NFL Notes: Free Agents, Bears, Broncos, Cowboys & Panthers

Free Agents

• Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap expects impending free agent FS Eric Weddle to receive a contract in the $8-9 million range this offseason, and mentions the Giants, Jaguars and Raiders as potential suitors.
• As for Browns WR Travis Benjamin, Fitzgerald believes he could command a contract around $6 million annually.
• Fitzgerald could see RB Lamar Miller signing for more than $5 million per year from the Dolphins if they elect to re-sign him.
• Fitzgerald anticipates RB Alfred Morris signing a three-year deal in the $3.5-$4 million range this offseason.
• Fitzgerald thinks G J.R. Sweezy will average a contract around $4 million per season in his next deal.

Bears

• Jeff Dickerson of ESPN gives special teams player CB Sherrick McManis a moderate chance of being re-signed by the Bears.
• Dickerson reasons that Chicago should consider giving McManus at least a one-year contract

Broncos

• According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, there’s a chance that the exclusive franchise tag, which they would likely use on OLB Von Miller, could end up being cheaper than the non-exclusive franchise tag.
• Florio’s sources estimate that the exclusive tag is currently on track to be $14.04 million.

Cowboys

• David Hellman believes first-round DB Byron Jones should be the Cowboys’ full-time starter at free safety for 2016.

Panthers

• Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap believes cutting veteran defensive ends Jared Allen and Charles Johnson makes the most sense for the Panthers’ cap situation right now.
• By cutting these two players, the Panthers would save $19.5 million in cap space and have $40 million in available cap space.