AFC East Notes: Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Bills

Bills CB Tre’Davious White established himself as one of the best corners in the NFL in his third season. Now entering his fourth, White is eligible for an extension for the first time in his career and will likely establish himself as one of the NFL’s highest-paid corners after he signs a new deal. Bills GM Brandon Beane acknowledged that locking White in as a Bill for a long time is one of the team’s top priorities, with the timing dependant on how negotiations unfold. 

“Any guy that’s been in Tre’s situation that we want back and obviously Tre’ is a guy we love and we want back, you do look and try and find what the value is and it’s hard,” Beane said in a radio interview with WGR 550 via Chris Brown of the team website. “It can sometimes be hard for agents too because they’re trying to look at what the market is today versus what’s it going to be in two years. Do they want to play it out? Do they want security now? Some guys are truly fine with playing it out and seeing where it goes in two years. Some guys want the security. Then it’s up to us to figure out where we see his market value, and you know is he the number one corner in the league? Or the number two corner in the league, etcetera? And that’s at whatever position you’re talking about so I think you have to take each player individually, case by case.”

Bills DC Leslie Frazier received a promotion on Wednesday to add assistant head coach to his title. However, it just formalized a role Frazier said has “always gone beyond coordinating defense,” as he served as a key advisor to first-time HC Sean McDermott since coming with him to Buffalo in 2017. Frazier has used the benefit of his past experience as a head coach with the Vikings to help guide McDermott through some of the potential pitfalls of being a first-time head coach. 

Dolphins

• Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, citing an NFL official who has spoken to the Dolphins, reports that Miami has “support internally” for Utah State QB Jordan Love as an option for them in this year’s draft, but not at No. 5 overall unless there is a “shift” in their assessment of him.  
• Jackson writes that there are “differing views” within the Dolphins about how high Love should go in the draft, with some viewing him as a mid-to-late first-rounder and others as a second-rounder.
• Jackson says it “seems doubtful” that Love would slide to the Dolphins at No. 18 overall pick. Although the Dolphins appreciate Love’s physical tools and potential, Jackson mentions that they do not view him as a top-five pick given that he’ll likely require time to develop.
• The Dolphins requested a private facility workout with Utah RB Zack Moss. (Doug Farrar)
• Boise State OT Ezra Cleveland is an option for the Dolphins late in the first round. (Tony Pauline)

Jets

• ESPN’s Rich Cimini writes the general plan for Jets GM Joe Douglas this offseason is to surround QB Sam Darnold with playmakers and a better offensive line to try to maximize his rookie contract. 
• According to Adam Caplan, the Jets plan to re-sign G Alex Lewis, who started for them in 2019 after a trade from the Ravens. 
• Caplan adds the Jets will also pursue Lions G Graham Glasgow in free agency. 
• Caplan writes the Jets will try to re-sign WR Robby Anderson but they have a contract figure in mind that they won’t exceed. Anderson is expected to make a minimum of $10-$11 million per year on the open market. 
• Other deep-threat receivers the Jets could target as replacements in free agency include Buccaneers WR Breshad Perriman and Patriots WR Phillip Dorsett. 
• Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News believes the Jets’ best approach with S Jamal Adams‘ contract this offseason would be to add a three-year, $54 million fully guaranteed extension to his remaining two years on his rookie deal. 

Patriots

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer lists Patriots OC Josh McDaniels as one of the top head-coaching candidates for next year’s cycle.