NFL Execs On Tony Romo’s Trade Value
The Cowboys insist that Tony Romo is still a part of their plans going forward, but that hasn’t stopped speculation on whether Romo could be traded this offseason and what his price tag could be. Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports checked in with a handful of NFL executives to gauge Romo’s trade value and got a wide range of answers. 
[RELATED: Cowboys Organization Torn On Romo, Prescott]
One GM feels the Cowboys could get as much as a second-round pick, provided that the Romo could pass a physical. Another executive predicted the Cowboys could ask for a second or third. Another said a third was the absolute max Dallas could get. Other responses ranged from a sixth-round choice to a conditional late-round pick.
“Imagine me going to [the owner] and saying, ‘Listen, I’m going to make a trade for a 36-year-old that’s got back issues that’s a backup,’ ” one anonymous GM said. “He’d be like, ‘You’re crazy.’ ”
Of course, it’s hard to peg Romo’s value without having a good handle on his health or the quarterback landscape in the offseason. Romo’s market would vary depending on which teams needed a quarterback and exactly how desperate they are. As I have noted before, this year’s draft class is pretty thin at QB, and that could help the Cowboys’ case if they choose to deal their one-time franchise star.
The executives mentioned the Jets, Broncos, Cardinals (if they were to dump Carson Palmer) and Bears as possible suitors. The 49ers need a QB, but as Pelissero notes, Romo isn’t a great fit for Chip Kelly‘s offense.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/15/16
Today’s practice squad moves:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OL Cyril Richardson, QB Josh Woodrum
Houston Texans
- Signed: RB Kenny Hilliard
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL Arturo Uzdavinis
New England Patriots
- Cut: TE Kennard Backman
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on IR: OL Fahn Cooper
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DE Kourtnei Brown, RB Russell Hansbrough, OL Kyler Kerbyson
- Cut: S Trae Elston
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: CB Jeremiah McKinnon
- Cut: Cody Riggs
Washington Redskins
- Signed: CB Dashaun Phillips
- Cut: LB Carlos Fields
49ers IR Arik Armstead, Claim Chris Jones
The 49ers have placed defensive tackle Arik Armstead on injured reserve and claimed fellow D-tackle Chris Jones off waivers from the Dolphins, per Doug Kyed of NESN (Twitter links).
Armstead has suited up for all eight of the 49ers’ games this season and garnered four starts, but a shoulder injury has bothered the ex-Oregon Duck since training camp. As a result, he only took the field for four plays in the 49ers’ 41-23 loss to the Saints last Sunday. The 2015 first-round pick has amassed decent counting stats this year – 15 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble – but Pro Football Focus ranks his overall performance a below-average 85th among 119 qualified interior D-linemen.
A third-year man, Jones totaled 24 appearances and 22 starts over his first two NFL seasons as a member of the Patriots, who cut him in April. He went on to appear in seven of the Dolphins’ games this year and participate in 19 percent of their defensive snaps before they waived him Monday.
49ers Won’t Activate CB Will Redmond
49ers defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil announced that the team will not be bringing cornerback Will Redmond back from injured reserve this year. A few weeks ago, the team designated Redmond as its short-term IR player for the season, but he apparently is not healthy enough to take the field. 
Redmond, a third-round pick out of Mississippi State, tore his ACL last October. The defensive back showed plenty of talent while in college, but the 49ers still weren’t convinced that he was fully healthy. The cornerback was late to sign his contract and did not put pen to paper with SF until June.
The 22-year-old (23 in December) saw action in three seasons for the Bulldogs, playing in 27 games and making seven starts — all of which coming during the 2015 season. He made 25 tackles and two interceptions for Mississippi State last season, and despite the lack of experience as a starter, left school early.
49ers Cut WR Keshawn Martin
The 49ers announced that they have waived wide receiver Keshawn Martin. Taking his place will be fellow wideout Chris Harper, who was promoted from the practice squad. 
Martin missed the cut as the Patriots dropped down to a 53-man roster this year. A few weeks later, he hooked on with San Francisco on a two-year contract. It’s not clear whether there was guaranteed money in the deal, but we’re guessing that the Niners aren’t going to be on the hook for much, if anything.
Last year, Martin averaged 11.2 yards per reception with New England, though that came on a limited sample size of 24 receptions. Prior to the 2015 season, Martin spent his first three seasons with the Texans and saw the field in every regular season contest from 2012-2014. For his career, Martin has averaged 25.2 yards per kick return.
Harper was promoted to the 49ers’ varsity squad for the season opener but was dropped immediately after, leading him back to the SF practice squad. The 22-year-old (23 in December), bounced on-and-off the Patriots’ 53-man roster during his rookie campaign in 2015, and ultimately appeared in five games with the club.
49ers Audition Two WRs
- The 49ers worked out wide receivers Antwan Goodley (Twitter link via Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com) and Mose Frazier (Twitter link).
Latest On Chip Kelly, 49ers
Several weeks ago, 49ers head coach Chip Kelly refuted reports indicating that he was interested in returning to the college ranks and that he would entertain offers from big-time collegiate programs. Today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Kelly was not just offering an empty, company-line denial of such rumors. Instead, colleges that privately have made overtures to Kelly’s representatives have been told in no uncertain terms that Kelly is not interested in leaving San Francisco.
Kelly signed a four-year, $24MM contract to become the 49ers’ head coach this past offseason, and his first year on the job has not been a fun one. The Niners are 1-6 and are clearly in rebuilding mode, and if Kelly’s contract expires or if he is let go before the 49ers become a competitive club once again, he may not get another shot in the league. After all, although he enjoyed some initial success during his first NFL head coaching gig with the Eagles, he effectively ran himself out of town when he tried to assume too much control of Philadelphia’s operations.
Of course, even if his NFL star has waned, his tremendous success at the collegiate level all but assures him of another prime opportunity with a college team if and when he does choose to return to campus life.
On a related note, and of particular interest given that the Saints and 49ers are set to square off today, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reports that, when New Orleans head coach Sean Payton briefly considered moving on from the Saints after the 2015 season, the 49ers emerged as perhaps the most likely suitor for Payton’s services. Payton’s Saints are 3-4 after starting the season 0-3, and they are showing signs that they could be contenders again sooner rather than later.
Joe Staley Not Considering Retirement
- 49ers tackle Joe Staley, now 32, has not given any thought to retirement, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Staley was the subject of trade rumors leading up to last week’s deadline, but he never thought he would be dealt and he continues to be singularly focused on returning the Lombardi Trophy to the Niners. He is under contract through 2019.
49ers Wanted Third-Rounder For Torrey Smith
- La Canfora confirms that the Eagles and 49ers had multiple discussions about a potential trade that would send Torrey Smith to Philadelphia, but the two sides could not agree on compensation. The Eagles would have sent a fifth-round selection back to the Bay Area in exchange for Smith, but the 49ers would not consider anything less than a third-round draft choice. Likewise, the Jets were asking for a “very strong return” for Sheldon Richardson, which some executives believe meant a first-round pick.
49ers Notes: Huff, Ramsey
- Could 49ers head coach Chip Kelly reunite with Huff? Kelly previously coached Huff at Oregon and with the Eagles, but he says that he hasn’t gotten an opportunity to pore over the details of the wideout’s arrest. Kelly also hasn’t gotten to speak with GM Trent Baalke, who was on a scouting trip this week, as Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com writes. “I have no idea what happened,” Kelly said. “I haven’t followed any of it. I know he got arrested two days ago, but I haven’t followed any of it.” Ultimately, Kelly says it’s too soon to say whether he’d have interest in signing Huff.
- The NFL hit former 49ers defensive tackle Kaleb Ramsey with a 10-game suspension on Thursday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). It’s unclear what led to the ban for Ramsey, who retired in July. The 49ers chose Ramsey in the seventh round of the 2014 draft out of Boston College, but he didn’t appear in a game in either of his two seasons with the club.