With free agency rapidly approaching, it's time to start playing matchmaker.
The Around The NFL crew picked our best fits for all of free agency:
DeMarco Murray to the Colts
Two seasons after whiffing on Trent Richardson, general manager Ryan Grigson will spend on a proven NFL commodity. Grigson and offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton have been searching for a between-the-tackles runner to balance out their offense. Murray is a risk coming off a season with more than 500 touches, but he shouldn't cost that much for such a productive player. -- Gregg Rosenthal
Andre Johnson to the Seahawks
The Broncos make sense with former Houston coach Gary Kubiak at the helm. So do the Falcons, with Johnson's old coordinator, Kyle Shanahan, calling plays. The Seahawks, though, feel like a match all around. Seattle's passing game was entirely unpredictable last season, but Johnson, Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse would form a strong trio, while giving the future Hall of Famer one more shot at a ring. -- Marc Sessler
Mike Iupati to the Redskins
The NFL is all about connections. New Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan drafted Iupati when he was running the 49ers' front office in 2010. It's no surprise that McCloughan has a "strong interest" in reuniting with Iupati, who is a perfect fit for Jay Gruden's offensive line that is transitioning away from Kyle Shanahan's old zone-blocking scheme and toward more power. Iupati has been one of the NFL's best young guards, as his three Pro Bowl appearances by age 27 testify. -- Chris Wesseling
Ndamukong Suh to the Raiders
This fit is almost too easy on paper. Suh wants to become the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL. The Raiders have cap space and must shell out dough this offseason to reach the spending floor. Reggie McKenzie is under pressure to create a winner in his fourth season, and Suh could go a long way to vaulting the Raiders northward. The defensive tackle would be a wonder next to young stud Khalil Mack and would instantly make the Raiders one of the top run-stuffing defenses in the NFL. Even Suh's bad-boy image would fit in Raiders lore, endear him to lifelong Raiders fans and conjure remakes of The Autumn Wind. The biggest obstacle might be convincing Suh that the Raiders are ready to win in short order. -- Kevin Patra
UPDATE: The Dolphins are the clear front runner to land Suh, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Sunday.
C.J. Spiller to the Jets
I'm hardly the first person to note this possibility, but that doesn't change the fact that a Spiller reunion with new Jets offensive coordinator Chan Gailey makes too much sense for New York not to explore. There's also a clear need here: The Jets recently cut ties with Chris Johnson, who was supposed to be the "lightning" option alongside the underrated Chris Ivory. Spiller can step into that role and play in an offense that once spawned a season in Buffalo in which he surpassed 1,700 total yards. Make it happen, Maccagnan. -- Dan Hanzus
Jeremy Maclin to the Chiefs
Once again, the NFL is all about connections. Maclin knows Andy Reid's offense after playing under the former Eagles coach for four seasons in Philadelphia. Signing with Kansas City would be a homecoming for Maclin, who starred at Mizzou last decade. It's no secret that the Chiefs need playmakers on offense after becoming the first team since the 1970 merger to go an entire season without a touchdown by a wide receiver. -- Chris Wesseling
UPDATE: Rapoport reported that Maclin plans to head to Kansas City on Tuesday to sign with the Chiefs.
Julius Thomas to the Falcons
Atlanta desperately needs a playmaking tight end after suffering through last season minus Tony Gonzalez. Levine Toilolo isn't the answer, but Thomas would open up the field underneath for quarterback Matt Ryan. New Falcons coordinator Kyle Shanahan runs a boot-heavy, rollout air scheme that consistently produces big seasons for tight ends. Thomas risks seeing his numbers plummet away from Peyton Manning, but not if he joins forces with Ryan and the Falcons. -- Marc Sessler
Devin McCourty to the Eagles
Chip Kelly and Co. need to take care of some of their own talent, but they also need to make some major upgrades to a porous secondary. It doesn't get much better than Devin McCourty, who comes in at No. 2 on the NFL.com list of best free agents. McCourty can cover and he can survey the field better than any player on the market right now. He fits into Kelly's mantra, which requires position versatility and, depending on the offer New England throws his way, could be had for a semi-reasonable amount of money. --Â Conor Orr
UPDATE: McCourty is staying in New England. Rapoport reported that the safety agreed to a five-year deal to stay with the Patriots.
Jordan Cameron to the Jaguars
Is the Jaguars' rumored interest in Julius Thomas a smokescreen? General manager David Caldwell cut his teeth in Atlanta, watching Tony Gonzalez up-close and personal on a daily basis. Cameron's 2013 season was the closest we've seen to Gonzalez's penchant for contested catches across the middle, down the sideline and in the end zone. -- Chris Wesseling
Byron Maxwell to the Falcons
The top corner to hit the open market will garner an assembly of suitors. However, I believe his best landing spot at the moment is the Falcons under his former defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn. The 6-foot-1 corner boasts the size and physicality to matchup with big receivers. However, there remain questions about whether Maxwell can automatically be a No. 1 cover corner. In Atlanta he would fit seamlessly next to burgeoning youngster Desmond Trufant. Having a player in the defensive backfield who already knows Quinn's system would make the transition immensely easier. And, yes, the Falcons have the cap space to add Maxwell and still find help for their meager pass rush. *-- Kevin Patra *
UPDATE: Maxwell told ESPN's Josina Anderson "I'm going to Philly." NFL Media's Albert Breer confirmed Maxwell has informed his teammates he intends to join the Eagles.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast reacts to the LeSean McCoy-Kiko Alonso trade and what it means for the Eagles and Bills. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
