Browns Rumors: Hawkins, Whitner, Moats
Here’s what’s happening in Cleveland..
- With Andre Roberts off the table and Julian Edelman possibly re-signing with the Pats, the Browns’ next move might be to go after Bengals wide receiver Andrew Hawkins, tweets Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com.
- There’s a lot of talk that the Browns could bring Ohio State alum Donte Whitner home this offseason, tweets Albert Breer of NFL Network. Whitner would help anchor the secondary of new head coach Mike Pettine.
- Kinkhabwala (link) hears the same with regards to Whitner and adds that things could be getting close with former Bills linebacker Arthur Moats. Of course, Pettine is familiar with Moats from their time together in Buffalo.
DB Rumors: Byrd, Whitner, 49ers, Cromartie
Cornerback is one of the deepest positions on the free agent market this year, and there are plenty of intriguing names among the free agent safeties as well. Let’s dive in and check out the latest rumors on defensive backs….
- A source told Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter link) last night that the asking price for the top free agent safeties ranged from $6MM (Donte Whitner) to $8MM (Jairus Byrd) per year, with T.J. Ward in the middle at $7MM. Biggs admits that he’s not sure if that’s changed today.
- Albert Breer of the NFL Network (Twitter link) hears that Byrd is asking for more than $8MM, and while that price has scared some teams away, the safety may ultimately land that amount.
- It’s highly unlikely that the Bears land Whitner, according to Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter), who adds that it sounds like Chicago is looking elsewhere for a safety. The team also isn’t likely to be a major player for Byrd, tweets Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times.
- The 49ers and Tarell Brown both appear to be testing the market, with San Francisco exploring other cornerback options and Brown looking into other suitors. Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says the Niners have checked in on Nolan Carroll.
- Top free agent cornerback Alterraun Verner told SiriusXM’s Chris Russo the Patriots are “definitely a possibility” and added that Devin McCourty has been “lobbying” for him to come to New England, tweets Field Yates of ESPNBoston.com.
- Antonio Cromartie told ESPN Radio New York that the Jets never tried to renegotiate his current deal but the “door is open” for a return, tweets Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com. It sounds like he’ll test the market and assess all his options though.
- John Clayton of ESPN.com (on Twitter) offers up an early prediction that Patriots free agent cornerback Aqib Talib will end up with the Redskins.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Browns, Bears In Mix For Donte Whitner
The Browns, Bears, and Jets have expressed the most interest in free-agent-to-be Donte Whitner so far, reports Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. The Jets were mentioned yesterday as a suitor for the safety, who is still drawing interest from the 49ers as well, according to Branch.
Of Whitner’s potential suitors, the Browns appear to have the most cap flexibility, and are “very serious” about signing the Cleveland native, a source tells Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (Twitter link). I ranked Whitner several spots below T.J. Ward on my list of PFR’s top 25 free agents, but if the Browns expect to lose Ward, Whitner would certainly be a solid replacement.
As Branch notes, the Niners are “still pushing” to retain their free agent safety. However, if they don’t reach an agreement with Whitner in the next 24 hours, it appears they’ll face stiff competition from at least three other clubs.
FA Roundup: Veldheer, Ward, Byrd, Jets
The Cardinals are expected to heavily pursue free agent offensive tackle Jared Veldheer, according to Kent Somers of AZCentral.com. The team is looking to improve their offensive line by upgrading at left tackle, where incumbent Bradley Sowell struggled mightily last season. Veldheer, 26, was somewhat surprisingly not franchise-tagged by the Raiders, who have ample cap space and could have aimed to sign him to a long-term contract. Now the Cardinals (whose top target, Branden Albert, will likely sign with the Dolphins) will look to swoop in and sign the young lineman.
Other free agent notes:
- ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner seconds Somers’ reports, and tweets the the Cardinals have “cooled” on free agent offensive lineman Rodger Saffold.
- Completing the offensive linemen circle, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets the the Raiders may be interested in Saffold.
- Approximately a dozen teams have expressed interest in free agent safety T.J. Ward, according to the National Football Post’s Aaron Wilson.
- The Eagles have yet to show much interest in free agent safety Jairus Byrd, but they could be interested in Mike Mitchell, who would cost much less, writes Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com.
- Safety Donte Whitner and running back Maurice Jones-Drew are two players that are of interest to the Jets, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
NFC West Notes: 49ers, Quinn, Cardinals
The 49ers have big-money decisions to make, while the Cardinals eye offensive line help in a batch of NFC West division tidbits:
- Last season, 49ers cornerback Carlos Rogers declined a pay cut, but the team had no recourse because they needed him on the field. A year later, the team is prepared to release Rogers if he does not agree to a pay cut, as the veteran is scheduled to earn a $6.25MM base salary and count nearly $8.1MM against the cap, writes Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area. Releasing Rogers after June 1 would save $6.6 on the 2014 cap, but the team would incur $1.5MM in dead money on the 2015 cap. If the team swallowed the entire cap hit in 2014, the immediate cap savings would be $5.1MM with no dead money in future years.
- The escalating salary cap helps the 49ers long-term, especially given the team’s desire to retain 2015 free agents Colin Kaepernick, Aldon Smith, Michael Crabtree and Mike Iupati, but the extra $10MM the rest of the league has to play with in the short term could make it difficult to retain this year’s free agents, including Donte Whitner, Tarell Brown and Phil Dawson, writes Eric Branch of sfgate.com.
- Robert Quinn is entering the final year of his four-year rookie contract, but a provision in the new CBA (instituted in 2011 when Quinn was drafted 14th overall) allows the Rams to keep the reigning Defensive Player of the Year through 2015, notes Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. By virtue of Quinn being selected between No. 11 overall to No. 32, the team can pay Quinn the average salary made by the third- through 25th-highest paid players at the defensive end position ($6.9MM).
- The Cardinals are targeting Branden Albert and Rodger Saffold in that order, according to Kent Somers of azcentral.com (via Twitter).
FA Rumors: QBs, Saffold, Vikings, Ravens
This year’s class of free agent quarterbacks doesn’t feature any stars, but there are a handful of players who should make very solid backups, writes Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. In his latest piece, La Canfora takes a shot at forecasting where a few of the more notable names on the market will land. Among his predictions: Michael Vick to the Jets, Josh McCown to the Vikings, Matt Cassel to the Texans, and Josh Freeman to the Raiders.
With just over 24 hours left for teams to exclusively negotiate with their own free agents, let’s check out a few more FA rumors and news items:
- Talks are ongoing between the Rams and the reps for free agent offensive lineman Rodger Saffold, but agent Alan Herman says his client will “definitely” reach the open market next week, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Rams appear interested in re-signing Saffold as a guard, but the 25-year-old could draw interest from other teams as a tackle, which would likely increase his earning potential.
- Expect Michael Johnson to be a top target for the Vikings and head coach Mike Zimmer if the Bengals defensive end becomes available next week, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
- Defensive lineman Arthur Jones is expected to draw significant offers in free agency that the Ravens won’t compete with, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Head coach John Harbaugh hinted at that outcome at the combine last month.
- The Ravens have an offer on the table for prospective free agent Jacoby Jones, tweets Rapoport. Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun says the team has had “several discussions” with Jones’ reps.
- The Colts remain relatively far apart in contract talks with cornerback Vontae Davis, though there’s still mutual interest in getting something done. Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star has the details.
- Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee discusses the 49ers‘ approach to free agency, writing that safety Donte Whitner and cornerback Tarell Brown appear likely to test their value on the open market.
- The Eagles need to add a safety, but Paul Domowitch of the Philadelphia Daily News would be surprised if the club makes a serious run at the very best free agents, like Jairus Byrd and T.J. Ward.
NFC Notes: Packers, Hester, Mitchell, Smith
Nate Davis of USA Today ran down the Packers‘ offseason needs and rightfully noted that the D-Line will need to be addressed. Tyson Jackson, Arthur Jones, and Paul Soliai could be candidates for Green Bay, especially since B.J. Raji seems to have played his way off the roster. Here’s more out of the NFC..
- In an interview with NFL Network. Bears return specialist Devin Hester indicated that he’ll likely be elsewhere in 2014, writes Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune. “From my knowledge, I know that Chicago wants to go a different route with me,” Hester said, pretty much confirming a similar report from earlier in the week. “All I can say is thanks to the fans (for) the support. Always been great to me, always been loyal. I couldn’t want to play for a better city than those guys.” Hester averaged 27.6 yards per kickoff return and 14.2 yards per punt return last season, tying Sanders’ touchdown record with an 81-yard punt return against the Redskins in October.
- Panthers safety Michael Mitchell is a shining example of how one-year deals can actually benefit veterans, writes USA Today’s Tom Pelissero. The 26-year-old didn’t get much opportunity in Oakland but after totaling four interceptions, two forced fumbles and 3.5 sacks in 15 games (14 starts) in 2013 with Carolina, he figures to see a bigger pay day this year.
- Tom Sorensen of the Charlotte Observer says Panthers GM Dave Gettleman holds the cards in his standoff with wide receiver Steve Smith. The inventive columnist even goes so far as to come up with dialogue for an imagined meeting between the two men.
- The Vikings want to re-sign veteran wide receiver Jerome Simpson, writes Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. A source tells Tomasson that Minnesota is interested in a third year with Simpson even though he was arrested in November on suspicion of a DUI.
- It’s no secret that the 49ers are trying to get deals done with Donte Whitner and Tarell Brown before they hit free agency, but it may be difficult to get both men to bypass the open market, writes Bill Williamson of ESPN.com (Twitter links).
- Bears guard Kyle Long has already begun lobbying for the team to sign free agent defensive tackle Nate Collins, writes John Mullin of CSNChicago.com. Earlier tonight, the Bears came to terms with fellow DT Jeremiah Ratliff.
Franchise Updates: Whitner, Houston, Byrd
With today’s franchise deadline now less than five hours away, let’s round up a few of the latest news items and rumors on the franchise tag from around the NFL….
- The 49ers won’t be designating safety Donte Whitner as their franchise player, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (via Twitter).
- Raiders defensive end Lamarr Houston isn’t expected to receive the team’s franchise tag, a source tells Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
- The Bills have yet to express anything to Jairus Byrd about the franchise tag, and it appears unlikely that the club will use it, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Joe Buscaglia of WGR550 also hears that the Bills won’t franchise Byrd (Twitter link).
- The Packers don’t look likely to use the franchise tag on their own defensive back, says Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette (via Twitter). A source tells Dougherty that the team has yet to mention the possibility to Sam Shields or his agent.
Earlier updates:
- The Lions aren’t expected to use their franchise tag today, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Tight end Brandon Pettigrew likely would have been the top candidate to be franchised.
- The Seahawks won’t use their franchise tag on defensive end Michael Bennett, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. We also heard over the weekend that the team doesn’t intend to tag kicker Steven Hauschka, but Seattle is still trying to reach deals with both players, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
- The Titans won’t use their franchise tag on anyone this offseason, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. Cornerback Alterraun Verner appeared to be the most viable Tennessee candidate for the tag, but it appears the club will either reach a multiyear agreement with Verner or let him hit the open market.
- Paul Soliai‘s agent says the Dolphins have told his client he won’t be franchised, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (via Twitter). We heard last week that Miami was unlikely to re-sign Soliai, so the team may turn its attention to bringing back its other key free agent defensive lineman, Randy Starks.
49ers Roundup: Trades, Iupati, James
The 49ers are unlikely to trade any of their players who are set to become free agents at the end of the 2014 season simply because of their contract status, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. Although G Mike Iupati may not be with the team beyond 2014, as was noted earlier, and although WR Michael Crabtree is sure to command a high-dollar contract after the upcoming season, San Francisco is not going to trade its key pieces for a little cap relief and draft picks. As they did last offseason, the 49ers will likely wait until late in training camp to assess where they have a surplus of talent and will try to deal from that surplus to add to its 2015 draft haul.
More from the Bay Area:
- LaMichael James could be one of those players who finds himself on the trading block, according to Maiocco. The team does have a great deal of talent at running back, with Frank Gore, Marcus Lattimore (assuming he’s healthy), Kendall Hunter, and any other additions it may make in the offseason. However, the 49ers would have to first find a replacement in the return game if they were to deal James.
- The 49ers want to keep free agent safety Donte Whitner, but if they are unable to do so, Maiocco thinks they will pursue a replacement who has the same physical traits as Eric Reid. That way, DC Vic Fangio could use Reid and the new safety interchangeably to add variety to his play-calling and schemes.
- ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson agrees with Maiocco regarding Iupati. Although Iupati will not be a top priority given that the 49ers will have to lock down Colin Kaepernick, Aldon Smith, and Crabtree sooner rather than later, San Francisco is well-equipped to make a run at Super Bowl XLIX and “[p]ursuing a Super Bowl with Iupati is better than doing it without him.”
NFC Notes: Bennett, Kuhn, Redskins
A couple of notes from around the NFC on this Monday evening…
- Upcoming free agent Mike Bennett has expressed interest in returning to the Seahawks, tweets Todd Dybas of the Tacoma News Tribune. However, Seattle may have competition in the Bears, says Chicago Sun-Times reporter Patrick Finley. Signing with Chicago would team up the defensive end with his brother, tight end Martellus Bennett, who is expected to recruit his older sibling.
- The Packers‘ signing of Ina Liaina does not necessarily have an impact on the status of free agent fullback John Kuhn, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. As the writer points out, Kuhn shined as a third-down option and blocker for rookie Eddie Lacy while Liaina, who Green Bay inked earlier today, has basically no NFL experience.
- Rich Tandler of CSNWashington takes a look at the Redskins current salary cap situation and how it applies to the team’s defensive line. Tandler believes the current group has not justified their current salaries and that defensive ends Adam Carriker and Stephen Bowen are potential cap casualties.
- Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea believes that of the 49ers free agents, wide receiver Anquan Boldin and kicker Phil Dawson are the most likely to re-sign. Maiocco also mentions that defensive backs Donte Whitner and Tarell Brown are expected to test the market.