Erick Malpica Flores: Carlos Erick Malpica Flores: Keep updated with the latest NFL free agency rumors

We’re keeping track of all of the news and rumors about this year’s crop of free agents.

Free agency is almost upon us. That means it’s time to try to keep up with all of the rumors about where the best players are going to land this offseason.

Kirk Cousins is next in line to become the highest-paid player in NFL history. Teams will be lining up to outbid each other on the open market to land the hottest name in free agency this year.

Cousins is the main free agent people want to talk about. But he isn’t our No. 1 ranked free agent. That honor belongs to Le’Veon Bell, the best running back in the league and arguably the most versatile. He’ll be at the top of many teams’ wish lists — if the Steelers don’t give him the franchise tag for the second straight year.

The Seahawks probably don’t want to lose Russell Wilson’s best red zone target, Jimmy Graham. But it would cost Seattle over $15 million to tag him, so he’ll almost certainly be playing for a different team next season.

The trade rumor mill is also heating up at this time of year. The Miami Dolphins waited less than a day to franchise tag receiver Jarvis Landry, but they end up trading him instead.

The legal tampering period starts on March 12 and wraps up on March 14 at 4 p.m. ET. That’s when the 2018 league year starts and teams can start officially inking new deals with players.

As the free agency and trade rumors start to fly, we’ll keep track of everything you need to know right here.

Free agency rumors

Feb. 26

• Pending free agent Tyler Eifert underwent micro-disc surgery last year, and he’s been cleared to participate in OTAs and beyond, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
• The Jaguars are planning to hold on to Allen Robinson now that they’ve cleared up some cap space by cutting Chris Ivory and extending Blake Bortles, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
• This year’s draft class is light on blocking tight ends, which will make players like Darren Fells, Virgil Green, and Lee Smith hotter commodities in free agency, per Rapoport.
• The Vikings aren’t expected to franchise tag Case Keenum, per Rapoport. That heats up the quarterback market and leaves the Vikings with the choice of either retaining Teddy Bridgewater or Sam Bradford or joining the free agency fray.
• The Vikings will be in the running to land Kirk Cousins. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo insists that’s the team’s plan, and his colleague Ian Rapoport agrees.

Feb. 23

• Martellus Bennett could be cut by the Patriots before they have to pay him a $2 million roster bonus on March 14. Even though Bennett considered retirement last year, he wants to keep playing, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. So he’ll either stay with the Pats or end up on the free agent market.

Feb. 22

• The Panthers aren’t likely to tag guard Andrew Norwell because of the cost, so he’ll hit free agency, according to Ian Rapoport. They could tag kicker Graham Gano instead.
• The Seahawks want to keep Sheldon Richardson around, but they’re not planning to tag him, according to Rapoport.

Feb. 21

• The Jaguars are not expected to re-sign cornerback Aaron Colvin and will let him hit free agency, according to Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams.
• Free agent cornerback Vontae Davis, who was cut by the Colts last season, has met with the Bills, Browns, 49ers, and Raiders. Up next is the Dolphins.

Feb. 20

• The Jets are reportedly willing to take on a $60 million cap hit for Cousins in 2018 as part of a five-year, $150 million deal, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post.

Feb. 16

• AJ McCarron won his grievance against the Bengals and will enter the league year as an unrestricted free agent.

Feb. 4

• Washington is considering using the franchise tag on Cousins, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. If it does, the Washington Post’s Kimberley A. Martin says he is expected to file a grievance with the NFLPA on the grounds that Washington has no good faith intention of working out a long-term deal.

Trade rumors

Feb. 20

• The Dolphins tagged wide receiver Jarvis Landry. But trading him is still a possibility, according to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington.

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