AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

According to Dolphins S Reshad Jones, first-round pick Minkah Fitzpatrick is off to a good start in offseason workouts.

“He’s been making plays, getting his hands on balls early,” Jones said, via Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post. “I think it was a good pickup. I think he will definitely help us.”

Jones says that the addition Fitzpatrick only adds to their versatility in the secondary.

“I think we all are versatile safeties,” Jones said. “I can play strong safety, free safety. I guess it gives us an extra element of coverage. We have two strong defensive ends right now that are going to get after the quarterback. I know with Minkah on the field and all three of us on the field, that gives us that extra lock down coverage.”

Jets

• Rich Cimini of ESPN reports that Jets QB Teddy Bridgewater has generated “legitimate buzz” during Jets offseason workouts.
• Cimini says that the Jets couldn’t be happier with Bridgewater and how he performed this past week.
• According to Cimini, the Jets signed Bridgewater this offseason with the belief that he could be flipped for a draft pick under the right circumstances and this is something that’s still on the table for New York, considering that his trade value is “trending upward.”
• Even so, Cimini believes the ideal situation is for first-round QB Sam Darnold to win the job this summer, which would allow the Jets to trade either Bridgewater or Josh McCown.
• Jets HC Todd Bowles will likely go with whoever he feels gives them the best shot of winning games this year, considering that he could use some more wins to ensure that he’s back with the team in 2019.
• Sources who have seen Hackenberg’s new throwing motion say that the changes improved his release and velocity.
• Sources tell Cimini that there was friction between Christian Hackenberg and OC Jeremy Bates in recent months.
• Hackenberg indicated that he wanted to shorten his throwing motion, but this met with skepticism from Bates after he mentioned the idea. From there, Cimini says that Hackenberg and his agent sought external help to remake his throwing motion.
• Cimini says that CB Trumaine Johnson, WR Chad Hansen, TE Chris Herndon and CB Parry Nickerson all stood out during the first week of practice for the Jets.

Patriots

• Mike Reiss reports that former Arkansas HC Bret Bielema is assisting Patriots coach Bill Belichick’s staff after working with the team during the pre-draft process.
• According to Reiss, Bielema is spending a majority of his time with the team’s defensive linemen, working on pass-rushing technique and field-goal protection.
• Ben Volin reports that the Patriots paid out a total of $258,000 in guaranteed money to their nine undrafted free agents with RB Ralph Webb getting $70,000, DL John Atkins getting $62,500, CB J.C. Jackson getting $60,000 and DL Trent Harris getting $35,000.