Broncos Unlikely To Trade For Colin Kaepernick This Week
- 49ers general manager Trent Baalke continues to leave the door open for a possible Colin Kaepernick trade, but Mike Klis of 9News (Twitter link) hears the Broncos are unlikely to make a move for Kaepernick before or during the draft. While it’s not out of the question, there have been “zero talks” recently, according to Klis.
Broncos Eyeing Peyton Barber
- The Broncos plan on drafting a running back on day three, and Pauline hears that they like Auburn’s Peyton Barber in the neighborhood of the sixth round.
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Garrett Graham Contract Details
- Garrett Graham‘s one-year deal with the Broncos is for the veteran’s minimum and includes an $80K signing bonus, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. It’s a split contract for the veteran tight end.
Latest On Sam Bradford, Trade Request
After a report surfaced on Monday suggesting that Sam Bradford – or his agent – had asked for a trade out of Philadelphia, agent Tom Condon appeared on SiriusXM NFL Radio confirming as much. According to Condon, the Eagles haven’t given him permission to seek out possible trades for Bradford, and his client won’t be at voluntary workouts (Twitter link via Alex Marvez of FOX Sports).
As Condon explained, Bradford was “very happy” with the contract he signed in March with the Eagles, but became less thrilled about his situation when the team also added Chase Daniel and traded for the No. 2 overall pick (Twitter link via SiriusXM NFL Radio).
“From our perspective… Sam wants the opportunity to try to go some place and not only be the starter, but be the starter there long-term,” Condon said, per Josh Paunil of PhillyMag.com. “He doesn’t view himself as somebody that’s a stop-gap kind of quarterback and he wants to go some place and take a chance on being with a team for a long time and I can’t blame him for that.”
Here’s more on the Bradford situation, which we’ll be monitoring closely this week:
- As we heard yesterday, in spite of Bradford’s trade request, the Eagles aren’t seriously considering trading the former first overall pick, a source tells Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Of course, in these situations, a team is generally always willing to trade the player if the price is right, but the Eagles appear just as willing to move forward with Bradford on the roster.
- The Bills and Browns were among the teams to express interest in Bradford last year, and could join the Broncos among the potential landing spots for the veteran signal-caller if the Eagles do decide to make a move, says Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). As Cole notes, the $11MM signing bonus that was part of Bradford’s new contract makes a potential trade very tricky for the Eagles, since it will be hard to extract fair value.
- Mike Klis of 9NEWS is extremely skeptical that the 49ers will become a viable suitor for Bradford, suggesting (via Twitter) that Howie Roseman would have no interest in helping Chip Kelly.
Broncos Inquired On Sam Bradford
The Broncos reached out to the Eagles to inquire on Sam Bradford, Mike Klis of 9NEWS reports (via Twitter). However, according to an NFL source, Philadelphia’s asking price was just too lofty.
Earlier today, we learned that Bradford has requested a trade from the Eagles. However, the Eagles have yet to give Bradford and his representatives permission to seek a trade. Bradford is ostensibly upset with the Eagles following their trade up to the No. 2 pick in the draft with the intent of selecting a quarterback. Of course, that deal came just six weeks after the Eagles re-upped Bradford on a lucrative two-year contract.
The Broncos, meanwhile, are searching for answers at quarterback after losing Brock Osweiler to free agency and seeing future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning announce his retirement. Denver has Mark Sanchez in place as a Plan B, but they are searching hard for a better starting candidate. The Broncos’ have had extensive trade talks with the 49ers regarding Colin Kaepernick, but those have effectively been frozen as the quarterback is unwilling to take the pay cut that is being requested of him.
Since the Eagles have already paid out Bradford’s $11MM signing bonus, he would represent a very affordable option at quarterback for Denver. The Broncos, or any team acquiring the former No. 1 overall pick, would only be on the hook for $7MM in 2016.
Bradford, acquired a year ago by Chip Kelly‘s Eagles in a trade with the Rams, had his ups and downs in 14 starts for Philadelphia in 2015, but his overall numbers have been solid. The Oklahoma product set new career-highs with a 65.0% completion percentage, and 3,725 yards passing. He also tossed 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, leading the club to a 7-7 record in his starts.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Broncos Interested In Texas State OT
- The Broncos, Browns, Raiders, Jets, and Panthers are evaluating Texas State offensive tackle Adrian Bellard as a Day 3 draft target, Wilson tweets.
Broncos Ready To Turn TE Reins Over To Heuerman?
- The Broncos spent plenty of time trying to re-sign Brock Osweiler and Malik Jackson, and the defending champions added two tackles expected to start during the offseason. But they released Owen Daniels and didn’t make an attempt to bring back Vernon Davis, who signed with Washington. This could be due to the team’s high hopes for second-year tight end Jeff Heuerman, who missed his rookie slate with a torn ACL. “We expect (Heuerman) to step in and be a force,” GM John Elway told media, including Troy Renck of the Denver Post. “We’re counting on (Heuerman) big time,” Gary Kubiak said. “We feel like Jeff can be a total tight end. He’s not just a receiver. We think he has the ability to do both (catch and block).” A former third-round pick, Heuerman wasn’t known for his receiving chops at Ohio State. The 6-foot-5 tight end hauled in 792 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in four years, playing extensively as a junior and senior. Virgil Green is the only experienced tight end on the roster, so it may behoove the team to add some depth at this spot.
Jarran Reed, Vernon Butler Could "Fit" With Broncos
- According to Troy Renck of The Denver Post (via Twitter), NFL Network’s Mike Mayock said defensive tackles Jarran Reed (Alabama) or Vernon Butler (Louisiana Tech) could “be a fit” for the Broncos at the end of the first round.
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Latest On Brian Hoyer
After visiting the Jets and Broncos this week, free agent quarterback Brian Hoyer doesn’t have any other visits lined up, says Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. A source tells Florio that Hoyer’s plan for now is to head home and let things “percolate” for a few days, while staying in touch with the Jets and Broncos.
ESPN’s Adam Caplan tweeted on Wednesday that Hoyer would likely find a new home quickly, and added yesterday that the veteran signal-caller has “at least six teams” interested in him. However, nothing is imminent at the moment, according to Florio, who suggests that Hoyer won’t rush into a deal.
The Jets and Broncos both have several balls in the air — Gang Green remains in a holding pattern with Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is still the team’s preferred option, while the Broncos are in a similar holding pattern with Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers. Both teams may also use the draft to add a quarterback.
Outside of New York and Denver, there aren’t many landing spots that would allow Hoyer to compete for a starting job right away, so it makes sense that he’d prefer to wait to see if either of those clubs wants to sign him. The alternative would be joining a team for whom he’d be the clear-cut backup, such as the Cowboys. Along with Dallas, the Bears and Steelers have also been mentioned as possible suitors for Hoyer, though it’s not entirely clear how serious those teams are about the ex-Texan.
Hoyer, 30, made nine starts and appeared in 11 total games for the Texans in 2015, and enjoyed his best season as a pro. The Michigan State product completed more than 60% of his passes, throwing for 2,606 yards, 19 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions. Houston went 5-4 in Hoyer’s starts, but he he became expendable when the team went out and signed Brock Osweiler to a four-year, $72MM deal in free agency last month.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Ronnie Hillman Contract Details
- Ronnie Hillman, RB (Broncos): One year, $2MM. $600K guaranteed, including $400K of base salary. $100K signing bonus, $100K workout bonus (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).