NFL Free Agents 2018: Top Rumors and Predictions Before Week 17

With the 2017 NFL regular season coming to a close on Sunday, teams will be keeping a close eye on free agency in an effort to make their rosters better next year. 

This year's crop of available players has the potential to be the most interesting in a long time because of the quarterbacks.

It seems unlikely that Drew Brees, Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo and Case Keenum will all change teams, but even one of them hitting the open market has the potential to change the fortunes of a franchise. 

Looking ahead to the upcoming crop of available players for teams to bid on, here are the latest rumors on what to expect from teams in free agency this offseason. 

Jimmy Garoppolo Staying By the Bay

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The San Francisco 49ers' turnaround since Garoppolo took over as their starting quarterback is incredible. He took a franchise that was 1-10, with no apparent direction, and led them to four straight wins, all while setting a new NFL record with 1,268 passing yards in his first four games with a new team.

By acquiring Garoppolo from the New England Patriots in the final season of his rookie contract, the 49ers knew they would have to pay a hefty salary to keep their new quarterback after this season. 

Per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, the 49ers have a plan in place to make sure Garoppolo is with them in 2018:

The 49ers went from 12 wins in 2013 to a combined total of 16 wins in 59 games from 2014 until Garoppolo's first start. He has made this franchise worth watching for the first time since losing the NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks in January 2014. 

In Week 16 against a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that was leading the NFL with 14.9 points allowed per game, the 49ers put up 44. Garoppolo completed 70 percent of his passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns. 

There's still work to do for the 49ers front office to build a championship team, but after years of searching, they have finally found a long-term solution at quarterback. 

Prediction: Garoppolo receives franchise tag from 49ers

Vikings, Case Keenum Not Talking Contract

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Keenum has been instrumental in the Minnesota Vikings' rise atop the NFC North this season. The six-year NFL veteran has set career highs in completion percentage (67.3), passing yards (3,358), touchdowns (21), QBR (71.4) and quarterback rating (98.1). 

After signing Keenum to a one-year deal last offseason, the Vikings will have to pay a steep price to keep him in 2018. 

Per Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, neither the Vikings nor Keenum appear to be in any hurry to strike a deal:

"Sources said they [the Vikings] have not extended any offers to Keenum and, given his great season and impending free agency, Keenum's camp has not made any inquiries, either. Several rival executives said they believe it might take a transition or franchise tag to keep Keenum from hitting the open market, as even a bridge contract of 2-3 years would likely have to be worth more than the $18 million per year Brock Osweiler and Mike Glennon recently commanded."

The Vikings are in a tricky position this offseason with their quarterbacks. Keenum has performed at a high enough level in 2017 to warrant an extension, but this is so far beyond anything he's ever done that it's fair to remain skeptical about him repeating it. 

Teddy Bridgewater's fifth-year option on his rookie contract wasn't picked up because he was coming off a torn ACL in 2016. He's only thrown two passes in a game this season during garbage time in Minnesota's 34-7 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15. 

Sam Bradford is also scheduled to become a free agent. He began the season as Minnesota's starting quarterback before knee problems following a Week 1 win over the New Orleans Saints kept him out for the rest of the season, aside from playing in the first half against the Chicago Bears in Week 5. 

Given those options, Keenum is the best choice for Minnesota next season. The Vikings will have to decide how much he is worth to them, but it's hard to think of a scenario in which he isn't with the team in 2018.

Prediction: Vikings re-sign Keenum to three-year deal 

Dolphins Want to Keep Jarvis Landry

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There aren't many wide receivers who have been as consistent as Jarvis Landry over the past four seasons, which has allowed him to carve out a niche for the Miami Dolphins. 

Per Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, the Dolphins and Landry "are either already in preliminary talks or about to start talks" for a long-term contract. 

Landry's consistency largely revolves around his ability to record a high volume of receptions. The 25-year-old leads the NFL with 103 receptions this season, and he has recorded at least 84 receptions in each of his first four seasons. 

When trying to slot Landry into the NFL's wide-receiver hierarchy, though, he falls short because of his limitations after catching the ball. His career high in yards per reception is 12.1, set last year. His 8.7 yards per reception in 2017 is tied with Cole Beasley of the Dallas Cowboys for 106th in the NFL. 

Even acknowledging the Dolphins' offensive struggles this season—they rank 19th in passing yards and 26th in scoring—Landry has never been a big-play threat, with a career average of 10.1 yards per reception. 

The Dolphins have one of the NFL's worst cap situations heading into 2018, with just $13.4 million available, per Spotrac. 

Landry certainly has value to a Dolphins team lacking in offensive playmakers. They gave Kenny Stills a four-year deal in March after one year with the team, with $20 million guaranteed. 

If that's the benchmark Miami is working from again, it would be in the team's best interest to let Landry explore the market. 

Since the Dolphins appear inclined to work out a deal with Landry, it should be on their terms. 

Prediction: Dolphins re-sign Landry to three-year deal