NFL Free Agents 2017: Latest Rumors and Predictions for Market's Top Names

NFL rumors are flying online every hour. You could refresh Twitter constantly before going out for a half-hour run (or, in this out-of-shape writer's case, a slow walk because running more than 30 seconds leads to full-body cramps) and miss out on big news from around the league before you get back.

Here's a look at three of the latest rumors surrounding some of the biggest names on the free agent market.

DeSean Jackson

Tony Pauline of draftanalyst.com reported some news on Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson on Saturday:

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I'm told Jackson will receive a contract that will pay him close to $12 million annually.

The belief right now is Jackson will end up with the Tampa Bay Bucs, as the combination of weather, a big-armed passer in James Winston and no state tax will make it tough for any other team to match.

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The 30-year-old Jackson would be a great fit on the Bucs. Tampa Bay already has a clear-cut No. 1 receiver in Mike Evans, who is a target monster and possession receiver who can be relied upon to move the sticks. But the Bucs need a No. 2 receiver, and the best fit would be a speedster who can blow the top off defenses.

D-Jax could be that guy. He enjoyed a good season in 2016, catching 56 passes for 1,005 yards and four touchdowns in 15 games. Jackson's yard-per-catch mark of 17.9 yards tied the league for first with Patriots wideout Chris Hogan.

Jackson has eclipsed 1,000 yards in three of the last four seasons, with the lone exception coming in 2015 when he missed six games. He'd be a great fit in Tampa Bay, and the prediction here is that this connection comes to fruition.

Brandon Marshall

It would be a classic New England Patriots move (and a classic unfortunate event for the New York Jets) for former Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall to sign with the Pats and enjoy a resurgent season after struggling in 2016.

Ben Volin of the Boston Globe connected Marshall and the Pats on Saturday:

In 2016, the 33-year-old Marshall had his worst statistical season since his rookie year, only catching 59 passes for 788 yards and three touchdowns.

However, the Jets, as they usually are, were a complete circus last season, featuring on- and off-field drama as well as a carousel at quarterback (Ryan Fitzpatrick to Geno Smith to Fitz again after Smith got hurt to Bryce Petty to Fitzpatrick again after Petty got hurt). That's a tough environment for any wide receiver to succeed in.

Marshall would not have to deal with an unsettling quarterback situation in New England since five-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady has been calling the shots since 2001, so Marshall and the Pats could be a perfect match. The former could get his best chance at making (and winning) a Super Bowl in the twilight of his career, while the Pats could use another outside receiver who can move the chains for chunks at a time.

A pass-catching corps featuring Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Brandon Marshall, Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett (if he re-signs) would be absolutely frightening for opposing defenses. New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick should make it happen.

Russell Okung

The former Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos offensive tackle, who acts as his own agent, is drawing interest from numerous teams around the NFL, per Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post:

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A person with knowledge of the situation indicated the New York Giants, New York Jets, Los Angeles Chargers and Minnesota Vikings all have interest in Okung and will likely pursue a contract with him when teams can begin negotiating with players March 7.

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Simply put, it doesn't matter where Okung goes because he's going to get paid. Many teams have a dire need at the tackle position, specifically the two in New York. Okung doesn't need to leave the tri-state area if he wants, as he could start a Big Apple bidding war between the Giants and Jets for his services.

The Giants have started Erick Flowers at left tackle for the past two seasons, and he isn't the long-term answer there. The Jets have holes everywhere on the offensive line after cutting tackles Ryan Clady and Breno Giacomini and center Nick Mangold.

It's hard not seeing one of those teams offering him north of $10 million per year, as Tesfatsion suggested: "There is a belief that Okung can get $10-12 million per season this time around, and there's a possibility he could receive more if Whitworth returns to the Bengals."

The guess here is that the Jets, who have more than double the cap space as the Giants (per overthecap.com) and more of a dire need on the offensive line, sign Okung.

(Hat tip to Rotoworld for the three NFL rumors listed here.)