NFL Free Agency 2015: Post-Combine Rumors and Predictions for Top Players

The 2015 NFL Scouting Combine allowed teams to get firsthand looks at what this year's crop of prospects have to offer. Rest assured, the impressions left by those draft hopefuls will affect the plans of certain franchises during the free-agency period.

For example, if a team has a high-priced player set to hit the open market at a position that is incredibly deep with talent in this year's draft, it could be more inclined to allow that player to walk and fill the void with an inexpensive-yet-promising rookie. This won't be the case in every instance, but it's a common scenario.

On the other hand, some teams view key veterans as too valuable to allow them to hit free agency. This situation will either result in a lucrative long-term deal or a pricey one-year contract known as the franchise tag.

That said, let's take a look at some rumors surrounding a few players involved in one of those aforementioned situations and predict how their offseasons are likely to pan out.

Julius Thomas

Tight end Julius Thomas has enjoyed a couple of productive seasons with the Denver Broncos, recording 12 touchdowns in both 2013 and 2014. Known to be one of the league's most dangerous red-zone threats at his position, Thomas is poised to earn a large contract this offseason.

Well, it appears as though that contract won't be coming from the Denver Broncos. The team offered Thomas a five-year, $40 million deal that he rejected due to insufficient guaranteed money. That will result in the tight end hitting the open market, where he has suitors waiting.

According to Mike Klis of The Denver Post, the Jacksonville Jaguars "will be among [Thomas'] most aggressive pursuers." That would make sense considering the team needs to surround quarterback Blake Bortles with weapons, and tight end Marcedes Lewis wasn't productive after returning from injury last season. The team also has an abundance of cap space, according to Spotrac.com.

Although, the Jaguars won't be the only team making a play for the tight end, as the Atlanta Falcons are also rumored to have interest, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Atlanta has been lacking a viable threat at tight end since the departure of Tony Gonzalez, and giving quarterback Matt Ryan additional weapons is never a bad idea.

This may all come down to which team is more willing to bust open the checkbook and shell out a plethora of guaranteed money. If that's the case, the nod goes to the Jaguars, as they are expected to spend big in free agency.

Prediction: Thomas signs with the Jaguars

Randall Cobb

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb is coming off a breakout season in which he recorded 91 receptions for 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns. Those numbers make him one of the most sought-after wide receivers expected to hit the open market this offseason.

According to ESPN's Bill Williamson, the Oakland Raiders are expected to be in high pursuit of Cobb's services:

We already know the Raiders are in dire need of wide receivers. In fact, it shouldn't come as a surprise if they acquire a top free agent and use the draft's No. 4 overall selection on the likes of Alabama's Amari Cooper or West Virginia's Kevin White. Oakland knows Derek Carr needs a reliable target to continue his development, and the team seems intent on getting him one.

Although, before the Raiders can go after Cobb, the Packers must allow him to hit the open market. According to Will Brinson of CBSSports.com, Cobb could garner $9 million per year in his new contract. That's some hefty money considering the team is already committed to Jordy Nelson on a four-year, $39 million deal.

The Packers do have the cap space to keep Cobb around; however, with several other holes to fill and the talented Davante Adams waiting in the wings, it's easy to see a scenario in which Green Bay allows Cobb to walk. That's when the Raiders will scoop him up immediately with a huge deal.

Prediction: Cobb signs with the Raiders

Jason Pierre-Paul

The New York Giants would love to keep defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul in the fold. The defensive end reminded us what he's capable of accomplishing on the football field last season with a bounce-back effort in which he recorded 77 tackles, 12.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and six passes defensed.

Pierre-Paul is slated to hit the open market, where he's likely to make a good deal of cash. Based on his production, Pierre-Paul will likely warrant top-five money in a long-term deal that should wind up paying him roughly $14 million per season—similar to what Robert Quinn makes with the St. Louis Rams.

Still, Pierre-Paul does come with a bit of a downside. He did miss time due to injury in 2013, and despite his great production last season, he was inconsistent—he recorded just 3.5 sacks in his first 11 games and nine sacks in his final five.

That said, the Giants are strongly considering the franchise tag, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter:

So, it doesn't appear as though Pierre-Paul will be leaving New York before next season. The question now becomes if he'll be staying on a long-term deal or on the franchise tag.

At this point of his career, giving Pierre-Paul a long-term deal comes with some significant risk. While he did amass a total of 29 sacks in 2011 and 2014, he accumulated just 13 in his three other seasons combined. If he can show consistency by putting up big numbers in consecutive seasons, he'll be worth a long-term deal. Until then, it will be the franchise tag for Pierre-Paul.

Prediction: Pierre-Paul remains with the Giants on the franchise tag