Free Agency has already started with a bang, as Ndamukong Suh is set to be the highest paid defensive player in all of football as a member of the Miami Dolphins, Randall Cobb was re-signed with the Green Bay Packers, Byron Maxwell is set to be the newest cornerback for Chip Kelly's Philadelphia Eagles, and Julius Thomas to Jacksonville just needs to be moved from 99% to 100% official.
1. Which team will sign running back DeMarco Murray?
Blake Hesser - All signs point to the Cowboys re-signing DeMarco Murray, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say Murray signs with the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have had struggles at running back recently. They had Ahmad Bradshaw last year but lost him to injury a little more than half way through the season. Trent Richardson was supposed to be their future at the position but couldn't even dress out during the playoffs after averaging 3.3 yards per game during the season. The Colts are going to look for a running back this offseason they can rely on and there was none more reliable in 2014 than Murray.
Richard Sena - In franchising Dez Bryant, the Cowboys have conceded to allow DeMarco Murray to test free agency. Unfortunately for Jerry Jones and his Cowboys, Murray may have a number of suitors not shy to spend on a premium running back in the midst of his prime. GM Ryan Grigson of the Indianapolis Colts has been liberal with owner Jim Irsay’s check book (undoubtedly with his blessing) and upgrading from Trent Richardson to DeMarco Murray would be too enticing to pass up.
Jon Fox - The Philadelphia Eagles will sign him away from Dallas. Even if Dallas doesn't give Dez Bryant a Larry Fitzgerald level contract, they won't have the money to give Murray anything close to what the Eagles (and others) could offer him. After dealing McCoy, the Eagles need a prime back to mix in with Sproles and Polk.
Caleb Wahlgren - The Jaguars recently spent big money to bring in Toby Gerhart, and Gus Bradley knows just how effective a strong running game can be. They have a ton of cap space and should be able to out price their competition.
2. Which team will sign safety Devin McCourty?
Blake Hesser - The Eagles have already been active this offseason by trading running back LeSean McCoy for youthful Linebacker Kiko Alonso. They will continue to build their defense as they add Devin McCourty, who gives them a lot of help in the secondary; a secondary that allowed the second-most passing yards in the entire NFL last year. The Giants could give the Eagles a run for their money in the pursuit of McCourty but I believe the Eagles will end up getting him.
Richard Sena - Safety Devin McCourty made it clear of his preference to return to the Patriots, but it appears his team has other plans. After deciding to franchise kicker Stephen Gostkowski and with Darrell Revis’ contract situation still in the air, McCourty may not be a priority in New England. The Philadelphia Eagles appear to be clearing the decks to spend on their defense, and few teams have a more glaring need that the Eagles do in their secondary. McCourty could be offered a big contract to shore up the leaky back end.
Jon Fox - The Tennessee Titans will fight tooth and nail to reunite him with his twin brother, but Chicago is more desperate for free safety help. They don't have enough money to compete fairly with the Titans, but they do have Vic Fangio and Ed Donatell and a system that would maximize McCourty's strengths.
Caleb Wahlgren - There are a lot of teams that need to improve in their secondary. But when it comes to the end, I think that the New York Giants are going to go get McCourty to bolster their secondary and improve their defense, since Eli Manning and the offense was not the problem this year, and everyone's jobs are on the line.
3. Which team will sign offensive guard Mike Iupati?
Blake Hesser - The Chargers are looking to upgrade their offensive line. Mike Iupati is one of the top free agents this offseason and could really be of use to the Chargers. Last year they had to start 5 different centers and moved some offensive linemen to positions they didn’t come into the season expecting to play, in most part due to injuries. In his 5 years in the NFL, Iupati has played and started in 75 of the 80 regular season games the 49ers have played in during that span.
Richard Sena - It seems like every year there is a top tier guard available in free agency. Iupati was the bedrock of San Francisco’s running game, but buyers should beware considering the recent trend of high-end guards being signed only to disappoint. If there’s one team that isn’t afraid to spend in free agency, it’s the Redskins. With a clear conscious and a dire need in the interior offensive line, Iupati would ensure that Robert Griffin is given a solid chance to succeed in the final year of his rookie year.
Jon Fox - Many teams around the NFL will be fighting for his signature, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will win the sweepstakes. They've desperate for offensive line help and desperate enough to pay Iupati almost whatever he wants to excite their fan base.
Caleb Wahlgren - This may not make sense to some people, but I'm projecting the young Guard to sign with the Buffalo Bills. He is a bulldozer in the run game, which is just the type of player that Rex Ryan loves. Plus, he can be the newest blocker for Shady McCoy.
4. Which team will sign defensive end Jerry Hughes?
Blake Hesser - In 2014, Jerry Hughes helped the Bills lead the NFL in sacks as he had 13 of them. As free agency begins, re-signing Hughes should be and will be a priority for the Bills. There is some doubt whether or not the Bills will have enough cap room to keep Hughes, but ultimately, I think they will make it happen.
Richard Sena - Among the more underrated free agents in this year’s class is Jerry Hughes, who can play both linebacker and defensive end in virtually any defensive scheme in the NFL. New Buffalo head coach, Rex Ryan, has expressed the importance of retaining Hughes and it makes sense considering his compatibility within Ryan’s scheme. Allowing Hughes to enter free agency is a big risk, but I believe the Bills will retain the burgeoning defender, long-term.
Jon Fox - The Bills will ultimately keep Hughes because they have enough cash to make him a competitive offer and Rex Ryan will convince him that his defense will make him a star playing on the opposite side of Mario Williams.
Caleb Wahlgren - The Oakland Raiders have to get one of the prize free agents to justify the large amount of spending they need to do in order to hit the salary cap. Hughes has the flexibility for both linebacker and defensive end, which is always valued and would be a tremendous asset for the Black and Silver.
5. Which team will sign offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga?
Blake Hesser - Bryan Bulaga has played an essential role in the Packers’ offensive line since he was drafted in 2010. Re-signing him is a must for the Packers if they want to keep their offensive line strong. Keeping Bulaga might be costly for the Packers, but at the end of the day I think they will get it done.
Richard Sena - Packers right tackle Bryan Bulaga picked a great time to have his best year in the NFL. Inarguably the best tackle available in free agency, Bulaga will likely cash in on a deal more befitting of a left tackle—and some teams may sign him to play left. The Jaguars are in dire need for answers all along their line which is are bad questions to have with a rookie quarterback. Bulaga can play left in the event former first round pick, Luke Joeckel, doesn’t progress.
Jon Fox - Green Bay doesn't have a lot of cash to spend (nor would they if they did) so they appear to have made a choice to keep Bulaga if it means letting Randall Cobb go. It's the smart choice however, a very good WR is easier to replace than a very good OT and the Pack already has a replacement in-house for Cobb in Davante Adams.
Caleb Wahlgren - Signing offensive lineman is not terribly thrilling. The Green Bay Packers have signed Cobb and Bulaga appears to be their next target, but instead, the Atlanta Falcons could use the versatility of Bulaga after their offensive line was completely decimated by injuries in the 2015 season.
6. What team, if any, will sign the controversial players in Adrian Peterson, Ray Rice, and Greg Hardy this off-season?
Blake Hesser - Adrian Peterson will play in 2015 for the Dallas Cowboys. Jerry Jones will do whatever it takes to win, and if that means signing a guy that spent almost the entire previous season suspended, then he’ll do it. 2015 might not be as friendly to Ray Rice. 2013 was a bad season for Rice, as he only averaged 3.1 yards per carry and didn’t reach the 1,000-yard mark for the first time since his rookie season. 2014 was clearly worse, for obvious reasons. I don’t think there is a team willing to take a risk on Rice in 2015. Greg Hardy’s situation is much different from Rice’s. His last full season was his best in the NFL, as he recorded 15 sacks. He’ll be back in a Panther’s uniform when the 2015 season begins, if he can stay out of trouble.
Richard Sena - It’s tough to imagine a world without Adrian Peterson, Ray Rice, or Greg Hardy, but each have had debilitating domestic issues within the past year that could affect their statuses next season. After the season ended reports suggested Adrian Peterson was all but gone from the Minnesota Vikings. Even with recent attempts by team management to rehabilitate his fractured relationship with the team, it appears his intentions are to move on from the team that drafted him. The Arizona Cardinals nearly made the playoffs despite an injury pandemic that sidelined many of their essential starters. Peterson could add an element to the team not seen on the Cardinals since they arrived in Arizona.
Ray Rice was the face of the 2014 domestic violence rampage that ravaged the NFL last season and faces the most precarious situation in re-entering the league. He doesn’t project to have the same on-field impact of either Peterson or Hardy after a stark drop off in production two seasons ago. There’s little chance Rice sees anything more than a single year deal. The most likely destination would be New England, who may be looking for a capable pass-catching back if Shane Vereen isn’t retained. Bill Belichick has a well known appetite for Rutgers players and is close with Rice’s former head coach, Greg Schiano. The fit and comfort level would fit both sides.
Hardy, who broke out in the 2013 playoffs, is amongst the best young pass rushers in the league, but has perhaps the worst alleged off-field transgressions of last year. Convicted by a Carolina court and then settling with his victim in the appeals process, most teams will stay well clear of Hardy. Cincinnati has made a business of bringing in troubled players and getting the most out of them and with no perimeter pass rushing threat to speak of, the Bengals seem like the likeliest destination for Hardy.
Jon Fox - Adrian Peterson: Dallas. Peterson still has a lot of value, but there's only a few teams that would take the chance with their advertisers by taking him on. Expect the cowboys to deal a contract they want to dump and a decent pick for him. Ray Rice: nobody. He's just too toxic. He may get a try out somewhere, but the Ravens were planning on working him out of the offense with an eye to cutting him before he was suspended. Greg Hardy: Jacksonville. The Panthers want him out of town (he apparently lied to them multiple times when his arrest happened) and the Jags want DE help for Bradley's system.
Caleb Wahlgren - Technically, the Minnesota Vikings have the rights to Adrian Peterson, and could probably explore a trade before trying to cut him, but on the open market, it makes the most sense to put him in the physical NFC West as a member of the Arizona Cardinals. While Peterson is likely to get a second chance, I just don't see where Ray Rice can get his. Just like the cameras followed Tim Tebow, even to New England, this isn't just sports media, it's national media. But, I do think he could get a look during the middle of the season or next season when he's two years removed from the incident, just like the Bills signed Richie Incognito 2 years removed from Bullygate and no one really seemed to notice. When it comes to Greg Hardy, I see the Chicago Bears making a big push for him to be on their team, it seems very likely that he could be on the opposite side from Jared Allen.