2016 NFL Free Agents: Predictions on Latest Rumors for Kirk Cousins and More

The NFL playoffs start Saturday as 12 teams begin their journeys toward a chance at playing in Super Bowl 50. However, there is no shortage of drama in the NFL—both on and off the field—which means free-agent rumors are flying as well.

While most of the free-agent focus centers on non-playoff teams, there is one big name that seems to be dominating headlines off the field in Washington—quarterback Kirk Cousins.

The 27-year-old former backup has risen to fame this year after breaking the franchise record for passing yards in a season and becoming the only Washington quarterback to throw a touchdown in all 16 games.

Let's take a deeper look at the future for the free agent-to-be as well as two other players who could end up elsewhere next season.

Cousins Will Like Getting Paid

The former Michigan State Spartans quarterback led Washington to just its second NFC East title since 1999, and he wasn't even the starter coming out of training camp.

That job of course belonged to Robert Griffin III, but after multiple knee injuries and an embattled relationship with team brass, it appears the former Heisman Trophy winner's days are numbered in D.C.

Now Cousins, who was taken in the fourth round of the same draft Washington took Griffin No. 2 overall, is going to get paid next season, and, per Albert Breer of NFL.com (via a source), "He's not getting out of the building." 

"Per sources, the Redskins intend to execute a blockbuster deal with their new franchise quarterback before the deadline to tag players in early March, but are fully prepared to franchise Cousins if they can't beat the clock," Breer wrote.

This is rather shocking, because if Cousins is tagged, he will make more than $19 million next season, per Breer, something that was laughable even three months ago.

What's laughable now is the fact nearly everyone doubted the fourth-year pro. In his first full season, he threw for 4,166 yards, 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. His 69.8 completion percentage led the NFL. 

Year	GP	Completion %	Yards/Game	TD/Game	INT/Game	W-L
2014	5	61.8	285.0	2.0	1.8	1-4
2015	16	69.8	260.4	1.8	0.6	9-7

While he had high touchdown and passing-yard numbers in just five games in 2014, he was not efficient, turning the ball over twice as much and winning just 20 percent of his games.

The man who is making just $660,000 this year is set for a huge increase, and it appears Washington is going to do all it can to make sure it is the team that ends up paying him.

Hopefully for its sake, Cousins likes that.

Tampa Needs Martin in the Backfield

Citing "mutual interest," the Tampa Bay Times' Greg Auman thinks running back Doug Martin could be back with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2016.

That sounds like great news for a team coming off a 6-10 season—where it lost its final four games—in which it fired its third head coach in seven seasons.

If Martin returns and teams with what should be an improved Jameis Winston at quarterback, Tampa Bay will have promise on the offensive side of the ball next season.

Auman thinks the 26-year-old Martin could land a deal somewhere in the four-year, $25 million range. It's risky nowadays to pay running backs big-time money because of their short shelf lives in the NFL, but you can't win without some kind of running game.

Martin had one this year, finishing second in the NFL with 1,402 yards on the ground. However, he has not proved he can be a consistent back in the league just yet.

Year	GP	Attempts	Yards	YPA	TD
2012	16	319	1,454	4.6	11
2013	6	127	456	3.6	1
2014	11	134	494	3.7	2
2015	16	288	1,402	4.9	6

He's had two disappointing, injury-prone seasons sandwiched between two solid seasons, although his touchdown total was low in 2015.

If Tampa lets Martin walk, it could turn to backup Charles Sims, who averaged 4.9 yards per attempt in 2015 but did not find the end zone once. The Bucs also could look for a running back in the draft, but that obviously is hit and miss.

If they want to take pressure off the young Winston and keep up morale after losing yet another coach, the Bucs need to make sure Martin is in the backfield in 2016.

Team ownership has proved to be impatient in the past, which makes it seem it will overpay Martin if need be, just to make sure the team doesn't have to go out and find another running back on top of already searching for a coach.

Jeffery May Not be in Chicago Next Season

Alshon Jeffery has played just 51 games over four years with the Chicago Bears, and he's already in the top 10 in receptions and receiving yards in team history.

The former Pro Bowler is a free agent and had great things to say about Chicago, but he didn't commit to anything, per Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune.

"I love the city of Chicago," Jeffery said. "But I'll let my agent and Mr. Pace deal with that situation."

Mr. Pace is general manager Ryan Pace, who said injuries are what played a part in some frustration for Jeffery this year, per Campbell.

"He was frustrated by his injuries," Pace said. "We were frustrated by his injuries. We've got to get a better grasp of that. Part of the evaluation of a player is his injuries and his availability. We'll take that into account. Going forward, we have a lot of confidence in our sports science team."

Those injuries are what caused Chicago to be hesitant to signing Jeffery to a long-term deal, but after a season in which he had 54 receptions for 807 yards and four touchdowns in just nine games, the Bears are rethinking that, per John Mullin of CSNChicago.com.

Jeffery is a bona fide star, averaging 87 receptions, 1,277 yards and 8.5 touchdowns in the two seasons he has played a full 16 games.

Chicago gave quarterback Jay Cutler a monster seven-year, $126 million deal prior to the 2014 season. It would make perfect sense to invest in the passing game as well.

However, just because the Bears want him back doesn't mean he'll be there in 2016. Jeffery can command a lot of money in free agency after making just under $1 million in 2015.

If another team can offer him his first big contract, why should he stay with one that has a mediocre defense and hasn't finished above .500 since his rookie season?

Look for Jeffery to jump ship and go to a team such as the Carolina Panthers who, by adding a star wide receiver, will be awfully tough to beat once again next season.