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

NFL free agency continues as players look for the best deal on the market and teams shop assets behind closed doors.

At times, negotiations go public and the subject of trade talks doesn't take kindly to the business. The New England Patriots have taken a much different approach to free agency compared to other teams. General manager Bill Belichick has decided to acquire veterans to keep his team on top, which goes against conventional NFL wisdom. It's often said that great teams build through the draft. 

Nonetheless, who's going to question Belichick? He's coming off his fifth Super Bowl victory as a head coach and general manager. Evidently, one player feels disrespected and wants out of New England. Who's looking for a new home, and where will the front office send him? 

On Day 1 of free agency, the Cleveland Browns grabbed headlines with a blockbuster trade involving quarterback Brock Osweiler. What's the long-term plan for the former Houston Texans signal-caller? Will he compete for a starting job at his new destination?

Malcolm Butler Wants Out of New England

It's not often a player publicly speaks out about his desire to leave the Patriots, especially considering they just won a Super Bowl. However, cornerback Malcolm Butler has grown frustrated with Belichick's attempts to trade him over the past few days, according to CSNNE.com reporter Michael Giardi. 

We know how Belichick feels about player transactions: He's going to do what's best for the roster. Butler will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2017 season, per Spotrac. Despite his timely interception in Super Bowl 49 and a Pro Bowl campaign in 2015, he's on the trade block as an available asset.

To Butler, it may come off as unappreciative and disrespectful. Belichick probably views his starting cornerback as a valuable asset more so off the field than between the white lines. The front office wants to sell the stock while it's high.

Expect Belichick to dip into a deep defensive back draft class to potentially replace Butler, who will command a massive deal as a free agent in 2018. Eventually, the 27-year-old cornerback will land on a new team as the front office shuffles the deck at the position. 

After the Dallas Cowboys end the Tony Romo saga, they should offer Belichick a draft pick or two for Butler. He'd immediately become the No. 1 cornerback in their secondary.

Prediction: The New England Patriots trade Malcolm Butler to the Dallas Cowboys

AFC East Rivals Vying for Dont'a Hightower 

There's an AFC East tug of war for Dont'a Hightower. According to CBS Sports reporter Jason La Canfora, the New York Jets and Patriots have the inside track on the top linebacker on the market:

We've already witnessed a few surprises during the free-agency period. The 27-year-old linebacker could sign with another team not mentioned in the rumor mill. 

Hightower may decide to start a new chapter in his career and suit up for Gang Green in the Meadowlands. The Jets need someone to pair with David Harris. If the Pro Bowl linebacker decides to re-sign with his original team, New York could engage in talks with Kevin Minter or Zach Brown to fill the inside linebacker spot. The coaching staff should also consider utilizing second-year pro Darron Lee at inside linebacker.

Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan has purged the roster of older veterans. Hightower just turned 27 years old on Sunday; he's in his prime years and would be a great addition to a rebuilding team under head coach Todd Bowles. However, Gang Green will likely have to overpay to lure the linebacker away from New England. 

Patriots: Dont'a Hightower re-signs with the Patriots

Browns Shopping Brock Osweiler 

Days after acquiring Osweiler, Cleveland Plain Dealer reporter Mary Kay Cabot’s sources indicate another potential trade for an additional draft pick:

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The Browns have been offering Osweiler to teams for about a third-round pick, and are willing to give back a fifth-rounder, multiple league sources tell cleveland.com. The Browns would also eat a portion of Osweiler's $16 million contract, as much as half, sources say.

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In other words, Osweiler shouldn’t unpack his bags in Cleveland. The Browns targeted draft picks and would prefer to dispose of the player. It’s a huge shot at the 26-year-old quarterback's ego. 

Last year, Osweiler signed a massive four-year, $72 million deal with $37 million guaranteed. This year, teams are tossing him around like a beach volleyball. If given a choice, he'd likely prefer to hit the waiver wire and find his way to a team that truly wants him under center. Another trade could also lead to a second dump-off.

The Washington Redskins don't have a happy home, and everyone knows their starting quarterback wants out. If Osweiler goes to the Redskins, it would create the ultimate redemption story for him and an exit strategy for Kirk Cousns.

Prediction: Cleveland Browns Trade Brock Osweiler to the Washington Redskins

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