Free agency is here, the most active period leading up to the NFL Draft. It's a time for talent evaluation and cash allocation. And for fans, hope springs eternal. Expect an active week. The huge increase in the salary cap means every team can be a player. Here are the five storylines you should be following this week:

Buffalo Bills coach Dick Jauron announced last week the team will entertain offers for disgruntled running back Willis McGahee. And now that teams have begun the process of let's-make-a-deal, expect plenty of suitors. The Buffalo News reports that with the Denver Broncos trading Tatum Bell to Detroit on Friday, the Broncos have reached out to the Bills about McGahee. The New York Giants are also in the hunt. But there are several running back options available. McGahee just missed his third straight 1,000-yard season. He ran for 990 yards and six touchdowns in 14 games. Fantasy owners can only hope McGahee moves onto a team that can maximize his talents. The running back factory in Denver anyone?

Days after being cut loose by Philadelphia, veteran quarterback Jeff Garcia signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday. The 37-year-old signed a two-year, $7 million deal, that according The St. Petersburg Times, could grow to $14.5 million with incentives. The Bucs also swung a trade with Denver on Friday for the rights to quarterback Jake Plummer for an undisclosed draft pick. Smooth move. Plummer, 32, announced his retirement on Saturday and the teams nixed the deal, according to the Denver Post. All that movement doesn't bode will for incumbent starter Chris Simms, who missed most of last season with a ruptured spleen. Considering Plummer's age, he could reconsider. But for now, Garcia has the inside track. With Joey Galloway in the fold and game-breaking wideout Calvin Johnson possibly falling to the Bucs with the No. 4 pick, consider Garcia an attractive fantasy option.

The New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick went out and got a new centerpiece for his defense by signing Pro Bowl linebacker Adalius Thomas away from Baltimore on Saturday. The pass-rushing linebacker signed a five-year $37.5 million deal. Thomas, who began his career as a special teams playmaker, has the versatility to play safety and defensive end. With that kind of chess piece for Belichick to move around, consider the Patriots a top option on defense. New England landed the biggest free agent name out there, but the Pats are far from done. Expect more moves from the brain trust – and we say that with reverence.

You've heard about the recently-completed NFL Combine in Indianapolis. But have you checked out the results of the University of Miami workout before pro scouts on Saturday? No college program has sent more pros to the NFL or garnered more first-round picks over the last decade. There are a few gems fantasy owners should be aware of, especially after positive displays on Saturday. Greg Olsen, projected as the top tight end in the draft, had a strong showing in Indianapolis. But he still improved his vertical leap and board jump. Two others worth noting: wideout Ryan Moore is a burner and running back Tyrone Moss is a late-round sleeper. He could have the same type of impact that Frank Gore (another former Cane) had out of the gate.

As if NFL Europe weren't campy enough. OK, it's unlikely the NFL Europe national camp in Tampa will yield the next great fantasy stud. The week-long camp begins Monday and draws international athletes with the goal of landing a job in NFL Europe. And of course, that league is a valuable training ground for young NFL players on practice squads or No. 3 quarterbacks in need of polish. But who knows? At the camp's conclusion, 48 players will be assigned to six teams in NFL Europe. On Thursday, the rest of the league reports in Tampa. San Francisco practice squad receiver C.J. Brewer was the fourth overall pick in the NFL Europe allocation draft on Feb. 23. Miami running back Jesse Chatman, who played three seasons in San Diego, was the first running back selected. Maybe this opportunity will jump-start their careers. The season kicks off April 14.