49ers Interested In David Amerson
The 49ers are among the teams with interest in cornerback David Amerson, his agent tells Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee. San Francisco has yet to schedule a visit, but that’s probably not far off. 
The Niners have a clear need at cornerback as Ahkello Witherspoon and Greg Mabin are their only outside CBs signed for 2018. Dontae Johnson, who started every game for SF last year, is eligible for free agency and Barrows writes that the team is not expected to bring him back. Johnson graded out as the third worst qualified cornerback in the NFL last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
So far, Amerson has visited with the Bears and Texans and he reportedly has three more visits on the horizon. If the Niners are serious about adding the veteran, they may need to move quickly before another team signs him.
It’s unusual for a quality free agent to pop up in early February, but that’s exactly what happened when the Raiders cut Amerson right after the Super Bowl. Teams that are looking to fortify their CB group could sign Amerson now and take one item off of their checklist when free agency opens up in mid-March. Signing Amerson would inhibit a club’s ability to spend on bigger fish, but that’s not a big deal for the Niners who have $74.5MM in cap room to work with.
Su’a Cravens Applies For Reinstatement
Su’a Cravens wants to return to football in 2018 and he took a major step towards that goal on Monday. The Redskins safety has applied for reinstatement from the reserve/left squad list, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
Last September, Cravens shocked the Redskins when he informed the team that he would be retiring. Hours later, he reversed that decision. The team initially placed him on the NFI (non-football injury) list to give him some time to consider his football future, but they parked him on the reserve/left squad list weeks later when he was still on the fence.
The versatile defender was diagnosed with Post Concussion Syndrome, but he is now “asymptomatic and cleared to return back to all things football,” according to a statement released by his agent in December. What isn’t clear is whether the Redskins actually want him back. In theory, the Redskins could cut or trade Cravens and amp up the playing time of rising sophomore Montae Nicholson.
If Cravens is in a good place physically and mentally, he could draw interest from teams looking for help in the secondary as well as the linebacker level.
AFC North Notes: Manziel, Bengals, Atkins
In an interview on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” former Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel opened up about his history of substance abuse and disclosed that he has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
“I was self medicating with alcohol because that’s what I thought was making me happy to help me get out of that depression to a point where I felt like I had some sense of happiness,” Manziel said (transcript via Joey Morona of Cleveland.com). “But at the end of the day, when you wake up the next day after a night like that or after going on a trip like that, and you wake up the next day and that’s all gone. And that liquid courage or that liquid sense of euphoria that’s over you that’s all gone and you’re left staring at the ceiling by yourself and you’re back in that depression and back in that hole, that dark hole of sitting in a room by yourself and being super depressed again thinking about all the mistakes you made in your life. Where did that get me? Where did that get me except out of the NFL? Where did it get me? Disgraced.”
Manziel remains focused on mounting an NFL comeback, but he’ll have to get on a football field somewhere before he can put himself on the radar for teams. At last check, Manziel’s agent was in a standoff with the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats as they try to negotiate a contract.
Here’s more from the AFC North:
- One of the Bengals‘ top priorities this offseason is getting new deals done for defensive tackle Geno Atkins and defensive end Carlos Dunlap, Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes. Ideally, the Bengals would like to frontload those deals, giving them more room to work with in 2019 and beyond. This year, Atkins is slated to carry a $9.5MM cap hit and Dunlap is slated to count for $7.3MM. If the Bengals can get both deals squared away before free agency begins next month, they will have a better idea of how much room they have to work with. Recently, PFR’s Dallas Robinson examined the Bengals’ other top priorities for the offseason, starting with the offensive line.
- The Steelers recently created $13.5MM in cap space by moving some money around, but there’s more that can be done in that area, Ed Bouchette of the Post-Gazette writes. Antonio Brown ($7.875MM), Cam Heyward ($9MM), Joe Haden ($9MM), Ryan Shazier ($8.72MM) and Maurkice Pouncey ($7MM) all have large salaries for 2018 that can be restructured, if needed. The Steelers are expected to use that increased flexibility on a new multi-year deal for star running back Le’Veon Bell. For his part, Bell says that this round of talks has been more productive than 2017’s negotiations.
Texans’ C.J. Fiedorowicz Mulling Retirement
When it was reported late last year that Texans tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz was contemplating retirement, his agent downplayed such talk. Fiedorowicz’s latest comments indicate that retirement is very much on the table. 
“A dude knocked me out,” Fiedorowicz told Joe Stevenson of the Northwest Herald. “After eight weeks, when I came back, it was constantly on my mind. I wasn’t always able to play loose and free. It was in my head. Anytime that’s on your mind while you’re playing an NFL football game, you’re in trouble. You can’t play timid. Guys are trying to take your head off, you know?”
Fiedorowicz, 27 in October, is concerned about his long-term well being after suffering three concussions during the 2017 campaign. He’d be walking away from the final two years of his three-year, $21.5MM contract, but that isn’t a major consideration for him.
“I have a backup plan,” he said. “I’ve realized money is not happiness. Money definitely gives you freedom, but I’ve played four years. I’ve accomplished things I wanted to accomplish. It’s more about making my town happy, making my family happy and being able to enjoy the rest of my life.”
Fiedorowicz ‘s $5MM base salary for 2018 is guaranteed, but that payout will be reduced to $2.8MM if he’s unable to play due to concussions. Texans coach Bill O’Brien had been optimistic about his return, but it sounds like the Texans will have to seek out a new tight end this offseason.
Cardinals Extend GM Steve Keim
The Cardinals announced that they have signed GM Steve Keim to an extension. The new deal will keep him in place through the 2022 season. 
[RELATED: Latest On Larry Fitzgerald]
Keim’s contract is roughly in line with that of newly-hired coach Steve Wilks. Wilks’ contract is a four-year deal with a team option for the ’22 campaign.
Keim took over as the Cardinals’ GM in 2013 and the results have been largely positive. In that span, Bill Belichick (Patriots), John Schneider (Seahawks), Kevin Colbert (Steelers), and John Elway (Broncos) have accumulated more wins. The Cardinals have missed the postseason for the last two seasons, but they still feel that Keim is the right man to help them retool and get back into the playoff picture.
“Steve’s performance and accomplishments as Cardinals GM speak for themselves,” Cardinals president Michael Bidwill said in a statement. “His role in the team’s success over the last five seasons is undeniable. This new contract ensures that he will continue to shape our success going forward and we are thrilled about that.”
Keim will have his work cut out for him this offseason. Armed with just $22.7MM in cap room, the Cardinals will have to address their murky quarterback situation while filling other holes on both sides of the ball.
Vontae Davis Gains Medical Clearance
Back in November, the Colts released former Pro Bowler Vontae Davis as he was dealing with a core injury. Months later, Davis has been cleared following core injury surgery, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). 
Davis, an unrestricted free agent, should draw interest in March if he can demonstrate that he is healthy. When Davis was at his best, he was one of the top players at his position. In 2014 – the first of two back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons – Davis earned an excellent 95.1 overall score from Pro Football Focus. In the following year, he turned in a strong 81.9 mark, which still painted him as an above-average starter.
However, there has been a serious dropoff over the last two years, due in part to his injury. In 2016, Davis was one of the ten worst qualified corners in the league, per PFF. And, at the time of his release in 2017, he rated as the NFL’s No. 94 cornerback out of 117 qualifiers.
In his final year with the Colts, there were rumblings that Davis did not take well to his demotion from the starting lineup. As he looks for employment in 2018, Davis may have to be more realistic about where he is at this stage of his career.
The former first round pick will turn 30 in late May.
Bucs, Mike Evans Haven’t Discussed Deal
Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans is entering his walk year and his agent says the two sides have yet to discuss a new contract, as Trevor Sikkema of Pewter Report writes. It’s not clear when the two sides will engage in talks, but Evans’ rep says he wants to move forward with Tampa Bay. 
“We’re not doing any negotiating. We’re just going to wait and play it out,” agent Deryk Gilmore said. “We think that the Buccaneers are a great organization. We feel that they really care about Mike; they care about the direction of the franchise and where it’s going. … He’s under contract so what we like to do is let him finish up. We think [Evans’ stats and records] will speak for itself, and when it comes time to do the deal I think his deal will be in-line with what we plan.”
At some point this offseason, the Bucs are expected to come to the table with an offer. Evans has topped 1,000 yards receiving has graded out as a top-20 player at his position in each of his four NFL seasons. In 2016, when the Bucs’ offense was clicking, Evans raised the bar with career highs in catches (96), receiving yards (1,321), and touchdowns (12, tied with 2014’s total) en route to his first ever Pro Bowl nod.
It’s possible that the Bucs are looking to get through free agency and the draft before turning their attention to Evans’ contract. For now, they have No. 13 under contract with a $13.26MM cap hit. If they can’t come to terms on a long-term deal, the Buccaneers can maintain control over Evans in 2019 with the franchise tag.
Texans Host David Amerson On Visit
Free agent cornerback David Amerson is visiting the Texans on Monday, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). It’s the start of a busy week for the former Raider as he has three more trips scheduled. 
There aren’t many quality free agents available in February, but the Raiders gave Amerson a head start when they released him before the guarantee date on his $5.5MM base salary. Amerson is free to sign with any team and there are several with interest. Amerson’s only other confirmed visit so far was with the Bears, but Rapoport indicates that there were other meetings with teams last week.
The Texans, armed with $56MM+ in cap room, have plenty of room in the budget to accommodate someone like Amerson without sacrificing flexibility in March. They also have a clear need for CB help. In 2016, A.J. Bouye broke out for Houston and the team allowed the second-fewest passing yards to opposing teams. Without Bouye in 2017, they ranked 24th.
The Texans had hoped that former first-round pick Kevin Johnson would step into the No. 1 CB role, but injuries held him back and he finished as Pro Football Focus’ lowest-ranked corner. The Texans have Kareem Jackson under contract and pending free agent Johnathan Joseph could be re-signed, but neither player should be the best CB on the roster.
In 2015, Amerson graded out as the 14th best cornerback in the league out of 111 qualified players, according to PFF. He also had a strong 2016 before injuries slowed him down last year.
Lions Sign GM Bob Quinn To Extension
The Lions made a big change on the sidelines this year, but they’re going to maintain stability in the front office. On Friday, the Lions announced an extension for GM Bob Quinn.
“The contract extension for Bob is most deserving as he continues to lead and improve our football team,” team president Rod Wood said in a press release. “It is also important for our entire organization to ensure stability as we move forward with Matt as our new head coach working in partnership with Bob. Moreover, I greatly enjoy my relationship and partnership with Bob. We both look forward to a bright future for the Detroit Lions.”
The team did not disclose the exact terms of the deal, though the announcement says that “the extension matches the term of head coach Matt Patricia’s new deal with the team.” It is believed that Patricia’s deal goes through the 2022 season, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (on Twitter). This through-2022 timeline matches Matthew Stafford‘s extension as well.
Quinn, a longtime scout/exec for the Patriots, was hired as the Lions’ GM in January of 2016. He made his first official head-coaching hire this week in appointing Patricia to the post. Predecessor Martin Mayhew hired Jim Caldwell, with whom Quinn worked for two seasons before firing him after the 2017 campaign, but the Quinn/Patricia partnership will be the biggest chance yet to gauge the current exec’s imprint on the franchise.
The Lions now have their quarterback, HC and GM in place for the long haul and will begin work on crafting a strategy aimed at ending a lengthy drought. Detroit’s most recent playoff win came in Barry Sanders‘ third season, 1991. Caldwell’s teams twice made the playoffs, with the 2014 Lions’ effort in Dallas coming closer to victory than the ’16 version did in Seattle, but postseason advancement has eluded the franchise for a generation.
Latest On Panthers GM Search
Panthers interim general manger Marty Hurney will meet with NFL investigator Lisa Friel on Friday, according to David Newton of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Hurney is on paid administrative leave while the league gathers information a claim of harassment by his ex-wife. 
The harassment claim by Hurney’s ex-wife has been withdrawn in the courts, but the league continues to do its due diligence on the matter. Meanwhile, the Panthers’ GM search is effectively in a holding pattern. Before the accusations came to light, it was widely believed that Hurney was a shoe-in for the job. The feeling was that other interviews for the vacancy were being done only for compliance with the Rooney Rule, but that might not be the case.
Bills assistant college scouting director Lake Dawson received a second interview for the job and he is a strong candidate, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). Dawson comes with serious credentials – he spent nine sesons with the Titans and became the team’s VP of player personnel in 2015. He spent 2016 with the Browns before becoming the Bills’ assistant director of college scouting in 2017. All in all, he has 17 years as a scout/executive under his belt.
As Pelissero notes, the Panthers are not close to offering the GM position to anyone as they deal with investigations concerning Hurney and owner Jerry Richardson. But, once the smoke clears, Dawson could be a real possibility for the post.