NFC Rumors: 49ers, Rams, Donald
49ers GM John Lynch won’t rule out approaching another team about a quarterback trade.
“We’re not closing the door on any options,” Lynch admitted (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Facebook). “We have the number 2 pick and that’s a valuable asset. Fortunately for Kyle (Shanahan) and I, we weren’t part of that 2-14 season. And so now we get to walk in and the good side of that is we have the number 2 pick, and I think that opens a lot of doors for people to try to talk to us about that pick, as well. Or we can sit back and get a really talented player right there, so we’re excited about that.”
Of course, the 49ers have been heavily connected to Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins. However, they’d have to give up a ton to pry him away in addition to giving him a lucrative new extension. The latest word is that the Niners are unwilling to go that far to get a QB.
Here’s more from the NFC as news continues to pour in from the combine:
- 49ers GM John Lynch says that he would have released Colin Kaepernick had he not opted out (Twitter link via SiriusXM).
- Rams GM Les Snead says extension talks for defensive tackle Aaron Donald are “definitely coming (Twitter link via Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com). Donald, the former No. 13 overall pick in the 2014 draft, is under contract through 2017 at a $3.225MM cap figure. Last year, he graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 1 interior defender with a stellar 95.6 grade. A new deal for Donald will likely reset the market for defensive tackles.
- Rams GM Les Snead isn’t ruling out the possibility of working out a long-term deal with Trumaine Johnson before the July 15 deadline, but they’ll revisit those discussions after OTAs, Gonzalez tweets. That’s because the Rams want to wait until they have a better feel for whether Johnson is a good fit under new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.
- The Falcons are moving on from defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux but it is believed the 35-year-old will continue playing elsewhere, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com tweets. Babineaux, he notes, has connections to coaches around he league. It sounds like the veteran doesn’t plan on retirement, but in a league that is getting progressively younger, it’s not a given that he’ll find work.
- Discussions about a potential extension for Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro aren’t expected until later this summer, Nick Underhill of The Advocate tweets.
Free Agent Rumors: Jeffery, Kaepernick, QBs
Free agent Alshon Jeffery is looking to sign with a contender, the wide receiver tells ESPN’s Josina Anderson. He also says he doesn’t have any beef with the Bears.
“I don’t have any hard feelings towards the Bears — it’s all love,” Jeffery said. “Whatever the next chapter is, I’m ready for it. I’m looking at the teams that obviously need a wide receiver, but also put me in the best situation to win a championship right now. I also want to see what other free agents may be attracted to the same teams I’ll be looking at. That can help that goal.”
On Thursday morning, we learned that there are four teams in the lead for Jeffery’s services. Due to his earning power, we have Jeffery ranked high on our list of Top 50 Free Agents.
The latest free agency rumors:
- Colin Kaepernick says he’ll stand for the National Anthem in 2017 and that’s good news for his market. Several teams tell Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (on Twitter) they would have completely ruled out signing him if he continued his stance.
- The Falcons, Broncos, Vikings, Lions, Colts, Seahawks, and Jaguars will be making a run at the top three or four guards available in free agency, Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports tweets. Robinson doesn’t name names, but I consider Kevin Zeitler, T.J. Lang, Ronald Leary, and Larry Warford to be the four best guards on the board. For the Falcons and Seahawks, price will be a factor and neither team will engage in a bidding war (Twitter link).
- The Cowboys, Ravens, Colts, and Eagles are doing homework on backup quarterbacks, Robinson tweets. In the case of the Eagles, they’re probably researching potential replacements for Chase Daniel as he garners trade interest. The Cowboys, of course, are planning for life without Tony Romo.
AFC East Rumors: Patriots, Branch, Jets
The Patriots and Dont’a Hightower are maintaining positive, productive dialogue, Jeff Howe of The Boston Herald writes. Still, Hightower is intrigued by the idea of finding out his value on the open market, so there remains a real chance that he reaches free agency on March 9. The Pats have not extended a formal, written proposal since last summer.
[RELATED: Find Out Where Dont’a Hightower Ranks On Our Top 50 Free Agents List]
Here’s a look at the latest out of the AFC East:
- The Patriots believe they made a solid offer to Alan Branch this week and the two sides are deep in negotiations, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald tweets. We have Branch rated as the seventh-best interior defender among unrestricted free agents.
- Jets coach Todd Bowles claims Darrelle Revis‘ recent felony arrest was not a factor in the decision to release him (Twitter link via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com). He also says the idea of moving him to safety was discussed, but it doesn’t sound like it was a serious consideration.
- The Dolphins aren’t sure whether safety Isa Abdul-Quddus can take the field in 2017, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes. Last year, they signed Abdul-Quddus to a three-year deal with the hope that he could hold down the position. Unfortunately, he suffered a bad neck injury late last season.
- The Jets and 49ers are said to be among the teams with interest in Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
Latest On Redskins’ Talks With Kirk Cousins
The Redskins and Kirk Cousins‘ camp met this week to discuss a long-term deal, but the two sides aren’t close to an agreement, sources tell Master Tesfatsion of The Washington Post (Twitter links). The Redskins were discussing a long-term deal with the quarterback worth $20MM per year, a figure that might not get the job done given his ~$24MM tag. 
[RELATED: 2017 NFL Franchise Tag Players]
Meanwhile, a potential trade with the 49ers has been rumored for some time, but SF is presently unwilling to give up a boatload of draft compensation plus a hefty contract, sources tell Tesfatsion (on Twitter). Of course, that could just be posturing by GM John Lynch & Co. Ultimately, with Jimmy Garoppolo said to be off the trade market, the Niners could cave and get a deal done for Cousins.
Some say that Cousins would only cooperate with a trade to San Francisco, but other reports indicate that he would be “intrigued” by the Browns. Given the many roadblocks to a potential trade, I still believe the most likely outcome here is for Cousins to sign an extension with the Redskins between now and July. So far, however, the Redskins have been reluctant to pay him like a top quarterback.
DeMarcus Ware Eyeing Return To Cowboys
Defensive end DeMarcus Ware is looking to end his career with the Cowboys, a source tells Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram. As of this writing, the two sides have yet to speak, but that could change soon at the combine. 
Last month, we heard that Ware would be open to a Dallas return. Now, things sound a little bit more serious. The future Hall of Famer enjoyed some of his best seasons with Dallas, a run that included four First-Team All-Pro selections and seven consecutive Pro Bowl nods. It’s no surprise to hear that Ware is looking to wrap things up back where it all started.
On Wednesday, Broncos GM John Elway indicated that he hasn’t sat down with Ware yet, but new head coach Vance Joseph has spoken with him a handful of times. It sounds like the Broncos are interested in re-signing Ware, but the two sides are far from any sort of new deal.
Ware earned honorable mention on the early draft of PFR’s Top 50 Free Agents List. He’ll turn 35 this summer.
Jets, 49ers Interested In QB Tyrod Taylor
At least three teams are known to have an interest in signing Tyrod Taylor if the Bills release him: the Browns, 49ers, and Jets, Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News writes. Of course, there could be more teams in on him if he is cut loose. 
The Browns’ interest in Taylor came to light earlier this week, but this is the first we’re hearing of interest from the 49ers and Jets. Gang Green has watched Taylor blossom into a solid starter and they would like to be on the better end of the stick when Taylor breaks off his electrifying runs. The Jets tried their hand at having a mobile QB in the past with an over-the-hill Michael Vick and Tim Tebow, but this would be their first time with a legitimate athletic signal caller.
The 49ers were said to have interest in acquiring Jimmy Garoppolo via trade from the Patriots or signing Kirk Cousins as a free agent. Now that Garoppolo has been pulled from the trade block and Cousins has been hit with the exclusive franchise tag, the Niners are being forced to look at other options further down their list. Taylor would be a solid consolation prize, even if he wasn’t their Plan A or B. There has also been talk of SF going for a purely transitional option such as Matt Schaub. As of this writing, they do not have any quarterbacks under contract for 2017.
Titans, Eagles Talking Brandin Cooks Trade
Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks is the object of trade talks and the Titans and Eagles are two of the interested suitors, league sources tell Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The Titans appear to be the more likely destination for him, one source says (Twitter link), but two other sources have conflicting opinions on the matter (link). 
[RELATED: Titans, Eagles Interested In Alshon Jeffery]
Back in December, we first heard that the Saints could explore a Cooks deal. Now, on the eve of free agency, that seems to be coming to fruition. Both the Titans and Eagles are known to be looking for wide receivers and it’s little surprise that both teams are also in the mix for Alshon Jeffery. If one of the two clubs nabs Cooks via trade, that could help facilitate a Jeffery signing for the other team.
One scenario, Mortensen writes, would be for the the Titans to send their No. 18 overall pick to New Orleans for Cooks in a one-for-one swap. Another scenario, sources say, has the Titans swapping the No. 5 overall selection with the Saints’ No. 11 pick for Cooks, perhaps with another pick or two also involved.
At one point last year, Cooks felt his role in the offense was slipping and he was rather vocal about it. Apparently, his declaration that “closed mouths don’t get fed” had some validity. When all was said and done, Cooks finished with 117 targets, just 12 less than he had in 2015.
In 2016, Cooks caught 78 passes for 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns. His yards-per-reception average of 15.0 was a career high and his 66.7% catch rate was a slight step up from his 2015 showing.
Although talk of a Cooks deal has been brewing for a while, it’s a bit surprising to hear that the Saints might bail on the talented receiver. After all, he still has two years to go on his current deal at a rather affordable rate. This year, he’ll earn a base salary of $1.56MM. Then, there’s a fifth-year option on him worth about $8.5MM for 2018.
In addition to Cooks, the Saints also have Michael Thomas, Willie Snead, and Brandon Coleman on the depth chart. Thomas, a rising sophomore, could be elevated to the WR1 role, but the Saints would probably need to add another impact wide receiver if they were to trade Cooks.
Eagles’ Chase Daniel Drawing Trade Interest
Eagles quarterback Chase Daniel is drawing trade interest, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Rapoport adds that the signal caller is “one to watch.” 
Daniel was signed to a lucrative three-year deal by the Eagles at the outset of free agency to serve as Sam Bradford‘s backup. Later in the offseason, when Bradford was shipped to the Vikings, he was leapfrogged by rookie Carson Wentz for the starting job. Daniel was less-than-thrilled about the way things turned out and he might like to join a team that will give him a better path to the field.
Daniel, entering his age-31 season, still doesn’t have a major body of work to show teams. Through seven NFL seasons, he’s only attempted 78 passes while backing up Drew Brees, Alex Smith, and Wentz.
He has two years to go on his contract, a deal which was said to include $12MM fully guaranteed and a base value of $21MM. In theory, the deal could be worth more, depending on playing time and other incentives.
Colin Kaepernick To Stand For Anthem
Colin Kaepernick will stand during the National Anthem next season, sources tell ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. After making headlines last season for his protest, Kaepernick does not want his display “to detract from the positive change that he believes has been created,” Schefter writes. 
[RELATED: Follow PFR On Instagram To See What Colin Kaepernick Would Look Like In A Jets Jersey]
Normally, we wouldn’t cover this sort of thing at Pro Football Rumors, but Kaepernick is on the verge of free agency and this declaration could make a very real impact on his market. Teams are understandably wary of the media attention that Kaepernick would bring and his willingness to put his anthem kneeling on hold could make him more appealing to clubs.
Meanwhile, a return hasn’t been officially ruled out in San Francisco. General manager John Lynch said he and Kaepernick agreed to leave the door open for a possible reunion, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. Still, he will become a free agent on March 9.
Kaepernick doesn’t appear to be the player he once was, but he could still be a quality backup with some upside. He bounced back somewhat in 2016, tossing 16 touchdown passes against four interceptions. He also averaged 7.2 yards per passing attempt (up from 6.2 in 2015) and finished second among QBs in rushing yards (468, on a lofty 6.8 per carry).
49ers, Titans In Mix For Alshon Jeffery
As the top wide receiver available, Alshon Jeffery can expect to be a popular guy once the legal tampering period starts next week. Potential suitors for his services right now include the 49ers, Titans, Eagles, and the incumbent Bears, Josina Anderson of ESPN.com tweets. Meanwhile, the Rams will not be among the clubs going after him, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com hears (on Twitter). 
This week, the Bears declined to use the franchise tag on Jeffery and that was expected since a second tag would have cost the team roughly $17MM on a one-year deal. After an injury-riddled 2015, Jeffery had a disappointing year, including a four-game suspension. Jeffery is still a bonafide WR1, but he’s certainly not worth the same average salary that Antonio Brown has on his new deal.
The Eagles have been connected to Jeffery for weeks now, along with the Redskins’ Pierre Garcon and the Dolphins’ Kenny Stills. After the team’s receiving corps fell flat last year, Philly is looking to give Carson Wentz some better options downfield. Jeffery, for all his red flags, would undoubtedly make the Eagles’ offense more potent.
The Titans are also a logical landing spot for the Bears star. As PFR’s Dallas Robinson recently detailed, finding better receivers for Marcus Mariota ranks as one of the Titans’ biggest needs this offseason.