NFL Notes: 49ers, Bears, Browns, Cardinals & Redskins

49ers

• Paul Gutierrez of ESPN believes the 49ers “should” be interested in free agent G Evan Mathis.
• Gutierrez anticipates the 49ers having a 7-9 record in 2015.
• Second-year CB Keith Reaser has drawn praise from the coaching staff during offseason activities.
• CB Jimmy Ward and second-round rookie CB JaQuiski Tartt are in competition to land the nickel corner spot.

Bears

Bears HC John Fox has been “impressed” with second-round rookie DT Eddie Goldman.

“He’s picking up the defense,” Fox said, via Larry Mayer of the Bears’ official site. “There are some movement things Ed knows that you have to know. Some of the closed call mechanics are different than these guys experienced in college. I like what I’ve seen. He’s working at it hard and he’s a big square body.”

Browns

Browns QB coach John DeFilippo has been “very impressed” with how QB Josh McCown has performed during offseason activities.

“I’ve been very, very impressed with Josh,” DeFilippo said, via the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “Josh and I talk about it all the time: He’s a better quarterback now than he was in 2007. I think he’s much better. I haven’t seen anything from an arm strength standpoint, from an athletic standpoint to tell me that his game has declined at all…”

Cardinals

• Josh Weinfuss of ESPN views LB Kevin Minter as a run-stopping specialist, but not as a three-down linebacker.
• Weinfuss thinks there is no way the Cardinals pursue free agent Terrelle Pryor as a wide receiver, due to their depth at the position.
• Weinfuss writes that it does not “look good” for QB Logan Thomas to make the active roster.

Redskins

• John Keim of ESPN expects RB Alfred Morris to continue getting the majority of carries for the Redskins, but could see third-round rookie RB Matt Jones getting a “handful” of carries if he is playing well.
• Regardless, Keim believes Jones will have a role as a third-down back.
• Keim does not see the starting lineup for the offensive line changing unless they sustain a serious injury.
• Keim is unsure whether ILB Perry Riley or ILB Keenan Robinson will be able to provide long-term answers for the Redskins.