Every NFL team now has the right to contact and begin contract negotiations with all impending unrestricted free agents. Even though new contracts cannot be made official until free agency begins on March 10, the battle for coveted veterans has already begun.
With players beginning to make their rounds across the league, rumors regarding potential suitors have begun to rapidly surface around the Web. This gives us a bit of insight into what's going on behind the scenes before franchise-altering signings are made.
So, which free agents are generating buzz and which teams are likely to acquire their services? Let's go ahead and attempt to predict the answer to that question based on the latest buzz.
Darrelle Revis on the Move?
Veteran cornerback Darrelle Revis proved he's still a force in the defensive secondary after putting together a great 2014 season with the New England Patriots. In his first year with the team, Revis accounted for 47 tackles, one forced fumble, two interceptions and 14 passes defenses. He was ranked as the league's fourth-most efficient corner with a plus-17.7 rating, according to Pro Football Focus.
Expect Revis to look for a lucrative deal over the offseason, and according to Mad Dog Sports Radio's interview with ESPN's Adam Schefter, the New York Jets may be the highest bidder:
Here's a very interesting comment Schefter made regarding Revis' decision during the interview, via Doug Kyed of NESN.com:
I don't know what New England is going to offer him, I really don't. Say it's $10 million, $11 million a year, $12 million, and you're the Jets and offer $15 (million), $16 million a year. Worth it to go back to New York to finish your career for a few million dollars more where you would be saluted as a king? I don't know. It's a question of what you find most important, what you value most in your life and what you want to do with your career.
Revis has his Super Bowl ring already, so one can speculate comfort and money will weigh heavily in his upcoming decision. Expect the Jets to make him an offer he can't refuse.
Prediction: Revis signs with Jets
Raiders are Prioritizing
The Oakland Raiders have plenty of cap space and plenty of holes in their roster. That said, they are expected to be major players in free agency. Although, with so many needs and several big-ticket players linked to the team, Oakland must decide who to target first.
Well, Schefter struck again during his interview with Mad Dog Sports Radio, relaying the team's priorities:
Here's the thing: Just because Oakland is aiming for Randall Cobb and Julius Thomas to revamp its aerial attack, don't expect the team to put Ndamukong Suh on the back burner. According to NFL Media's Michael Silver, via Marc Sessler of NFL.com, the Raiders are already planning to bring the defensive tackle in for a visit.
It will be very difficult for Oakland to sign all three high-priced free agents, but it isn't out of the question. Still, the team will have to compete with the Jacksonville Jaguars, as they are rumored to have interest in the trio of players as well.
Oakland's biggest need is arguably at wide receiver, while Jacksonville's is at tight end. Both teams have a need for Suh, but the Raiders appear to be the more aggressive squad early in the process.
Prediction: Cobb and Suh sign with Raiders; Thomas signs with Jaguars
The Fight for McCourty
Devin McCourty is another member of New England's secondary who could be poised to ink a lucrative deal with a new team in the near future. He's played all five of his seasons with the Patriots and has consistently performed at a very high level, accumulating 388 tackles, eight forced fumbles, 17 interceptions and 58 passes defensed in that span.
Teams in need of help in the secondary are already aiming to acquire his services. According to Dianna Marie Russini of NBC4, two interested squads happen to reside in the NFC East:
The Philadelphia Eagles need help across the board in the secondary. They ranked 31st in the league against the pass last season, and that area of the defense continues to be their Achilles' heel. Meanwhile, the New York Giants will be looking to find a replacement for the soon-to-be free agent Antrel Rolle.
The Eagles are in better shape in terms of cap space heading into the free-agency period, and Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com tweeted that Philadelphia will be very active in free agency—along with some other rumored targets:
If Philadelphia can fix its defensive issues, it could become an instant contender. That said, expect the Eagles to make it extremely difficult for McCourty—and several other rumored targets—to sign elsewhere.
Prediction: McCourty signs with Eagles
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