NFL Rumors: Latest Evan Mathis Trade Chatter and Free-Agent Buzz Making Rounds

Almost a week deep, NFL free agency and the surrounding parts are beginning to slow. 

In time, the focus will turn back to the NFL draft, but not before some of the biggest names find new homes and at least one other major trade comes to fruition.

To date, this has been one of the stranger beginnings to free agency in quite some time. The New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles are downright odd in their respective approaches, while the rate at which owners continue to throw around millions is staggering.

Even stranger is what might come next.

Suitors Line Up for Michael Crabtree

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What, forget about Michael Crabtree? 

The former Texas Tech standout is one of this offseason's more confusing situations. Crabtree has not only taken a back seat to Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas, Randall Cobb and Jeremy Maclin, even Torrey Smith, Andre Johnson, Percy Harvin, Kenny Britt and Brian Hartline have new homes before him.

What's the issue? For one, Crabtree played in just five games in 2013. Two, his production is all over the place, including last year's odd results despite high target numbers:

SEASON	GP	REC	TGTS	YDS	TD
2009	11	48	86	625	2
2010	16	55	101	741	6
2011	15	72	114	874	4
2012	16	85	126	1,105	9
2013	5	19	33	284	1
2014	16	68	108	698	4

There is a proverbial light at the end of the tunnel for Crabtree, though, as ESPN's John Keim reports a pair of teams have an interest:

Both destinations make sense. San Diego is all about giving Philip Rivers more options outside of Keenan Allen. Washington has a strong starting two with Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson, but with questions under center, there is no such thing as too many strong weapons.

The thought seems to be that Crabtree has plenty left in the tank as he heads toward his age-28 season. He's a shell of his former self by comparison to his pre-Achilles tear form, but with the market running dry, he is a high-upside player at a low risk.

The Greg Hardy-Oakland Divide

See why this offseason still has confusing scenarios?

Greg Hardy is still on the commissioner's exempt list, complicating matters when it comes to any potential deal and his future destination.

According to Jordan Schultz of The Huffington Post, though, this has not stopped some within the Oakland Raiders organization from throwing around Hardy's name:

For what it's worth, Hardy's agent—Drew Rosenhaus—seems positive about his client's status.

"It's a very positive situation," Rosenhaus said, per ESPN.com's Adam Schefter. "While we're waiting to hear from the league, we're working through it, and it has been very encouraging."

Regardless, it shouldn't shock anyone that the Raiders might be on the hunt for help in the pass-rush department. The defense generated just 22.0 sacks last season.

If Rosenhaus is right, though, the Raiders may not be alone in potential interest for a 26-year-old end who had 26 total sacks in 2012-13 before appearing in only one game last season.

There's an inherent risk when it comes to Hardy, and the NFL is yet to make a decision under its personal-conduct policy after domestic-violence charges against him were dropped in February, per The Associated Press (h/t NFL.com).

For now, Hardy is one of the more interesting names to watch—by association, as the only team known to the public, so are the Raiders. 

Evan Mathis on the Move? 

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Does anyone think coach Chip Kelly and the Eagles don't have more moves up their sleeves?

Think again—the front office may want to trade one of the league's best guards, Evan Mathis. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport provides the scoop:

Mathis, 33, played in just nine games last year due to a knee injury and is a $6.5 million cap hit in 2015 and a $7 million hit in 2016, per Spotrac.

Despite an injury-riddled campaign last year, Mathis still ranked as the No. 2 guard in the NFL at Pro Football Focus. That's not anything new—he ranked No. 1 in 2013, No. 1 in 2012 and No. 1 in 2011.

It seems many teams should have an interest in Mathis, but only one seems to be public knowledge at this point—the New England Patriots.

Jeff Howe of The Boston Herald breaks down the interest:

"

They have expressed interest in acquiring Eagles left guard Evan Mathis in a trade, according to a source. It appears the Eagles are poised to move Mathis, who was a Pro Bowler the past two seasons, but it's unclear how many teams are in the bidding and how realistic the Patriots' chances would be to land the 33-year-old.

"

Good luck figuring out how much Mathis is worth to the Patriots, or any team. The last thing most teams want to do is throw so much cash at an interior lineman when the players on the edges are much more important in today's pass-happy league. 

That seems to be Philadelphia's thinking in the first place when it comes to putting Mathis on the block. Whether New England or some other team is willing to make the sacrifice for an upgrade is one of the key things to watch in the coming weeks. 

Note: Stats courtesy of NFL.com as of March 14. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus.