AFC East Notes: Bills, Dolphins, Patriots

Bills

The Bills said they wanted to reward DE Jerry Hughes for his consistency on and off the field by signing him to a two-year extension.

“There’s two things that work there. It’s the continuity and it’s also rewarding a young man who has done things right,” HC Sean McDermott said via Pro Football Talk. “[GM] Brandon [Beane] has done a nice job of balancing the checkbook over the last couple of years. It’s been hard, but it’s necessary so that we can — when we feel like it’s right — target our own and bring them back. Jerry is a good football player, we’re not big fans of letting good football players walk out of our room and our building.”

• According to Joe Buscaglia, the Bills appear to be giving OT Dion Dawkins a fair shot at proving he can stay at left tackle. 
• Buscaglia says first-round OL Cody Ford lined up exclusively at right tackle. 
• The Bills also appear to be moving G Quinton Spain from left guard, where he played with the Titans, to the right side, per Buscaglia. 
• Buscaglia writes that depending on the severity of TE Tyler Kroft‘s and Jason Croom‘s injuries, the Bills could look to add another tight end. 
• Despite the addition of CBs Kevin Johnson and E.J. Gaines, second-year CB Levi Wallace started with the first team at OTA’s. 
• According to Field Yates, the Bills also placed a waiver claim on TE Jordan Leggett. Leggett landed with the Buccaneers who had the highest priority.

Dolphins

Dolphins DB Minkah Fitzpatrick would probably have an easier time listing the positions he won’t play in 2019. 

“Again, last week we just talked about Minkah playing multiple positions. He’ll play corner, he’ll play linebacker, he’ll play free safety, he’ll play strong safety, he’ll play nickel,” HC Brian Flores said via Pro Football Talk. “He’ll be all over the place. I think in all those different roles, I think he’s done an OK job kind of learning all of those positions. Again, this is a work in progress for everyone, not just Minkah. We’re asking a lot of guys to do a lot. He kind of falls into that. I think he’s working and he’s getting better and he’s improving. We still have a long ways to go.”

New Dolphins DE Nate Orchard said he is still confident in his career despite being released by four teams within the last eight months. 

“It’s the nature of the business. The NFL is a tough league. My confidence is still sky high. I got a great support system in my wife, kids and family. Don’t ever let anyone drag you down,” said Orchard, via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. 

• According to Flores, Dolphins LB Raekwon McMillan remains sidelined with a minor leg injury but is expected to return to practice soon. 
• Flores also mentioned Dolphins’ veteran TE Dwayne Allen missed practice with “a little something” but declined to elaborate on his injury. 
• Dolphins S Reshad Jones continues to practice away from the team for undisclosed reasons.

Patriots

• According to Mike Reiss, new Patriots WR Dontrelle Inman received a $200,000 signing bonus, a $900,000 base salary with $100,000 guaranteed, a $100,000 reporting bonus, a total of $300,000 in per-game active roster bonuses and a $1 million incentive tied to receptions. 
• Inman’s deal is worth a total of up to $2.5 million and he has a cap hit of $1.368 million.