USA TODAY Sports' Tom Pelissero gives the three teams that got the most bang for their buck at the 2017 NFL draft. USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) reacts following the 22-21 victory against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-268694 ORIG FILE ID: 20161224_gav_sv5_037.jpg(Photo: Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports)
Colin Kaepernick is still a quarterback without a job, but there apparently are still teams in the NFL that are curious about his prospects.
Harry Edwards, the renowned sociologist who has been an adviser to the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, told USA TODAY Sports that three teams have contacted him about Kaepernick since the free agency period opened in March.
This, amid speculation that Kaepernick, 29, is being blackballed after igniting a movement last season when he protested police brutality and racial inequalities by refusing to stand for the national anthem.
“They’ve asked, ‘Can he play? Does he want to play?’ “ Edwards said. “The last question I can’t answer. The first question, absolutely. If Kaep makes up his mind, he wouldn’t only go in and make a team, he’d put pressure on somebody to start.”
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It is certainly baffling, from a football sense, that a man with a Super Bowl start on his resume hasn’t been offered as much as a backup slot in a league with a dearth of quarterback talent. Even Blaine Gabbert, who was benched last season when Kaepernick returned to the starting lineup, has a new job. Gabbert signed with the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday.
Kaepernick, meanwhile, hasn’t been publicly linked to any team. Although Kaepernick has been seen publicly while engaged in some charity causes during the offseason, he hasn’t commented on his football prospects. Edwards, also a consultant to the 49ers, wouldn’t reveal which teams contacted him and said that he hasn’t spoken to Kaepernick since he opted out of his San Francisco contract.
Is Kaepernick’s lack of opportunity essentially backlash for his protests?
“I don’t think there’s any question that there are some owners who wouldn’t have him in the league, much less on their team,” Edwards said. “But I fully expect one (team to sign him), because it’s in the best interest of the league to have him on a team.
“You can’t have a league that’s approaching 80% black, and then say it you stand up and say anything relevant to these issues – especially in the age of (President) Trump – this is what happens to you. You can’t do that. You can’t just up and right off black protests as if this were 1950.”
In March, ESPN reported that Kaepernick would resume standing for the anthem. Yet that apparently hardly moved the needle on his market appeal.
If he doesn’t wind up with a team, Edwards suggests that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell find a position for Kaepernick at league headquarters.
“I want to hear what he thinks and what he has to say about what’s going on in the league,” Edwards said.
Of course, the best-case scenario is to hear from Kaepernick while he also has the chance to demonstrate that he can still play in the NFL, too.
Follow Jarrett Bell on Twitter @JarrettBell.
PHOTOS: Post-draft power rankings
NFL post-draft power rankings
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1. Patriots (previous: 1): Picks were sparse, but the Patriots' true haul included WR Brandin Cooks, DE Kony Ealy, TE Dwayne Allen and RB Mike Gillislee. There's no shortage of young talent for the champs. Winslow Townson, USA TODAY Sports
2. Falcons (2): The Super Bowl hangover looms, but DE Takkarist McKinley could boost a young defense on the upswing. New coordinator Steve Sarkisian still has the full arsenal of the top-scoring offense. Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports
3. Packers (3): The addition of several potential early contributors, including CB Kevin King, should aid a vulnerable pass defense. RB Jamaal Williams could be a valuable complement to Ty Montgomery. Jeff Hanisch, USA TODAY Sports
4. Steelers (5): OLB T.J. Watt doesn't need to replicate his brother J.J., but the pass rush needs a jump-start. WR Martavis Bryant's return aids an offense that has struggled to keep all its pieces on the field. Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports
5. Cowboys (4): Two major needs were addressed with DE Taco Charlton and CB Chidobe Awuzie, but will the rookies be ready to make an immediate impact? The pressure is on QB Dak Prescott and RB Ezekiel Elliott for an encore. Ken Blaze, USA TODAY Sports
6. Seahawks (6): The offensive line received sorely needed reinforcements, but Russell Wilson could be under fire once again. A full recovery from S Earl Thomas is needed to get the defense back on track. Joe Nicholson, Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
7. Raiders (7): Activating Beast Mode will placate fans until the moving vans are packed for Las Vegas. But QB Derek Carr's recovery and the defense's development are the real keys to an AFC West crown. Jake Roth, -USA TODAY Sports
8. Titans (9): The receiving corps needed new life, so the Titans added arguably the draft's best target in WR Corey Davis. If QB Marcus Mariota heals properly, Tennessee could the AFC South front-runner. Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports
9. Chiefs (8): Patrick Mahomes could become the first QB drafted by the Chiefs since 1983 to win a game for the franchise. But he'll likely have to wait, as Alex Smith remains pilot for a team seeking its breakthrough. Jason Bridge, Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
10. Giants (10): Picking QB Davis Webb was an odd move for a team looking to make the most out of its years with Eli Manning. Catching up to the contenders could depend on the offensive line and running game. Jeff Hanisch, USA TODAY Sports
11. Buccaneers (14): Is a Falcons-esque jump ahead? QB Jameis Winston has other weapons beyond WR Mike Evans now, but issues remain at running back and along the offensive line. Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports
12. Dolphins (11): Adam Gase's group has to prove whether last season was an outlier or the start of something substantial. The young offense should progress, but there's still a gulf separating them from the Patriots. Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Spor
13. Broncos (12): Whether it's incumbent Trevor Siemian or 2016 first-round pick Paxton Lynch, Denver needs more from its starting QB. Rookie OT Garett Bolles will have to be ready for deep array of AFC West pass rushers. Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports
14. Texans (15): Tom Savage remains the starter at QB, but for how long? Given the need for a playmaker and the Texans' investment, Deshaun Watson's ascension looks imminent. Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports
15. Ravens (16): Another typical Ozzie Newsome offseason in Baltimore. The secondary is replenished, but Joe Flacco's supporting cast is still underdeveloped, especially at receiver. Ed Mulholland, USA TODAY Sports
16. Cardinals (18): LB Haason Reddick and S Budda Baker help reload a defense hit by free agency defections. If QB Carson Palmer can string together a strong year at 37, this team could be dangerous. Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports
17. Lions (13): The linebacking corps was reshaped, but the pass rush still might not be up to snuff in the NFC North. A massive extension for QB Matthew Stafford should be forthcoming. Crystal LoGiudice, USA TODAY Spor
18. Vikings (17): With a reworked offensive line, the pressure is on QB Sam Bradford to deliver this year. RB Latavius Murray and rookie Dalvin Cook should reinvigorate the NFL's worst rushing attack. Logan Bowles, USA TODAY Sports
19. Redskins (19): DE Jonathan Allen is the kind of piece needed for Washington's defense to keep pace in the NFC East. Will QB Kirk Cousins keep up his success with a revamped receiving corps? Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports
20. Panthers (22): RB Christian McCaffrey and WR Curtis Samuel should provide Cam Newton some much-needed relief. Now it's time for the defense to find its way with a new coordinator and aging pass rush. Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports
21. Chargers (25): Philip Rivers will find his Los Angeles surroundings more comfortable with the addition of WR Mike Williams and two new guards. A turnaround could be in order if injuries don't derail Anthony Lynn's debut campaign. ORG XMIT: USATSI-268428 ORIG FILE ID: 20161023_mta_ad1_070.JPG Brett Davis, Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
22. Saints (21): New Orleans makes for a strange landing spot for Adrian Peterson, but Drew Brees' offense should be ready to roll again. CB Marshon Lattimore might not be enough to lift the league's worst pass defense. Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports
23. Colts (20): New GM Chris Ballard has reshaped the defense with pieces like S Malik Hooker and DT Johnathan Hankins, though the pass rush is bare. Will Andrew Luck be in top form against after shoulder surgery? Benny Sieu, USA TODAY Sports
24. Eagles (23): With Dez Bryant, Odell Beckham Jr. and Terrelle Pryor in the division, cornerback was a primary concern. Sidney Jones and Rasul Douglas are promising, but there could be rookie growing pains. Michael Perez, AP
25. Jaguars (24): An offensive recalibration could be in order with RB Leonard Fournette in the fold. With QB Blake Bortles having thrown 51 interceptions in three years, a run-heavy attack could be a welcome sight. Troy Taormina, Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
26. Bengals (27): Cincinnati is in jeopardy of missing the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time since 2008. If a reshuffled offensive line doesn't jell, Andy Dalton could be in trouble. Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports
27. Bills (26): GM Doug Whaley's firing marks the completion of the transition to the Sean McDermott era. QB Tyrod Taylor and WR Sammy Watkins both enter a year that could define their future in Buffalo. Bill Streicher, USA TODAY Sports
28. Rams (28): The true cost of the Jared Goff move comes into focus after a limited draft haul. Now it's up to Sean McVay, the youngest coach in NFL history, to make something of the league's worst offense. Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports
29. Bears (29): Between Mike Glennon and Mitchell Trubisky, the Bears have invested plenty at quarterback. Patience will be at a premium if the passing game doesn't find its footing. Terrence Antonio James, AP
30. 49ers (30): New GM John Lynch continues to impress in his first offseason, giving coach Kyle Shanahan instant contributors in DE Solomon Thomas and LB Reuben Foster. But this rebuild will be an extended one. Jeff Chiu, AP
31. Browns (32): Top pick Myles Garrett should pay immediate dividends for the defense, but there's a quagmire at QB despite the addition of DeShone Kizer. Expect Cleveland to lean on the run game behind a beefed-up offensive line. Ken Blaze, USA TODAY Sports
32. Jets (31): A quarterback race of Christian Hackenberg, Bryce Petty and Josh McCown is hardly inspiring. Even more foreboding for the winner: A roster deprived of top talent almost everywhere else. Kelley L Cox, USA TODAY Sports