Contract Details: Dennard, 49ers, Fins, Jets
Here are the latest contract details from around the league:
- Darqueze Dennard, CB (Bengals): One year, $5MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
- Chris Reed, OL (Dolphins): Two years, $2.975MM. $500K guaranteed. $1MM base salary in 2019. 2020 salary ($1.38MM) is a team option, Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com tweets.
- David Mayo, LB (49ers): Two years, $2.5MM. $1.1MM fully guaranteed. Cap charges of $1.25MM in each season, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com notes (Twitter links).
- Brandon Copeland, DL (Jets): One year, $1.25MM. Deal carries a max value of $3MM, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News tweets.
49ers To Keep Jerick McKinnon
Jerick McKinnon‘s first season with the 49ers did not go according to plan, but he’ll have an opportunity to show what he can do for the team in 2019. Niners GM John Lynch says the running back will be on the team past April 1 when his salary becomes fully guaranteed (Twitter link via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area). Furthermore, Lynch confirmed that McKinnon fits into the team’s plans for the upcoming season. 
The 49ers signed McKinnon to a four-year $30MM contract last March, but a torn ACL wiped out his first would-be season in SF. It was a huge disappointment for the team and player alike – McKinnon flashed serious potential in Minnesota and many expected him to bust out big plays in the 49ers’ offense.
In 2017, his final year with the Vikes, McKinnon enjoyed career highs in receptions (51) and receiving yards (421). With capable hands and the athleticism to break out of early tackles, McKinnon has the ability to go for long-distance runs and serve as a security blanket for Jimmy Garoppolo. Both players are expected to be healthy for the start of the 2019 season, which should result in a much better year for the franchise.
49ers Notes: Draft, Bosa, Safeties
The 49ers are in the midst of a pivotal offseason. They dealt with a mountain of injuries last year which excused their poor record, but with Jimmy Garoppolo back healthy next season expectations will be very high. Fortunately for San Francisco, they have the second overall pick at their disposal. For a long time, Ohio State pass-rusher Nick Bosa was the favorite to go first overall to the Cardinals. But with many now expecting Arizona to take Kyler Murray, Bosa could fall into San Francisco’s lap.
To that end, the “consensus opinion at this stage appears to be that Bosa will end up with the 49ers,” writes Matt Maioccio of NBC Sports. One NFL front office member told Maioccio at a recent pro day that the 49ers were going to take Bosa. The 49ers are in desperate need of outside pass-rush, so Bosa makes a lot of sense if he’s available. He would provide a massive boost to Kyle Shanahan’s defense.
- The 49ers were expected to be players for Earl Thomas, but ultimately didn’t end up signing any of the big name safeties available. Safety was seemingly a position of need, but the 49ers opted not to make any splashes there. In a recent interview, 49ers GM John Lynch elaborated on the decision to more or less stay pat. “We feel good about our free safety depth. We feel we’re pretty well stocked there,” Lynch said, per Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports. Lynch did leave the door open for a future acquisition, saying “it’s not to say, if an opportunity presents itself, that we won’t go there, but we feel pretty good at our free safety spot.”
49ers Host TE Chris Bragg For Workout
- The 49ers brought in tight end Chris Gragg for a workout, a source told Matt Maioccio of NBC Sports (Twitter link). An Arkansas product, Gragg was taken by the Bills in the seventh round of the 2013 draft. He spent the next four years in Buffalo, then was with the Jets during the 2017 offseason. Gragg has struggled with injuries, missing the entire 2016 and 2017 seasons while hurt. He spent all of last year out of the league, and this is the first we’ve heard of him in a while. Gragg had his most productive season in 2015, when he caught 12 passes for 150 yards. He’s unlikely to make much of an impact even if San Francisco does opt to sign him.
Kaepernick, Reid Settled For ~$10MM
In February, the NFL reached a settlement with Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid to put their collusion grievances to bed. All sides were sworn to a non-disclosure agreement with regards to the particulars, but Andrew Beaton of the Wall Street Journal hears that the two former 49ers settled for less than $10MM. 
[RELATED: Kaepernick Interested In Playing For Dolphins]
In the immediate aftermath of the settlement, many speculated that Kaepernick and Reid could have collected tens of millions of dollars. Ultimately, they received a much more modest sum, one that does not amount to much when factoring for taxes and legal expenses.
Kaepernick and Reid accused NFL teams of colluding in order to keep them out of work. Reid eventually found a home with the Panthers in 2018, but Kaepernick has been out of football since the 2016 season.
The deal may not be a precursor to Kaepernick’s NFL return. Recently, the QB’s lawyer predicted that Kaepernick could be nearing a contract, but nothing has come to fruition over the last month. Meanwhile, Kaep reportedly wants $20MM to play in the AAF and we’ve heard nothing about his talks with the XFL since word of those negotiations broke three weeks ago.
Contract Details: Nsekhe, Anderson, Dorsett
Let’s take a look at the details of a few recently-signed NFL contracts:
- Ty Nsekhe, T (Bills): Two years, $9MM. $6.7MM guaranteed. $2MM signing bonus. $1.5MM available annually in playtime incentives. $1.5MM playtime escalator in 2020 (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).
- Henry Anderson, DL (Jets): Three years, $25.2MM. $17MM guaranteed. $1.75MM available via annual incentives. $850K sacks-based escalator in 2020 and 2021 (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Phillip Dorsett, WR (Patriots): One year, $2.6MM. $500K signing bonus. $600K in per-game roster bonuses (Twitter link via Field Yates of ESPN.com).
- Ereck Flowers, T (Redskins): One year, $3.25MM. $1.5MM guaranteed. $750K in playtime incentive (Twitter link via Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com).
- Mike Iupati, G (Seahawks): One year, $2.75MM. $2.25MM guaranteed. $1.25MM signing bonus. $500K in per-game roster bonuses. $500K available via playtime incentives (Twitter link via Brady Henderson of ESPN.com).
- Terrence Brooks, S (Patriots): Two years, $3.25MM. $1.305MM guaranteed. $500K signing bonus. Playtime bonuses available in 2019 and 2020 (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Jordan Matthews, WR (49ers): One year, $1.8MM. $300K signing bonus (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of NFL.com).
- Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB (Redskins): One year, minimum salary benefit. No guaranteed money (Twitter link via Pelissero).
- Jamize Olawale, FB (Cowboys): Three years, $5.4MM. $2.8MM guaranteed. $1.8MM signing bonus. 2021-2022 are option years that must be exercised prior to end of 2020 league year (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Brent Qvale, OL (Jets): One year, $1.4MM. $550K guaranteed. $1MM in incentives (Twitter link via Brian Costello of the New York Post).
49ers To Meet With Nick Bosa
The 49ers are set to have a dinner date with defensive end Nick Bosa on Wednesday night, according to Albert Breer of The MMQB (Twitter link). With the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, the Niners may be in position to snag Bosa, who is regarded by many as the best overall talent in this year’s class. 
Of course, the Niners’ chances of having Bosa on the board hinges on the Cardinals’ plans at No. 1 . It has been widely reported that the Cardinals have set their sights on Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray, though their plans could still be in flux with five weeks to go before taking the podium.
The Niners already made major upgrades to their defense by acquiring edge rusher Dee Ford and Kwon Alexander earlier this month. Putting Bosa at one of the bookends would give the 49ers a massively improved front seven and a D to be reckoned with.
Despite playing in only three games last year, Bosa looks the part of a game-changer in the NFL, similar to older brother Joey Bosa. As a sophomore, Bosa registered 8.5 sacks and 16 total tackles for a loss and was named a unanimous First Team All-Big Ten selection. Even in his injury-shortened junior season, Bosa managed four sacks and six tackles for a loss.
Contract Details: Ingram, Suggs, Kendricks
Here are the latest details from some agreed-upon contracts during the second wave of free agency. All links courtesy of the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson, unless otherwise noted.
- Mark Ingram, RB (Ravens): Three years, $15MM. $6.5MM guaranteed. $4MM signing bonus. $500K of $4MM 2020 base salary is guaranteed, per Wilson (on Twitter).
- Terrell Suggs, LB (Cardinals): One year, $10MM. $7MM guaranteed. $4MM signing bonus. $3MM 2019 base salary (link).
- Donte Moncrief, WR (Steelers): Two years, $9MM. $3.5MM signing bonus. $5MM due in 2019, per Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter).
- J.R. Sweezy, G (Cardinals): Two years, $9MM. $3MM signing bonus. $1.5MM 2019 base salary; $3.5MM 2020 base (link).
- Jake Ryan, LB (Jaguars): Two years, $8MM. $1MM guaranteed. $500K signing bonus. Non-guaranteed $5.5MM option due on the 22nd day of the 2020 league year (link).
- Adarius Taylor, LB (Browns): Two years, $5MM. $1MM signing bonus (link).
- Mychal Kendricks, LB (Seahawks): One year, $4.5MM. $2MM base salary. $250K training camp bonus. $250K bonus for being on Seattle’s 53-man roster in Week 1. $1MM in incentives (playing time, sacks), Wilson tweets.
- Shaquil Barrett, LB (Buccaneers): One year, $4MM. $3MM guaranteed. $1MM in incentives for playing time, sacks (link).
- Tyler Eifert, TE (Bengals): One year, $4MM. $1.2MM signing bonus. $1MM base salary; $2.5MM incentives related to catches, yards and touchdowns (Twitter link).
- Dwayne Harris, WR (Raiders): One year, $1.6MM. $275K signing bonus. $400K incentive based on return average (link).
- Kevin White, WR (Cardinals): One year, $1.5MM. $400K signing bonus. Max value: $2.5MM, per Pelissero (on Twitter).
- Dan Bailey, K (Vikings): One year, $1MM. $250K guaranteed. $1MM incentive based on field goal success rate (link).
- Cedric Ogbuehi, T (Jaguars): One year, $895K. $90K signing bonus (link).
- Antone Exum, S (49ers): One year, $855K. $50K signing bonus (link).
- Eli Rogers, WR (Steelers): Rogers’ 2018 contract tolled; he is due $720K in 2019 (link).
49ers To Sign P Justin Vogel
The 49ers appear to have a new punter. Justin Vogel agreed to terms on a 49ers deal, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area notes (via Twitter).
Vogel did not play in 2018 but was the Packers’ punter as a rookie in 2017. That remains his only NFL work. The 49ers, though, will give him a chance to earn their job. They did not bring back Bradley Pinion, who is now the Buccaneers’ punter.
A Pro Bowl alternate after that 2017 season, Vogel traversed the NFL’s workout circuit in 2018. The Packers waived him last offseason, and the Browns followed suit after claiming him. Vogel, 25, averaged 44.4 yards per punt in 2017 — 24th in the league that season.
Pinion served as San Francisco’s punter from 2015-18. He averaged 44 yards per boot in 2016 but did not eclipse that threshold in his other seasons.
Giants GM: “We Were Not Actively Shopping” OBJ
The Giants may have talked to several teams about Odell Beckham Jr. before pulling off a trade with the Browns, but general manager Dave Gettleman said he was “not actively shopping” the star wideout. Speaking to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, the executive discussed how the trade ultimately developed, noting that the receiver’s distractions (along with a hefty offer from Cleveland) made a trade more palatable.
“Obviously there’s a lot of stuff that factors in, but at the end of the day, in order for us to move Odell, the other team was going to have to knock it out of the park,’’ Gettleman said. “We were not actively shopping him.’’
The Browns apparently made an offer that grabbed the attention of the Giants, with New York receiving Cleveland’s first-round pick (No. 17 overall), third-round pick (95th overall), and young safety Jabrill Peppers. While the Giants never intended to trade Beckham when they signed him to a lucrative five-year, $95MM contract last August, the Browns’ offer was ultimately too good to refuse.
“Some have questioned why we signed Odell [last August] and then traded him,’’ Gettleman said. “We didn’t sign him to trade him but obviously things changed. Frankly, what changed is another team made an offer we couldn’t refuse. As it turned out, the fact he was signed for five more years made him very attractive and allowed us to get legitimate value.’’
Gettleman did acknowledge that he made one phone call regarding Beckham. Following the Bills’ failed pursuit of former Steelers wideout Antonio Brown, the Giants contacted Buffalo about a trade. The general managed said he also had “numerous conversations’’ with 49ers general manager John Lynch. Based on Gettleman’s assertions, we can only assume it was Lynch who contacted the Giants’ front office.