2015 NFL Free Agents: Latest Rumors and Predictions on Chris Johnson and More

With the approach of August comes NFL training camps around the country, and not long after comes the first preseason contest. 

Believe it or not, it also means the rekindling of the league's rumor mill. With plenty of free agents out on the open market and teams in need of depth and summer bodies, the beast will continue to creep out of hibernation as the days go by.

Former Cincinnati Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham joining the Arizona Cardinals seemed to jump-start things. Now the mill is lighting up once more as some big names still hope to put ink to paper.

Let's take a look at the latest.

Greg Little's Market

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

Remember Greg Little, the 2011 second-round pick who is just 26 years old?

Little spent three seasons with the Cleveland Browns, then joined the Bengals last season before the team cut him this past February.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, there is one team interested in helping Little revive his career:

The New York Jets wouldn't be one of the first teams to come to mind, but hey, if head coach Todd Bowles and the front office view the former North Carolina star as an upgrade, why not add him and see what he has over the course of the summer?

Little's numbers won't blow anyone away, but the per-catch averages aren't terrible:

SEASON	GP	REC	TGTS	YDS	TD
2011	16	61	121	709	2
2012	16	53	91	647	4
2013	16	41	99	465	2
2014	6	6	12	69	0

The Jets added Brandon Marshall this offseason to run with Eric Decker, and they also brought on rookie Devin Smith. Adding Little to the mix would improve depth, and Little has sat on the market this long without much in the way of rumblings.

In other words, it sounds like a smart fit.

Prediction: Little signs with the Jets.

Arizona's Tight End Situation

Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press

The aforementioned Cardinals aren't done despite the addition of Gresham. 

A sense of desperation at the position makes sense. Along with Gresham, who is still recovering from back surgery, a depth chart topped by names such as Troy Niklas, Darren Fells and others doesn't give quarterback Carson Palmer the sort of weapons he needs to win.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Cardinals are willing to take a risk on retired veteran Chris Cooley this summer:

Cooley walked away from the game after the 2012 season and has spent recent years in the radio booth, but the 33-year-old hasn't been shy about his desire for a comeback.

"If I went to camp, I could be anybody's third tight end, worst case," Cooley said, per ESPN.com's John Keim. "I have no doubt. Any team in the NFL, I could be their third tight end. There's not a question in my mind."

It's an odd stance for a veteran of Cooley's age to take, but the Cardinals won't mind having a veteran around to guide a needy position and do the dirty work. Given the fact that Arizona is one of the neediest teams at the spot, the match seems perfect. 

Prediction: Cooley signs with the Cardinals. 

CJ2K Update

Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

In recent years, CJ2K has looked more like CJ?K, but it doesn't mean the NFL will just turn a blind eye on a 29-year-old running back with plenty of ability to make contributions. 

Chris Johnson is far from his 2,000-yard self back in 2009, with the numbers over the course of the past four years telling a tale of decline and lack of prominence in a backfield:

SEASON	GP	ATT	YDS	AVG	TD
2011	16	262	1,047	4.0	4
2012	16	276	1,243	4.5	6
2013	16	279	1,077	3.9	6
2014	16	155	663	4.3	1

Last year, Johnson joined the New York Jets as the supposed home run hitter in their backfield rotation, but as the usage numbers show, it never panned out. Now teams see him as a rotational player at best, and NFL.com's Rand Getlin hears the Dallas Cowboys might have such an interest in the idea:

The Cowboys might represent Johnson's last chance to lead a backfield. Gone is DeMarco Murray, in is Darren McFadden, a veteran who is even further down the rabbit hole known as decline—he has just one 16-game season under his belt in seven attempts thanks to a body that just cannot hold up under the rigors of his violent running style.

Behind McFadden are backups Joseph Randle, Lance Dunbar and Ryan Williams. So no, Johnson might not have a ton of trouble getting adequate snaps in Dallas. He might even experience a bit of a renaissance as defenses focus on the high-flying ways of Tony Romo and the offense.

For the Cowboys, such a signing would be about options. For Johnson, it's about relevance and chances. Look for the two sides to put ink to paper.

Prediction: Johnson signs with the Cowboys.

Stats courtesy of NFL.com and are accurate as of July 27. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.