2015 NFL Free Agency: Rumors and Predictions Before Signings Become Official

NFL free agency feels like it's over before it's even technically begun, as so many deals were leaked early (much to the chagrin of the league office). Ah, but there are still plenty of teams out there looking for free agents and plenty of talented players available.

Let's break down some of the rumors surrounding some of those players and predict where they'll end up.

DeMarco Murray

The problem for DeMarco Murray as he seeks huge money is that there is essentially a thin market for his services.

Philadelphia needs a running back but traded away LeSean McCoy in large part to avoid paying major money at the position. Arizona could use another back but have a pretty good feature back already in Andre Ellington.

Maybe Jacksonville will go after him, but how much money will they shell out for his services after they reportedly agreed to terms with tight end Julius Thomas, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport? Meanwhile, Indianapolis will be signing Frank Gore, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. 

See the issue here? The market for Murray isn't exactly vibrant. 

So it appears the Cowboys played their hand perfectly here, and according to Rapoport, the two sides are still in communication:

Todd Archer of ESPN has more:

"

However, it's not clear how involved the discussions got in terms of a contract. Jones told ESPN last week that the Cowboys would make a "respectable" offer to Murray before free agency begins Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.

The Cowboys also met with Johnson at the NFL scouting combine in February.

"

Sure, maybe the Cowboys and Murray aren't exactly close on a new deal right now. But with other running backs already switching teams—and cheaper alternatives available on the market like C.J. Spiller and Ryan Mathews—Murray's market value appears to be diminished.

Maybe a suitor will step up at the last moment—the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, perhaps—but for the moment, I'd be surprised if Murray ended up elsewhere. 

Prediction: Re-signs with Cowboys 

Ryan Mathews

Rob Carr/Getty Images

Mathews isn't as reliable as Gore. He isn't as talented as Murray. He isn't as explosive as Spiller. Thus, he's probably a backup plan for most teams and a player the San Diego Chargers would like to bring back but won't break the bank to do it.

The two sides are at least talking, per Michael Gehlken of the U-T San Diego:

Maybe Philadelphia, in the wake of losing Gore, will offer Mathews a decent contract, but given his injury history and middle-of-the-road talent, I doubt any team is going to shower Mathews with cash. He'll end up back in San Diego. 

Prediction: Re-signs with Chargers

Tramon Williams

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

With the top tier of corners accounted for, Tramon Williams seemed likely to be a popular target for teams looking to bolster their secondaries, but recent events might make him invaluable to the Green Bay Packers.

Consider this, from Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette:

Or this, from Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Williams, who will be 32 at the start of next season, is generating more tepid interest around the league. The Eagles are kinda, sorta interested, per Geoff Mosher of CSN Philly:

And the Raiders are poking around Williams, per Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle:

In the end, Williams probably has the most value in Green Bay. Don't be surprised if the veteran returns to the Packers.

Prediction: Re-signs with Packers