Tracy Porter - DB - Saints
The Raiders will host free agent CB Tracy Porter for a visit "in the next couple of days."
Porter is tight with new Raiders coach Dennis Allen from their time together in New Orleans, and he has versatility to cover outside and the slot. Oakland is actively trying to upgrade a cornerback corps short on experience aside from Ron Bartell. Demarcus Van Dyke is currently No. 2 on the depth chart.
Jonathan Stewart - RB - Panthers
ESPN's Pat Yasinskas agrees that Jonathan Stewart is more likely to become trade bait than DeAngelo Williams if the Panthers sign free agent Mike Tolbert.
This possibility was first floated by the Charlotte Observer, and Yasinskas is a trusted voice as a former Panthers beat reporter. Stewart is entering a contract year, and the Panthers probably won't be able to retain both him and the overpaid Williams behind 2012. If the Panthers do shop Stewart before April's draft, they shouldn't settle for any less than a second-round pick.
O.J. Atogwe - DB - Redskins
The Jets have expressed interest in free agent FS O.J. Atogwe.
Atogwe looks like a fallback option after the Reggie Nelson turned down the Jets' offer Sunday night. A free safety throughout his seven-year career, Atogwe was released in a cap-related move by the Redskins last week. Turning 31 in June, Atogwe would still be an upgrade in New York on the likes of Eric Smith.
Alex Smith - QB - 49ers
According to the Denver Post, the Dolphins are currently negotiating a contract with free agent Alex Smith that would pay him $8 million annually.
The Dolphins are so desperate, after losing out on Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn, that they're now willing to significantly overpay a borderline NFL starter at near the level of franchise quarterback money. Flynn only got $6.33M annually from the Seahawks. Smith isn't as physically talented as incumbent Dolphins starter Matt Moore, and he's certainly not worth more than Flynn. At this point, it's almost as if the Fins are trying to sign a quarterback, just to sign a quarterback.
Reggie Nelson - DB - Bengals
Bengals re-signed FS Reggie Nelson.
Nelson, 28, turned down a competitive offer from the Jets. The Bengals' free safety for the past two seasons, Nelson will maintain that role after causing ten combined turnovers in 2010-2011. Nelson's market was ultimately cool because he tackles poorly and is a one-dimensional "center-field" safety, but Mike Zimmer knows how to use him. This move shores up a position that had the potential to be a real problem area in Cincinnati.
Joe Mays - LB - Broncos
Broncos re-signed MLB Joe Mays.
A two-down inside linebacker, Mays ranked third on the Broncos in tackles last season. While he can't cover a lick and possesses little value outside of thumping versus the run, Mays' return should be a plus if Denver can find capable defensive tackles to keep blockers off him at the second level. Mays will also have to compete with 2011 third-round pick Nate Irving for playing time. Expect that to be a heated camp battle in Denver.
Matt Flynn - QB - Seahawks
The base value of Matt Flynn's three-year contract in Seattle is only $19 million, with $10 million guaranteed.
The initial Flynn report claimed he received a three-year, $26 million deal. Per the Milwaukee-Journal Sentinel, however, Flynn's base contract is just $19 million with $5 million more available through incentives. It appears the remaining $2 million could be had via "unlikely to be earned" incentives. Either way, it's a much more team-friendly deal than the Cardinals gave Kevin Kolb last offseason. Even if the full "guarantee" is only $2 million less. If both Flynn and Kolb emerged as viable starting quarterbacks, the Seahawks would be paying Flynn much less than the Cardinals would for Kolb.
Alex Smith - QB - 49ers
One league source told CSN Bay Area that Alex Smith has no one to blame but himself for the precarious situation in which he he now finds himself as an unrestricted free agent.
Smith is said to be "upset" with both the 49ers' organization and his agents, despite the fact that he declined to sign a more-than-reasonable $24 million contract offer last week. "It was in Smith's best interest to sign that deal a week, 10 days ago," the source said. The source also confirmed that Smith is unlikely to get that kind of offer from the Dolphins or Seahawks.
Robert Mathis - LB - Colts
Robert Mathis will play strong-side outside linebacker in the Colts' new hybrid defensive scheme.
Mathis compared his role to outgoing SAM 'backer Jarret Johnson's. Johnson was more of a two-down, run-stopping edge-setter, though, and Mathis will stay on the field to rush the passer on nickel downs. Mathis could be an attractive target if he maintains defensive line eligibility in IDP leagues. We'd put his over/under on tackles at about 70, and sacks at around eight or nine.
LaRon Landry - DB - Redskins
The Redskins have had "little dialogue" with free agent SS LaRon Landry since the signing period began last Tuesday.
The Redskins don't want Landry back. They've signed Brandon Meriweather and Cedric Griffin in free agency, and those two players may very well open the season as Washington's starting strong and free safety, respectively. Landry visited the Patriots on Saturday. He's at the Jets' facility on Sunday, and is expected to meet with the Lions on Monday afternoon.
Geoff Schwartz - T - Panthers
Free agent G/T Geoff Schwartz will visit the 49ers.
Schwartz is set to meet with the Vikings on Monday, so it's possible he'll never make it to San Francisco. Schwartz has already visited the Lions.
Curtis Lofton - LB - Falcons
Free agent MLB Curtis Lofton will visit the Saints on Sunday.
Lofton's visit comes one day after the Saints hosted David Hawthorne and Joe Mays. Although the New Orleans Times-Picayune has reported the Saints have "no plans" to release MLB Jonathan Vilma, it's looking increasingly likely his future is not in New Orleans.