A report earlier this morning by NFL.com's Michael Silver created some confusion because it had the Denver Broncos offering a draft pick that they cannot trade to the 49ers for QB Colin Kaepernick.
Kaepernick update: All quiet. Broncos holding firm (offering 4th round pick). No Browns movement. Niners chilling. @nflnetwork @AroundTheNFL
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) March 14, 2016
Of course, compensatory selections cannot be traded until a rule change allowing teams to do so goes into effect next year.
It was assumed for a while now that the draft pick the Broncos were offering San Francisco for QB Colin Kaepernick was their third round selection, forcing the 49ers to take the Cleveland Browns more seriously. That pick may still be the one being offered and the Broncos may feel that is is more than fair.
Silver clarified his statement saying that the Broncos believe Kaepernick is worth a fourth round selection, not that they have offered that – which they cannot. They simply value the 49ers quarterback lower.
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
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 more eager to make a deal with the Browns at this point while they hold out for the Broncos' second round pick, which is number 63 overall.
San Francisco has already stated that if they do not get an offer that they like, they are perfectly fine holding on to Kaepernick this season. Of course, they may be bluffing as that would create an awkward situation for both parties. The quarterback doesn't want to be in San Francisco anymore and new head coach Chip Kelly doesn't generally like to keep players around that don't buy into what he is selling.
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, who cannot come to an agreement on salary for the quarterback. Compensation is not an issue with the Browns as that has already been generally worked out.
Regardless, we are still left with three teams and a quarterback that are involved in a stare down, with none willing to flinch.