NFL Rumors: Highlighting Latest Draft Rumblings on Jameis Winston and More

Nothing beats the NFL rumor mill in late April. 

Sure, the trade deadline is a lot of fun. So is the approach of free agency.

But right now? Not only are there countless rumors surrounding NFL draft prospects and each team in the first round, there are also rumblings on player holdouts for offseason activities and even trade whispers surrounding one of the league's top quarterbacks.

It doesn't get any better. While this seems like a frantic period, it's just the calm before the storm with the draft on approach, an event that then gives way to a summer of whispers and shockers yet unknown.

Here's the latest.

Jerrell Freeman's Contract Situation

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Coming off a season in which the defense ranked 12th against the pass and 18th against the rush, the Indianapolis Colts are not in a position to lose a starter from last year over a contract dispute.

A holdout seems to be underway anyway thanks to starting linebacker Jerrell Freeman, who is absent from offseason workouts. Stephen Holder of the Indy Star breaks down the situation:

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Starting inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman, a restricted free agent who remains unsigned, has so far elected not to participate, according to an NFL source. And his absence – as well as his decision, thus far, to not sign the offer he was tendered – appears connected to a desire for a new contract.

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Freeman is 28 years old and recorded 94 combined tackles last year while missing four games. In each of the two years prior, he recorded a minimum of 126 tackles.

A stout run defender, another team can still sign Freeman to a long-term deal until Friday. The Colts can either match or let him go to the new team and receive a second-round pick in return.

It's not an easy position for the Colts to be in considering the team has plenty of other needs it would rather spend draft picks on soon, so keep a close eye on the budding situation.

The Philip Rivers Whirlwind

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The top quarterback mentioned above is Philip Rivers of the San Diego Chargers, although it's difficult to figure out how long the two sides will remain together.

Rivers is in the final year of his current deal and at 33 years old seems to want another long-term commitment.

As Bleacher Report's Jason Cole points out, he seems to realize the Chargers may not want to dish out such a contract, thus leading to trade rumblings with the Tennessee Titans involving the No. 2 pick in this year's draft:

It gets better, folks.

According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, there are those who believe both sides are walking a tightrope around the idea of an extension, the abyss below being the fact the franchise may relocate to a bigger market:

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As one well-connected source explained it to PFT within the past two weeks, far more likely than an imminent divorce between Rivers and the Chargers is the likelihood that player and team have launched a mating dance aimed at getting him signed beyond 2015. Rivers knows, if the Chargers move to L.A., that he’ll instantly have more value to a team that will be trying to win hearts, minds, and wallets in the nation’s No. 2 market — possibly in direct competition with the Rams or the Raiders.

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Hence why this time of year is so much fun.

Rivers is an elite quarterback, but it makes sense the Chargers want to be careful when it comes to a long-term commitment for a quarterback his age. On the other hand, he's smart to demand as much as he can get a year removed from throwing for 4,286 yards and 31 touchdowns.

This standoff figures to drag on for quite a long time unless the Chargers panic and want to start 100 percent over with a rookie quarterback. In other words, fans need to pay close, close attention to the upcoming draft.

Titans in the Mix for Winston?

Let's stick with those Titans for a minute.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt has an interesting prospect on the team by the name of Zach Mettenberger, a sixth-round pick last year, which leads some to believe the franchise would pass on one of the draft's top two quarterbacks at No. 2 and build the roster elsewhere.

Per Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com, though, the Titans like what they see with Florida State signal-caller Jameis Winston:

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The Titans have done their homework on Winston, and the team feels he "checks out," according to the source. The pending civil lawsuit against him connected to a sexual assault accusation for which he was never charged would not dictate the team's decision regarding Winston, the source said.

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Kuharsky goes on to note Winston "made a fantastic impression during his April 13 visit to Titans headquarters."

In other words, the Titans are going to get a quarterback one way or another. The long shot seems to be a trade for Rivers. If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take Winston at No. 1, then Oregon's Marcus Mariota sounds like he will suit up for the Titans. If the inverse occurs, Tennessee doesn't sound as if it will shy away from Winston.

As for Winston, this is nothing short of fantastic news. If the team with the No. 2 pick in the draft is impressed, it figures to mean most view his on-field potential as worth the risk.

While it doesn't guarantee Winston a spot in the top two on draft day, things seem to be inching in that direction.

Stats courtesy of NFL.com and accurate as of April 22. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus.