NFL Free-Agency Rumors 2015: Buzz on Cary Williams, Trent Cole and More

The final week before NFL free agency starts is always an interesting time. Teams are scrambling to renegotiate existing contracts with players, and if they can't come to an agreement, odds are good the player will find himself out of a job. 

Basically, it completely reconfigures everything that was originally thought about a free-agent class. All you have to do is look at the list of new names who will be looking for a new home. It's good enough to head an entire class on its own. 

With free agency set to begin on March 10, teams and players are making their rounds to determine what the best fit will be. Here is the latest roundup of rumors with five days before the new league year begins. 

Cary Williams On Seahawks' Radar

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

The already-loaded Seattle Seahawks secondary may need some help this offseason, depending on what happens with free agent Byron Maxwell, so it's no surprise the team is reportedly looking into Cary Williams. 

According to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun, Williams is visiting with Seahawks brass on Thursday:

Williams, who spent the last two years in Philadelphia, was released by the Eagles on March 3. He spent time with Tennessee and Baltimore before joining Chip Kelly's team in 2013. 

In a separate tweet from Wilson, he does note that Williams has had some baggage from his days in Baltimore even though the veteran cornerback could be interested in a return to the Ravens:

One thing about the Seahawks is they don't have a problem with big personalities. Just look at Richard Sherman and Marshawn Lynch for evidence of that.

Pete Carroll did take steps to get rid of Percy Harvin last year when the controversial wide receiver reportedly had many behind-the-scenes issues, per Seth Walder and Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. 

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Williams was critical of Kelly's practice schedule following a game against Washington last September, which likely didn't do much to endear himself to management after the season. 

Despite the off-field problems, Williams does fit Seattle's mold of what it looks for in a cornerback. He's tall and rangy at 6'1" with long arms. He's not physical in the way Carroll likes, which could limit the team's interest if things get to the negotiating stage. 

It would be in Williams' best interest to play in Seattle, as his life would be made easier by having Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas in the secondary to support him. He's only 30 years old with time to bring some upside to a defense. 

As long as Williams isn't asked to lead a secondary, he can be a quality player. The Ravens and Eagles needed him to be the No. 1 guy, whereas a team like Seattle can hide his negative qualities because of its incredible depth on defense. 

Trent Cole Visting Tampa Bay

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Speaking of former Eagles, Trent Cole is going to be a highly sought-after commodity after another productive season with 6.5 sacks. 

One team in need of many defensive upgrades is Tampa Bay, so it makes sense that ESPN's Adam Caplan reported Cole's first free-agent visit will be with the Buccaneers:

If there's one thing to note about Cole's free agency and potential market, it's spelled out nicely by Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer:

When Cole was drafted by the Eagles in 2005 under former head coach Andy Reid, they were using a primary 4-3 base. He recorded at least eight sacks in six consecutive seasons from 2006-11. 

Kelly took over two years ago, bringing with him a 3-4 scheme that pushed Cole to outside linebacker. He was still producing with 14.5 sacks since 2013, but no longer looked like the dominant force he did when playing defensive end. 

While the change in scheme played a role in Cole's drop in production, he's not a young man by NFL standards at 32 years old. There's always going to be a market for proven pass-rushers, regardless of age, but the level of interest will be interesting. 

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The Buccaneers, who utilize a 4-3 defense under Lovie Smith, certainly need help on the defensive line. They had just 36 sacks last year, tied for 21st in the league. Cole would be an upgrade to that unit, though it all comes down to what he believes he's worth and how high Tampa Bay should be willing to go. 

As long as the Buccaneers don't look to pay Cole the equivalent of what he was due to make with the Eagles, which was $10 million in 2015, via Spotrac, they should have no problem engaging him in talks. 

Packers Open to Reunion with A.J. Hawk

One area of need for the Green Bay Packers this offseason is at inside linebacker. They cut ties with A.J. Hawk on February 25, releasing him with one year left on his contract. 

At the time, Packers general manager Ted Thompson, in a statement on the team's website, made it sound as though Hawk would not be returning: "He was a durable and consistent contributor to our success, but more importantly, he is a great person and teammate. The Packers are grateful for all that he has done on the field and in the community. We wish A.J., his wife Laura, and the rest of their family all the best."

Fast-forward to March 5, and Bob McGinn and Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported the Packers are open to a reunion with Hawk, but with a caveat:

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A source familiar with the situation said the team left the door open for his possible return after releasing him Feb. 25.

Probably the only scenario for a return by Hawk would be if the Packers weren't satisfied with their depth at inside linebacker in early May after veteran free agency, the draft and college free agency.

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You can understand why the Packers will wait to see what they end up getting before deciding if Hawk is in their plans. Despite being a staple of Green Bay's defense since being taken fifth overall in 2006, his raw numbers made him look better than advanced metrics graded him out to be.

Per Khaled Elsayed of Pro Football Focus, whose rankings date back to 2007, Hawk's only full season finishing with a positive rating was 2012. Elsayed also wrote Hawk's run defense was "rarely impressive." That's a rather important skill for an inside player to have. 

Considering the Packers seem likely to wait until after the draft, which runs from April 30-May 2, Hawk may decide not to wait for his former team if another offer comes along when free agency starts on March 10. 

A lot of things are possible in the NFL, especially when it comes to spending money, but Hawk's tenure in Green Bay feels like it ended for good on February 25.