NFL Free Agents 2015: Rumors and Predictions Surrounding Notable Free Agents

Fall is approaching, and the NFL preseason is underway, much to the delight of its millions of fans. The middle weeks of August give teams an opportunity to get their first real look at their new rosters in action.

But as the regular season approaches, there are still some players looking to break back into the league and find a new home as teams search for quick fixes at positions they find need improvement. 

Here is a look at a couple of notable free agents, the latest buzz surrounding them and where they might end up come September. 

Jake Long

The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 draft has seen his career pushed to the brink due to a number of injuries, including ACL tears, and he has not played an entire season since 2010. 

It's his injury history that has made teams so wary of signing him, but the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons have shown interest during the offseason. 

Long met with the Giants at the end of May and again at the end of July shortly after seeing the Falcons. 

A contract has not been offered to him yet, but according to the New York Daily News' Ralph Vacchiano, there still is a chance for Long in New York after the Giants' first preseason game:

While the running game put up 106 yards in their 23-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, pass protection was lacking for the Giants, who allowed two sacks and saw their quarterbacks constantly pressured.

With starting left tackle Will Beatty set to miss the entire 2015 season with a torn pectoral muscle, rookie Ereck Flowers is listed as the Giants' starter.

However, he has been dealing with hip flexor issues throughout the preseason, according to Elliott Smith of CBSSports.com. He hasn't missed significant time, but blocking Eli Manning's blind side is no simple task, and leaving these responsibilities to a rookie might not get the job done. 

A four-time Pro Bowler like Long would certainly be the answer the Giants offensive line is looking for, but it all depends on just how healthy he can stay. 

His presence alone could provide depth to the position and help Flowers even if the Giants' worst fears happen and he is injured yet again. Gaining tricks from one of the game's best tackles when healthy can help Flowers' development.

Prediction: Long signs with the Giants.

Ray Rice

The controversial running back, despite his last year of legal trouble, is still on the market for a new team. 

The problem for Rice is that no one in the league seems ready to take the man that became the face of domestic violence in the NFL. 

However, there's a team in Ohio that might take a chance on the former Super Bowl champion, according to Michael David Smith of NBCSports.com. But while he believes the Browns are not ready to sign Rice, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport says this inquiry is not over yet:

Cleveland is not happy about its current running back situation, as running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery told Pat McManamon of ESPN.com: "The disappointing thing was that all those guys approaching here and not being in tip-top shape. I think that was a total setback, and now they are climbing back uphill and that’s why they’re taking a back seat right now." 

Montgomery is speaking about Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West, who showed flashes of starting capabilities last season when they each gained over 600 yards in split time. But a rushing group that does not seem ready to assume starting responsibilities is a hurdle for a side that is also trying to establish a passing game, too. 

With new quarterback Josh McCown without wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, who is battling hamstring problems, a rushing game is needed to open up opportunities for an aerial attack.

While Bowe recovers, McCown will have to rely on Brian Hartline, who recorded just 474 yards receiving last year after two big seasons in Miami in which he recorded over 1,000 yards in 2012 and 2013. When defenses zero in on Hartline, the rushing game will have to be relied on. 

If West and Crowell are not in tip-top shape to deliver a two-headed threat in the backfield, the Browns will have to resort to desperation. 

Enter Ray Rice. 

While he saw his numbers decrease from 1,364 yards in 2011 to 660 in 2013, Rice could be too good of an option to pass up. The three-time Pro Bowler has basically had a season off to rest, though it was not of his choosing, and he will be keen to show that he can still make it in the league. 

Despite his size, he is an incredibly hard runner who could inspire a Browns team that has been mired in mediocrity for much of its existence. 

That being said, Cleveland's backfield would gain a target, as Rice would be the center of some unwelcome attention, but the team should be used to that with the maturation process of Johnny Manziel. If the Browns truly believe that Rice is a better option than what they have and they can negotiate a reasonable contract, Rice could be in the "Dawg Pound." 

Prediction: Rice signs with Cleveland during Week 3 of preseason.

Stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com.