NFL Notes: 49ers, Cowboys, Saints, Seahawks

49ers

• Nick Wagoner of ESPN believes there are plenty of reasons why the 49ers should pursue free agent WR Jeremy Maclin now that he’s become available.
• Wagoner mentions that Maclin would be a good compliment to Pierre Garcon more than any other receiver currently on the 49ers’ roster.
• Beyond that, adding Maclin would not stunt the development of players on their roster,  given that San Francisco did not invest much in younger receivers this offseason outside of fifth-round WR Trent Taylor.
• Since the 49ers have $71,162,593 in available cap space, Wagoner could see the team signing Maclin to a front-loaded, multiyear contract that would not tie the 49ers to him long-term while maintaining flexibility heading into next offseason.

Cowboys

• Todd Archer of ESPN believes the starting right tackle job is already La’el Collins, considering that OL Chaz Green hasn’t been working with the first-team unit.
• Archer instead mentions that Green could get some looks at guard with the first-string offensive line because the Cowboys have Jonathan Cooper working exclusively at center right now just to get him familiar with the position.
• While the Cowboys want to give Cooper as much time at center as possible this offseason, Archer still expects him to start at left guard.

Saints

Saints DE Alex Okafor said he feels that he is capable of starting for New Orleans and thinks he has an opportunity to gain a role with the first-team defense this summer.

“I did what I loved,” Okafor said, via Joel Erickson of The Advocate. “I came in on passing downs. … But I just feel like I’m more than that. I feel like I’m a starter in this league, and I feel like I have an opportunity to do that out here.”

Seahawks

• Seahawks HC Pete Carroll said he fully expects FS Earl Thomas (leg) to be fully recovered in time for training camp:  “He’s working a lot more than we thought he would at this time. There’ll be no question about him being ready to go when we get back to [training] camp.” (Sheil Kapadia)
• Seahawks QB Russell Wilson said he feels “100 percent” recovered from knee and ankle injuries from last season: “I feel great, my body is 100 percent. Running fast, feeling strong, throwing the ball well and all that. It’s been a great offseason.” (Liz Mathews)
• Seahawks SS Kam Chancellor was limited in practice this week since he is still recovering from offseason ankle surgery. (Bob Condotta)