NFL Notes: Deshaun Watson, 49ers, Browns, Panthers

Peter King of The MMQB reports that the Browns asked Clemson QB Deshaun Watson to play in the Senior Bowl but he ultimately declined.
King believes this is “a terrific waste of opportunity” for Watson, as he would have had an opportunity to work directly with the Browns’ coaching staff on the South team.
King points out that other players who chose to decline a Senior Bowl invite such as Geno Smith, Brett Hundley, Connor Cook, and A.J. McCarron all wound up going later in the draft than they anticipated, so this could have solidified his status and possibly convinced the Browns to take him in round one.

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports writes that there are concerns from GM candidates about how much influence executive Paraag Marathe will have with the 49ers.
Beyond that, the expectation is that Kyle Shanahan is expected to have “significant authority” with the 49ers if/when he accepts their head-coaching job.
Sources tell La Canfora that the 49ers are still expected to do whatever it takes to bring Shanahan aboard.
Interestingly enough, La Canfra mentions that most of the people he’s spoken to in NFL front offices believe Vikings executive George Paton will end up out of this mix for the 49ers’ GM job because of lack of control over the team’s roster.
According to La Canfora, you can expect to hear plenty about Kirk Cousins as a tag-and-trade option for the 49ers when Shanahan gets this job.
One name worth watching for the 49ers’ defensive coordinator job could be former Browns HC Mike Pettine.

Jason La Canfora reports that the Browns agreement with OLB Jamie Collins will be a four-year deal, which will give him another opportunity to test the open market during his prime earning years.

David Newton could see the Panthers franchising DT Kawann Short if he doesn’t drop his asking price in terms of a long-term deal.
However, Newton doesn’t rule out the possibility that Carolina could move on from him and build around Star Lotueleli and Vernon Butler.