NFL Free Agents 2016: Rumors, Predictions for Biggest Stars to Hit Market

The NFL playoffs and Super Bowl 50 have to be played before 2016 free agency hits, not to mention Week 17 to decide the postseason picture.

But personnel departments and fans more fascinated with the roster-building process already have an eye toward what will happen on the open market this offseason. A number of big names will be free to sign with any team they choose, but most of their current organizations will do whatever it takes to keep them.

In addition to addressing some of the latest rumors that have surfaced on free agency, let's predict what will happen to a few of the notable stars who are going to be available to any team willing to pay the price.

Washington Reportedly Believes in Cousins as QB of Future

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Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports the Redskins are "sold" on Cousins enough to tell his representatives they want to begin contract talks immediately as of December 20. La Canfora adds Washington would franchise Cousins if need be and likes his leadership, makeup and level of play.

Mentioning Cousins among the "biggest stars" seems somewhat laughable. Critics of his might not "like that."

But the Washington signal-caller has delivered an NFC East title in the nation's capital and is suddenly a hot commodity on the open market. The problem is, it doesn't appear as though Cousins' current team will permit other suitors to get hold of him.

The importance of the quarterback position automatically raises Cousins' standing among free agents. Few may realize he enters Week 17 with an NFL-best 69.5 percent completion rate and a healthy 7.56 yards per attempt.

Stud tight end Jordan Reed gave Cousins quite a ringing endorsement recently, saying, per Redskins.com's Stephen Czarda, "I have seen a lot of confidence and growth from him. I think that he is one of the best quarterbacks in this league and he can be one of the best and get us to the Super Bowl."

Former NFL star safety Ryan Clark alluded to how the combination of Cousins and Reed has helped Washington exceed expectations:

And there is at least some further statistical evidence to back up Reed's claims about his QB beyond Cousins' mere precision.

Passer rating isn't everything, but Cousins' mark in that category is higher than a number of other perceived elite QBs such as Cam Newton, Philip Rivers, Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers.

Cousins has done enough to at least ensure he'll get a long look as Washington's face of the franchise. He's improbably eclipsed Robert Griffin III as the cornerstone to build around at the most important position, and the Redskins have a second division title in four years because of it.

Eric Weddle Seems Likely to Leave Chargers

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Based on the contract spat he had with San Diego prior to the regular season and the episode Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported on Monday, Weddle's future as a Charger is extremely murky.

Acee reported Weddle was "furious" and "stunned" at being fined $10,000 for watching his daughter perform at halftime of the Chargers' Week 15 home game against the Miami Dolphins.

The following tweet from David Canter, Weddle's agent, appears as indicative as anything his client won't be with the only franchise he's ever played for in the future:

Weddle has been among the best players at his position for years, yet San Diego didn't see him as enough of a priority to lock him up for the long haul prior to 2015. It may well find life even more difficult without Weddle off a season in which the Chargers currently sit at 4-11.

The 30-year-old safety's services will be coveted as ever. Having such a savvy free safety to anchor the secondary is invaluable for any team in the modern pass-happy NFL.

It especially makes sense for San Diego to avoid any further trouble with Weddle and let him walk considering its high draft position. Players such as Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III and Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey will be available for the Chargers to upgrade their defensive backfield if they opt to go that route.

Hargreaves is a bit undersized in the mold of San Diego standout Jason Verrett but is nevertheless exceptional in man coverage. Ramsey is more of a logical replacement at safety for Weddle, though the latter's experience and leadership are intangibles the Chargers are bound to miss.

Broncos Can't Let Von Miller Go

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Denver has established too good of a culture under general manager and QB legend John Elway to let a quality player such as Miller escape the Mile High City.

Miller is a rare pass-rusher whose impact can't be minimized and is a big reason why the Broncos have arguably the league's best defense. Their trio of corners in Aqib Talib, Chris Harris Jr. and Bradley Roby are all the more dangerous with Miller hounding opposing passers.

With Peyton Manning's massive cap figure on the books for one more year at most, the investment to keep Miller is both affordable and well worthwhile.

The situation under center is a bit unclear with Brock Osweiler also hitting the open market, yet Denver doesn't need much more than a game manager in the coming years to be a contender. The pieces are in place on this roster for Osweiler or another mid-level starter to position the Broncos for a Super Bowl run.

But the zone-blocking running game and continually exceptional defense will be the identity Denver builds around. Miller had 10 sacks this season among the 47 the Broncos accrued entering Monday's game against Cincinnati, but he has affected many more plays than that.

Opponents must account for Miller's tremendous explosiveness off the edge and double-team him, which opens up chances for teammates to make plays.

There aren't any rumors to suggest Miller will leave—and don't expect the Broncos to even let such chatter surface before they pay the first-team All-Pro.