The opening of the free agent market is just about two months away. Between now and then, teams will do everything in their power to keep their top players off the open market. Despite their best efforts, several strong contributors will inevitably move on. Here, we take a look at five players who will not only become free agents, but are likely to find new employers by next season. We have paired each of these players with a team that would make for the perfect landing spot. Without further ado …

1. Nick Fairley, Detroit Lions –> Chicago Bears

Everyone wants to talk about where Ndamukong Suh will wind up, but fellow defensive tackle Nick Fairley is also set to hit the open market. Lions GM Martin Mayhew declined the fifth-year option in Fairley’s contract last May in an effort to motivate the talented but inconsistent defensive tackle. The move worked, as Fairley played the best ball of his career until a knee injury in Week 8 put him on the shelf for the rest of the season. The injury should not be much of a concern going forward, as Fairely says he would have returned for the Divisional Round of the playoffs if the Lions had advanced that far.

With the Lions focused on retaining Suh, even considering using a $26 million franchise tag to do so, it appears Fairley’s next opportunity will come elsewhere. There could be no better landing spot than Chicago, as the Bears need to make serious improvements to all three levels of their defense. There will be an opening in the Windy City, too, as starting DT Stephen Paea will become an unrestricted free agent as well.

There is nothing more gratifying than swiping a talented player from a divisional rival, and no quicker way to close the talent gap within the division. Fairley is one of the most disruptive interior defenders in the game. He is stout against the run — a big reason why the Lions finished with the league’s best run defense — and quick enough to collapse the pocket and make plays in the backfield.

The big concerns with Fairley have always been conditioning and motivation. However, he impressed a lot of people by staying in shape while rehabbing his injured knee. He is now a svelte 290 lbs. and motivated to make a difference at his next landing spot.

“I think I can still make my name on this league as far as just being a consistent player each and every year, no matter where I’m at,” he said. “That’s going to be my goal, just stay consistent and just be there for the team and help them win and do whatever I got to do.”

2. RB Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers –> Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore’s running back position has been in flux ever since the Ray Rice suspension/railroading. Justin Forsett rescued the team with a breakthrough season, rushing for 1,266 yards and eight touchdowns. But Forsett will be a free agent this offseason, and even if he returns, he is undersized (5-foot-8, 197 pounds) and not built to carry such a heavy workload. Plus, Forsett will turn 30 next season and we all know what a dangerous number that is for running backs.

Mathews is a perfect fit for the Ravens. He is a powerful runner who can wear down defenses, which fits right in with the Ravens’ physical persona. Also, Mathews’ north-and-south running style is an excellent fit for Gary Kubiak’s zone blocking-based offense, which requires runners to make one cut and go.

The biggest problem with Mathews is his inability to stay healthy, as he has never made it through a season without some type of injury. The best way for the Ravens to hedge their bet would be to re-sign Forsett and add Mathews, too. Because of Forsett’s age and Mathews’ injury history — plus the running back market being generally soft at the moment — Baltimore should be able fit both players under the cap with relative ease.

“We know what Ryan brings to us,” said Chargers GM Tom Telesco, who has indicated a willingness to bring Mathews back only if the price is right. “He’s a great kid.”

3. Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers –> San Diego Chargers

The Chargers have more pressing needs than receiver, but Telesco is aware his team could use an upgrade here. San Diego made an offer to Steve Smith last offseason before he opted to sign with the Ravens. Telesco realizes Eddie Royal is a free agent, Malcom Floyd is injury prone and Antonio Gates is in the twilight of his career. Bottom line: Philip Rivers needs more weapons.

The 49ers seem perfectly content to let Crabtree walk. He has never been the same player after tearing his ACL in the 2013 offseason and has been an inconsistent possession receiver ever since. So why should the Chargers bite? For one thing, there is reason to expect Crabtree will be back near 100 percent next season, as it often takes two years to fully recover from an ACL injury. Secondly, Rivers is light-years better than Colin Kaepernick. An upgrade at quarterback and a move away from San Francisco’s run-heavy attack could be just the thing to revive Crabtree’s career.

The Chargers appear to have found a gem in CFL import Dontrelle Inman, who made his debut in Week 16 and immediately proved he belongs. A receiving trio of Keenan Allen, Crabtree and Inman could prove prolific for San Diego. Throw in Antonio Gates and a returning Danny Woodhead and the Chargers’ passing attack could bounce back in a major way after a down year in 2014.

4. Antonio Cromartie, Arizona Cardinals –> Carolina Panthers

Free agency is more about who you know than anything else. That’s why it’s easy to see Cromartie heading over to Carolina, where he would reunite with Ron Rivera, who was a defensive assistant in San Diego from 2007 to 2009 when Cromartie was a still member of the Chargers.

Cromartie started every game this season in Arizona, finishing with three interceptions and 10 pass breakups. He added another interception in the Wild Card game against Carolina, which should remind Rivera that his former pupil can still get it done.

Carolina’s secondary is still very much in flux. The Panthers began the season with three new starters in the secondary and have been mixing and matching ever since. Antoine Cason, who like Cromartie is a former Chargers first-round pick, began the season in Carolina’s starting lineup but is now a reserve in Baltimore. Cason was replaced by Melvin White, whose own struggles got him benched in favor of Bene Benwikere.

Cromartie could solidify the cornerback spot opposite Josh Norman and buy the Panthers time to develop some of their younger corners. Plus, Cromartie should cost only about $4 million annually with minimal guarantees, which is key for the cap-conscious Panthers.

“I would definitely like to return [to Arizona],” Cromartie said. “But at the end of the day, that’s not my decision. The only thing I can control is what I can do on the football field.”

5. TE Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati Bengals –> Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons have gotten very little from the tight end position since Tony Gonzalez’s retirement, which is one of the reasons Atlanta has lacked consistency on offense despite premier outside weapons in Julio Jones and Roddy White. This season Gresham caught over 60 passes for the second time in the last three years; he has caught more than 45 passes in each of his five seasons.

Gresham’s contributions come not only as a pass catcher. He was the top-rated tight end in pass protection according to Pro Football Focus, which could help an Atlanta offense that allowed about two sacks per game in 2014.

The Bengals appear content to let their former first-round pick move on. Ryan Hewitt, who excelled as a rookie from the H-back role, is likely to take over Gresham’s spot in the starting lineup. Cincinnati will also get back another former first-round pick, Tyler Eifert, who is more of a down-the-seams receiving type.