NFL Free Agency 2015: Latest Rumors and Predictions for Top Names on the Market

With the legal tampering period opening up on Saturday, the floodgates have opened for reports about potential destinations for NFL free agents.  Though contracts technically can't be negotiated, under-the-table agreements tend to leak out in this time, making this the soft opening for the free-agency frenzy.

Given that the salary cap is expected to rise considerably over the next few years, expect several teams with flush pockets to set new benchmarks at certain positions.  Ndamukong Suh could threaten J.J. Watt's record-setting deal for a defender, DeMarco Murray may revive the cratering running back market and defensive backs Darrelle Revis and Devin McCourty could each sniff the top contracts at their respective positions.

Within the next two to three days, hundreds of millions of dollars worth of contracts will have been handed out and/or agreed upon.  Looking at the latest buzz surrounding free agency's biggest fish, let's make some pre-free-agency predictions as to where these stars may ultimately land.

Chargers in Suh Sweepstakes

Given that Ndamukong Suh will likely command a nine-figure contract with over $50 million in guaranteed money, the parameters of such a deal will naturally trim down Suh's potential employers.  Though the field of suitors is relatively small, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport has reported that the San Diego Chargers could emerge as serious contenders for the All-Pro defensive tackle:

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NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Saturday that the San Diego Chargers are preparing to make a run at Suh, per sources informed of the team's plans.

San Diego would be an interesting choice for Suh. Defensive coordinator John Pagano currently runs a 3-4 base set. He could view Suh as a movable piece, à la J.J. Watt. Suh is strong enough to hold his own on the inside, yet agile enough to shift outside when needed. Regardless of where he plays along the line the 28-year-old would immediately upgrade a weak run defense.

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Suh has thrived in Detroit's 4-3 during his career, but in reality, he played all over the line as a Lion.  Thus, Suh likely wouldn't have any issues transitioning to the 5-tech spot in San Diego's 3-4 base, especially when considering that he could shift to a more natural position in sub packages.  The Chargers, who ranked a meager 27th in Football Outsiders' Adjusted Sack Rate last season, could certainly use a disruptive playmaker to spice up a bland front seven.

However, other recent reports have strongly suggested that the Miami Dolphins are the clear front-runners to land Suh.  Though the Fins currently have just $9.5 million in cap space, per OvertheCap.com, Miami could free up an additional $10.6 million by cutting Dannell Ellerbe and Randy Starks, while Charles Clay's $7.1 million transition tag figure could be reduced with a long-term extension.  Indeed, Bleacher Report's Jason Cole has already portrayed the Dolphins as heavy favorites:

San Diego does have a healthy $26.3 million in cap space, but some of that will go toward an extension for top cornerback Brandon Flowers.  All reports have suggested a resolute determination by Miami's front office to eclipse the 8-8 type of mediocrity that has defined their organization in recent seasons.  Suh wouldn't guarantee a playoff berth in South Beach, but he would certainly invigorate a lagging franchise.

Prediction: Suh to Dolphins, 6 years/$100 million, $50.8 million guaranteed

Suitors Lining Up for Forsett

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Justin Forsett was one of last season's most unlikely Cinderella stories, stabilizing a Baltimore Ravens backfield that had been decimated by chaos and garnering 1,529 yards from scrimmage in his age-29 season.  Now, it appears a bidding war could reward the late-bloomer with a handsome payday:

Rapoport's tweet probably needs revision after New Orleans re-upped Mark Ingram to a four-year, $16 million deal late Saturday night, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.  However, ESPN Falcons beat reporter Vaughn McClure had previously suggested that Atlanta would be interested, and after cutting Steven Jackson, the Birds have a vacuum in their backfield.

Baltimore doesn't have much flexibility this offseason and figures to lose several key in-house free agents (more on that in a second).  However, with the disgruntled Bernard Pierce and inexperienced Lorenzo Taliaferro as the fallback options, the Ravens could be forced to turn to the draft if Forsett leaves.  Consequently, general manager Ozzie Newsome has explicitly made Forsett a top priority, according to The Baltimore Sun's Aaron Wilson:  

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He doesn’t have the wear and tear, and Justin did a very good job of coming in, competing and then being our bell cow. We would like to retain Justin...Having Justin here, and with the opportunity also bringing in hopefully another young running back, to have Justin be around that guy would be an asset also. So, we will work to try to retain Justin.

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Newsome's first point is the most important one, as Forsett had just 347 career rushing attempts before last season's 235-carry workload.  Even with offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak's departure, Marc Trestman's spread system should still accentuate Forsett's receiving skills and slippery agility in space.  Look for the Ravens to finally provide Forsett with his first stable NFL home.

Prediction: Forsett to Ravens, 3 years/$12 million, $4 million guaranteed

McPhee to the Desert?

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Whereas Baltimore figures to make a strong play to retain Forsett, breakout pass-rusher Pernell McPhee is the type of luxury the Ravens can't afford right now.  McPhee represents one of the great conundrums teams face every free-agency period, as he's been a star in situational small samples, but he has never played the three-down role that would demand the type of hefty contract he's likely to land.

McPhee figures to receive no shortage of suitors given his formational versatility, especially from teams that run hybrid one- and two-gapping systems.  The Arizona Cardinals, who blitzed with almost reckless abandon last season to mask a lack of viable pass-rushers, are now reportedly looking at McPhee as a replacement for a longtime starter:

The Darnell Dockett comparison is a strange one, as McPhee seems ill-equipped to become a two-gapping 5-technique in base packages.  One wonders how he might fare as the Leo edge-rusher in a 4-3 team, similar to the role Michael Bennett has thrived in for the Seattle Seahawks.  As Grantland's Robert Mays opines, extracting the most value from McPhee would likely entail moving him around rather than tethering him to a single role on the line:

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What worries me about McPhee is how a team goes about using him when he’s making $9 million a year as its best or second-best pass-rusher. Players making that kind of money typically end up coming off the edge, but that seems like a waste of McPhee’s versatility...Part of McPhee’s effectiveness last year came from his ability to surprise offensive tackles with power, but if he’s seeing Joe Thomas for 50 plays a game, that opportunity to be a change-of-pace rusher goes out the window. Teams need to keep that in mind before opening the vault.

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For now, McPhee reuniting with old defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano in Indianapolis makes too much sense to refute.  While the Colts don't have the hybrid defense that would seemingly mold to McPhee's versatility, Indy does have the desperate need for an edge-rusher and will certainly pay top dollar with nearly $40 million cap room.  It feels like a virtual certainty that McPhee's employer will get panned for overpaying a one-trick specialist, but the market conditions will likely dictate a rich reward for his 2014 breakout.

Prediction: McPhee to Colts, 4 year/$36 million, $16 million guaranteed