AFC East Notes: Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Bills

Bill GM Brandon Beane said RB LeSean McCoy is still the starter, but he’s excited to see how free-agent signing RB Frank Gore will push him. 

“I see (Gore) competing to be the best. He’s been a starter. He’ll push LeSean and LeSean will have to be on his best or — he’ll compete. Right now, LeSean is our starter and that’s how we see it,” Beane said via Mike Rodak. “But Frank is an accomplished back, he’s gonna be a Hall of Famer and he’s ready for whatever role we want him.”

Dolphins

In a contract year, RB Kenyan Drake is expecting to split carries with RB Kalen Ballage, but also to be a major part of the passing game. New OC Chad O’Shea‘s Patriots-influenced offense emphasizes the running backs in the passing game. 

“You can make a person miss and take it the distance any time,” said Drake via ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe. “To be able to watch film like that in terms of getting out into the defense and figuring out a way to get into the zone and use leverage to my advantage to free up space for me to make plays.” 

Jets

Though there’s not a traditional No. 1 wide receiver on the roster, the Jets receivers believe they can do more than the roles they’ve been pigeonholed in so far. 

“It’s early, but we’re seeing what guys are capable of in just a few [non-contact) practices,” WR Quincy Enunwa said via ESPN’s Rich Cimini. “As camp comes, that’s where I really think it’s going to show. That’s when guys will open up and see how they do within the offense, and how we do against a defense.”

Patriots

• NESN’s Doug Kyed says Julian Edelman, N’Keal Harry and Matthew Slater are the only roster locks at wide receiver. 
• Phillip Dorsett, Demaryius Thomas, and Maurice Harris are all on the bubble, though Kyed says Dorsett is close to a lock. 
• Bruce Ellington was listed on the bubble and was released by New England Wednesday.
• Kyed mentions Thomas is a candidate to start the season on the PUP list as he recovers from an Achilles injury. 
• Kyed says the Patriots could still consider adding another veteran wide receiver.