AFC East Notes: Bills, Dolphins, Patriots

Bills

Newly-signed WR Cole Beasley is expected to play a key role for the Bills on offense this season, functioning as a reliable safety valve for QB Josh Allen.

“It’s big, especially for the type of offense that we run,” Allen said via the Athletic’s Tim Graham. “A good example, New England’s had Julian Edelman for a long time. Tom [Brady] trusts him, knows where he’s going to be, knows his body language. It’s no secret that we run a similar offense to the Patriots, and we want to utilize our slot guys, too, to make somebody miss and get up field.”

Dolphins

• According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, one longtime NFL executive had high praise for Dolphins first-round DT Christian Wilkins: “(He) has a chance to be a Pro Bowl player; (Raiders first-round DE Clelin) Ferrell doesn’t. He will push the pocket and be better than [Ndamukong] Suh was for them eventually.”
• The executive added third-round G Michael Deiter and fifth-round LB Andrew Van Ginkel were likely only “depth kids.” 
• He also mentioned he thought sixth-round OT Isaiah Prince had questions about his work ethic. 
• The executive liked undrafted WR Preston Williams talent but questioned his maturity: “He has skills and size and his speed is OK, but I worry about the intangibles. Character concerns there.”
• Other undrafted free agents the executive highlighted as potential candidates to make the roster included CB Monte Hartage and DL Jonathan Ledbetter.
• Cardinals RB David Johnson had high praise for former teammate and Dolphins QB Josh Rosen last week: “Like I’ve been telling everyone, I think he’s going to be one of the most dominant quarterbacks in this league.”
• Per Jackson, Drew Rosenhaus said WR Albert Wilson would be ready for the start of the regular season as he recovers from a hip injury, but did not say if he would be ready for training camp. 

Patriots

• Patriots WR Josh Gordon is working out with QB Tom Brady, per Brady’s Instagram. (Kevin Duffy)
• Gordon is suspended indefinitely by the NFL, which does not yet have a timeline for his potential return. The Patriots start training camp in five weeks. (Jeff Howe)