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

On Thursday, free agents can officially sign contracts at 4 p.m. ET in the new NFL calendar year. Several teams and players made headlines during the legal tampering period. Still, other big-name free agents have yet to agree to terms with a new club.

The Dallas Cowboys finally decided to release quarterback Tony Romo, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter:

He’ll share the spotlight with running back Adrian Peterson as the top free agents on the market.

At 36 years old, Romo will likely play at an optimal level for another year or two. He’s taking the Peyton Manning route, finishing his career with a new team after spending more than a decade as the unquestioned starter for one franchise. 

Unlike Manning, who entered the league as a No. 1 draft pick, the Eastern Illinois product crept through the back door as an undrafted free agent and took advantage of a starting opportunity. Ironically, rookie quarterback Dak Prescott returned the favor and replaced Romo during the previous season.

As a free agent, where will Romo sign for another two seasons before hanging up his cleats?

Two other prominent names on the free-agent market will also look for new homes. A top running back and defensive lineman could propel a team into the playoffs or push a contender over the hump. Who’s on the move, and where will they sign over the next few days?

Tony Romo Choosing Between the Texans, Broncos

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As shown in Schefter’s tweet above, the Romo sweepstakes will boil down to the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos. His Cowboys exit feels like Manning leaving the Indianapolis Colts, who also decided to turn the reins over to a rookie quarterback. In Dallas, Romo’s fragile body essentially cost him a job. He suffered a back injury during the previous preseason, which allowed Prescott to see the field.

Now, the Cowboys will do Romo a favor. Instead of shipping him off to a losing team in a trade, he’ll hit the open market and choose his destiny. Ultimately, the 36-year-old quarterback can’t go wrong with either of the two reported choices. Both teams have top-five defenses, which would take tremendous pressure off of Romo’s arm. 

Nonetheless, Houston has a slight edge in offensive skill players. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins could put together a monster season with a better quarterback in place. Romo would also have a speedy deep threat target in Will Fuller. Running back Lamar Miller finished 10th in rushing yards in the previous season. Most importantly, the Texans field a better offensive line compared to the Broncos. 

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In a macro view, Romo will face lesser competition in the AFC South division. The Texans claimed consecutive division titles with a revolving door at the quarterback position; defense has carried this squad through the season and into the playoffs. After winning Super Bowl 50, the Broncos dropped to third place due to the Oakland Raiders’ emergence as a contender in the AFC West.

Don’t forget the pass-rushers within the division, which include: Justin Houston (Kansas Chiefs), Joey Bosa (San Diego Chargers) and Khalil Mack (Raiders). In the AFC South, the Indianapolis Colts have a soft defense, the Tennessee Titans field a leaky secondary and the Jacksonville Jaguars just finished 3-13. 

In a less competitive division, Romo will have an opportunity to reach the playoffs, lean on a talented defense and throw to a top-five wide receiver in the league.

Prediction: Tony Romo Signs with the Houston Texans

Will the Raiders Get Younger at Running Back?

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Once a team tastes prosperity, they’ll also experience economic turbulence. The Raiders went to the playoffs for the first time in 14 years with a 12-4 record. Now, it’s time to either reward certain players for overachieving or let them walk during free agency. 

Running back Latavius Murray took over the starting job in 2015. As the lone back, he logged 1,066 rushing yards as the No. 6 ball-carrier in the league. In the following offseason, general manager Reggie McKenzie drafted DeAndre Washington in the fifth round and signed Jalen Richard as an undrafted free agent. Murray served as the featured tailback, but the rookies chipped into his workload and combined for 958 rushing yards. 

On the market, Murray could command $6 million or more per year, per Spotrac. For McKenzie, who plugged in a fifth rounder and an undrafted talent at the position to help boast the No. 6 rushing offense in 2016, it doesn’t make sense to re-sign the 27-year-old back at his market value. San Francisco Chronicle reporter Vic Tafur indicates the front office will move forward without Murray.

Ironically, Peterson placed the Raiders at the top of his wish list, and the interest seems one-sided, per ESPN’s Adam Caplan:

The Minnesota Vikings, Peterson’s former team, have an interest in Murray, per draftanalyst.com writer Tony Pauline. The Raiders’ workhorse would fill the same role with the Vikings. He’d sit atop the running back depth chart with Jerick McKinnon behind him. Running back Matt Asiata will hit the free-agent market. It’s an ideal spot for Murray to land on a contending team and remain a featured ball-carrier.

Latavius Murray Signs with the Minnesota Vikings

Dontari Poe Choosing New Home?

The Chiefs have an abundance of talent on defense, which makes expensive assets expendable during the offseason. According to Spotrac, nose tackle Dontari Poe could command approximately $12 million per year on the free-agent market. 

According to CBS Sports reporter Jason La Canfora, the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers and Colts may be willing to pay the steep price for Poe:

The 49ers have enough cap space to overspend, but Poe doesn’t fit with Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner likely moving inside for new defensive coordinator Robert Selah’s 4-3 scheme. San Francisco expressed interest, but the logjam on the interior with two high draft picks and a pricey free agent sounds like money flushed down the toilet.

Poe could shine with the Colts, but the Falcons came within a late-game collapse of winning Super Bowl 51. After contending for years with the Chiefs, expect the 26-year-old tackle to jump on another winning wagon under a well-respect defensive-minded head coach in Dan Quinn.

Dontari Poe Signs with the Atlanta Falcons

Stats provided by NFL.com and Pro-Football-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.