2015 NFL Free Agents: Rumors and Predictions for Top Available Players

Anticipation continues to mount as the start of the 2015 NFL free-agency periods draws closer, and the same can be said for rumors and speculation.

Although it isn't yet clear which players will hit the open market and which will be retained either through a long-term deal or a franchise tag, there have been plenty of rumblings regarding teams wanting to make a run at some of the marquee guys that may become available.

As teams position themselves to make some noise in free agency, here is a look at some of the biggest rumors making the rounds in addition to predictions for top players on the verge of free agency.

Randall Cobb

No position in the 2015 free-agent class is more stacked with talent than wide receiver. Randall Cobb is among the very best wideouts on the verge of hitting the open market, but the Green Bay Packers would certainly prefer to keep him.

The 24-year-old speedster is coming off a season in which he set career highs across the board with 91 catches for 1,287 and 12 touchdowns. With Cobb emerging as one of quarterback Aaron Rodgers' favorite targets, Packers general manager Ted Thompson recently made it clear that he will do his best to keep Cobb in the fold, according to Tyler Dunne of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

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We're working on several different levels with several different people. Like I say, it's no secret. We say the same thing every year, we mean it. It's not a secret that we try to keep and maintain our own guys as much as possible. We feel like that's a good investment for the organization. We feel like, especially, if we have good people like we do, we'd like to do that. We're trying to do that with Randall.

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Green Bay would obviously love to sign Cobb in a perfect world, but there are plenty of teams who are waiting to throw stacks of cash at a player of his caliber.

One of those teams, per ESPN.com's Bill Williamson, is the Oakland Raiders:

Quarterback Derek Carr was impressive last season as a rookie, but he didn't have a ton of talent around him. Former Packer James Jones served as his No. 1 receiver, but he is best in a complementary role, which would be possible with the acquisition of Cobb.

Williamson also mentioned that the Packers aren't expected to let Cobb hit free agency, but that possibility increases the longer the two sides go without reaching some type of deal.

Cobb may be able to get more money and an even greater role if he goes to Oakland; however, he is in a great position on a top team with an elite quarterback throwing him the ball in Green Bay.

Due to the level of success that Cobb has had with the Packers, they should be able to find some common ground and consummate a new contract.

Julius Thomas

Few tight ends in the NFL have been as dynamic and productive as Julius Thomas over the past two seasons. With the Denver Broncos having to deal with multiple big-ticket free agents, though, re-signing him may not be in the cards.

Thomas has racked up 12 touchdowns in consecutive seasons, and although his yardage total dropped to 489 in 2014 due almost exclusively to injury issues, he is undoubtedly an elite tight end when he is on the field and healthy.

He has been lifted by the play of quarterback Peyton Manning, so there is some concern about his ability to be as effective elsewhere. Denver definitely seems to be the best fit for Thomas provided Manning returns in 2015, although that hasn't been resolved yet either.

According to Bleacher Report's Jason Cole, Manning may be willing to restructure his contract in order to allow the Broncos to sign his athletic tight end:

At the same time, Thomas' agent, Frank Bauer, told Mike Klis of The Denver Post that there is a divide of sorts between his client and the organization:

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The Broncos came to me, we tried to get it done, it didn't work. Does Julius love Denver? Yes. Does Julius love the fans there? No question. Does he love the organization and the community? Look at what he does for kids in that town. But for some reason people are trying to tear him down. In my opinion what they're doing by tearing him down is pushing him away.

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With negotiations between the two sides seemingly at an impasse, ESPN Denver's Cecil Lammey is reporting that both the Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars are showing interest:

Atlanta would be an intriguing fit since wide receivers Julio Jones and Roddy White are already in place, while quarterback Matt Ryan is among the best players at his position.

If any team needs to make a splash, though, it is the Jags. They have been the NFL's doormat for far too long, and it is time for them to swing for the fences.

Quarterback Blake Bortles needs a weapon whom he can truly trust, and Jacksonville will provide him with one in the form of Thomas.

Josh McCown

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

With the quarterback market looking dire to say the least, veteran signal-caller Josh McCown has seemingly become something of a hot commodity.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released the 35-year-old veteran on Feb. 11 following a disappointing 2014 season that saw him throw 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Despite his struggles in Tampa, though, quarterback-needy teams are taking a long look at the 12-year veteran.

Per Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News, the Buffalo Bills are currently trying to negotiate a contract with the former third-round pick:

The Bills have company, though, as the Cleveland Browns are also in hot pursuit, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com:

Buffalo turned to veteran Kyle Orton under center last season when second-year quarterback EJ Manuel struggled. On the heels of Orton's retirement, however, Manuel is the only truly experienced passer remaining on the roster.

At the very least, though, the Bills would conceivably like to bring in some competition. McCown has largely been mediocre over the course of his career, but he posted a remarkable 85.1 QBR in eight games with the Chicago Bears in 2013, so there is a certain mystique surrounding him.

The Browns are in a similarly tough situation with Brian Hoyer about to hit free agency. Cleveland also has Johnny Manziel, but there are definite question marks regarding his ability to be an NFL starter.

Other options like Mark Sanchez or Jake Locker will be available for the team that doesn't land McCown, but both teams appear serious about making it happen.

Due to the fact that the Bills don't have a first-round pick, they may be more willing to pay a higher price for McCown than the Browns, who just so happen to have the Bills' first-rounder.

While he may not be an ideal option, look for Buffalo to come to terms with McCown and allow him to battle Manuel for the starting job.

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