Niner Noise
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Grading 49ers Actions in First Round of Free Agency

By Jerod Brown

Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) enters the game as San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) has to sit out a play during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi’s Stadium. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) enters the game as San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) has to sit out a play during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi’s Stadium. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

What the Rumor Mill is Churning Out

The free agency period is rife with rumors from both local and national media members. As players begin to take visits with teams, it is not uncommon to see team’s floated out as potential suitors. Some of the reports are posturing among teams to gain leverage. Player’s agents are doing the exact same. These are negotiations and any opportunity to gain an upper-hand is valuable.

The primary sources of substance are the current negotiations between the 49ers’ front office and the Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns to organize a trade for quarterback Colin Kaepernick. The impending divorce between the 49ers and Kaepernick has been well documented and continues to be cause for debate and concern.

Former Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler agreed to sign with the Houston Texans and it was only a matter of time before the rumors began swirling around the 49ers,the Broncos and Kaepernick. We followed the news and discussed the possibilities in the immediate future for all parties. Those outcomes remain unchanged as we wait to hear more. NFL Network’s Mike Silver has been covering the developments and is the best source for the back-and-forth happening.

Remember when I mentioned the posturing that teams and agents do? Well, the 49ers have reportedly suggested they’re willing to keep Kaepernick and have him battle for the starting position. Silver mentioned it in a short piece covering the process between the teams involved early Friday afternoon.

It’s hard to trade a guy like Kaepernick when teams suspect that the 49ers might be willing to release him in a few weeks. If so, teams could openly pursue Kap with no compensation for the 49ers. So, the bluffing continues.

Grade: Incomplete-But check back at Niner Noise often because things change quickly.

Also, a quick list of other free agents that have visited or will visit the 49ers, as well as their most recent teams.

Lance Dunbar-Running Back-Dallas Cowboys

Ted Larsen-Offensive Lineman-Arizona Cardinals

Russell Okung-Offensive Lineman-Seattle Seahawks

Remember that many of the names being floated are coming through national media members’ sources and should be vetted carefully. Teams spend their time heavily investigating most of the free agents available–it’s part of the due diligence involved. More names have been floated but the validity is still to be determined. As of now, the 49ers are among many teams competing to meet with players.

Next: Re-Signing the Big Man