2016 NFL Free Agents: Latest Rumors and Predictions After Week 17

Led by Alshon Jeffery, the 2016 NFL free-agent class might be the most loaded in recent history. 

Or maybe it's led by Von Miller. Or Josh Norman. Or Eric Berry. Or Doug Martin.

See the point?

With the playoffs set, the majority of the NFL turns its attention toward other things, such as the draft and free agency, where teams can find the proverbial missing piece and begin or continue to contend.

Below, let's take a look at the most recent rumblings around the top names and break down predictions for where said names might head—or stay.

Alshon Jeffery's Long-Term Status

Anyone could see from Jeffery's sophomore campaign—89 catches, 1,421 yards and seven touchdowns—that he was well on his way to becoming one of the league's top-paid players.

Then this year happened, where Jeffery could only appear in nine games while catching 54 passes for 807 yards and four scores. Speculation ran rampant that it would make the Chicago Bears shy away from a long-term deal.

Or not.

According to John Mullin of CSN Chicago, Chicago isn't scared about a lengthy commitment despite the injuries:

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But indications now are that the Bears are seriously interested in the possibilities of a long-term deal with the highly productive wide receiver who is squarely in his playing prime. If contract numbers cannot be mutually agreed upon, the Bears still can secure Jeffery for one year with their franchise tag, or at least extend their negotiating window without Jeffery going uncovered into free agency next March.

"

And why not? Like Mullin goes on to point out, the cost to, say, slap a franchise tag on the star wideout actually figures to be more expensive than the yearly commitment number in a long deal.

It's hard to imagine Jeffery going anywhere else. One year littered with injuries shouldn't shy away a franchise like the Bears, especially seeing as they're not really in a position to let such a key building block walk.

Other teams will come calling if Jeffery hits the market, of course. But if push comes to shove, Chicago won't balk at preventing that entirely with the tag. So goes life in the modern NFL.

Prediction: Jeffery re-signs with the Bears.

Kirk Cousins, Franchise Quarterback

Michael Perez/Associated Press

Get used to the above. 

Cousins took over this year for Washington, much hoopla about Robert Griffin III aside. He ended it, too, completing 69.8 percent of his passes with 4,166 yards and 29 touchdowns to 11 interceptions.

From the sounds of it, Washington wants to reward Cousins for leading the team to an NFC East title and the postseason by getting him an extension. ESPN's Josina Anderson provided the details:

It's hard to imagine a quarterback could struggle much with weapons such as DeSean Jackson and Jordan Reed to lean on, but Washington isn't exactly in a position to toy with the idea of trying out another one.

The sky's the limit for Washington right now, an organization focused on the postseason and not retaining talent. Yet. Remember, this is Washington, the organization accustomed to "winning" free agency, only to see things not work out.

In other words, expect the front office to do whatever it takes to keep Cousins off the market in what is a quarterback-thirsty league.

For the first time in a long time, Washington can "win" free agency by focusing on its own players.

Prediction: Cousins re-signs with Washington.

The Eric Weddle-San Diego Chargers Split

Ben Margot/Associated Press

Sorry, those would be spoilers in the title.

Eric Weddle, one of the league's best safeties, won't be getting back together with the San Diego Chargers.

Weddle didn't get a contract extension this past offseason and went on to appear in just 13 games this year. He still ranked as the league's 12th-best safety at Pro Football Focus, so allegations he mailed it in would be quite silly—but it wasn't a banner year, either.

Regardless, folks should know the story now. Weddle failed to tell the team he was staying on the field at halftime of a recent game to watch his daughter dance. What came next was a punishment, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune:

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Weddle did not tell team officials beforehand that he was staying on the field. He should have done that. But he missed a seven-minute halftime and a much shorter address by defensive coordinator John Pagano during the intermission in a game in which the Chargers had a 23-0 lead. The team did not have to penalize him for what it termed “conduct detrimental to the team.”

"

After, Weddle's representation, DEC Management, offered a cryptic message on Twitter. According to Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com, Weddle was placed on injured reserve "against his wishes" and seemingly protested by running sprints at practice before missing the team's final game.

So no, Weddle won't be back with the Chargers. He's 31 years old, so the odds San Diego wanted him back in the first place while going into a sort of rebuilding phase while potentially relocating seemed slim, anyway.

Some team will want to pay up for Weddle, though, as safety isn't exactly the most loaded position in the league. Look for it to be a team such as the Oakland Raiders, who will lose Charles Woodson this offseason but want to stay in the postseason hunt and can offer Weddle a consistent shot at his former team, who he parted with on not-so-kind terms.

Prediction: Weddle signs with Oakland. 

Stats courtesy of NFL.com and accurate as of January 4. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.