Draft Rumors: QBs, Treadwell, Nkemdiche
If the Browns take the fast-rising Carson Wentz at No. 2, a longtime personnel executive informs Charles Robinson of Yahoo.com there’s a possibility three quarterbacks go off the board in the first seven picks.
This source believes Jared Goff falling to No. 4 would entice the Cowboys to select him and that the 49ers would be tempted to take Paxton Lynch at No. 7 to give a highly touted quarterback the chance to learn Chip Kelly‘s system from Day 1 as opposed to the veterans who were installed in Kelly’s offense in Philadelphia either after playing in Andy Reid‘s or another team’s attack.
Here’s the latest coming out of the prospect pool as the Combine winds down.
- The notion Laquon Treadwell‘s more of a possession receiver has emerged at the Combine, Robinson reports. Some league personnel are wondering if the Ole Miss first-round prospect’s future is more of a No. 2 wideout and red zone-type threat than a high-ceiling No. 1 that teams take in the top half of the first round, where the early-entry receiver’s expected to be drafted.
- Robert Nkemdiche‘s character concerns have caused the one-time No. 1 recruit in the country to be taken off of multiple teams’ draft boards. But Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net reports (on Twitter) the Ole Miss defensive lineman already has 15 visits arranged.
- Teams will be concerned of potential nerve damage lingering for former potential No. 1 overall pick Jaylon Smith, Sal Maiorana of USA Today notes. But the Bills could be in play for the Notre Dame prospect if he falls to No. 19, with the team lacking a game-changing linebacker. Although Buffalo’s past taking a player not expected to contribute that season — Willis McGahee in 2003 — doesn’t apply too much here, Todd Gurley proved such a gamble can pay off.
- Although Joey Bosa‘s Combine numbers were eerily similar to J.J. Watt‘s, the 20-year-old prospect underwhelmed with a 4.86 40-yard dash time. But the Browns are considering Bosa with their No. 2 pick, along with Wentz and Goff, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Bosa, who met with the Browns, was expected to run faster considering he’ll likely have to play linebacker in a 3-4 defense.
Colin Kaepernick’s Reps Request Permission To Seek Trade
SUNDAY, 5:28pm: When asked about the report Kaepernick’s representatives are seeking to move the quarterback out of San Francisco, 49ers owner Jed York told the San Jose Mercury News’ Mark Purdy, “I haven’t talked to his people, and I try to stay away from what the agents say. I know what our feeling is. We want Kap to be healthy. And we’d like to see Kap here. … And I think when you look at what Chip’s offensive philosophy is, I think Kap is a very good fit for that. I think Chip has said that. We expect Kap to be here.”
Mike Florio of Pro Football talk interprets York’s insistence on keeping Kaepernick as a way to drive up the sixth-year quarterback’s market. York also acknowledges in the tampering bonanza that is the Combine, agents don’t exactly need permission to engage in talks with other teams.
“I’ve been around the NFL long enough to know that you don’t need to grant agents permission to make phone calls,” York told Purdy. “So, again, we’re not actively doing anything. I can’t stop somebody from reaching out. But our opinion is, we’d like Kap to be here.”
SATURDAY, 6:00pm: Kaepernick’s money isn’t guaranteed until April 1, but the 49ers are willing to move that date up if he commits to staying with the club, tweets Rapoport.
5:05pm: The 49ers hope to keep Kaepernick, who hasn’t yet received permission to seek a trade, according to Rapoport (Twitter link). If the 49ers do allow Kaepernick to look for a deal, Rapoport expects the Texans and Browns to have interest in acquiring him.
THURSDAY, 7:08pm: It would be a “major upset” if Kaepernick remained a 49er, tweets CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora.
6:30pm: If Kaepernick wants to seek a trade and keep his guaranteed money, he’ll need written permission from the 49ers, something he doesn’t have yet, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Further, Kelly wants Kaepernick to compete for the 49ers’ starting job, per Rapoport, who adds (on Twitter) that there won’t be a quick resolution to this situation.
In the event Kaepernick is dealt, Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee expects him to end up with an AFC team. The Broncos, Browns, Jets and Texans are possible suitors, according to Barrows (Twitter link).
5:21pm: The agents for quarterback Colin Kaepernick have requested permission from the 49ers to seek a trade, according to Rand Getlin of the NFL Network (Twitter link).
[RELATED: 49ers to meet with Kaepernick’s reps at combine]
Getlin’s report is almost comically timed, coming on the heels of general manager Trent Baalke insisting that Kaepernick will remain on the Niners’ roster through his salary guarantee deadline (April 1st) and head coach Chip Kelly saying today that he fully believes the quarterback wants to stay in San Francisco. Assuming Getlin’s report is accurate, it looks like the 49ers’ decision-makers may have been trying to sell a different narrative this week at the combine, perhaps in order to maintain leverage and pump up Kaepernick’s stock.
Tim Kawakami of San Jose Mercury News wrote on Tuesday that Kaepernick “understandably remains generally distrustful of team management’s motivations,” following a year in which he was benched and was the subject of unflattering leaks to media. The 28-year-old started eight games for the Niners in 2015, completing just 59.0% of his passes and throwing only six touchdowns to five interceptions. Blaine Gabbert took over as San Francisco’s starter in the second half while Kaepernick dealt with multiple injury issues.
While some observers believe that Kelly’s offensive system would be ideal for Kaepernick as he aims to bounce back in 2016, it seems as if the quarterback may prefer to get a fresh start elsewhere. If that’s the case, April 1st will be a key deadline — if the quarterback remains on the team’s roster beyond that day, his $11.9MM salary for 2016 will become fully guaranteed.
Of course, assuming the team grants Kaepernick’s representatives permission to explore a trade, any deal might have to take place sooner rather than later. Quarterback-needy teams likely won’t want to wait long after the new league year begins on March 9th to address the position, unless they intend to select a QB in the draft.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Cole’s Latest: Kaepernick, Jenkins, Wallace
A report earlier today indicated that the Texans are not expected to trade for 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, and Jason Cole of Bleaher Report (Twitter link) confirms that information, relaying that he was “told strongly” that Houston will not be dealing for Kaepernick. However, the Texans could have interest in Kaepernick if he is released by San Francisco.
Here’s more from Cole:
- Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins has fired his agent, according to Cole (video link), after Jenkins found Los Angeles’ latest offer of five years and $45MM unacceptable. Jenkins must now wait five days to hire a new agent, during which point the Rams cannot negotiate with him. As Vincent Bonsignore of the Los Angeles Daily News writes, Los Angeles can still the place the franchise/transition tag on Jenkins in advance of Tuesday’s deadline (though the latest reports have the Rams leaning towards using the tag on fellow corner Trumaine Johnson). Jenkins, per Cole, is expected to hire the Schwartz and Feinsod agency for representation.
- Vikings GM Rick Spielman is set to meet with the agent for receiver Mike Wallace at the combine in the hopes of convincing Wallace to accept a paycut, Cole reports (video link). Wallace is scheduled to count $11.5MM against the cap in 2016, and Minnesota can clear out all that money by releasing him.
- There is mutual interest between the Dolphins and free agent offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz “down the line,” tweets Cole. The Giants released Schwartz earlier this month, so he’s free to sign with any club immediately.
- North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz drew rave reviews at the combine, according to Cole (video link), and while he looks like the favorite to be the first quarterback off the board in April’s draft, Cal’s Jared Goff is still in the running, as well.
- Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan had offseason surgery on his lower back, per Cole (video link), but the operation was considered minor by both club and player. Jordan should be ready for New Orleans’ offseason program.
Big Name Rumors: Kaepernick, Miller, Martin
Let’s take a look at some rumors surrounding the biggest names of this offseason, beginning with updates on Colin Kaepernick and Von Miller.
- Contrary to yesterday’s speculation from Ian Rapoport, John McClain of The Houston Chronicle tweets that the Texans have “no interest” in trading for Kaepernick. Likewise, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that the Browns are not interested in dealing for Kaepernick at this time.
- As Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee observes, now that Kaepernick’s unhappiness with the 49ers is public knowledge, the team has zero leverage in trade talks. Instead of being traded, Kaepernick would reportedly prefer to be released, an alternative that would probably lead to less money for him but would allow him to choose his next destination. However, a release is probably not in the cards, as Mark Purdy of The San Jose Mercury News writes. Purdy recently interviewed team owner Jed York at length, and York reaffirmed his belief in Kaepernick and expressed his hope that No. 7 is wearing a 49ers uniform next season. Plus, even if Kaepernick is still on the team’s roster on April 1, which would make his $11.9MM salary for 2016 fully guaranteed, San Francisco would still be able to trade him and at least get something in return, instead of releasing him prior to April 1 and netting no compensation.
- Of course, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes, York’s comments could simply be a thinly-veiled attempt to restore some leverage to the 49ers in their efforts to deal Kaepernick, leverage that they may need even more now that the Texans and Browns are reportedly not interested in making a deal for the disgruntled signal-caller.
- Mike Klis of 9News.com tweets that the Broncos and Miller still have a lot of work to do before Tuesday’s franchise tag deadline, but he says that talks are still ongoing and the implication is that both sides are hopeful that a long-term deal can be struck before Denver is forced to use the tag. As Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post reported several days ago, Miller is motivated to reach an accord, and the two sides are not terribly far apart in their negotiations.
- Antonio Cromartie might not be garnering many national headlines at this point, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that the veteran cornerback, who was recently released by the Jets, is expected to meet with the Bills. Buffalo head coach Rex Ryan is reportedly interested in a reunion with Cromartie, who played under Ryan in New York from 2011-2013 and who earned Pro Bowl nods in 2012 and 2013.
- Although he does not not explicitly say that Doug Martin is likely to leave the Buccaneers, as a report suggested a few days ago, Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times does confirm that Martin is likely to reach free agency.
Extra Points: Kaepernick, Draft, Flacco
Concern is growing at the scouting combine regarding injured Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith, who is recovering from a torn ACL and MCL he suffered in January. Multiple NFL teams have failed Smith at the physical, while three have already declared they won’t draft him, according to Jeff Legwold and Adam Schefter of ESPN. This comes on the heels of a Friday report stating that Smith might miss all of next season.
Prior to his injury, the expectation was that Smith would be an early first-round pick, but some clubs now believe he’ll be a Day 3 selection, per Tony Pauline of WalterFootball.com. Smith took out an insurance policy on himself last summer, so he’ll collect a tax-free $700k if he doesn’t go in the first round and another $100k with each missed pick thereafter, tweets ESPN’s Darren Rovell. Thanks to his insurance policy, Smith could make as much as $5MM if his draft stock plummets, per Rovell.
And now for some notes on QBs:
- The fact that Colin Kaepernick wants out of San Francisco leaves the 49ers with little to no leverage in trade talks, writes Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Potential Kaepernick suitors could now be inclined to wait until a possible release by April 1, when his $12MM salary becomes guaranteed, rather than give anything up for him. If cut, Kaepernick would likely make less per year on his next deal, but his desire to get away from the 49ers outranks his motivation to cash in, per Barrows.
- The Ravens and Joe Flacco‘s agent, Joe Linta, have made “significant progress” in their talks to rework the quarterback’s contract and are expected to have further discussions Sunday, ESPN’s Adam Caplan reports (link via Jamison Hemsley of ESPN.com).
- North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz has been the most impressive signal-caller at the combine, three NFL head coaches told Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole (Twitter link).
NFC Notes: Saints, JPP, 49ers, Lions
Some assorted notes from around the NFC…
- The Saints have interest in linebacker James Laurinaitis, reports NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). The team is hoping to have the 29-year-old in for a visit next week.
- The Giants have been working to get a deal done with Jason Pierre-Paul before free agency opens, tweets ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano.
- 49ers coach Chip Kelly is Colin Kaepernick‘s best chance to “re-establish himself as a reliable NFL starter,” writes Mark Maske of The Washington Post. Therefore, the writer says the quarterback is wrong for asking for a trade, and he believes the 49ers would be wrong to consider the request.
- Lions general manager Bob Quinn is optimistic that linebacker DeAndre Levy will be ready to go for the start of the 2016 season. “I’m fairly confident,” Quinn said (via Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com). “I have not seen DeAndre in the building as of yet. I’m really interested to see when he comes back for the offseason program what kind of shape he’s in and how he’s looking. But we’re confident he’s going to be ready for the season.”
La Canfora’s Latest: Hali, Bengals, Rams, Colts
After renegotiating his contract last May, and adding four void years to the end of his deal, Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali is set to become an unrestricted free agent on March 9, and he although the expectation is that he’ll return to Kansas City for an 11th season, he would walk into a strong market were he to reach free agency, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. In a league devoid of pass rush talent, Hali, who posted 6.5 sacks last year at the age of 32, could land a surprisingly large contract, per La Canfora.
Let’s dive into the latest from the CBS Sports scribe:
- The Bengals consider receiver Marvin Jones, cornerback Adam Jones, and safety Reggie Nelson their three most important free agents, sources tell La Canfora. For his part, Jones is expected to test free agency, while Nelson has expressed a strong desire to return to Cincinnati.
- A report earlier today indicated that the Rams plan to place the franchise or transition tag on either Janoris Jenkins or Trumaine Johnson, and La Canfora reports that the odds of Los Angeles completing a long-term deal with either corner before the March 1 tag deadline is “bleak.” Therefore, it’s possible the Rams are forced to simply use the tag on one player, and let the either leave via free agency.
- Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford might not have many suitors on the open market, per La Canfora, so Philadelphia could be smart to let him gauge his value in free agency rather than striking a deal now or using the franchise tag. La Canfora does point to Chip Kelly and the 49ers as one possible landing spot for Bradford (if San Francisco trades Colin Kaepernick).
- La Canfora believes Dwayne Allen is the more likely tight end to remain with the Colts, arguing that he’s a more complete player than Coby Fleener. Whichever tight end does leave Indianapolis, adds La Canfora, could be candidate to fill the void left by Heath Miller on the Steelers‘ roster.
- In a separate piece, La Canfora examines whether the “franchise tag-and-trade” concept — which the Dolphins are reportedly mulling using with defensive end Olivier Vernon — could become a leaguewide trend.
Justin Smith Considering Comeback?
Former 49ers/Bengals defensive end Justin Smith announced his retirement last May, but rumors are circulating at the combine that Smith would like to play again, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. However, Smith would not want to return to San Francisco, adds Florio.
[RELATED: 49ers’ Colin Kaepernick requests permission to seek trade]
While Smith may not want to return to the Bay Area, the 49ers would still hold his rights in the even that he came out of retirement, as Florio notes. Smith had one year left on his deal at a cap charge of nearly $6.5MM, and that contract has tolled, meaning San Francisco would control Smith for one more season. Smith could presumably be traded, but as Florio adds, its tough to imagine another club giving up much of value for a 36-year-old lineman who has spent a year away from the NFL. Of course, the 49ers could also choose to release Smith, but they’d have little incentive to do so.
Even in his final NFL season, Smith was still a dominant force, racking up five sacks and grading as the league’s No. 11 3-4 defensive end among 47 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus. He was just one of several San Francisco players to hang up his cleats after the 2014 campaign, including linebackers Chris Borland and Patrick Willis, and right tackle Anthony Davis (who is also said to be mulling a return to the NFL). Head coach Jim Harbaugh also notably left the NFL for the University of Michigan; his replacement, Jim Tomsula, has since been fired and replaced by Chip Kelly.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
West Notes: V. Miller, Broncos, 49ers, Weddle
Broncos linebacker Von Miller‘s agent has thus far met with 19 NFL teams, according to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (Twitter link). Technically Miller is still under contract with Denver, and no other clubs should be talking to his representatives until March 7, the beginning of the two-day legal tampering period prior to the start of free agency. But the league rarely enforces such rules, and additionally, Miller isn’t expected to reach free agency anyway, as the Broncos will likely use the franchise tag on their star pass rusher.
Here are a few more notes out of the NFL’s two West divisions:
- From the Broncos‘ perspective, it would be ideal if Peyton Manning makes his retirement decision by the middle of next week, writes Troy Renck of the Denver Post. If Manning informs Denver of his plans prior to March 7, the club would be able to formulate a more coherent negotiation strategy with fellow quarterback Brock Osweiler, per Renck. Manning’s 2016 base salary of $19MM fully guarantees on March 9, so the Broncos will certainly need a decision before that date.
- The 49ers have hired former Browns quarterbacks coach Kevin O’Connell to their offensive staff, according to FootballScoop.com (Twitter link). O’Connell, who was an NFL quarterback himself from 2008-12, spent just one season with Cleveland.
- Safety Eric Weddle is not expected to return to the Chargers, and a report earlier this month indicated that he’d like to join a contending team. Rand Getlin of NFL.com (Twitter link) doubles down on that notion, adding that Weddle will also be looking for a solid team culture and a good fit (whether that be in the locker room or schematically). Weddle has not discussed financial terms with any interested clubs, tweets Jason Cole of Bleacher Report.
- Seahawks left tackle Russell Okung plans to act as his own agent during his upcoming free agent negotiations, and as he writes in a Facebook post, a number of other NFL players have approached Okung and expressed an interest following his lead.
Anthony Davis To Apply For Reinstatement
As expected, veteran offensive tackle Anthony Davis will apply for reinstatement to the NFL after taking the 2015 season off, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Davis, whose rights are still held by the Niners, wants to play in 2016, per Schefter.
Davis, 26, was San Francisco’s first-round pick in 2010, coming off the board 11th overall. Since then, he has started 71 games at right tackle for the team, playing all 16 regular season contests in his first four years before being limited to seven games in 2014. Davis dealt with hamstring and knee issues, and also battled concussion problems, which may have contributed to his decision to step away from the game temporarily in 2015.
Although his decision was initially classified as another retirement announcement in a series of them for the 49ers last summer, Davis was always viewed as likely to return to the game. In early January, he tweeted that his return to San Francisco was “guaranteed.”
At the time of his temporary retirement, Davis remained under contract with the 49ers for several more seasons, with a deal that ran through the 2019 season. It remains to be seen how he’ll fit into the team’s plans moving forward — to date, GM Trent Baalke hasn’t directly addressed the issue, choosing not to discuss it until Davis is formally reinstated.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.