NFL Rumors: Latest Trade and Free-Agency Buzz Heading into Second Wave

The first wave of NFL free agency is behind us, but that doesn't mean the action has to cease. 

In what has been one of the most active seasons for trades in recent memory, the excitement continues: More swaps of players and draft picks are on the horizon, including for a particular big-name running back. 

Read on for information on that potential trade, as well as other rumors about two more offensive-weapon free agents. 

Adrian Peterson

Jordan Schultz of NBC Sports Radio's Kup & Schultz shared on Sunday that the Arizona Cardinals and the Minnesota Vikings could be involved in a mega-trade that would send Adrian Peterson and a seventh-round pick to Arizona in exchange for a second-round pick to Minnesota. 

Per Schultz, Arizona is Peterson's "top choice."

The Dallas Cowboys, the team in Peterson's home state, decided not to wait on Peterson and signed Darren McFadden to a two-year deal worth up to $5.85 million, as ESPN's Adam Schefter reported.  

Though running back is a key need for the Cardinals in 2015, they would do well to address the position in free agency and thus consider a pass-rusher or an inside linebacker in Round 1, which may be a better use of their first-round selection. 

As for Peterson's future with the Vikings, "nothing was resolved" in the meeting he had with Vikings owners on March 9, per his father and via Chris Tomasson of TwinCities.com. 

Peterson is under contract with Minnesota through 2017, and though he has a base salary of $12.75 million, via Spotrac.com, it is not guaranteed. 

This move would allow Minnesota to address positions of need such as offensive line and wide receiver twice relatively early in the draft, and continue to build the roster around young quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. 

Charles Clay 

Though the Miami Dolphins have placed the $7.071 million transition tag on tight end Charles Clay, they have "moved on" from him and expect him to become a Buffalo Bill, per Tim Graham of The Buffalo News. 

The Dolphins were forced to place the tag on Clay after reports that the Denver Broncos and Bills were eager to sign him, but they have "lost patience" with the tight end, per Graham. 

Miami signed free-agent tight end Jordan Cameron, which certainly makes it easier to jettison Clay. Still, there's something to be said for giving quarterback Ryan Tannehill consistency—he has now lost pass-catchers Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson, and it's looking likely that he'll lose Clay, as well. 

Clay had a disappointing season in 2014, starting 14 games with 58 receptions, 605 yards and three touchdowns. But he's a versatile player, able to line up as a fullback with excellent blocking skills. 

Clay's underwhelming season could have been the result of lingering injuries, and if he does have another performance like his 2013 campaign in him, Miami's division rival, Buffalo, may be the team to benefit from it. 

Stevie Johnson

Wide receiver Stevie Johnson left his visit with the San Diego Chargers just before the weekend without signing a deal, but the visit was "positive," per Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego. 

Per Gehlken, Johnson is expected to make a decision no later than Monday, but he also has received interest from the New England Patriots, with whom he will visit Monday. 

The Chargers lost wide receiver Eddie Royal to the Chicago Bears last week, and two of Philip Rivers' other top weapons, Antonio Gates and Malcom Floyd, are entering the final years of their contracts in addition to being almost 35 years old, as Gehlken points out. 

Though Johnson's production has fallen since he signed with the San Francisco 49ers last season—he had a career-low 435 yards over 13 games last season, but he started only one—playing with a more refined pocket passer like Philip Rivers for truly the first time in his career could lead to a spike in his production. 

And, almost equally as important, Johnson is only 28 years old, so he could be a weapon around which the Chargers could build, along with Keenan Allen and Ladarius Green.

By the end of the day Monday, we should know if Johnson will be staying in the West or looking to move East.