NFL Rumors: Colin Kaepernick, Draft, Falcons, Giants, & Steelers

Colin Kaepernick

49ers HC Chip Kelly said Wednesday that he’s had continued contact with QB Colin Kaepernick including a phone conversation on Tuesday. Although, the talks are centered around Kaepernick’s health.

Kelly said that if Kaepernick is still with them as of April 4, he plans to “coach the heck out of him.”

“If he’s here on April 4 we’re going to coach the heck out of him and he’s going to work his ass off,” Kelly said, via Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.

Draft

• ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Michigan State QB Connor Cook met with the 49ers and Rams before his Pro Day workout, and met with the Browns’ staff after the session.
• Tony Pauline of WalterFootball.com reports that Temple CB Tavon Young met with the Cardinals, Titans, and Steelers in recent days.
• Arkansas QB Brandon Allen reportedly looked sharp and accurate during his Pro Day and has met with the Lions and Steelers while working out for the Buccaneers.
• According to Pauline, Baylor WR Jay Lee has met with the Seahawks, Lions, Packers and Steelers.
• Georgia DL Sterling Bailey met with Patriots HC Bill Belichick and DC Matt Patricia after his Pro Day workout.
• According to Dave Birkett, the Lions have a private workout set up for MSU OL Jack Conklin, Jack Allen and Donavon Clark later this month.
• Matt Barrows reports that Seahawks OC Darrell Bevell spent long time with San Jose State RB Tyler Ervin after today’s Pro Day workout.
• Michigan State DT Joel Heath said he has a private workout scheduled with the Patriots this week and the Titans later on this month. Heath added that he’s already met with the Colts. (Michael Rothstein)

Giants

• Ralph Vacchiano writes that free agent OT Russell Okung remains the Giants best option in terms of offensive line help.
• According to Vacchiano, the Giants did discuss money with Okung during his visit to New York.
• However, it’s unclear whether they made Okung an actual offer.

Falcons

• Free agent DE O’Brien Schofield mentioned via Twitter that he has “by no means” counted out a return to the Falcons next year.
• However, Schofield added that he still is waiting for the right opportunity for his family and plans to be patient with the process.

Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers still have no timetable for RB Le’Veon Bell (MCL) to return, but he plans to be 100 percent upon returning to the field.

Even so, Bell has made some press since the season ended.

“The only thing I’m not cleared for is cutting and sprinting,” Bell told Steelers.com.

Bell added that he doesn’t think is injury can be attributed to him being injury-prone.

“I just think it was a bad luck thing,” Bell said. “It’s not like nagging injuries; it’s more misfortune. I am taking care of my body. I just have to keep doing that. I just need to be smarter and get down to the ground safely. I look back on it now and everything happens for a reason. I am just trying to get my knee back and stronger than before. That is what it’s going to take for me to be back to the level where I was.”

According to Bell, “I feel like I am going to be a better player at the end of this and that’s what I want.“