NFL Free Agents 2015: Rumors, Speculation and Predictions for Available Targets

Think of Tuesday as the initial drop in the roller coaster that is NFL free agency.

Sure, it may be the most exciting part of the ride with a number of league-shifting moves, but there are plenty of twists and turns on the immediate horizon. With cap room to spare and free agents to sign, teams are still on the lookout for roster improvements.

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

Justin Forsett 

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Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun passed along an update on running back Justin Forsett:

It is not surprising that the Ravens are interested in bringing Forsett back. After all, he revitalized the team’s rushing attack last season and finished with a career-best 1,266 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.

He helped lead the Ravens into the playoffs and finished with 129 rushing yards in the divisional-round loss against the eventual champion New England Patriots. Even though he turned in an impressive individual performance, Forsett's recent comments show he was clearly not pleased with that game, via Garrett Downing of BaltimoreRavens.com:

"

That taste is still bitter in my mouth. I still want to go back and replay those plays and those mistakes that we made, and wish things could be different. That’s why an opportunity to come back to the Ravens would be interesting to me, and trying to get back to a championship.

"

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

That type of motivation will certainly be welcomed in Baltimore if the team does bring Forsett back.

The thought here is that Baltimore will re-sign Forsett, especially since he only had a combined 115 carries in his three previous seasons. That means Forsett doesn’t have a lot of miles on his odometer and is coming off a career season.

Prediction: Forsett stays in Baltimore.

Eddie Royal 

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Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune noted that the Chicago Bears appear to have an interest in wide receiver Eddie Royal:

There is a lot to digest with this rumor, including the fact that the Bears just traded receiver Brandon Marshall to the New York Jets, as the Jets officially announced Tuesday. Royal may not be quite the same caliber receiver as Marshall, but Chicago needs to replace the lost production that went to New York with that trade.

Royal finished with 778 receiving yards and seven touchdowns with the San Diego Chargers in 2014 and has experience as a kick returner as well.

Of more interest is the fact that Royal played his rookie season with the Denver Broncos and current Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler. Not only did Royal play, he put up a career-best 980 receiving yards that season.

Cutler may not be the most popular athlete in Chicago right now, but he clearly had a connection with Royal that season. If the two can rekindle that alongside wide receiver Alshon Jeffery and running back Matt Forte, the Bears may not miss Marshall as much as some expect in 2015.

Chicago will realize the importance of adding another receiver after that trade and pull the trigger with Royal. 

Prediction: Royal signs with the Bears.

Curtis Lofton 

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Adam Caplan of ESPN reported that the Oakland Raiders have their eyes on linebacker Curtis Lofton:

Lofton has played his entire seven-season career in the NFC South with the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints, but the Raiders are hoping to introduce him to life in the AFC in 2015.

Oakland certainly needs the help on defense after it finished 21st in total defense, 16th against the pass, 22nd against the run and dead last in scoring defense in 2014. That’s right, not a single team in the entire league gave up more points per game than Oakland last season, so it should come as no surprise that it is trying to bolster that side of the ball.

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Lofton is also a veteran who could theoretically serve as a mentor for budding star Khalil Mack. What’s more, Lofton has never missed a game in his entire career and has the durability that teams are looking for in today’s NFL.

Oakland needs help on defense, and Lofton appears to be readily available. Between his consistency and potential to serve as a mentor to Mack, this pairing makes sense.

The Raiders will bring him aboard. 

Prediction: Lofton signs with Oakland.

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