Update:
Adam Caplan reports that the Bengals are expected to host free agent DE/OLB Connor Barwin for a visit on Monday.
Caplan mentions that Cincinnati could use some depth at defensive and competition at strongside linebacker and Barwin could help at either position.
This is the first visit for Barwin since he became available a few weeks ago.
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Jason La Canfora believes the Rams and Texans could both make sense for veteran DE/OLB Connor Barwin, given his ties to their defensive coordinators — Mike Vrabel and Wade Phillips.
I couldn’t find any direct ties to Vrabel and Barwin, but he obviously spent a number of years in Houston, so there’s at least a connection to the Texans.
The market has been slow moving for Barwin up to this point, even though he’s one of the best pass-rushers still available.
Bill Huber of PackersReport.com previously heard that the Packers are among the available options for Barwin. Matt Barrows also pointed out that Barwin has a number of notable ties to players and coaches on the 49ers’ roster including HC Kyle Shanahan, Defensive Quality Control coach DeMeco Ryans and DT Earl Mitchell.
However, this has been the extent of the reported interest in Barwin.
It’s worth mentioning that signing him to a contract won’t impact a team’s compensatory picks, considering that he was released.
Barwin, 30, is a former second-round pick of the Texans back in 2009. He was entering the fifth year of his six-year, $36 million contract that included $8 million guaranteed when the Eagles released him in a move that freed up $7.75 million in available cap space.
In 2016, Barwin appeared all 16 games for the Eagles and recorded 34 tackles, five sacks, a forced fumble and two pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 100 edge rusher out of 109 qualifying players.
We have him featured in our Top 50 Available Free Agents list.
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