NFL Free Agency 2015: Contract and Destination Predictions for Top Players

Sunday signifies the beginning of March. While many sports enthusiasts associate the third moth of the year with college basketball's March Madness—an absolutely enthralling tournament—it also begins the NFL's free-agency period.

Most years, there are a few top-tier free agents who are set to make bank when they strike new deals; however, that doesn't appear to be the case in 2015. This year's crop of veterans slated to hit the open market features some of the league's most dominant players—all they need is a team willing to bust open its checkbook and show them the money.

At this point of the offseason, speculation runs rampant, as everyone is looking to predict which players each NFL franchise is likely to gain—and lose—before the new season begins. Let's go ahead and take that one step further by predicting the destinations and contracts for the top three free agents.

Ndamukong Suh, DT, Detroit Lions

One of the league's most terrifying defenders, Ndamukong Suh is a force against the run—the Lions boasted the NFL's best run defense in 2014—and he's accumulated 36 sacks over his first five seasons. The defensive tackle is seeking a J.J. Watt-esque deal upwards of $100 million. While Detroit would love to keep him in the fold, that may be a little too high of a price tag.

After all, Lions general manager Martin Mayhew had this to say regarding the defensive tackle's demands, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press:

There's always the option of the franchise tag, right? Well, maybe; however, applying the tag to Suh will cost Detroit $26.9 million next season since his previous cap number was $22.4 million and he would receive a 20 percent raise.

That said, only a team willing to spend some huge money in free agency will be locking down this defensive tackle, and Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported two interested parties: the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Oakland Raiders.

Both of those teams have excessive cap space and will likely be in hot pursuit of Suh during the free-agency period. Which team will win out? Based on how each team looks right now, the Raiders have more holes to fill, leaving the Jaguars with the upper hand.

Prediction: Suh signs with the Jaguars on a five-year, $86 million deal

Justin Houston, OLB, Kansas City Chiefs

Speaking of highly disruptive defenders, Justin Houston is slated to hit the open market this offseason after leading the NFL with 22 sacks in 2014. The linebacker isn't a one-year wonder, as he's tallied double-digit sack totals in each of the past three seasons. Expect him to get paid.

Houston and Kansas City have attempted to put a long-term deal in place, but nothing has come to fruition with free agency looming. As expected, rumors regarding a potential franchise tag surfaced as well. Here's the problem with the franchise tag: The Chiefs would need to pay Houston roughly $13 million this season, and that would severely cut into their ability to fill several other holes in the roster.

Still, according to a tweet from Pro Football Talk, general manager John Dorsey seems optimistic Houston will remain with the team:

That does put the Chiefs in a quandary. They appear willing to tag Houston, but that move would hinder their financial flexibility. Before this scenario's final prediction, there's one thing to keep in mind. A franchise tag can serve another purpose: keeping a player in the fold while allowing the two sides extra time to work out a long-term deal.

Prediction: Chiefs tag Houston, work out a five-year, $77 million deal shortly after

Dez Bryant, WR, Dallas Cowboys

Dez Bryant really came into his own during the 2014 regular season, hauling in 88 receptions for 1,320 yards and a career-high 16 touchdowns. That marks the third consecutive season in which the wide receiver has accumulated at least 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Still, the word from Pro Football Talk is Bryant will be receiving the franchise tag this season:

That's an interesting choice considering Bryant's consistent production. However, the Cowboys must take many facets of the talented pass-catcher into consideration. Bryant has a rather long list of run-ins with the police and a situation from 2011 is still unresolved. A short-term deal may be in the best interest of the Cowboys franchise.

Well, as you could probably guess, Bryant isn't too happy about the idea of receiving the franchise tag rather than a long-term deal, and according to ESPN's Ed Werder, he may begin a holdout:

This is a very interesting situation, as Bryant certainly has the talent to warrant a lucrative deal that would make him one of the highest-paid receivers in the league. Although, the way things look right now, don't expect any kind of long-term contract to take place until after the 2015 season.

Prediction: Bryant plays 2015 season under franchise tag worth $12.7 million