NFL Free Agency 2016: Rumors and Predictions for Key Offseason Targets

NFL teams can begin the serious business of rebuilding or reshaping their rosters this week as free agency gets underway in earnest.

Nearly all of the 32 NFL teams did a complete self-study at the conclusion of the 2015 season, and after those evaluations were made, free agents were evaluated.

Offers can be made to free agents starting Monday, and players will be able to sign new contracts Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET. Much of what has been discussed to this point has been speculation by observers and journalists, but as the offer period is just a day away from getting started, some of the rumors have quite a bit more credibility than others.

Mario Williams

Look for former Houston and Buffalo defensive end Mario Williams to give the Miami Dolphins serious consideration as soon as he is eligible to sign a new contract.

Williams, who was released by the Bills last week, went down to Miami to visit with the Dolphins, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

Williams has had some spectacular success during his NFL career, but he did not have his best year with the Bills under head coach Rex Ryan. The 30-year-old Williams had five sacks last season, after recording 14.5 in 2014 and 13 in 2013.

Williams has five seasons with double-digit sacks in his career, and there is no reason to believe he can't turn it around in a new system.

Look for the Dolphins to make him a substantial offer at the start of free agency.

Prediction: The Dolphins will be one of a number of teams that are interested in Williams' services, but he will be impressed by Miami's determination and willingness to make him a legitimate offer. Williams will sign with the Dolphins.

Chris Ivory

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The New England Patriots were just a couple of plays from representing the AFC and going to the Super Bowl in February, but they couldn't overcome Denver's powerful defense. One of the primary reasons for that was the Patriots became a somewhat one-dimensional team in the final weeks of the regular season and the playoffs as a result of injuries to running backs Dion Lewis and LeGarrette Blount.

Look for the Patriots to pay particular attention to the running back position in free agency and the draft. They are currently looking at free-agent backs like Alfred Morris, Joique Bell and Chris Ivory, according to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.

They are also looking at former Chicago Bear running back Matt Forte, who would probably be their first choice because of his versatility as a runner and a receiver. However, Forte is likely to cost the team that signs him a lot more than the other backs, and head coach Bill Belichick does not often spend big money on veteran running backs.

Prediction: Belichick is likely to hedge his bets by bringing in a free-agent running back and also drafting a player at that position. Look for the Patriots to sign Ivory, who is coming off 1,070-yard season and also proved to be a dependable receiver by catching 30 of 37 passes thrown his way. Signing Ivory away from the Jets makes him even more attractive to the Patriots.

Jeff Allen

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The Eagles had a lot of problems with their offensive consistency last season, and while many Eagles fans would like to put the blame solely on former head coach Chip Kelly, the team's undependable offensive line was just as big a culprit as their former leader.

The Eagles are looking to improve their O-line in 2016, and they may take a big step in that area during free agency. The Eagles are interested in signing Kansas City left guard Jeff Allen, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Allen, who started eight of the 12 games he played in last season, is not a superstar but was dependable when he was in the lineup.

He is likely to garner offers in the $5 million-per-year range, per McLane, and the Eagles are not likely to be the only team that pursues him.

Prediction: The Chiefs have let several offensive linemen leave through free agency in the Andy Reid era, but they may not be so quick to let Allen go without making a good effort to bring him back. Look for Allen's price tag to increase throughout free agency before returning to the Chiefs.