The Browns, Bears, and Jets have expressed the most interest in free-agent-to-be Donte Whitner so far, reports Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. The Jets were mentioned yesterday as a suitor for the safety, who is still drawing interest from the 49ers as well, according to Branch.
Of Whitner’s potential suitors, the Browns appear to have the most cap flexibility, and are “very serious” about signing the Cleveland native, a source tells Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (Twitter link). I ranked Whitner several spots below T.J. Ward on my list of PFR’s top 25 free agents, but if the Browns expect to lose Ward, Whitner would certainly be a solid replacement.
As Branch notes, the Niners are “still pushing” to retain their free agent safety. However, if they don’t reach an agreement with Whitner in the next 24 hours, it appears they’ll face stiff competition from at least three other clubs.