NFL Rumors: Latest Trade and 2017 Free-Agency Buzz Heading into 2nd Wave

The first weekend of NFL free agency is in the books. The first few days of the 2017 edition were full of big-name moves, surprising trades and the movement of truckloads of cash. While the next phase of free agency isn't likely to feature the rapid-fire flurry of signings, there are still plenty of headline-grabbing deals to come.

Guys like Adrian Peterson, Dont'a Hightower, Eddie Lacy, and Dontari Poe are are still hanging out on the open market. They are notable players, and the list doesn't even include those who could soon be traded or released—like Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

Yes, this next phase is likely to generate nearly as much excitement as the first—maybe even more given the time rumors and speculation will have to marinate on the collective football world.

We're here to examine some of these latest rumors as we head into the second wave of 2017 free agency.

Latest Buzz

Could Jets Get Their Quarterback From Cincinnati?

The future of Romo is going to hold the football world's attention until it is settled because he is seen as a quarterback who could elevate a playoff team to a championship-level contender. However, the New York Jets are (or should be) more interested in acquiring a young quarterback the franchise can build around.

Enter Cincinnati Bengals backup AJ McCarron, a player David Wyatt of SB Nation believes the Jets could be interested in trading for:

While the Bengals don't appear to be actively shopping McCarron, it is worth noting he is set to become a free agent next offseason. If Cincinnati wants to get something in exchange for him, now would be the time. Director of player personnel Duke Tobin has made it known that the Bengals will at least listen to offers.

"If somebody wants to call and talk to us, call and talk to us," Tobin said, per Mark Inabinett of AL.com. "But they're going to find out that we value AJ McCarron quite a bit."

Could the Jets offer the Bengals enough to pry McCarron away if the team is that high on him? Possibly. Some rumors have been floating around that defensive end Sheldon Richardson could be part of an offer the Jets make in exchange for McCarron.

However, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com recently pointed out why this would be unlikely:

"

Ultimately, it would come down to the Jets' level of conviction on McCarron. If general manager Mike Maccagnan has a higher regard for him than the consensus around the league, he could pull the trigger. But I'd be surprised if he gives up a starting defensive lineman, a former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, for a backup quarterback who may or may not be ready for a starting gig.

"

The problem here is that Richardson is a proven commodity. McCarron, outside of four starts, is not. If the Jets are going to make a push for McCarron, it probably won't include Richardson.

Jets Also Interested in Hightower

Dont'a Hightower was widely believed to be one of the most coveted free agents available when the market opened. Not only was he the defensive hero of Super Bowl LI, but Pro Football Focus rated him fifth overall among all inside linebackers during the regular season.

However, Hightower remains unsigned and there is a real chance he simply re-signs with the New England Patriots. Unless the Jets can swoop in and steal him away from their AFC East rivals, that is.

According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, the Jets and the Patriots are the top two teams with a shot to land Hightower:

Hightower has garnered plenty of interest from other teams on the open market. The Tennessee Titans were extremely interested in acquiring the linebacker when free agency opened and were close to doing so. Clint Lamb of USA Today was convinced at the time:

We now know that the Titans didn't secure Hightower during his visit. Perhaps the Jets can succeed where Tennessee failed. If the Patriots are able to bring Hightower back, though, it would put a cap on a successful start to free agency for New England.

What's Next for Eddie Lacy?

Given the level of running back talent that is expected to come out of this year's draft, it's no surprise that the market for veteran ball-carriers has been slow to develop. Former Green Bay Packers back Eddie Lacy is one of several backs yet to find a new home.

The Minnesota Vikings brought Lacy in for a visit early in free agency. Presumably, he would come in as the replacement for longtime ball-carrier Peterson, who also remains unsigned. However, Lacy left Minnesota without a deal. The team was kind enough to announce that his visit was over:

With no deal set between Lacy and the Vikings, his next stop is likely back with the Packers. Per Lacy's representatives, SportsTrust Advisors, Green Bay and the Seattle Seahawks will be his next two visits:

The Packers could be interested in bringing Lacy back, provided he is back to 100 percent after last year's ankle surgery. If so, Lacy could have a bit of leverage in negotiations. Since he has already visited the Vikings, Lacy could pitch the level of interest by the Packers' divisional rival to Green Bay. If Minnesota's interest is high, he could pit the two teams against each other.

The situation in Seattle is a bit different, though Lacy would certainly seem like a solid fit. He may find himself competing with Peterson for the Seahawks job—the former Viking appears to have interest in playing in Seattle

"You look at the connections in Seattle, so there's definitely interest there," Peterson's father, Nelson recently said, per Chris Tomasson of the Twin Cities Pioneer Press.

What would be truly interesting is if the two former rival running backs somehow ended up in the same backfield. Our best guess is that once Peterson or Lacy lands a contract, the dominoes will begin falling and the running back market will start to pick up.