2016 NFL Free Agents: Predictions for Big Names Based on Latest Rumors, Reports

Joe PantornoJan 15, 2016

As the NFL divisional round approaches and the coaching carousel is in full throttle, some big-name football players are currently on the free-agent market and could be on their way to new homes in the coming weeks or months.

Here's where I think three notable names will land this offseason based on the latest rumors surrounding them.

Could Bradford Follow Chip?

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Bleacher Report1w

Bleacher Report1w

Bleacher Report1w

The Sam Bradford experiment in Philadelphia was a resounding failure. There's no way around that. In a weak NFC East, the Eagles under head coach Chip Kelly were just one of the numerous inept teams in that division.

When Kelly was canned back in December, Bradford, who is an unrestricted free agent, was not pleased with the organization's decision, according to Sports Illustrated's Peter King:

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Bradford won’t be motivated to return to Philadelphia over any other team now that free agency looms. His agent, Tom Condon, is a get-the-most-you-can-regardless-of-team guy, and Bradford isn’t crazy about Philadelphia the city anyway. He probably wishes there was a team in his favorite place, Oklahoma City. And who’s to say the next coach—current offensive coordinators Adam Gase of Chicago and Doug Pederson of Kansas City are popular early names—will want Bradford at $18 million a year or more?
"

Kelly spearheaded the Eagles' efforts to acquire Bradford from the St. Louis Rams during the 2015 offseason, handpicked to lead the head coach's explosive offense.

There wasn't much to suggest that he'd be an overwhelming success, considering he played in just seven games over the past two seasons. But Bradford put up a career-best 3,725 yards with a 65 percent completion percentage in his one season with Kelly.

And that got CBS Sports' Mike Clay thinking:

This, of course, depends on outside parties. The 49ers have Colin Kaepernick signed through the 2020 season, per Spotrac.com, but teams like the Cleveland Browns could be interested in acquiring him.

If Kaepernick were to leave, then there would be an open spot for Bradford. However, the Eagles could get Bradford back depending on his liking to their new coach. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Eagles will hire Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson after their playoff run is finished.

Prediction: Bradford stays with Eagles

Matt Forte

For the past eight seasons, the Chicago Bears' offense has been kept afloat by the dual-threat ability of running back Matt Forte out of the backfield. But with injuries and the emergence of running back Jeremy Langford, Forte's time in Chicago seems up as he enters free agency.

Coming off the heels of a four-year, $30.4 million contract, Spotrac valued Forte at around $7.3 million per year, which is expensive for a running back who will turn 31 in 2016. That number could also keep other teams away as well, as Spotrac explains:

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First off let’s be clear here: It’s extremely unlikely that at 30 years old, Matt Forte pulls in a contract averaging $7M+ per year. The reality here is that in terms of calculated production, Forte sits as an above average Running Back and an above average Wide Receiver. In 2014, Forte was 4th in the NFL with 102 receptions. When he’s healthy (and he has been most of his career), he’s still a yards from scrimmage hog, and his ability to be flexed around offensive schemes makes him valuable to plenty of franchises. His pay will likely be based on how a team plans to use him. He’s worth much more as a receiver than a running back.
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If his price comes down, there could be teams that are ready to pounce. Rotoworld's Evan Silva speculates as to one playoff team that Forte could flourish with:

In the revolving door that is the New England Patriots backfield, Dion Lewis was one of Tom Brady's biggest weapons as a dual threat when healthy. Nothing points to Lewis leaving New England, and that could create a devastating platoon behind Brady.

But there will surely be other teams that could promise him the lion's share of carries next season, which would be awfully difficult for the veteran to turn down. One of those teams is the Dallas Cowboys, unless they believe Darren McFadden can produce next season.

The Tennessee Titans could also use a running back, but if it turns into a bidding war with the Cowboys, I'm taking Dallas all the way.

Prediction: Forte signs with Cowboys

Eric Weddle

Free-agent safety Eric Weddle hates the San Diego—or Los Angeles—Chargers.

After fining him for watching his daughter perform at halftime during a game, the team placed him on injured reserve to end the season, even though he seemed healthy, per Sean Wagner-McGough of CBS Sports.com.

According to Wagner-McGough, Weddle said it's unlikely he will speak to the Chargers again.

When the 31-year-old safety is given the opportunity to play against the Chargers, he won't hold back, per the San Diego Union-Tribune's Michael Gehlken.

"I hope we kill them,” Weddle said. “That’s the only way I know how to [play]. Whoever I’m with, I’m rolling with. … We’ll see. I’m sure [the matchup] will happen."

One of the better safeties in the league, the three-time Pro Bowler hasn't received much reported interest. But according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Weddle "would welcome a Dolphins offer, but he would be costly."

Weddle is coming off a five-year, $40 million deal that spanned his prime seasons in the league. While he still is a valuable defender who will do anything he is asked of, a 31-year-old safety might not make the same money as a 26-year-old would.

The Dolphins aren't new to shelling out some serious cash for players, though. For a team that finished 6-10 in 2015, the salaries of Miami's top players seem fit for a perennial playoff team: