Seahawks Postpone Kaepernick Workout
The Seahawks made plans to audition Colin Kaepernick this week, but the trip has been postponed, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The workout has been pushed off after Kaepernick declined to stop kneeling during the national anthem next season. 
[RELATED: NFL Lawyers Depose Kaepernick]
Kaepernick did not decline to stop kneeling, per se, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Apparently, the team “asked for his plan moving forward on how to handle everything and there was not a firm plan.” The Seahawks also have concerns about Kaepernick’s overall commitment to football, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times hears. Still, the Seahawks have not closed the door on signing Kaepernick.
Coach Pete Carroll & Co. also showed interest in Kaepernick last offseason during the height of his anthem protest controversy. Seattle ultimately chose journeyman Austin Davis as their backup quarterback, perhaps because of public relations fears. Depending on who you ask, Kaepernick’s salary expectations may have also been a factor.
Kaepernick, of course, is presently embroiled in a collusion suit filed against the league. Kaepernick’s attorneys have deposed a number of owners and executives and, on Tuesday, NFL lawyers responded by deposing Kaepernick himself. Depositions are done behind closed doors, but it is believed that he was asked about whether he expected to be signed as a starter last season, the kind of money he was seeking, and whether his injury history had deteriorated his skills.
It’s unclear how the Seahawks’ latest invitation to work out – and postponement of that audition – may affect his case.
NFL Draft Rumors: Broncos, Jones, Jaguars
The Broncos hosted USC running back Ronald Jones on a pre-draft visit on Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Jones, a likely first or second round pick, is coming off of a Monday visit with the Redskins.
It’s very unlikely that Jones is in play at No. 5 overall, but the Broncos also hold the eighth pick in the second round (No. 40 overall), so Jones could be a consideration there.
Here’s the latest round of NFL Draft news:
- South Dakota State tight end Dallas Goedert visited with the Jaguars, Alex Marvez of The Sporting News tweets. All in all, Goedert says he has worked out for or visited with “15 to 20 teams.”
- Pittsburgh tackle Brian O’Neill met with the 49ers, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area tweets. As a former tight end, O’Neill has tremendous athleticism for the left tackle position.
- NC State defensive end Bradley Chubb says that he he does not have a visit lined up with the Browns and the same goes for Penn State running back Saquon Barkley, Albert Breer of The MMQB tweets. However, that doesn’t mean that either player is out of consideration for Cleveland. The Browns are apparently comfortable with the medicals and character of both players.
- The Patriots are hosting Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans now that his White House trip is over, Rapoport tweets.
Latest On 49ers’ Reuben Foster
49ers linebacker Reuben Foster is facing multiple felony charges and one misdemeanor in relation to a February incident, according to a press release from the Santa Clara District Attorney’s office. If convicted, he’ll face more than eleven years in prison. 
[RELATED: Former 49ers CB Dontae Johnson Signs With Seahawks]
Foster faces charges of domestic violence with an allegation that he inflicted great bodily injury, forcefully attempting to prevent a victim from reporting a crime, and possession of an assault weapon, all of which are felonies. He is also charged with misdemeanor possession of a “large capacity weapon magazine.” Foster will be arraigned in California on Thursday afternoon.
Per the DA’s office, Foster’s victim “told responding sheriff’s deputies and Los Gatos police that Foster dragged her by her hair, physically threw her out of the house, and punched her in the head eight to ten times.” In response, the 49ers released a statement indicating that Foster will be jettisoned if he his found guilty of the more serious charges:
“The 49ers organization is aware of today’s disturbing charges regarding Reuben Foster. We will continue to follow this serious matter. Reuben is aware that his place in our organization is under great scrutiny and will depend on what is learned through the legal process.”
Foster made an impact right out of the gate as a rookie in 2017, tallying 72 total tackles in ten games (all starts). In November, he earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month honors and appeared to be on track for a promising NFL career. Right now, his football future is very much in jeopardy.
Bills Place Richie Incognito On Reserve/Retired List
The Bills have placed Richie Incognito on the reserve/retired list. Things can always change, but this is a sign that Incognito will be following through on his decision to walk away from football. 
On Tuesday morning, Incognito indicated that the Bills could talk him out of retirement if they were to rework his contract. Hours later, he told a different reporter that he would be retiring for health reasons and a pay raise would not be enough to change his mind.
After three straight Pro Bowl seasons, Incognito agreed to take a pay cut for the 2018 season. Weeks later, he fired his agents on Twitter. Apparently, Incognito is not interested in returning, even if the Bills are willing to restore his original deal.
Incognito leaves the game months before his 35th birthday in July. Aside from the bullying scandal in Miami, Incognito had an excellent career as a whole. In eleven seasons with the Rams, Bills, and Dolphins, Incognito earned four Pro Bowl selections and reguarly ranked as one of the best players at his position.
Texans Release OT Derek Newton
The Texans have informed right tackle Derek Newton that he is being released, Mike Jones of USA Today tweets. His business with Houston isn’t necessarily finished, however, as he’ll be filing a grievance to recoup his roster bonus. 
Per the terms of his deal, Newton was due to receive a $500K roster bonus from the team on April 1. For now, Houston is refusing to pay that out, even though a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews ruled that he could take part in next week’s workouts.
Newton started in all 16 games for Houston in in 2013, 2014, and 2015 before tearing both patellar tendons in 2016 and missing all of 2017. Newton wasn’t rated favorably by Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required) during his first two years as a starter, but his stats improved as he turned a corner in 2014. He was PFF’s top-ranked right tackle in run blocking in 2014 and went on to crack the top-25 in pass blocking in 2015.
From 2012-2016, Newton played on 4,473 snaps for the Texans. That was good for the second-most in Houston over that span, second only to left tackle Duane Brown.
Browns Sign Jarvis Landry To Extension
The Browns and wide receiver Jarvis Landry are close to finalizing a long-term deal, Josina Anderson of ESPN.com tweets. The new pact will give Landry an average annual value of more than $15MM per year.
Landry signed the contract on Friday night.
In total, the deal is worth $75.5MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. sources say. He adds that the deal includes a whopping $47MM guaranteed, but it’s unclear whether that represents the full guarantee at signing.
Originally, Landry was set to play out the 2018 season on his one-year, ~$16MM franchise tender. However, the Browns traded for Landry with the idea that they would hammer out a long-term deal with his camp. The Dolphins did not want to pay Landry like a top-flight receiver, but GM John Dorsey believes that he is deserving of a mega-deal even though he plays from the slot.
The monster pact should spell good news for Odell Beckham Jr. Between this contract and the mega-contract given to Bucs star Mike Evans, OBJ has favorable comps to make his case for a $90MM+ deal that would make him the league’s highest-paid receiver. Landry now boasts the fifth-highest average annual value of any wide receiver in the NFL. The only receivers with a higher AAV than Landry are Antonio Brown, Evans, DeAndre Hopkins, and Sammy Watkins.
Over the last four seasons, Landry hauled in 400 passes for 4,038 yards and 22 touchdowns for Miami. He finished the 2017 season with 987 receiving yards – nearly giving him a third straight 1,000-yard campaign – and had a career-high nine receiving touchdowns. However, critics are quick to point out that his yards per catch average dipped to a career low 8.8 per reception.
The Browns now possess a lethal 1-2 at wide receiver in Landry and Josh Gordon, which should give quarterback Tyrod Taylor a chance to shine. Former first round pick Corey Coleman is also in the mix and the Browns are hoping that he can take a step forward with a more talented QB throwing to him. Of course, the Browns are expected to take a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick, so it’s not a given that Taylor will be under center for the entire year.
Dolphins Meet With Kenny Vaccaro
Kenny Vaccaro will visit the Dolphins on Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. This marks Vaccaro’s first known visit of the offseason. 
With the ability to play both safety and slot cornerback, we had Vaccaro ranked as one of the best safeties in this year’s free agent crop. Unfortunately, the market has sagged for that entire position group. Many of this year’s top safeties had to settle for inexpensive deals and a some remain unemployed, including Vaccaro, Tre Boston, and Eric Reid.
Evaluations of Vaccaro’s ability may differ. A first-round pick in 2013, Vaccarro has turned in three exemplary seasons and two lousy years. In 2017, Pro Football Focus rated Vaccaro as the single-worst safety in the league among 87 qualifiers. But, given his draft pedigree and his ability to man the slot, Vaccaro was still expected to land a quality deal.
The Dolphins project to start T.J. McDonald and Reshad Jones at safety, so Vaccaro would be looking at a bench role in Miami.
Dolphins To Host Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield
Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen will have a Top 30 visit with the Dolphins on Thursday and Friday, Albert Breer of The MMQB tweets. The Dolphins will also meet with Oklahoma signal caller Baker Mayfield on Thursday.
The Broncos, who hold the No. 5 overall pick, recently became the latest team to meet with Allen. Opinions are split on the 6’5″, 230-pounder, but he is almost universally regarded as one of the four best QB prospects in this year’s draft.
Mayfield, also a member of this year’s big four along with Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen, has also proven to be a divisive prospect. The Oklahoma product has been knocked for potential character issues and his lack of size, but his on-field performance has been strong as a whole.
Currently slated to pick at No. 11, the Dolphins and head coach Adam Gase have been heavily linked to this year’s quarterback prospects. Miami, of course, deployed Jay Cutler as its starting signal-caller in 2017 after Ryan Tannehill went down with a knee injury. Tannehill should be available for the upcoming campaign, but the Dolphins still seem interested in adding a potential upgrade.
NFL Draft Rumors: Patriots, Key, 49ers
After losing Nate Solder in free agency, the Patriots are on the lookout for offensive tackle help. With that in mind, the Patriots hosted Texas tackle Connor Williams on a visit on Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
Thanks to the Brandin Cooks trade earlier this offseason, the Pats are armed with two picks late in the first round. Williams could be available when the Pats are called to the podium at No. 23, though the league-wide need for tackles could result in the 6’6″ lineman going higher.
Here’s the latest batch of NFL draft news:
- LSU outside linebacker/defensive end Arden Key worked out for the 49ers on Wednesday and will move on to the Raiders on Thursday, Rapoport tweets.
- South Dakota State tight end Dallas Goedert, who could be the first tight end to come off of the board, visited the Dolphins on Wednesday, Rapoport tweets. Miami is reportedly high on him, but he has also met with the Seahawks, Chargers, and Lions, according to Rapoport. As previously reported, the Vikings met with Goedert last week.
- Cornerback Isaiah Oliver has had workouts/visits with the Eagles, Falcons, Bears, Texans, 49ers, Cardinals, Panthers, Patriots, Saints, Broncos, and Cowboys, sources tell Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (Twitter link). Miller personally believes that he would be a great fit for Arizona. NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah has Oliver ranked as the 36th best prospect in this year’s draft and it would be no surprise to see him go in the first round.
- Georgia running back Nick Chubb will visit with the Buccaneers on Wednesday, according to Josh Norris of NBC Sports (on Twitter). Chubb has been lauded for his power and ability to run on the inside and figures to be a second round pick.
- The Lions hosted Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson for a visit on Tuesday, Rapoport tweets. Johnson was recently bumped from Jeremiah’s top 50 but should still garner consideration in the second round.
Cowboys, Dez Bryant To Meet On Friday
Finally, the Cowboys’ saga with Dez Bryant could be coming to a close. The two parties are set to meet on Friday, a source tells 105.3 The Fan. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) has confirmed the news. 
Bryant is slated to earn a base salary of $12.5MM this season, which is more than they are comfortable with given his performance as of late. Ideally, Dallas would like to keep him at a smaller number, but they can afford to walk from negotiations after adding both Allen Hurns and Deonte Thompson this offseason. The Cowboys also have have Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley on the roster and the team could further bolster the group in the draft.
If Bryant doesn’t agree to the Cowboys’ revised offer, he’ll find a ripe market for his services. However, Bryant is unlikely to command anything close to the five-year, $70MM extension he signed with the Cowboys prior to the 2016 season. The 29-year-old hasn’t topped 1,000 yards since the 2014 season and last year marked the first season that Bryant was able to stay healthy for all 16 games since ’14. Also, many of the teams that were in search of an impact wide receiver in March have already found their answers in free agency.