49ers, Bears, Jets Eager To Trade Down
The 49ers, Bears, and Jets are the clubs holding top-10 draft picks that would most like to trade down, according to Peter King of TheMMQB.com. The problem, per King, is that few teams are interested in trading up in a draft that’s considered deep, but not necessarily stocked with elite talents.
San Francisco, particularly, is in a tricky spot at No. 2, as King writes. Texas A&M edge rusher Myles Garrett is considered the best prospect in this year’s class, but the second-rated player varies depending on team. Solomon Thomas, Malik Hooker, Jamal Adams, Leonard Fournette, Jonathan Allen, Marshon Lattimore, Gareon Conley, Reuben Foster, Christian McCaffrey, and O.J. Howard could all claim the title as the second-best player of 2017, so convincing rival clubs to trade up to No. 2 overall is difficult.
Not mentioned in that list of players is the 2017 quarterback class, where top-end options include Mitch Trubisky, Deshaun Watson, Patrick Mahomes, and DeShone Kizer. The 49ers, Bears, and Jets could all use help under center, and each of those teams may believe they can move down in the first round and still acquire a long-term signal-caller. San Francisco, specifically, is known to be willing to deal its first-round pick.
The Browns, meanwhile, may want to trade back up after likely selecting Garrett first overall. Although it sounds as though King is speculating rather than reporting, Cleveland could be willing to use its stockpile of draft picks to move up from No. 12, perhaps leaping all the way to No. 2 in order to secure a long-term quarterback option.
Teams “Keeping Tabs” On Tramaine Brock
If free agent cornerback Tramaine Brock is not officially charged following a purported domestic violence incident last week, he could be in line for a $10-11MM per year contract on the open market, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Numerous clubs are reportedly keeping an eye on Brock’s situation following his recent release from the 49ers.
Brock, without the DV charges hanging over his head, would easily be the best cornerback on the free agent market, as the rest of the crop includes Jason McCourty, Darrelle Revis, Brandon Flowers, Alterraun Verner, and Sam Shields. The 28-year-old Brock has been a full-time starter in each of the past two seasons, and in 2016 graded as the league’s No. 23 corner while playing 95% of San Francisco’s defensive snaps, per Pro Football Focus.
But Brock, of course, isn’t hitting free agency unfettered, as the domestic violence charges are an incredibly serious matter that NFL clubs are now increasingly dealing with in a zero-tolerance manner. Police found “visible facial injuries” on the woman involved in the episode, while 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said the team gathered enough information that made cutting ties an easy decision. Brock could face a four-year prison sentence if found guilty of felony domestic violence.
Before the domestic violence accusations forced them to release Brock, the 49ers were interested in extending Brock, per Cole.
49ers Make Offer To Seahawks’ Garry Gilliam
The 49ers proposed a multi-year contract to Seahawks restricted free agent offensive lineman Garry Gilliam, but Gilliam rejected the offer, according to Sheil Kapadia of ESPN.com. San Francisco will continue negotiating with Gilliam, per Kapadia, who says the “lines of communication” are open between the two parties.
Gilliam met with the Niners earlier today on something of an exploratory mission, and he now has until April 21 to sign an offer sheet with San Francisco (or another club). The Seahawks own the right of first refusal, but if they decline to match the 49ers’ terms, they’ll receive no draft pick compensation for Gilliam. Seattle tendered Gilliam at the original round level, and Gilliam entered the league as an undrafted free agent.
If Gilliam can’t agree on a deal with the 49ers, he’s expected to sign his Seahawks RFA tender next week, reports Kapadia. That tender will pay him a non-guaranteed $1.797MM base salary for the 2017 season. If Gilliam — for some reason — doesn’t sign his tender by June 15, Seattle can cut his 2017 earnings down to $660K.
San Francisco’s offensive line is nothing special, and Gilliam could conceivably compete for time at right tackle. But it’s not clear the 26-year-old would be much of an upgrade, even on the 49ers’ roster, given that he graded as a bottom-10 offensive tackle in 2016, per Pro Football Focus.
49ers Host Seahawks OT Garry Gilliam
The 49ers hosted Seahawks restricted free agent offensive tackle Garry Gilliam for a visit today, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Seattle tendered him at the original round level. Because Gilliam was undrafted, Seattle will not be entitled to any draft compensation if he is signed away. 
Gilliam, 26, appeared in 14 games for the Seahawks last season and made 13 starts. Unfortunately, his performance left much to be desired as the entire Seahawks offensive line sagged. Gilliam finished out the year with an abysmal 38.0 overall score on Pro Football Focus, framing him as one of the ten worst qualified tackles in the NFL. The Seahawks wound up using him on 939 snaps, which would explain much of their O-Line woes. Fellow Seattle tackle George Fant, who was on the field for 792 snaps, had the worst grade of any tackle in the league at 27.6.
The Seahawks probably do not intend on using Gilliam as a starter again in 2017, but they would like to have him back as a reserve. The Niners, meanwhile, are likely kicking the tires on him as a depth signing. There will be cheaper and younger options in the draft, so the Seahawks would have to be pretty fond of him to sign him to an offer sheet.
Niners Won't Rule Out Joe Mixon
- 49ers GM John Lynch won’t rule out the possibility of drafting controversial Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon. “I think in terms of our board, we’ve made an effort to be as transparent as possible, but just one thing that I believe is that we’re not going to share some specifics of our board, who’s on it, who’s off it,” Lynch said (via CSNBayArea.com). “So I think that applies to that young man, as well.” The 49ers released cornerback Tramaine Brock after his domestic violence arrest, but that apparently doesn’t equal a complete zero tolerance policy.
John Lynch: 49ers "Really High On" Carlos Hyde
- Contrary to a report from Tuesday, the 49ers aren’t ready to give up on running back Carlos Hyde, according to general manager John Lynch. They’re actually “really high on” Hyde, who’s “a very talented young man,” per Lynch (via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle). It wouldn’t necessarily be wise to take Lynch’s comments at face value here, though Hyde did make his case to continue as San Francisco’s No. 1 back when he posted a 4.6 yards-per-carry average on 217 attempts and combined for nine touchdowns last season.
49ers Rumors: No. 2 Pick, Webb, Watt
The 49ers are willing to trade the second pick in the draft, which has been the case since at least February. They’ll “listen to anything,” said general manager John Lynch, who revealed that teams have shown interest in acquiring the selection (via Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area). Regardless of whether they trade the choice, the 49ers won’t have top prospects like Texas A&M edge rusher Myles Garrett, Stanford defensive lineman Solomon Thomas or Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey in for pre-draft visits. “I think we know those guys pretty well,” stated Lynch (Twitter link via Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com). They did work out Cal quarterback Davis Webb on Tuesday, per Wagoner. Webb is gaining momentum as a potential first-rounder.
- Speaking of the Dolphins, they’ll meet with Wisconsin linebacker T.J. Watt this week, and he’ll also visit the Saints, 49ers and Broncos in the coming days, relays Jeremy Bregman of NFL.com. The brother of Texans superstar J.J. Watt may end up coming off the board in Round 1.
Draft Rumors: Jets, Mahomes, Foster
It’s not a guarantee that the Jets will select a quarterback at No. 6 overall, but they’re certainly doing their homework in that area. Today, the Jets are meeting yet again with Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes II, a source tells ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter).
Earlier this month, Mahomes did a private workout with Gang Green and he apparently did well enough to warrant further consideration. After the college season, Mahomes looked to be a second or third-round type of player. Now, all signs are pointing towards him going in the first round. It’s even possible that he could be the second QB off the board.
Here’s more NFL Draft news:
- The Saints are still evaluating linebackers and expected to have Reuben Foster in for a pre-draft visit on Wednesday, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. Foster has already met with a number of clubs and has a busy schedule still ahead of him between now and the draft. He won’t be on the board for long and Dallas Robinson’s mock draft 1.0 has him going inside of the top ten.
- 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and quarterback coach Rich Scangarello flew to Chapel Hill, North Carolina last Thursday to work out Mitch Trubisky, a league source tells Schefter (on Twitter). If the latest rumors are to be believed, Trubisky might not be available when SF picks at No. 2.
- Cal quarterback Davis Webb is visiting the Seahawks today, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Many believe he’s a first-round QB, Rapoport adds.
- The Jaguars are still doing their quarterback homework and they have scheduled a private workout next week with Pitt QB Nathan Peterman, a source tells Rapoport (on Twitter).
- The Raiders have scheduled cornerback Kevin King for a visit today (Wednesday). King is an Oakland-area native.
Six Teams To Meet With Mo Alie-Cox
The jump from basketball to football may not be easy, but Mo Alie-Cox has plenty of believers in the NFL. The former Virginia Commonwealth University forward is already slated to visit the Chiefs, Buccaneers, Jets, Colts, Seahawks, and Chargers, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. More teams could request to meet with the 6’7″ athlete, Rapoport adds. 
Alie-Cox held an open audition for NFL teams recently and it seems like more than half the league had scouts in attendance. In addition to the aforementioned clubs, reps from the Bears, Lions, Dolphins, Vikings, 49ers, Browns, Patriots, Redskins, and Steelers were in the house (via Lane Casadonte of WTVR on Twitter).
Despite his lack of gridiron experience, teams are intrigued by Alie-Cox’s combination of size and athleticism. He is looking to play tight end and follow in the footsteps of Tony Gonzalez, Julius Thomas, Jimmy Graham, Antonio Gates, and other TE standouts with basketball backgrounds. At the same time, he is open to playing other positions and he took requests from scouts to perform drills that were suited for different roles.
What really sets Alie-Cox apart from other young NFL hopefuls is that he is not draft eligible and, therefore, can be signed as a free agent. A team that is really high on the hoopster could see this as an opportunity to effectively acquire a late-round draft pick for nothing.
Draft Rumors: Williams, Allen, Fournette
There seems to be a difference of opinions on the top quarterbacks in this year’s draft. When asked about the 2017 crop, ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski said, “I wouldn’t take any of these guys in the first round,” (Twitter link).
Early on, UNC QB Mitch Trubisky was regarded as a candidate for the No. 1 overall pick. Now, it seems much more likely that the Browns will select Myles Garrett and it’s not a given that Trubisky will even be the first QB to come off of the board. Deshaun Watson could instead be the first signal caller drafted and DeShone Kizer and Patrick Mahomes seem to be strong candidates for round one.
Of course, the draft isn’t a meritocracy – it’s about team needs and, often, team desperation. Several teams, including the Jets at No. 6, have a clear need for a young QB and there is no realistic scenario in which there isn’t a QB taken in the first round.
Here’s the latest draft news:
- Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams is with the Titans today on a top 30 visit, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Rapoport adds that the Titans have done extensive work on Williams, which makes sense given their clear WR need. Our mock draft has Williams going to Tennessee at No. 18 overall.
- Alabama defensive end Jonathan Allen visited with the Titans and has the Chargers and 49ers on deck, Rapoport tweets.
- Former LSU running back Leonard Fournette will visit the Bengals today (Tuesday), according to Kat Terrell of ESPN (on Twitter). The Bengals have hosted multiple running backs on visits this year and that could be tied to Jeremy Hill‘s contractual status. Hill is eligible for free agency following the 2017 season.
- The Dolphins are hosting Florida cornerback Jalen Tabor and Miami tight end David Njoku on visits this week, Rapoport tweets.
- Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett did a personal workout for the Falcons, a source tells Rapoport (on Twitter).