NFL Notes: 49ers, Broncos, Patriots, Ravens, Steelers

49ers

• Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area takes a look at some potential free agent targets that could make sense for the 49ers this offseason.
• Maoicco’s list includes RB Chris Thompson (Redskins), LB Keenan Robinson (Giants), WR Pierre Garcon (Redskins), QB Matt Schaub (Falcons) and DE Jabaal Sheard (Patriots).

Broncos

• Troy Renck of Denver 7 runs through some free agent guard options worth considering for the Broncos including Kevin Zeitler (Bengals), T.J. Lang (Packers), Ronald Leary (Cowboys), Larry Warford (Lions) and Austin Pasztor (Browns).
• We have all of them featured in our Top 100 – 2017 Free Agents list.

Patriots

• The New England Patriots announced Monday that they’ve named Nick Caley their new tight ends coach, replacing Brian Daboll who departed for the offensive coordinator position at the University of Alabama.
• As of now, Jeff Howe mentions that there’s “no strong indication either way” if the Patriots will use their franchise tag on free agent LB Dont’a Hightower. If New England uses their tag on Hightower, Howe believes it would be a good sign that they could be close to an agreement on a long-term extension.

Ravens

• Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun writes that the Ravens would make sense as a possible landing spot for former Jets C Nick Mangold, but also wouldn’t preclude them from drafting a young option this April.
• Zrebiec wouldn’t be shocked to see the Ravens release veteran TE Dennis Pitta for cap purposes, even though he’s coming off of a bounce-back season. Although, Zrebiec does say that the best option for Baltimore could be to try to get Pitta to agree to a pay cut.
• As of now, it remains to be seen how interested the Ravens are in re-signing free agent DE Lawrence Guy. Zrebeic mentions that they could allow him to walk, due to their defensive line depth.
• While the Ravens are interested in retaining DT Brandon Williams, RT Ricky Wagner, and FB Kyle Juszczyk, Zrebeic says that they could easily lose all three of them in free agency.

Steelers

• Jeremy Fowler offers his take some of the available cornerback options for the Steelers to consider in the coming weeks.
• While some of the top options are likely to be out of the Steelers’ price range, Fowler mentions Logan Ryan (assuming he doesn’t sign right away and his price drops), Morris Claiborne, Dre Kirkpatrick and Nolan Carroll could all make sense for Pittsburgh.