Littleton, Schobert would be pricey options for Broncos
If they so choose, the Broncos can be in position to capitalize on the Los Angeles Rams’ salary cap situation and more coaching/front office turnover by the Cleveland Browns.
Just because the Broncos picked up inside linebacker Todd Davis’ contract option doesn’t mean their search to improve at that position is over. In free agency, enter Cleveland’s Joe Schobert and the Rams’ Cory Littleton. Each player will be pricey — $50 millionplus over four years — but would immediately become a key cog in coach Vic Fangio’s defense.
Schobert and Littleton are both 26 years old and coming off rookie contracts. Logic suggests they would be able to play out a bulk if not all of a longterm deal while still in their prime.
Schobert led the NFL in tackles (144) in 2017, when he made the Pro Bowl.
“Joe is a good player and an even better person,” new Browns general manager Andrew Berry said. “We’re going to spend some time with his representation this week to talk through his contractual situation. He’s obviously earned the right to test the market if he deems that appropriate.
“We’re going to be aggressive in engaging in premarket extensions for players that we view as pillar players.”
It could be the Browns want to retain Schobert, but he might be ready for a change after playing for three defensive coordinators in four years.
Schobert’s ability in pass coverage would fit into what the Broncos need. He had four interceptions in 2019 and has 20 pass break-ups in his career to go with 408 tackles.
Littleton has never missed a game and was a spot starter in 2016 and 2017. The last two years, he started all 32 games and totaled 259 tackles, five interceptions and 22 pass break-ups.
The Rams, according to Over The Cap, have only $14.7 million in available cap space.
Asked if using the franchise tag on Littleton is an option, general manager Les Snead said: “All options are on the table. We’re still going through a lot of things to determine the best strategy to get as many of our good players back.”
Around the combine
Analytics shake-up. The Broncos’ front office changes continued this week when the team parted ways with director of football analytics Mitch Tanney.
“We plan on reorganizing from within on the analytics side,” general manager John Elway said. “I think what Mitch wanted (to do), we couldn’t offer him and couldn’t supply Mitch with what he wanted to do with his career. It’s why we gave him the opportunity to go interview. … Mutually decided to go different directions.”
Elway said Tanney has interviewed with three teams.
It’s possible Fangio could enlist a former coach to be on the headset to advise him on analytics, a source said.
“We’ll see,” Fangio said. “It’s got to be a guy that’s passionate and knows how to do that stuff. Not everybody can. Fortunately, I’ve always kind of been that guy everywhere I’ve been. I do think I have a good feel for it. I’m not sure how it’s going to end up looking, but we’ll replace (Tanney) somehow, some way.”
Chiefs prioritize Jones. Kansas City defensive lineman Chris Jones is going to hit the jackpot. It’s just a matter of what team he signs with.
“(Jones is) certainly a priority for us,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said. “The franchise tag is certainly something we have the ability to use. We’d like to see if we can work something out with him. I think the tandem of Chris Jones and Frank Clark is something any team would want.”
The Chiefs, like the Rams, are tight against the cap ($13.6 million). They can always create space, but are they comfortable with Clark ($22.7 million) and Jones (to be determined) taking up so much cap space before quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ eventual extension kicks in? The franchise tag may be the Chiefs’ best route to squeeze one more year from Jones.
Footnote. Fangio said right offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James (knee) did not need postseason surgery and is expected to be ready for organized team activity workouts in May. … Iowa right offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs and Oregon left guard Shane Lemieux said they have interviews scheduled with the
Broncos this week.