NFL Notes: Colin Kaepernick, Browns, Chiefs, Cowboys

Colin Kaepernick

Former 49ers assistant HC Eric Mangini mentioned during an interview with Pro Football Talk that he believes free agent QB Colin Kaepernick should secure an opportunity at some point.

“I haven’t personally talked to anybody about it, but what I will say about Colin is I had a really good experience with Colin,” Mangini said. “I wasn’t there over the last season where the protest and the different off the field issues became more of a focal point. But as a player, his numbers last season weren’t that far off from the year he brought the team to the NFC Championship Game. And he should get an opportunity. I think he’s got to get an opportunity.”

Mangini explained that the level of interest could pick up after teams see what they have at the position and suggested the Browns as a team that could make sense for Kaepernick on paper.

“I think as the market settles and people start looking at these young quarterbacks they brought in and start evaluating the quarterback situation, they might realize it may not look as good as they hoped it would be,” Mangini said. “I always thought he would be a good fit for the Browns. Hue [Jackson’s] system is multiple shifts and motions, and that’s what he did in San Francisco. Hue has an element of quarterback-driven runs, I think Colin is excellent as that. As a candidate, him vs. RGIII a year ago, I’d take Colin 10 times out of 10.”

Chiefs

Chiefs HC Andy Reid said that first-round QB Patrick Mahomes‘ vision, arm strength, and accuracy are what really has stood out during offseason workouts.

“He’s learning to take drops and stay in the pocket and do the things we expect him to do,” Reid said, via ESPN.com. “The thing you see is the vision he had in college and obviously the arm strength and accuracy. You see those things. But he’s learning the drops. He’s learning to call the plays in the huddle, calling things at the line of scrimmage. There’s a whole plate there that he’s got to digest.

“The one thing I appreciate about him is he’s one of those guys that wants to be great. That’s what he wants to do. That’s how he’s approaching the game.”

The Chiefs have Mahomes working as their No. 3 quarterback at this point in the offseason behind Tyler Bray.

Cowboys

Cowboys LB Jaylon Smith said he feels “amazing” in his return from a devastating knee injury.

“I feel amazing,” Smith said, via the Star-Telegram. “I feel great. I’m doing everything. I’m just following protocol. Everything they tell me to do I can do. I’m getting a lot done.”

Head coach Jason Garrett mentioned that Smith’s return is a credit to the work he’s put in an the optimism he’s had during the process.

“I just know that he’s made a lot of progress and it’s such a great story because it was a serious injury that he’s had,” Garrett said. “His optimism, his outlook in life is just rare. I really do believe that’s helped him get better and better. He’s worked very hard. He’s in a good environment to get better and he’s embraced it. There’s been no obstacles up to this point. He’s just done a really nice job working to get back.”