NFL Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding 2017 Free-Agent Market

NFL free agency kicks off on Tuesday, as teams are allowed to begin talking to agents about their clients. This starts a two-day negotiation period, before the 2017 NFL league year officially begins at 4 p.m. ET on Thursday, when teams and players are allowed to officially sign their new deals. 

Despite the fact that teams weren't officially allowed to talk to the upcoming free agents before Tuesday, there were plenty of plans being put into motion in the days leading up to free agency. As a result, rumors have been swirling around the league about the possible destinations for this year's class of free agents. 

Here's a look at some of the latest rumors surrounding players expected to be searching for new homes within the next few days and weeks. 

Torrey Smith on the Market

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Former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith broke the news on Monday that his former teammate, Torrey Smith, would be released by the San Francisco 49ers. 

The timing of his release gives Smith an early edge on the rest of the free-agent class, who won't be eligible to officially ink their deals until Thursday. 

The Philadelphia Eagles will likely be among the teams interested in pursuing Smith, based on their reported interest in Smith at the trade deadline. In October, Zac Jackson of Pro Football Talk reported that the Eagles had discussed trading for Smith.

The Eagles invested a number of high draft picks on receivers during the Chip Kelly era. Nelson Agholor, Jordan Matthews and Dorial Green-Beckham are all 24 years old or younger, but the Eagles may still be looking for a veteran presence to add to that group. 

Smith is just 28 years old and has some extremely productive seasons on his resume from his years with the Ravens. However, Smith had a dramatically reduced role in San Francisco over the past two seasons. During his time with the 49ers, Smith hauled in just 53 catches on 111 targets. 

A change of scenery could revive Smith's career, especially if he lands in an offense interested in consistently utilizing him as a deep threat, which is where he has been most valuable. 

Broncos Want Tony Romo?

According to Mike Klis of 9News, the Denver Broncos are interested in entering the Tony Romo sweepstakes. And, according to another of Klis' sources, the interest is mutual. 

Getting Romo to Denver won't be simple, but it is a viable option.

Romo remains under contract with the Dallas Cowboys through the 2019 season but, due to the emergence of Dak Prescott, he is expected to be released this offseason. 

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he will follow his "do-right rule" in an effort to find Romo a new home, according to Jon Machota of the Dallas News. While Jones hasn't offered a detailed explanation of this rule, presumably he intends to release Romo if Romo is able to find a starting job in an organization that does not directly compete with the Cowboys. 

As an AFC opponent, the Broncos would likely fit Jones' rule and be one of the Cowboys' preferred landing spots from Romo. However, the Cowboys are scheduled to visit the Denver for a game during the 2017 season. 

Based on all the variables and the complications from Romo's status as a quarterback under contract, it's likely that this drama will drag out for a few more weeks and potentially months. 

Terrelle Pryor Drawing Serious Interest

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Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer reported on Monday that Cleveland Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor is already drawing interest from a number of teams, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants and Tennessee Titans. 

Cabot adds that the Browns are still trying to re-sign Pryor, despite electing to let him reach the open market rather than place the franchise tag on him.

Pryor was out of football for the majority of the 2015 season but burst onto the scene in 2016 with a breakout performance in his first full year as a wide receiver. Despite entering the season with just two career catches, the 27-year-old Prior racked up over 1,000 receiving yards for the Browns. 

Cabot states that Pryor's first choice is to remain with the Browns, despite their uncertainty at quarterback. This is likely due to Pryor's relationship with head coach Hue Jackson, who has coached Pryor with three different franchises (Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and Oakland Raiders). 

Calais Campbell on the Move?

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Longtime Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Calais Campbell is expected to be on the move, according to Kent Somers of azcentral.com. Somers projects Campbell's contract to exceed $11 million per year. According to Spotrac, the Cardinals have just $19 million in cap room. 

Campbell has spent his entire nine-year career in Arizona and will likely attract attention from a wide range of teams seeking immediate help from a veteran lineman. 

According to Klis, the Jacksonville Jaguars are expected to be among the teams pursing Campbell. Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan adds the Washington Redskins to the list of teams in the market for Campbell's services.