Steelers Want First-Round Pick For Antonio Brown
The Steelers are still seeking a first-round pick for Antonio Brown, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link) hears. However, Rapoport does not specify whether the Steelers would ultimately accept a lesser offer. 
One has to imagine the Steelers would be willing to take less, especially since they plan on moving AB by Friday. As Rapoport notes, the Steelers’ strong desire for a first-round pick may tilt things even further in the Raiders’ favor since they are armed with three choices in the top 32.
A Wednesday report indicated that things are heating up in the Brown sweepstakes with three new teams having joined the mix in the last 48 hours. However, we have some conflicting word on that front. It’s a “one team race,” a league source tells ESPN.com’s Josina Anderson (Twitter link), with other teams deciding “the price was too high.”
One way or another, it feels like the Steelers/Brown saga is about to near its conclusion.
Browns To Meet With CB Kevin Johnson
Former Texans cornerback Kevin Johnson is a popular guy these days. After meeting with the Bills on Wednesday, he’ll head to the Browns for a visit later this week, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
The Browns can use some help in the secondary and are looking for a cornerback to put opposite of Denzel Ward. Many have speculated that the Browns could use their No. 17 pick to address their CB need, perhaps with LSU’s Greedy Williams, Georgia’s Deandre Baker, or Washington’s Byron Murphy. Instead, the Browns could sign a veteran like Johnson, though it would make sense to stopgap him with further depth given his injury history.
Last year, the Browns’ lack of depth hurt them in the secondary after Terrance Mitchell went down with a broken wrist and E.J. Gaines was unable to stay healthy. Wanting to avoid a repeat, the Browns will want to explore reserve corners in both free agency and the draft.
“I think there’s a lot of depth in this class,” GM John Dorsey said recently when asked about this year’s rookie class on the whole. “I think the strength of it is in the depth of the class. I think there are some very talented individuals with some size and actual speed. That’s why I can’t wait to watch those guys run here [at the combine].”
Browns Shopping Kevin Zeitler?
The Browns have “thrown around” the name of guard Kevin Zeitler in trade talks, Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com tweets. It’s a tad surprising to hear that the Browns are exploring a Zeitler trade given his ability and the dead money cap hit that would be associated with dealing him. 
On Wednesday, the Browns released linebacker Jamie Collins to save $9MM+ in cap space versus just $2.5MM in dead money. Trading Zeitler, meanwhile, would be roughly the inverse: a savings of $1.7MM versus $10.7MM in dead cap space.
At the time of signing, the Browns’ old regime made him the highest paid guard in the NFL with a five-year, $60MM deal that was more than 50% guaranteed. The payout structure would make this release totally unpalatable for most teams, but the Browns have upwards of $80MM in cap room and could conceivably take the hit in exchange for a sizable draft haul.
If the Browns move Zeitler, they could turn to rising sophomore Austin Corbett, who was selected by John Dorsey in the second round of last year’s draft. Corbett has promise and a rookie deal that will carry a modest $1.71MM cap hit in 2019, making him an intriguing replacement.
Chargers Working To Re-Sign Denzel Perryman
The Chargers are working to retain linebacker Denzel Perryman before he hits free agency, sources tell NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter link). Perryman has dealt with injuries in the past, but he has been a real difference-maker when healthy.
Last year, Perryman suffered LCL and hamstring injuries and had to be shut down in November. Before that, the 26-year-old tallied 51 total tackles and an interception across nine games. The inside linebacker didn’t log any sacks, but, at the time of his injury, he ranked as Pro Football Focus’ 23rd best linebacker on the strength of his pass rush pressure.
Perryman, a second-round pick in 2015, is no stranger to the injury bug. In 2017, Perryman started the year on IR and went right back after seven games. Still, the Chargers are hopeful that he can stay on the field and provide the team with continuity in the front seven.
If Perryman is re-signed, the Bolts will more or less have the band back together, though defensive tackle Corey Liuget could be out after the club declined his 2019 option.
Bills Meet With CB Kevin Johnson
Cornerback Kevin Johnson will visit with the Bills on Wednesday, according to CBSSports.com’s Jason La Canfora (via Twitter). Johnson became a free agent earlier this week when the Texans released him from his contract. 
[RELATED: Bills Interested In TE Dwayne Allen]
Johnson, 27 in August, was due $9.069MM on his fifth-year option, which was guaranteed for injury only. His 2018 season was pretty much lost due to concussions, but the fact the Texans were able to release him is an indication that he is now healthy. The 2015 first-round pick is probably a candidate for a one-year prove-it deal to reestablish his value, whether it’s with the Bills or any other club.
The Bills have two starting cornerbacks in Tre’Davious White and Levi Wallace, but the Bills are looking into additional support. Armed with $77MM+ in cap space, the Bills should be able to make a veteran upgrade.
Browns Release LB Jamie Collins
The Browns released Jamie Collins, according to a team announcement. The linebacker was due more than $10MM for 2019, an unpalatable amount given his lack of production last season. 
“We want to thank Jamie for his contributions to the Cleveland Browns,” said general manager John Dorsey in a statement. “These types of decisions are never easy. Jamie is a respected veteran player in this league and we wish him the best as he continues his career.”
The Browns first tried to trade Collins, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter), but they were unable to find a taker. The Browns also tried to move Collins at last year’s trade deadline, but couldn’t get a deal done.
Of course, that’s not to say Collins is washed up. Last year, Collins registered 104 tackles and four sacks across 16 games and graded out as just the No. 58 ranked LB in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus. However, his contract made him the highest-paid traditional linebacker in the league and he has not been performing at that level.
Collins joined the Browns in a mid-season trade with the Patriots in 2016. Collins was outstanding in New England, but the Patriots were unwilling to make a sizable commitment to him as his contract was drawing to a close. He also didn’t help his case by allegedly “freelancing” on defense in order to pad his stats.
Releasing Collins will give the Browns an additional $9.25MM in cap room versus just $2.5MM in dead money. The Browns now have approximately $81MM in cap space, giving them the third-highest total in the NFL.
Panthers’ Williams Likely To Hit Free Agency
Contract talks have stalled between the Panthers and right tackle Daryl Williams, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Williams is now on course to explore the open market when free agency begins on March 13, barring a shift in negotiations. 
Williams, 27 in August, played in only one game last season after undergoing knee surgery. However, he was solid in 2017 and earned a second-team All-Pro nod.
If Williams walks, Person speculates that the Panthers may lean towards keeping left tackle Matt Kalil, a long rumored potential salary cap casualty. Kalil missed the entire 2018 season a knee issue of his own and is set to carry a $12.15MM cap hit in 2019. On March 15, $1MM of Kalil’s $7MM base salary will become fully guaranteed. Ultimately, Taylor Moton could be the club’s only tackle of note to return.
Also of note – on the whole, Person hears from league sources that the Panthers will apply their limited funds to the second wave of free agency rather than going big on one or two free agents.
Teams Inquiring On Jaguars’ Tashaun Gipson
Teams have called the Jaguars to inquire about safety Tashaun Gipson, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The belief around the league is that he is available, Rapoport adds. 
Gipson is due upwards of $8MM in 2019 and the Jaguars are in a bit of a cap crunch. On the other hand, Gipson has proven to be a reliable starter so the Jags, ideally, would like to keep him.
Gipson, 29 in August, has started in every possible game for the Jaguars since joining the squad in 2016. Last year, he racked up 54 tackles, one interception, and seven passes defensed playing primarily at free safety. In 2018, Pro Football Focus ranked Gipson as the No. 37 safety in the NFL, placing him ahead of notables like T.J. McDonald, Landon Collins, and Duron Harmon.
There are still two years to go on Gipson’s five-year, $36MM contract with cap numbers of $9.05MM and $9.3MM in each of the next two seasons. He’s scheduled to collect on a $500K roster bonus on March 17, so the Jaguars will probably aim to make something happen in the next eleven days or not trade him at all.
Steelers To Trade Antonio Brown By Friday?
It sounds like Antonio Brown won’t be with the Steelers for much longer. Teams that have spoken to the Steelers about a potential Brown trade have been told that a deal is expected to be in place by Friday, league sources tell Rich Cimini of ESPN.com (on Twitter). 
This week, the Raiders and Redskins emerged as real contenders for Brown while the Broncos, Cardinals, and Eagles appear to be out of the mix. The Jets, who were previously linked to Brown, are no longer interested, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Still, Rapoport hears that three new teams have joined the fray in the last 48 hours.
It’s surprising to hear that the Jets are pulling out of the Brown sweepstakes given their ample cap room and clear need for a playmaker. Mike Maccagnan, a GM who was given a reprieve despite a spotty track record in the draft and free agency, needs to show results in 2019 in order to keep his job, and a Brown trade would have been a clear move towards winning right now.
At this time, it certainly appears the Raiders are in the lead for Brown given their consistent interest throughout the process and their clear need for receivers. They also have $72MM in cap space – giving them the room necessary to absorb AB’s sizable contract – and a stockpile of draft picks that can be used to outbid other suitors.
Six Players Receive Franchise Tag
The franchise tag window closed on Tuesday afternoon with six players receiving the restrictive one-year tender: 
- Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, $15.209MM (story)
- Chiefs outside linebacker Dee Ford, $15.443MM (story)
- Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence, $20.57MM (story)
- Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, $15.967MM (story)
- Seahawks defensive end Frank Clark, $17.128MM (story)
- 49ers kicker Robbie Gould, $5MM (story)
The tags, as expected, took some of this year’s top players out of the free agent frenzy, which begins on March 13. There were also some notable absences, including Giants safety Landon Collins, Patriots linebacker Landon Collins, and Eagles quarterback Nick Foles. All of those players figure to strike it rich with new teams.
From here, these six teams have until July 15 to work out extensions with their franchise tagged players. If no deal is struck, the players will be bound by the terms of the tender. Of course, as we saw with Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell in 2018, players can skip mandatory workouts and even games, if they are willing to forfeit cash and hold off on signing.
Potential holdouts aside, you can expect to see most of these players back with their respective clubs in 2019. The key exception, of course, is Ford, who has been dangled in trade talks.