, but I would think his market (value) would be pretty strong."

Injuries are currently compromising the Seahawks secondary, but they should be more than fine in the long term with a couple of promising young corners in the fold. As for the Eagles, the need for a shutdown corner is massive on one of the league's worst defensive units.

Philadelphia still has the chance to nab a cornerback in the first round of the draft, but it would do well to get more of an immediate presence, especially considering how close the team is to playoff contention. Maxwell could be that guy, and the Eagles won't be shy in ponying up for him.

Prediction: Maxwell signs with Philadelphia.