2016 NFL Free Agents: Predictions for Josh Norman and Top Names Ahead of Week 17

Mere days remain in the 2015 NFL regular season, which means it's time for fans and front offices alike to start thinking about free agency.   

While free agency isn't slated to open until March 15, per the Times-Picayune's Evan Woodbery, the sheer quality of talent set to get paid deserves attention months before the signing frenzy gets underway. 

So with a new league year on the horizon, here's a look at some of the most fascinating names who could hit the open market this spring. 

Josh Norman, CB, Carolina Panthers

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

Josh Norman has solidified his place as one of the NFL's top cornerbacks all season long, per NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano, and he's slated to cash out on a superb contract-year performance when the season comes to a close. 

The question is, how much is Norman worth to the Panthers' high-flying defense? 

If we look at the total cash values of the league's highest-paid corners in 2015, it's clear Norman deserves to be near the top of the list. Darrelle Revis rightly ranks No. 1 at $16 million this season, per Spotrac, but the three players below him are Kareem Jackson, Jimmy Smith and Byron Maxwell.

And as Sporting News' Jason Fitzgerald explained, Norman should easily slide into that esteemed financial bracket: "Norman, a better player than Maxwell, will look to become the NFL's highest-paid corner, which means topping the $14 million-per-season mark. He could even exceed that number if considered the league's best at his position."

However, if Carolina wants to retain Norman and avoid shelling out top dollar over a four- or five-year period, it may need to defer to the franchise tag. 

But as Fitzgerald explained, there are likely to be a couple of casualties to retain Norman—even if it's with the franchise tag: "If they use the tag, the Panthers would have to shuffle their roster to fit Norman. They’ll have about $16 million in cap space, but with the possibility of no long-term contract being reached, that’s not much with which to work."

Ultimately, it's hard to envision the Panthers letting Norman test the open market. There are plenty of young teams with gobs of cash ready to spend, and Carolina can't afford to let Norman get stolen by a club that has more financial flexibility. As Fitzgerald suggested, the franchise tag makes the most sense. 

Prediction: Carolina retains Norman with the franchise tag. 

Kirk Cousins, QB, Washington Redskins

Mark Tenally/Associated Press

Considering he's making a meager $660,000 in the final year of his rookie deal this season, Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins is headed for a massive raise this offseason. 

And at this point it feels like a matter of when—not if—Washington will ink Cousins to a long-term deal, according to the Washington Post's Mike Jones: 

"

The Redskins remain undecided when it comes to Cousins’s value, and contract talks between the team and the quarterback’s representatives have not yet reached advanced stages, two people with knowledge of the situation said. However, the team’s decision-makers find themselves in agreement over Cousins: He’s their starter long term, and not merely a bridge quarterback.

"

A scan of the NFL's highest-paid quarterbacks shows Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson leading the way with average annual incomes of $22 million and $21.9 million, respectively, with Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning and Philip Rivers occupying the three slots just below them. 

In other words, don't bank on Cousins residing in that elite tier. However, it's not inconceivable to think Cousins could garner an average annual salary in the $16-18 million range, which would put him in the same class as Andy Dalton, Carson Palmer, Alex Smith and Matthew Stafford. 

With an accurate arm, plenty of pocket presence and a knack for showing up in clutch moments, Cousins has proved himself worthy of a long-term commitment from the Redskins as they seek to build on this season's positive gains.  

Prediction: Washington signs Cousins to a hefty long-term extension. 

Alshon Jeffery, WR, Chicago Bears

Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press

When healthy, Alshon Jeffery has been one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. The only problem is he's rarely been healthy for sustained periods of time this season. After appearing in all 16 games during the 2013 and 2014 campaigns, Jeffery has been hounded by hamstring injuries. 

But even with injuries hindering his ability to stay on the field, Jeffery has established himself as Jay Cutler's most reliable target and one of the league's most dynamic deep threats. Entering Week 16, he was targeted a whopping 94 times in nine games. During that abbreviated span, the 25-year-old caught 54 passes for 807 yards and four touchdowns. 

"When he's out there, he's a force for us," Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase said, according to the Chicago Tribune's Dan Wiederer. "He makes a big difference, and I think defenses have to account for him."

Without Jeffery, Chciago's aerial attack suffers tremendously. He accounted for four of Chicago's seven touchdown receptions by wide receivers entering Week 16, and the team has largely been devoid of reliable pass-catchers with tight end Martellus Bennett on the shelf.  

The return of rookie Kevin White next season will assuredly help matters, but the fact remains that the Bears desperately need Jeffery running routes on the outside to add another dimension to their offense.

Wiederer mentioned the Bears' best route may be slapping Jeffery with a $12.8 million franchise tag based on his injury history, and it's hard to argue with that logic. But if Chicago's confident Jeffery can return to form on a full-time basis next season, he could be worth a more significant investment. 

At present, Calvin Johnson, A.J. Green, Julio Jones, Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas are the five highest-paid receivers, with T.Y Hilton, Mike Wallace and Vincent Jackson checking in behind them. That's a group Alshon belongs in based on pure playmaking ability alone. 

And considering Wallace is earning an average annual salary of $12 million, Jeffery should have no problem breaking into that upper echelon should Chicago decide he's worth a long-term deal. 

However, Wiederer's franchise-tag theory is too good to ignore based on recent history. Chalk that up as the most sensible solution entering the New Year. 

Prediction: Jeffery is signed to the $12.8 million franchise tag. 

All salary information courtesy of Spotrac.com unless noted otherwise.