NFL Free Agents 2017: News, Predictions for Lingering Talent

As NFL teams kick off Week 3 of the preseason, other clubs added to the free-agent pool with transactions on Friday, particularly at linebacker. One owner spoke about the hottest free-agent name on the market at quarterback. 

On September 2, all teams will cut down their rosters to 53 players. At this point, coaches and general managers have an idea who's safe and who's not, barring a surprise in the last two exhibition games. Still, injuries and trades could alter plans going into the regular season. 

Among those on the market, quarterbacks and pass-rushers will always garner interest. Which owner gave the green light to sign Colin Kaepernick?

After late offseason releases, two experienced linebackers could help organizations looking for a veteran presence in the locker rooms. We'll delve into potential destinations for three free agents on the market.

Jacksonville Jaguars Owner OK with Colin Kaepernick

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When mentioning Kaepernick's name, strong emotions follow across the spectrum. Everyone from film analysts to those who don't watch football have an opinion. When putting politics aside, what's the latest on the former San Francisco quarterback?

Mike Dempsey, the host of Jaguars Today on 1010XL, posed a question to the team's owner about his stance on signing Kaepernick:

Jaguars owner Shad Khan may not have an issue with bringing Kaepernick into the locker room, but his executive vice-president of football operations, Tom Coughlin, earned a reputation for minimizing distractions no matter how big or small when making team decisions. 

Dempsey also noted the football-minded decision-makers within the organization don't seem high on Kaepernick as someone who can stabilize the quarterback position on this roster:

Jaguars fans will have another year with quarterback Blake Bortles under center after the team announced he would be the starter on Saturday. Through three preseason games, neither Chad Henne or Bortles separated themselves, but the organization doesn't see Kaepernick as an option either. 

If a team doesn't sign Kaepernick before the regular season starts, he'll probably miss an entire year of football.

Prediction: Colin Kaepernick doesn't sign with a team in 2017

San Francisco 49ers Release Ahmad Brooks

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In fairness to veteran linebacker Ahmad Brooks, who's played 10 seasons in the league, head coach Kyle Shanahan decided to part ways with him before cut day on September 2. He explained his reasoning to local reporters on Friday: 

"Doing it right now is more just in the best interest for Ahmad. It's a real tough decision. [General Manager] John [Lynch] and I had gone back and forth with it the last few days. Once we really came to the conclusion he wasn't going to be a part of our final 53, we weren't going to keep him around just to let him know [eight] days from now. So, we know there's a lot of teams that will be interested in him. So we gave him that opportunity to go out and find them."

Whether Shanahan showed courtesy to the 32-year-old linebacker or not, Brooks has an opportunity to contribute as a rotational pass-rusher on a defense that's missing a push on the second level. During the previous campaign with the 49ers, he dropped the quarterback six times behind the line of scrimmage. The 2013 Pro Bowler has also logged at least five sacks in each year since 2009.

RICK SCUTERI/Associated Press

Brooks has missed five games over the previous three seasons. His body has yet to betray him on the field. For the most part, the 49ers have embraced youth within their front seven, but the linebacker with more than a decade of experience can still bring pocket pressure in a reduced role for at least a year or two.

The Detroit Lions accumulated 26 sacks in the previous season, which tied for 30th in the league. Brooks could take the field on passing downs to boost Jim Caldwell's defense in that category.

Prediction: Ahmad Brooks signs with the Detroit Lions

New Orleans Saints Release Dannell Ellerbe

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Linebacker Dannell Ellerbe went undrafted in 2009. Nonetheless, he's made an NFL roster for the past eights seasons starting with the Baltimore Ravens as a rookie, to the Miami Dolphins and his last stop with the New Orleans Saints.

On Friday, Ellerbe received clearance to return to action after landing on injured reserve with a foot injury, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport:

As expected, his official release came swiftly—within the same day, per Times-Picayune reporter Josh Katzenstein:

Now free to sign elsewhere, he's not going to generate much buzz as a reserve linebacker turning 31 years old in November. However, he managed to log four sacks in nine games on a poor defense during the previous season.

The New York Jets may consider adding the veteran to the locker room as a mentor for Lorenzo Mauldin, who's battled injuries and off-field issues. In fact, Newsday reporter Laura Albanese doesn't see the pass-rusher as a lock on the final roster at all.

It's highly unlikely the Jets cut ties with a third-round pick from the 2015 draft, but the team could push him with veteran competition who can also help him develop into a better professional off the field.

Prediction: Dannell Ellerbe signs with the New York Jets