NFL Free Agents 2018: Rumors, Predictions for Kirk Cousins and More Top Stars

Thanks to the rising salary cap, there appears to have been a rise in the number of marquee NFL players on the move via trades or free agency. 

October's trade deadline was the first indication of a dramatic sea change. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, running back Jay Ajayi, wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin and defensive tackle Marcell Dareus were some of the players dealt. 

When free agency hits in March, there could be more notable names on the move as teams look to make a big play that will help them win a Super Bowl next season. 

With two months remaining before free agents can receive contract offers from all 32 NFL teams, here are the early rumors and predictions involving some of the best players available. 

Kirk Cousins' Payday

Mark Tenally/Associated Press

After receiving the franchise tag each of the past two seasons, Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins is in line to receive his long-awaited multi-year contract this offseason. 

But it may not come from his current team. 

Per Eric Galko of the Sporting News, the Denver Broncos will likely be Washington's toughest competition to sign Cousins:

"The Broncos have made it clear to those close to Cousins that they’re ready to make a big offer. Over the last two seasons, since moving on from Peyton Manning and letting Brock Osweiler walk (before bringing him back), the Broncos have spent the least of any NFL team on quarterback (less than $7 million combined over 2016 and ’17)."

Cousins has a lot of leverage in his negotiations with the Redskins and, potentially, the Broncos. He's thrown for at least 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns in each of the previous three seasons. 

Last year was especially impressive for Cousins because Washington allowed Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson, who each had over 1,000 yards in 2016, to leave as free agents. 

Even though Washington's cap situation is better than Denver's, both teams have plenty of money available to make Cousins a lucrative offer. The Redskins have $51.9 million in cap space, and the Broncos have $26.6 million available, per Spotrac.

The Broncos desperately need to find a quarterback. Their combined 58.7 completion percentage last season was sixth-worst in the NFL, and they were one of only three teams with more interceptions (22) than touchdown passes (19). 

By failing to sign Cousins to an extension in either of the past two seasons, Washington has put itself in a bad negotiating position. He said at a fan event this week, via Scott Allen of the Washington Post, he doesn't expect to sign a long-term deal before the March deadline for teams to use the franchise tag.

He has all the leverage and has to decide if he wants to put his faith in the only organization he's ever known or see what a team like the Broncos, who have had success more recently than the Redskins, has to offer him. 

Prediction: Cousins signs a five-year deal with the Broncos

Sheldon Richardson on Jets' Radar

John Cordes/Associated Press

Four months after the New York Jets traded Sheldon Richardson, the organization will reportedly be looking into a reunion with the defensive tackle. 

Per Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, the Jets would like to sign Richardson this offseason. 

Richardson said after the Seattle Seahawks' Week 17 loss against the Arizona Cardinals he expects to be back with the NFC West team next year. 

"Yeah I do, actually," he said, via Curtis Crabtree of Pro Football Talk. "I definitely expect to be back here."

Richardson was dealt to the Seattle Seahawks for wide receiver Jermaine Kearse and a second-round pick during the 2018 NFL draft last September. 

The 27-year-old appeared in 15 games for the Seahawks last season. His one sack was a career low, though he's often at his best as a run-stopper in the middle of a defensive line. 

The Seahawks would seem unlikely to re-sign Richardson because they have many holes to fill, including on the offensive line and running game, and the seventh-worst cap situation in the league heading into next season.

New York, on the other hand, has $78.9 million in available money. Richardson has already succeeded in defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers' scheme and won't need any period of adjustment. 

One important question is how motivated Richardson will be to return to the Jets after their divorce last year. It likely doesn't help that they have finished last in the AFC East in three of the past four seasons. 

If Richardson is only looking for the biggest possible deal, few teams will be able to make him a better offer than the Jets. With limited potential suitors, it's hard to find a better situation that will make use of his skills. 

Prediction Richardson signs a four-year deal with Jets

Dolphins, Jarvis Landry Negotiating

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

Wide receiver Jarvis Landry is in a prime negotiating spot with the Miami Dolphins, as he seeks a long-term contract this offseason. 

Per ESPN's Josina Anderson, the Dolphins and Landry were exchanging proposals last month before coming to a standstill. 

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald added the Dolphins made a multi-year offer to Landry, but they were struggling to come to a resolution because of "some 'distance' between the two sides' financial vision for his next contract."

A second-round draft pick in 2014, Landry is a difficult receiver to slot into a specific tier. He's been one of the most reliable receivers in terms of receptions. The 25-year-old has had at least 84 receptions in each of his four NFL seasons, including a career-high 112 in 2017. 

Per Pro Football Focus, Landry finished second among all wide receivers in 2017 with 17 forced missed tackles. 

The drawback is he doesn't do much down the field. His 12.1 yards per reception in 2016 is the best of his career, and he's averaged less than 10 yards per reception twice in the past four seasons. 

Landry's 8.8 yards per catch in 2017 was tied with Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman for 108th in the NFL. 

Even assuming some progression next season with quarterback Ryan Tannehill back from his torn ACL to replace Jay Cutler, Landry has never been a true No. 1 option. He is an excellent possession receiver from the slot, but that kind of player has a ceiling. 

If the Dolphins believed in Landry as an integral part of their offense, they would acquiesce to what he believes his value is. 

As it stands right now, Landry should explore the market to see if he can talk another team into making him a big offer. 

Prediction: Landry doesn't re-sign with the Dolphins

Contract and salary-cap info via Spotrac.