AFC East Notes: Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Bills

• Marcel Louis-Jacques says on Twitter that it is unlikely the Bills look for a tight end in free agency. Louis-Jacques notes that TE Lee Smith is signed through next season and the Bills also seem interested in re-signing TE Jason Croom.
• While the Bills could draft a tight end at the right value, a scenario where the team signs a free-agent tight end such as Hunter Henry or Austin Hooper is unlikely to happen, according to Louis-Jacques.
• The Bills had earlier restructured the contract of TE Tyler Kroft, who was originally set to earn $5.6 million this season and $6.05 million next season. His new contract will only be for one year, worth $4 million, $3.4 million of which is guaranteed.
• Louis-Jacques is also reporting that the Bills may not be committed to Cody Ford as their long term starter at right tackle, but he says it would make sense for the team to re-sign him after next season.
• Joe Buscaglia mentions that the Bills’ re-signing of G Quinton Spain could be a sign that Ford will be staying at right tackle.

Dolphins

• Barry Jackson reports that people who spoke to the Dolphins left with the impression they really like OSU RB J.K. Dobbins and Georgia RB D’Andre Swift.
• Armando Salguero mentions that former Dolphins QB coach David Lee was present at Oregon’s Pro Day to evaluate QB Justin Herbert.
• According to Barry Jackson, the Dolphins are expected to sign multiple offensive linemen in free agency.
• Jackson says Miami is widely expected to have interest in Patriots free agent C Ted Karras, Lions OL Graham Glasgow and Jets OT Brandon Shell.
• Jackson adds that the Dolphins hold G Joe Thuney in high regard, but it remains to be seen if he’s too pricey for them.
• Some cornerbacks to watch for the Dolphins, according to Jackson, include Vikings Mackenzie Alexander, Jets Brian Poole, and possibly Logan Ryan, Byron Jones or Chris Harris, depending on how much they’re willing to spend.

Jets

• Manish Mehta of NY Daily News mentions that the Jets likely had an interest in Bills G Quinton Spain before he re-signed with the team on Thursday.
• Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports mentions the Jets as a potential fit for free agent DE/OLB Jadeveon Clowney.
• Connor Hughes of the Athletic lists LB Avery Williamson ($6.5 million savings), CB Darryl Roberts ($6 million), CB Nate Hairston ($2.14 million), WR Josh Bellamy ($2.25 million), WR Quincy Enunwa ($2.4 million), and G Brian Winters ($7.281 million) as potential cap casualties for the Jets.
• Hughes says the Jets would love to re-sign WR Robby Anderson, but it’s possible he could command as much as $13-$14 million per year.
• Other players the Jets want to retain, according to Hughes, include CB Brian Poole, OLB Jordan Jenkins, and G Alex Lewis.
• Hughes can see the Jets moving on from LT Kelvin Beachum, WR Demaryius Thomas, OLB Brandon Copeland, and P Lachlan Edwards.
• The Jets have reportedly expressed interest in guards Joe Thuney and Graham Glasgow along with OT Jack Conklin and CB James Bradberry.
• According to Hughes, the Jets have done their homework on Cowboys CB Byron Jones, but the Eagles are considered the favorite to sign him with the Giants also being in the mix.
• Hughes says the Jets “love” Rams DE Dante Fowler Jr and are expected to pursue him in free agency. Hughes has also heard several rumblings that the Jets are poking around Seahawks DE Jadeveon Clowney.
• Some other free agents Hughes has heard linked to the Jets include CB Jalen Mills, OT Halapoulivaati Vaitai, WR Breshad Perriman, G Greg Van Roten, and TE Ricky Seals-Jones.

Patriots

Former NFL GM Michael Lombardi said on his “GM Shuffle” podcast that he’s more convinced now that Tom Brady will be playing elsewhere, and mentioned that he has a “strong hunch” the 49ers are in play. 

“We have to qualify what were the odds going back,” Lombardi said, via WEEI.com. “I would say in October I thought he would stay with the Patriots, 95/5 — favoring the Patriots. I think by December I was at 75/25. I think January after that loss I went to 60/40, now I am 30/70 that he’s gone. Maybe even 20/80. I don’t get the vibe that it is going to happen.

“I do know this. I think he has a strong interest — and he said it the other day to Charlie Weis, and I respect what he said, ‘Nobody knows nothing’ and he’s right — but, I have a strong hunch, call it an instinct, call it something through the grapevine that San Francisco is in play. … I say it is 20/80 that it happens, 20 percent it happens, 80 percent it doesn’t. But, San Francisco is in play.

“I think it is going to make the first week of free agency some of the most fascinating conversations about team-building that you’re going to see.”

• Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports mentions the Patriots as a potential fit for free agent QB Teddy Bridgewater.
• Doug Kyed reports that Patriots’ second-year OT Yodny Cajuste is fully recovered for training camp after missing his entire rookie season with a quad injury.