It was assumed for a while now that the draft pick the Denver Broncos were offering for San Francisco QB Colin Kaepernick was their third round selection, forcing the 49ers to take the Cleveland Browns more seriously. After all, the Broncos third round pick is 29 spots lower than the Browns' pick in the same round, which is at number 65 overall. Meanwhile, the 49ers are holding out for the Broncos' second round pick, which is number 63 overall.
However, a report on Monday morning by NFL.com's Michael Silver states that the Broncos aren't even offering their third round pick. Instead, their offer is their fourth round selection.
The odd thing is that the Broncos don't have a fourth round pick that they can trade. They have a compensatory selection which cannot be traded. Of course, that rule will change next year.
Kaepernick update: All quiet. Broncos holding firm (offering 4th round pick). No Browns movement. Niners chilling. @nflnetwork @AroundTheNFL
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) March 14, 2016
So what exactly are the Broncos offering? Is it their third round selection, which is number 94 overall? Whatever it is, the 49ers want a pick that can beat Cleveland's offer. San Francisco has already stated that if they do not get an offer that they like, they are perfectly fine holding on to Kaepernick. Of course, that may create an awkward situation because the quarterback doesn't want to be in San Francisco anymore.
Kaepernick's representatives already figure that they can work out the quarterback's salary to play for Denver. There is no holdup there. However, that is the holdup for Cleveland, not the compensation offer.
While Michael Silver's report makes things a bit more confusing, we are still left with three teams and a quarterback that are involved in a stare down, with none willing to flinch.
Update:
Michael Silver has clarified his initial confusing statement, saying that the Broncos believe Kaepernick is worth a fourth round selection. Not that they have offered that, which they cannot. It is still likely that their third round pick is in play and that Denver believes that it is more than fair given what they feel Kaepernick is valued at.
OK, let me clarify my earlier report that the Broncos have offered a fourth-round pick for Kaepernick...
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) March 14, 2016
The Broncos have told the 49ers they believe Kaepernick is worth a fourth-round pick. They'd have to figure out a way to make that work.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) March 14, 2016
THUS: The Broncos haven't offered a specific fourth-round pick... they've told the Niners they believe a 4th-round pick is the right price
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) March 14, 2016
