West Notes: Sherman, Chiefs, Chargers, 49ers

Contract extension talks between the Seahawks and All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman are still occurring, but a deal has not yet been reached, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Some reports have indicated that a deal could coalesce before the draft on Thursday, and while that still may be realistic, it reportedly “won’t be easy.” The Seahawks, who recently locked up another young defensive back in Earl Thomas, have Sherman under contract for one more season, at a base salary of $1.431MM.

More rumblings from the West divisions:

  • Adam Teicher of ESPN.com believes that defensive lineman Ra’Shede Hageman is something of a boom-or-bust prospect, while fellow D-lineman Stephon Tuitt is more likely to be a solid, productive player, leading Teicher to surmise that the Chiefs, who are without a second-round pick, would be less likely to gamble on Hageman were he to fall to the 23rd pick.
  • The Chargers have often taken one of two approaches when drafting defensive players, writes Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com — selecting a player who performs a single task well (like Larry English‘s and pass rushing), or taking a prospect who is more well-rounded and versatile (such as Melvin Ingram). If versatility is the objective for Chargers general manager Tom Telesco in next week’s draft, a defensive lineman like Oregon State’s Scott Crichton could be of interest.
  • The 49ers’ plans regarding Aldon Smith need not have changed simply because the team exercised its 2015 option on the linebacker, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. The option is guaranteed for injury only, so the Niners have some time to further decide on Smith’s future. Maiocco believes that because of Smith’s status, outside linebacker must be a consideration for San Francisco in next week’s draft.
  • It might take a draft day slide, but cornerback Kyle Fuller would be of interest to the Broncos, according to ESPN’s NFL Nation blog. Some have raised concerns about Fuller’s size (5’11”, 190 pounds) but his ability to play in multiple spots might overcome those defects. “I feel comfortable playing in the nickel, playing outside,’” said the young defensive back. “I just want to be versatile.”
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