Colts Join Kevin Zeitler Pursuit
The Kevin Zeitler market continues to intensify with free agency’s second tampering day underway. In addition to interest from the Browns and Jaguars, the Colts have entered the fray, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com tweets.
PFR’s No. 5-ranked free agent and top-slotted offensive lineman, Zeitler headlines a deep guard class that’s gauging the market currently. Free agency opens on Thursday, but the five-year Bengals starter could set a new guard standard at $12MM per year. The Browns have a record $102MM-plus in cap space, but the Jags are over $75MM, and the Colts also reside toward the top of this list at more than $54MM.
Indianapolis has encountered trouble protecting Andrew Luck or opening steady holes for Frank Gore the past two years, but the team has an offensive line foundation on the left side. Anthony Castonzo, Jack Mewhort and Ryan Kelly will return as starters, but the right side of the Colts’ line has room for growth. The Colts did not establish much consistency on that side of its line. The team, though, devoted substantial draft resources to fortifying this position last year. That said, only Castonzo resides as a veteran contract on Indy’s offensive front, so Chris Ballard could have room to add one of the 2017 UFA class’ impact guards.
Browns Meet With Joe Mixon Pre-Pro Day
- Between Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon is set to meet with 24 teams in total as a part of his pro day gauntlet, Albert Breer of The MMQB tweets. Mixon met with the Bengals, Browns, Lions and Saints on Tuesday night, per Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com (via Twitter), in advance of what will be a critical showcase for the controversial running back.
Browns Pursuing FB Kyle Juszczyk
The Browns are very interested in Ravens free agent fullback Kyle Juszczyk, sources tell Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Meanwhile, the expectation is that Juszczyk will wind leaving Baltimore as the Ravens are not prepared to match what he’ll get elsewhere, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan (Twitter links). Meanwhile, Juszczyk will look to sign with a team that will allow him to do more than play fullback.
Pro Football Focus’ No. 1-rated fullback in 2016, Juszczyk is reportedly looking to sign with a team that will deploy him in a hybrid fullback/tight end role. He has 97 career receptions for 769 yards and five touchdowns. The former fourth-round pick started three seasons for the Ravens and earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2016.
The Ravens were attempting to retain him as recently as Monday, and the league’s highest-paid fullback — the Chiefs’ Anthony Sherman — makes just $2.1MM per season. But if the fifth-year blocker is seeking a tight end role as well, the fullback AAV bar could soon be raised.
The Browns, of course, lead the league in cap room, entering Monday with a league-record $102MM in space. Cleveland boasts needs across the board but has a proven tight end locked up long-term in Gary Barnidge. Baltimore holds $12.5MM in cap space, the fourth-fewest mark in the league.
Browns Likely To Be Active In Free Agency
While the first day of the NFL’s legal tampering window has been relatively slow, things figure to heat up in the coming days as the new league year approaches. Two AFC North clubs stand to be in on the action, as the Browns and Steelers are both expected to be active when free agency begins, per Tony Grossi of ESPN.com (Twitter link) and Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com (Twitter link). Pittsburgh will be “working the phones” more than usual, per Kinkhabwala, but that doesn’t mean the usually conservative team will be targeting more free agents than is customary.
Browns Involved In Trumaine Johnson Talks?
The Browns may be one team to “keep an eye on” as the Rams attempt to trade franchise-tagged cornerback Trumaine Johnson, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
[RELATED: Browns Interested In A.J. Bouye]
Cleveland makes sense as a potential destination for Johnson on a number of levels. For one, the Browns now employ former Los Angeles defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, under whom Johnson performed with aplomb during the past several seasons. Second, Cleveland boasts more than $100MM in cap space, meaning it could either allow Johnson to play out his franchise tender at a cost of nearly $17MM or sign him to an extension.
At present, the Browns’ secondary depth chart is exceptionally barren behind No. 1 corner Joe Haden, who himself has dealt with injuries and ineffectiveness in recent years. Cleveland recently released veteran defensive back Tramon Williams, leaving Jamar Taylor, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, and Trey Caldwell as the other corners on a defense that ranked 30th in DVOA against the pass.
The Rams, for their part, likely don’t view Johnson as a perfect fit for new defensive play-caller Wade Phillips‘ scheme. Phillips runs a 3-4 front that relies on man coverage in the back-end, while Johnson has always played better in a zone scheme with help over the top.
Latest On Market For A.J. Bouye
We figured that cornerback A.J. Bouye would be one of the most sought-after free agents, and that sentiment has certainly been confirmed today. ESPN.com’s Michael DiRocco reports (via Twitter) that the Jaguars, Bears, Buccaneers, and Titans have been linked to the defensive back.
The Jets and Eagles were among the teams previously mentioned as potential landing spots, and the Texans are also reportedly interested in re-signing him. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle clarifies (via Twitter) that the Eagles will indeed have interest in Bouye, but they’re not expected to “emerge as a serious player” for his services. Wilson also adds the 49ers, Browns, and Colts as teams that are expected to be “extremely competitive” when it comes to signing Bouye. Considering that long list of suitors, Wilson says there’s a good chance Bouye sticks around the AFC South.
Meanwhile, Wilson tweets that all of the offers for Bouye have averaged at least $12MM annually.
The 2013 undrafted free agent played sparingly during his rookie season, but he established himself as one of the team’s most reliable corners over the past three seasons. Bouye arguably had his best season in 2016, compiling 63 tackles, one sack, and one interception.
Among the teams listed above, Bouye would seemingly be able to slide into every starting lineup. Brice McCain (Titans), Aaron Colvin (Jaguars), Brent Grimes (Buccaneers) are among the defensive backs who could be pushed out of the lineup if their respective teams sign Bouye.
PFR listed Bouye above Logan Ryan as the best available free agent cornerback. Meanwhile, our own Zach Links anticipates that the 25-year-old will be the highest-earning free agent this offseason.
Browns Rumors: Garoppolo, Pryor, Zeitler
It sounds like talk of Jimmy Garoppolo being pulled off the trade block was not entirely accurate. Still, if he is still available, it could take an awful lot to pry him loose. It might take as much as a No. 1 pick this year plus a No. 1 pick in next year’s draft, a source tells Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. That’s a price the Browns are very unlikely to meet, Cabot adds. 
The Browns would very much like to have Garoppolo and their dream scenario right now would be to land him via trade while drafting pass rusher Myles Garrett No. 1 overall. Failing that, they have their eyes on getting Garrett at the top of the draft and landing either Mitch Trubisky or Deshaun Watson at No. 12. That scenario will become a little more realistic if teams like the 49ers, Jets, and Bears address their QB situations before the draft. The Browns could also conceivably use their draft stockpile to trade up from No. 12 and get their desired signal caller.
In other Browns news, one source estimates that Terrelle Pryor is seeking somewhere between $13MM and $15MM per year. If that’s the asking price, Cabot believes the Browns will let him walk. Reportedly, he has been contacted by the Giants, 49ers, Titans, and Eagles. The Steelers, depending on who you ask, may also have interest.
A Pryor return may or may not be in the cards, but the Browns will likely pursue Bengals free agent guard Kevin Zeitler, a league source tells Cabot. Zeitler played for coach Hue Jackson in Cincinnati and that connection could help lead to a deal.
Five Teams In On Terrelle Pryor
Terrelle Pryor is days away from free agency and, as expected, he’ll have a healthy market for his services. The wide receiver is drawing interest from the Giants, 49ers, Eagles, and Titans on the eve of the legal tampering period, sources tell Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. More teams could get involved and, of course, the Browns are working hard to re-sign him. 
At this point, the Browns and Pryor are far apart in negotiations, Cabot hears. agent Drew Rosenhaus is looking for Pryor to get paid like one of the top receivers in the NFL. After Rosenhaus blew the ceiling off of the WR market with Antonio Brown‘s new deal, there could be a domino effect that aids the Ohio State product. Still, a deal that puts Pryor in the top five at his position in terms of compensation would be a shocker.
Pryor is firmly in the top tier of available receivers this offseason, along with Alshon Jeffery of the Bears and Kenny Stills of the Dolphins. Our most recent rankings have Pryor as the second-best WR on the market, behind Jeffery and ahead of Stills. Despite Rosenhaus’ ambitions, I still see Stills as having more earning power than Pryor.
The Giants are in the market for a receiver after parting ways with Victor Cruz and a player like Pryor would help deflect attention from star Odell Beckham Jr. Still, I’d be surprised if they were able to keep up with the bidding on him. The Eagles and Titans are logical landing spots since both clubs are also in on Jeffery and a possible Brandin Cooks deal. The 49ers, like the Browns, have lots of cap space to work with.
Ravens WR Kamar Aiken Drawing Interest
Wide receiver Kamar Aiken has roughly six teams interested in him, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report tweets. The Bills, Browns, and Seahawks appear to be the strongest candidates for his services at this time. It’s not immediately clear whether the incumbent Ravens are among the teams with interest. 
Late last month, we ranked Aiken as one of the 15 best wide receivers available. However, he’s not exactly coming off of a banner year. Aiken was a central piece in the Baltimore offense in 2015 with 75 receptions (127 targets), 944 yards, and five touchdowns. This past year, his numbers dropped dramatically as he recorded just 50 targets, 29 receptions, 328 yards, and only one TD. He also had just six starts as opposed to his 14 in the previous campaign.
During the season, Aiken lobbied offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg for an increased role. Nothing came of those talks and Mornhinweg will return for another season, so we probably shouldn’t bank on a reunion.
Mike Glennon On 49ers’ Radar
The 49ers are still eyeing Kirk Cousins despite the Redskins placing the franchise tag on the sixth-year veteran. But beyond that trade scenario, the team is expected to be among the teams interested in Mike Glennon as a UFA, Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee reports. Although, such a pursuit carries considerable risk with the price anticipated to be close to franchise-QB money.
As teams like the Bears, Jets and possibly 49ers go after Glennon, the fifth-year passer’s price tag is expected to land in the $14-$15MM-per-year range, Charles Robinson of Yahoo.com reports (on Twitter). That would be unpopulated territory within the NFL salary landscape, with the floor for veteran starters being Andy Dalton‘s $16MM-per-year accord. But Glennon represents a unique case, given that he hasn’t started for three years. Thirteen of his 18 starts came as a Buccaneers rookie in 2013.
The Bears are considered the frontrunners for the 26-year-old’s services, while the Jets have been linked to the former third-rounder for a steady stretch now as well. Chicago making this move would be interesting given Jay Cutler‘s now-flexible contract having a 2017 base salary, as the Chicago Sun-Times’ Adam Jahns points out (on Twitter), of $12.5MM. Tampa Bay offered Glennon $8MM per year to stay on as its backup, but it’s clear he’s going to have better options than this.
As for the 49ers, no quarterbacks reside on this roster after Colin Kaepernick made the decision to opt out. The team’s been connected to Cousins, Cutler, Jimmy Garoppolo, Brian Hoyer and Matt Schaub in a complex offseason. Barrows notes a Cousins trade would seemingly need to occur soon to entice free agent pass-catchers or give the 49ers some semblance of offensive identity to show UFAs. But the rebuilding team will likely monitor his situation throughout the offseason, and if the Redskins are unable to sign Cousins to a long-term deal by July 15, he stands to be a free agent come 2018. That would stand to run counter to a Glennon pursuit, the current backup not profiling as a stopgap option the way Hoyer, Cutler or Schaub would.
Whether the 49ers want to compete with a likely Bears Glennon push or not, they are expected to spend this offseason after a quiet 2016. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com hears the 49ers and Browns are going to be the most aggressive teams in free agency. That would make sense given the teams’ near-$200MM combined cap space.