AFC East Notes: Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Bills

One of the most compelling traits that prompted the Bills to zero in on OL Cody Ford at the top of the second round last year was his ability to play both guard and tackle. He played right tackle his last year at Oklahoma and as a rookie last year, but his strengths as a mauling run blocker at 6-4 and 330 pounds would seem well-suited to a move inside. Playing tackle also requires being comfortable in space, which is something Ford struggled with at times last year. But the other side of the coin is it’s a much more valuable position, which is reflected in the difference in salaries for guards and tackles. 

“If a guy is a great tackle, you don’t move him to guard,” former NFL OL coach Jim McNally said via the Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia. “Would I move Cody Ford to guard? Probably not, unless I had a tackle who could do just as well on the pass blocking. … They better have a guy who can play tackle, so they probably do or they’re thinking they’re going to draft someone. They wouldn’t move him to guard if they didn’t think they would have a suitable replacement at tackle, so they must.”

• Bills CB Josh Norman‘s one-year deal includes a $2.8 million salary with $1.5 million guaranteed, a $1.5 million roster bonus paid on the fifth day of the league year, a $500,000 roster bonus for making the final roster Week 1, a $200,000 workout bonus, $1 million in per-game roster bonuses and additional incentives for playing time, interceptions, Pro Bowl and All-Pro. (Dan Graziano)

Dolphins

Ohio State RB J.K. Dobbins mentioned that the Dolphins may be interested in drafting a running back in the 2020 NFL Draft. 

“I know that they kind of want a running back,” Dobbins said, via Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post. “I don’t know what the coaches think. But from what I’ve seen the running back was kind of down this year for that team. So I definitely think they would benefit off of getting a running back.”

• The Miami Herald’s Armando Salguero says the Dolphins are expected to have interest in Patriots LB Kyle Van Noy. 
• Salguero adds the sense in league circles is that Rams LB Dante Fowler doesn’t fit the character mold Dolphins HC Brian Flores looks for, meaning he won’t be an option for Miami.
• Salguero says the Dolphins have closely studied Ravens LB Matt Judon, Steelers LB Bud Dupree and Giants LB Markus Golden. 
• Salguero has heard Titans CB Logan Ryan connected to the Dolphins, and he thinks they would also have interest in Jets CB Brian Poole. 
• Salguero has also heard through the grapevine the Dolphins plan to target a more under the radar offensive lineman like Lions G Graham Glasgow. 
• Dolphins RB coach Eric Studesville met privately with Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor before his pro day. (Barry Jackson)

Jets

• According to SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano, the Jets are hoping to be able to keep WR Robby Anderson for around $10 million per year. 
• However, Vacchiano says as the top wide receiver projected to be available, Anderson could command as much as $13-$14 million a year, though there’s a chance the coming draft class of receivers could depress his price a little. 
• Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News lists Vikings CB Xavier Rhodes, Patriots WR Phillip Dorsett, Giants LB Markus Golden and Cowboys CB Anthony Brown as some under the radar free agent targets. 
• Mehta also says to keep an eye on Texas A&M P Braden Mann, as New York doesn’t plan to re-sign P Lachlan Edwards. 

Patriots

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer says that given New England’s depth at corner, Patriots CB J.C. Jackson makes sense as a potential trade candidate. 
• Breer adds he thinks the Patriots will continue to try and have a lower financial investment in the quarterback position ifQB Tom Brady leaves, with options including Bengals QB Andy Dalton, Titans QB Marcus Mariota and 2019 fourth-round QB Jarrett Stidham.
• ESPN’s Mike Reiss lists Falcons TE Austin Hooper, Eagles WR Nelson Agholor, Bills DT Jordan Phillips, 49ers WR Emmanuel Sanders and Chargers S Adrian Phillips as some potential free agent targets for the Patriots this offseason. 
• According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, former Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski is close to finalizing a deal with WWE.