Rams Discussing Trumaine Johnson Trade
The Rams are in discussions with several teams about potentially trading franchised cornerback Trumaine Johnson, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
Johnson was tagged for the second year in a row, giving him a one-year, $16.742MM tender. The Rams and the 27-year-old corner have until July 15 to agree to an extension, but it sounds like he could be shipped out before that point.
If the Rams do trade Johnson, it’s likely that they will pursue some of this year’s top available cornerbacks. Last year, the Rams let Janoris Jenkins leave via free agency and their pass defense suffered tremendously. Some of this year’s biggest available names include A.J. Bouye, Logan Ryan, Stephon Gilmore, Morris Claiborne, and Dre Kirkpatrick. We also consider Prince Amukamara, Brandon Carr, Terence Newman, Nickell Robey-Coleman (recently released), and Kayvon Webster to be among the ten best CBs on the market.
The Rams’ other cornerbacks under contract are Lamarcus Joyner, E.J. Gaines, Blake Countess, Troy Hill, and Michael Jordan (no, not that Michael Jordan).
In 2016, Johnson had 57 total tackles and one interception in 14 games. In the year prior, he racked up 71 total tackles and seven interceptions. Johnson’ position as Pro Football Focus’ No. 26 cornerback last season is nothing to sneeze at, but he probably didn’t perform quite at the level expected of him.
Cowboys, Sean Lee Restructure Contract
The Cowboys have restructured the contract of linebacker Sean Lee, according to ESPN.com’s Todd Archer (Twitter link). The move will give Dallas a little more than $5MM in space to work with, sources say. 
Lee, 31 in July, missed the entire 2014 season and but came back strong in 2015, earning a Pro Bowl nod along the way. This past season, he topped himself by getting a Pro Bowl nod as well as a First-Team All-Pro selection, the first of his career.
As of this writing, the Cowboys now have about $9MM in breathing room. That will come in handy this week, particularly if the Cowboys are serious about major expenditures like wide receiver Kenny Britt. Still, space is limited and we are expecting the Cowboys to ration out their available room to spend. Already, the Cowboys are anticipating the loss of several key free agents.
The Cowboys also recently restructured the deals of tackle Tyron Smith and center Travis Frederick.
Packers Contact CB Davon House
Could Davon House return home to the Packers? There is mutual interest between Green Bay and the cornerback, according to ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky (Twitter link). Already, the Packers have reached out to his camp. 
House spent the first four years of his career in Green Bay before signing a four-year, $24.5MM deal with the Jaguars in free agency. This week, the Jags cut him in order to save $6MM against this year’s cap.
The 27-year-old (28 in July) shined in a reserve role while with the Packers. When he first joined Jacksonville, he ascended to a larger role and started in all 16 games. Then, in 2016, he was sent back to the bench as Jalen Ramsey and Prince Amukamara held down the starting spots.
After finishing near the bottom in passing yards allowed last season, it makes sense for the Packers to explore every possible upgrade in the secondary. Their familiarity with House could quickly lead to a deal.
49ers Not Interested In Mike Glennon
Mike Glennon‘s stock is apparently on the rise, but you can cross one quarterback-needy team off of his list. The 49ers are not interested in him, a source tells Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. 
Glennon, 27, has attempted just eleven passes the past two seasons as Jameis Winston’s clipboard holder. Despite the possibility of rust, teams like the Bears are apparently ready to take the bidding to previously unforeseen heights. The Jets were also mentioned as a potential landing spot in January. The 49ers were previously linked to Glennon, but they won’t be among the clubs to push his market.
The former third-rounder started 13 games in 2013, completing 59.4-percent of his passes for 2,608 yards, 19 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
The Buccaneers reportedly offered Glennon a contract worth $8MM a season, which would have made him the highest-paid backup quarterback in the NFL.
Because of his potential earning power, I have Glennon ranked as the No. 13 free agent on our updated Top 50 Free Agents list. He’s also my No. 1 rated quarterback in terms of ability, but Tyrod Taylor could unseat him from that perch if he’s released in the coming days.
Free Agency Rumors: Charles, Peterson
The latest free agent rumors:
- NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that players in need of medical clearance (Jamaal Charles, Adrian Peterson, T.J. Lang) will take visits but won’t sign quickly. The reporter also notes that Peterson could ultimately stay with the Vikings.
- When it comes to offensive lineman D.J. Fluker, the Saints, Lions, Seahawks, Colts, Vikings, Giants, Cardinals, and Falcons are among the potential teams to watch, according to Josina Anderson on Twitter.
- The Jets have expressed interest in re-signing linebacker Josh Martin, a source tells Rich Cimini of ESPN.com (on Twitter), but he’s poised to hit the open market. Martin stands as the team’s top special teams player.
- The Giants have expressed some initial interest in tight end Anthony Fasano, an NFL source tells Paul Schwartz of the New York Post (on Twitter). The Jets also have some interest in the blocking specialist.
- The Steelers have interest in re-signing veteran tight end David Johnson, reports ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. Johnson played in 16 games (five starts) during his first season in Pittsburgh, collecting seven receptions for 80 yards.
49ers Release WR Torrey Smith
Steve Smith has gone from NFL wide receiver to NFL insider. Smith took to Twitter on Monday to announce that Torrey Smith is being released by the 49ers. Moments later, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link) confirmed the news. On Tuesday, the Niners made it official.
Smith, 28, was slated to carry a $9.475MM cap number this year. His release doesn’t come as a huge shock given his so-so play with the team after signing a five-year, $40MM contract in 2015. In 2016, he had just 20 catches for 267 yards and three touchdowns. He played in only 12 games after missing the final four contests with a concussion.
As it stands, the recently re-signed Jeremy Kerley is the team’s No. 1 WR on the depth chart. You can expect that to change this offseason, however.
Before the trade deadline last year, the Eagles were said to be in talks with the Niners about a possible swap. It stands to reason that the Eagles could be among the teams with interest in the veteran.
Smith’s best season came with the Ravens in 2013 when he had 65 catches for 1,128 yards and four touchdowns. He really went off in the end zone in the following year, notching a career-high eleven TDs.
Cowboys To Pursue WR Kenny Britt
The Cowboys are among the teams with interest in Kenny Britt, a source tells Mike Florio of PFT (on Twitter). Britt may be a replacement for Terrance Williams, whom they are expecting to leave via free agency.
Britt finished out the 2016 season with 68 receptions for 1,002 yards and five touchdowns. It has been estimated that he could get $6-$8MM per year on his next deal, but I think he could possibly get even more. Britt ranks as my fourth-best wide receiver in this year’s class and I can’t imagine a team pegging him any lower in terms of ability. Furthermore, Britt made just over $4MM last season and he is undoubtedly due for a pay bump.
2016 was a breakout campaign for Britt. Prior to his first season with the Rams, Britt’s best season came in 2010 with the Titans, when he collected 42 receptions for 775 yards and nine touchdowns.
If Britt does indeed join Dallas, he’d presumably slide in as the team’s third receiver behind Dez Bryant and Cole Beasley. Last season, Williams finished the campaign with 44 receptions, 594 yards, and six touchdowns, which are about on par with Britt’s career averages.
We learned yesterday that the 49ers are among the teams that have also expressed interest in Britt.
Broncos Interested In Danny Woodhead
Danny Woodhead is far enough along in his ACL recovery that he’s already getting some bites in free agency, according to Alex Marvez of The Sporting News (on Twitter). The Broncos are among the clubs with interest. 
I ranked Woodhead, 32, as one of the ten best running backs available this month. Typically a pass-catching machine, Woodhead missed the majority of the 2016 season due to injury. In the year prior, Woodhead had a career-high 80 receptions for 755 yards and six touchdowns (also a career high).
Woodhead is no spring chicken, but he could be a valuable addition to another team’s backfield. The Broncos could slot him in behind projected starter C.J. Anderson. Devontae Booker, Juwan Thompson, and Kapri Bibbs (ERFA) are also on the RB depth chart.
Chargers Release CB Brandon Flowers
Busy morning for the Chargers. The Bolts are releasing cornerback Brandon Flowers, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). This moves comes on the heels of offensive lineman D.J. Fluker and wide receiver Stevie Johnson getting cut.
Flowers was due $9MM in 2017. By releasing him, the team is saving about $7MM against this year’s cap. Between today’s three cuts, the Chargers have saved roughly $19MM against the cap.
The Chargers signed Flowers to a four-year deal with a $36.4MM base value and $20.5MM guaranteed in 2015. In three seasons with the organization, the defensive back ultimately played in 31 games (30 starts) for the team. His best season came in 2014, when he collected 52 tackles, 10 passes defended, and three interceptions.
In 2016, the 31-year-old only played in six games as he recovered from a concussion. Flowers finished the campaign with 28 tackles, five passes defended, and one interception.
Chargers To Release WR Stevie Johnson
The Chargers are releasing wide receiver Stevie Johnson, according to former U-T San Diego reporter Michael Gehlken (on Twitter). The move will clear about $3.5MM in cap space.
Johnson ultimately played in 10 games for the Chargers after signing a three-year, $12MM deal with organization during the 2015 offseason. That year, the wideout collected 45 receptions for 497 yards and three touchdowns. The veteran ultimately missed the entire 2016 campaign after having surgery on his meniscus.
The 30-year-old has nine NFL seasons under his belt, including six with the Bills. From 2010 through 2012, Johnson averaged 79 receptions for 1041 yards and seven touchdowns.
Gehlken also notes (Twitter link) that tackle King Dunlap is scheduled to earn a $500K bonus if he is on the roster on March 18. Los Angeles is likely to release him or restructure his deal by then. Of course, they have time between now and the 3/18 deadline to make a move in that regard.