NFL Free Agents 2016: Latest Rumors and Predictions for Top Names on the Market

With NFL free agency set to hit Wednesday, teams are working tirelessly to re-sign players they hope to retain and scouting those they want to add.

There are a number of solid running backs who could end up with a new team, and the Houston Texans are desperately in need of one after cutting the oft-injured Arian Foster.

Let's take a look at where some of the top running backs could end up and why a backup quarterback has teams clamoring for his services.

Texans Keeping Their Options Open

Houston and Foster have parted ways after seven years and four Pro Bowls.

Foster only played a full 16 games twice during his time with the Texans, and it was time for him to move on. Now, the Texans are looking to add a new running back to go with backup Alfred Blue, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle:

That's a good list of names to fill Foster's shoes, and Texans fans would be happy with any of them.

Doug Martin is coming off a season where he finished second in the NFL in rushing, while Matt Forte had 1,287 yards from scrimmage in just 13 games. However, at 27, Martin is three years younger than Forte and could command more money.

John Middlekauff of 95.7 The Game doesn't see how the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won't re-sign him:

Lamar Miller's 872 rushing yards don't look great, but he did average 4.5 yards per carry and had 10 total touchdowns for the Miami Dolphins.

Chris Ivory had a career year with the New York Jets, finishing fifth in the NFL with 1,070 rushing yards.

Expect the Texans to make a strong push and land one of these running backs unless they decide to look to the draft for Foster's replacement. 

RGIII in the Headlines Again

Robert Griffin III burst onto the scene in 2012, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors as he looked to validate Washington owner Daniel Snyder's decision to sell his soul on draft day to land the former Baylor Bear.

Fast-forward four years and just 22 underwhelming games later, and Griffin is on his way out of Washington. He has thrown just 20 touchdowns compared to 18 interceptions since his rookie year, and did not play last season after losing his starting job to Kirk Cousins.

His rushing yards have decreased every season since 2012 after he suffered a gruesome knee injury in the playoffs against the Seattle Seahawks.

Even so, Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman said multiple teams are interested in the:

"

Despite all that we know about [Griffin], according to interviews with a half-dozen front-office talent evaluators, he remains the most intriguing figure in the free-agent sweepstakes that begin this month. There are at least 10 teams giving Griffin a hard look, these sources say.

Maybe 15. Maybe more.

"

Freeman writes that teams think they can transform him into a pocket passer despite the fact he made a living using his legs before the injury. Some teams even believe he can still be a franchise quarterback.

If healthy, Griffin possesses athleticism matched by only a few quarterbacks in the game. And while he has never proved for more than one season he can be successful, it might make sense for a team to use him as a backup and see what he can do in a limited a role.

The Kansas City Chiefs could be a good fit, as they might lose backup Chase Daniel, who hopes to be a starting quarterback one day.

Multiple Teams In Mix for Williams

Four-time Pro Bowl defense end Mario Williams was released by the Buffalo Bills last week after four seasons, 43 sacks and one All-Pro award.

Multiple teams are interested in adding the former No. 1 overall pick, including the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants, per Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports:

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Williams will visit the Giants, but the date has not been set. Williams met with the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, and told ESPN's Josina Anderson he plans to "visit with four to five teams before making a decision on where he will sign," per ESPN.com.

Miami has plenty of reason to like Williams:

"

The Dolphins are interested in signing Williams because they may lose defensive end Olivier Vernon in free agency, and the status of defensive end Cameron Wake also is uncertain.

Miami placed a $12.734 million transition tag on Vernon on Tuesday, allowing him to negotiate with other teams. The Dolphins have the right of first refusal to match any offer.

Wake, 34, is coming off a torn Achilles tendon, and the Dolphins have been negotiating to lower his $9.8 million salary cap hit.

"

Although Williams is 31 and his sack numbers dropped from 14.5 to 5.0 last season, he is highly thought of "because so many teams are looking for pass-rushers," according to Zac Jackson of Pro Football Talk.

While the Jaguars and Buccaneers are in the mix for Williams, per Josh Alper of PFT, Rapoport tweeted Sunday that the Giants have the upper hand:

"

Mario Williams is set to arrive in NJ tonight and visit the #Giants tonight and tomorrow, source said. They have a chance to keep him there

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 7, 2016"

If so, it would be a big boost for a Giants defense that finished 30th in sacks last season with just 23—if Williams can regain his old form.