2015 NFL Free Agents: Rumors and Predictions for Notable Veterans

NFL training camps have officially opened for the 2015 season, which makes the start of free agency in March seem like a lifetime ago. 

However, now is the perfect time for the NFL rumor mill to get cranking again. As teams take stock of their talent, note existing holes and drop and add players accordingly during camp practices, those veterans who have been lingering on the market for months could finally warrant additional looks. 

Three veterans who were once near the top of their respective positions—running back Chris Johnson, guard Evan Mathis and tackle Jake Long—have all been the subject of recent NFL rumors. Let's take stock of the chatter surrounding these players and predict what comes of the existing reports. 

Free-Agent Market Weak for RB Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson, whose 30th birthday is fast approaching, surpassed 1,000 yards in his first six seasons in the NFL, only falling under that benchmark in 2014.

Last season, Johnson posted 663 yards and just one touchdown despite playing in 16 games with the New York Jets in his first year after leaving the Tennessee Titans. New York elected not to exercise its second-year option on Johnson, who entered the 2014 season coming off of knee surgery, making him an unrestricted free agent. 

To make finding a team for the 2015 season even more difficult, Johnson suffered a shoulder wound during a drive-by shooting in March. 

It's safe to say, given his 2014 production and offseason injury, that Johnson is a risky free-agent target, which explains why he's still available despite his history of monster production (2,006 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns in 2009, anyone?).

But will the market improve for the veteran?

In late July, NFL Network's Rand Getlin reported Johnson's agent had been in contact with the Dallas Cowboys. 

Dallas should have one of the best offensive lines in football this season, and its backfield is currently uninspiring. Veteran Darren McFadden began training camp on the PUP list, as ESPN.com's Todd Archer reported.

Joseph Randle is a young up-and-comer, but he is hardly proven as a feature back. Then, there's Lache Seastrunk and Gus Johnson. 

Chris Johnson could be an intriguing short-term veteran, but it doesn't sound like the Cowboys are really all that interested, per 105.3 The Fan's Mike Fisher. 

So Johnson will continue to wait to be wanted, and we'll continue to wonder if he has another 1,000-yard season in him. At the rate of interest he's receiving on the market, we may never find out.

Prediction: The Cowboys pass on Johnson.

G Evan Mathis' Price Tag Too High for Jets

It's somewhat surprising that Evan Mathis, who was the second-best guard in the NFL in 2014, per Pro Football Focus, remains an unsigned free agent. 

That is, until you see his price tag. 

According to Justin Tasch of the New York Daily News, New York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan spoke with Mathis' agent, but his current price tag appears to be too rich for New York's blood. 

Per Tasch:

"

The Jets have a hole at right guard and could use Mathis, who played right guard in Philadelphia. They have Willie Colon (knee), who was activated off the PUP list Saturday, Brian Winters and Brent Qvale as options. Mathis would represent a clear upgrade over those options, but nothing appears to be imminent between he and the Jets as Mathis searches for significant money. He was set to make $5.5 million this season and $6 million in 2016 and even with those salaries was asking for a raise.

"

According to Spotrac, Tampa Bay's Logan Mankins is currently the league's highest-paid guard when it comes to average salary at $8.5 million per season. Mathis' desire for a raise indicates he feels he is in the top echelon when it comes to NFL guards, but the question is whether a team agrees. 

Even if the Jets feel Mathis deserves more than $6 million a season, they may not be able to swing it financially. Per Tasch, citing Spotrac, the Jets currently only have about $5.2 million in available cap space. 

Maccagnan seemed to indicate in comments made August 1 that perhaps he doesn't feel Mathis' value is as high as the player and his agent seem to think it is. 

"Obviously Evan's a good player, but as this thing plays out a bit we'll get a better feel for that," Maccagnan said, per Tasch. "The thing is too is that Evan might have a value he's looking for right now that may not be in the value that some of the teams want to potentially spend on him."

There's no denying that whichever Jets quarterback starts in Week 1, be it Geno Smith or Ryan Fitzpatrick, will need an improved offensive line in order to be successful. There's no doubt Mathis would be an improvement over Colon, Winters or Qvale…but at what cost?

Prediction: The Jets and Mathis cannot come to terms.

T Jake Long Medically Cleared by Giants but Has No Contract

After two consecutive ACL tears in his right knee in two seasons, tackle Jake Long is traveling around the league, hoping to prove to a team he can still play on his surgically repaired knee. 

A positive development in that respect is the fact that the New York Giants medically cleared Long on his second visit with the team, and he participated in an on-field workout, Jordan Raanan of NJ.com reported. 

However, Long did not sign a contract with New York.

Per Raanan, "Long left East Rutherford and the Quest Diagnostics Training Center before signing a contract. It appears the four-time Pro Bowl tackle's intention is to visit the tackle-needy Denver Broncos next."

In addition to the Giants and the Broncos, Long has also visited with the Atlanta Falcons. So far, reports are unclear on whether Long has received offers to sign that he is considering but has not accepted or is still waiting for one of the teams with whom he has visited to make an offer. 

But, as Raanan pointed out, the Giants need a veteran tackle badly and "wouldn't have brought Long back a second time if they weren't serious." Perhaps Long just wants to see if there are greener pastures to be found. 

In his last season with the Miami Dolphins in 2012, Long graded out as the No. 21 tackle in the league in pass-blocking efficiency, out of 72 players, by Pro Football Focus.

However, he only played 22 games over two seasons in 2013 and 2014 with St. Louis, and after the second time he tore his right ACL, the Rams cut him. 

Long is a solid left tackle when he's healthy, but any team that signs him this offseason is taking a calculated risk. 

Prediction: Long signs with Giants.