NFL Rumors: Buzz Surrounding Ndamukong Suh, Brandon Marshall and More

The real March Madness happens every year during NFL free agency when teams across the league attempt to immediately bolster their postseason chances by adding expensive stars looking for contracts.

The 2015 offseason is stacked with impact players who will likely bring in big-time contracts and help shape the playoff race next season. 

With that in mind, here is a look at some of the latest rumors circulating around the NFL.

Ndamukong Suh 

Michael Silver of NFL.com passed along an update on Ndamukong Suh:

It is little wonder that the Oakland Raiders are interested in the superstar defensive tackle. In fact, the only surprise surrounding Suh this offseason will be when there are teams that are not interested in him (unless they cannot afford him).

Suh is a one-man wrecking crew along the defensive line and requires a double-team on almost every play. Even when he isn’t the one making a sack or bringing down the running back behind the line of scrimmage, his presence opens up holes for his teammates to make plays.

Matt Ludtke/Associated Press

Gregg Rosenthal and Chris Wesseling of NFL.com named Suh the best free agent available this offseason and declared him a future Hall of Famer:

"

Outside of quarterbacks and the two unanimous All-Pros (J.J. Watt, Rob Gronkowski), Suh and Odell Beckham are the two unique talents around whom we would most like to build a franchise. A double-team defeater against the run as well as the pass, Suh is on a Hall-of-Fame career path. Suh is likely to hit free agency after the Lions chose not to use the franchise tag on him. 

"

Suh has 36 career sacks and would undoubtedly help the Raiders on the defensive side. Oakland finished 22nd against the run and 16th against the pass in 2014, but both of those numbers would look better with Suh on board. He is the premier player on the market this offseason.

Brandon Marshall 

Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports noted that the Chicago Bears may look to trade superstar receiver Brandon Marshall:

As Bleacher Report's Jason Cole noted in the above video, the Indianapolis Colts are a potential destination.

On paper, it may seem borderline crazy to trade an impact receiver who topped 1,000 receiving yards every single season from 2007-13. However, he dealt with injuries last year and only tallied 721 receiving yards.

But Eric Edholm of Yahoo Sports passed along what is likely the real reason Chicago is trying to trade Marshall:

New coach John Fox may try to go a different direction after the Bears were a disaster in 2014, and getting rid of Marshall would certainly qualify as doing just that.

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

The Bears already have another potential No. 1 option in the passing game in Alshon Jeffery who is younger than Marshall. What’s more, they could improve the locker room with a potential trade given Edholm’s update, which is important any time a new regime takes over the leadership role.

Perhaps this trade actually does make some sense from Chicago’s perspective.

Brian Hartline

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com provided an update on wide receiver Brian Hartline:

Hartline topped 1,000 receiving yards in 2012 and 2013, but his production significantly dropped off in 2014 when he tallied 474 receiving yards and only two touchdown catches. However, he is still only 28 years old and has a proven track record as a No. 2 option in the passing game.

Interestingly, Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill thought the team should have gotten Hartline more involved during the season, via Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel: "I think we have to get him involved. He's such a consistent player that can be great for us in the pass game. To make teams defend both sides, Mike (Wallace) as well as Brian, I think it's important for us."

The Houston Texans make some sense considering they will likely move on from receiver Andre Johnson after he asked the team to release him. DeAndre Hopkins is a budding star at the position, and Hartline could take advantage of single-coverage looks he would get lining up on the opposite side.

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

The Cleveland Browns are another intriguing option since Josh Gordon was suspended once again and there is a need at the position. What’s more, Hartline played his college football at Ohio State, and there is something to be said for coming back home (although Hartline probably wouldn’t be asked to pen an essay for Sports Illustrated like someone else who came back to Cleveland). 

Hartline may not draw the same types of headlines as Suh or Marshall, but he has put up impressive numbers before. Whichever team signs him will certainly hope he can do that again in 2015.

Follow me on Twitter:

Follow @ScottPolacek