NFL Rumors: Rounding Up Buzz as Teams Prepare for Free Agency

It's not the Daytona 500, but the sprint to the finish line in the NFL just began in earnest. 

The NFL Scouting Combine is in the books, the latest overblown offering doing just enough to fend off the hungry droves of football fans around the globe.

Next on the path to next season is NFL free agency, an entertaining ride in its own right as teams scramble to retain their own, free up cap space via renegotiation and cutting the fat and putting themselves in line for the top-tier players who do make it to market.

It's a whirlwind of a time in which even the smallest moves create ripple effects. That team's ability to save $500,000 here and $500,000 there seems insignificant until they swoop in and steal a prized target—look at New Orleans last year with Jairus Byrd.

Everything matters this time of year, so here's the latest.

Peyton Manning's Future

Shocker alert—Peyton Manning isn't going to retire. Just stop the speculation, fear or hope.

Manning is a sure bet to be back, the delay seemingly tied to his contract. The Broncos have a number of noteworthy free agents the front office would surely want to retain this offseason, so it makes sense that Mike Klis of the Denver Post brings up whispers about a restructure:

"

The Broncos and representatives for Peyton Manning have been working on revising the quarterback's contract, according to multiple NFL sources.

Manning is scheduled to draw a $19 million salary in 2015 and 2016 — down from the $20 million he made in both the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

Restructured contracts can get complicated, which could explain why there's been a perceived delay in Manning formally announcing his intention to return to play in 2015.

"

The vultures continue to swirl around the Broncos, although Manning is the one thing that can save the team.

Denver needs to find the cash to bring back defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, who ranked as the No. 12 player in the NFL last year at his position at Pro Football Focus. The Broncos also want to bring back two of Manning's favorite targets, tight end Julius Thomas and wideout Demaryius Thomas.

The latter of those names figures to be most important, as 27-year-old wideouts who catch 111 passes for 1,619 yards and 11 touchdowns in a single season are not that easy to come by.

Manning is playing for titles at this point, although one has to think he holds 100 percent of the leverage when it comes to reworking his contract. He's Peyton, after all, and the Broncos don't have anyone else, nor is the draft or market going to provide a better alternative.

Perhaps this will drag out awhile.

The Broncos Saga

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

While that situation drags on, the odds the Broncos can retain tight end Julius Thomas continue to decrease. 

Thomas is 26 years old and sure to land a rather hefty contract on the open market after breaking onto the scene two seasons ago:

SEASON	REC	TGTS	YDS	TD
2013	65	89	788	12
2014	43	60	489	12

As Klis notes in a bit of free-agency analysis, Thomas seems to have one major suitor lined up already: "Jacksonville will be among the most aggressive pursuers."

It's quite an interesting connection. The Jaguars want to do whatever it takes to build in a positive manner around Blake Bortles. Grabbing a big-bodied, reliable tight end is certainly one way to do that.

Last year, Marcedes Lewis appeared in just eight games and caught 18 passes for 206 yards and a pair of scores. As former agent Joel Corry notes, the Jaguars have a lot to gain by moving on from their veteran tight end:

Perhaps the Jaguars think it a better idea to spend that cash on the younger Thomas, who is not only productive, but opens things up for those around him.

Regardless, Jacksonville is surely far from the only team interested at this stage. It speaks to the larger dilemma in Denver, where freeing up space as soon as possible to remain competitive on the open market is a necessity.

If not, teams such as the Jaguars will have no problems bidding amongst themselves for the castoffs.

Randall Cobb's Suitor List

Speaking of elite offensive weapons who may find their way to the market, Randall Cobb is one of the top names to watch now that the Green Bay Packers will allow him to test the waters.

In a contract year, the 24-year-old Kentucky product exploded with 91 catches for 1,287 yards and 12 scores. He's a game-breaking presence in the utmost sense, which explains why CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora writes that "The Packers know that Cobb's market is likely to get out of hand and have focused on keeping other free agents."

Consider Cobb as good as gone, especially if a report by ESPN's Bill Williamson is true:

The Oakland Raiders have money to splurge and are another team looking to build around a young quarterback, this time Derek Carr.

Oakland knows a thing or two about former Green Bay wideouts, considering James Jones was the team's most-targeted player last year, which resulted in 73 catches for 666 yards and six scores.

Adding a weapon such as Cobb changes everything. Not only does it eliminate the possibility of spending a high draft choice on one, it makes the lives of all players easier since he can line up in the backfield or split out wide.

Of all the names set to hit free agency, Cobb's may be the most interesting to monitor. Leaving Aaron Rodgers and perhaps annual shots at a Super Bowl may prove difficult, but how much cash Oakland and others dangle on the fishing line will be critical in his decision.

Note: Stats courtesy of NFL.com as of Feb. 26 at 9 p.m. ET. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus.