The NFL rumor mill never sleeps and with this year’s class of free agents, and the NFL draft just over one month away, fans everywhere are buzzing with hopes their team will strike a deal that will help them contend in 2018. One of the top free agents that will officially hit the market in a few days is quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Cousins 2018

The Kirk Cousins sweepstakes may be down to four teams. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Saturday (March 3) that the New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, and Arizona Cardinals are expected to be the frontrunners in landing the star quarterback this offseason.The 29-year-old former Michigan State Spartan has been franchise-tagged by the Redskins each of the last two seasons.

It is highly unlikely for Washington to once again tag Cousins, especially considering they traded for Alex Smith earlier this year.

While Schefter indicates that four teams may be in the running, it appears that the Broncos and Vikings would be the odds-on favorites to land Cousins. Both are pretty much in a ready to win now mode and Cousins may be just what they need to put them over the top. If Cousins plays to his ability, he will be a steal for the team that signs him. Since becoming Washington’s full-time starter in 2015, Cousins passed for over 4,000-yards and averaged 27 touchdown passes in each of the last three seasons.

Lions eye Dion Lewis, Malcolm Butler?

Are the Detroit Lions ready to make a splash in the upcoming NFL free agency period?

With all of the New England connections that Detroit’s general manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia have, don’t be surprised if the Lions talk to two of the Patriots' top free agents available on the market. New England’s Dion Lewis (running back) and Malcolm Butler (cornerback) are going to hit the open market in less than 10 days, and Lions fans are hoping that their new head coach can get them to head to the Motor City.

Signing both of these players is a long shot, but it may be worth the chance. It would be actually like drafting two players in their prime that you know are Pro Bowl caliber. Lewis, 27, led the Patriots in rushing with 896 yards and six touchdowns. He also would be a great option for Matt Stafford on the receiving end as well.

Lewis raked in 32 receptions for 214 yards and three scores. He also can return kicks to boot.

Malcolm Butler is one of the best cornerbacks in the game, hands down. Following a bizarre twist in Super Bowl 52 in which he didn’t play one single snap on defense, Butler may be ready to check out all of his options now that he is free to leave New England if he chooses.

As New England’s defensive coordinator, Patricia coached Butler the last four seasons, collecting two Super Bowl rings along the way. The new Lions coach says his relationship with Butler is a great one and recently told the Detroit Free Press that he loves Butler like he was his own son. Could that influence be enough to get the star corner to play for the Lions in 2018? It sure doesn’t hurt to have such good inside influences like Quinn and Patricia to at least make the effort!
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