AFC East Notes: Bills, Jets, Patriots

Bills

• Per WGR 550’s Sal Capaccio, Bills HC Sean McDermott referenced safeties Siran Neal and Dean Marlowe as options but their starter at big nickel “remains to be seen.”
• McDermott mentioned CB E.J. Gaines reached out about coming back to the Bills. (Jenna Cottrell)
• McDermott said they are expecting a learning curve for fifth-round rookie QB Jake Fromm and all the rookies: “There’s a long runway for all these rookies….it’s well documents the type of person and player he is…the competition he’s faced. He’s committed to coming in and earning every bit of what he gets here, and that’s a great start.” (Capaccio)

Jets

Jets first-round OT Mekhi Becton steps into the NFL and instantly becomes one of its largest players at 6-7 and 364 pounds. While his performance at the NFL Combine proved he’s far from a player who just takes up space, Becton’s weight and ability to manage it was still a question for NFL scouts. However, his strength coach at Louisville, Mike Sirignano, said he never had an issue since Becton’s weight ballooned to 389 after Louisville fired Bobby Petrino. Sirignano administered punishments for players who didn’t send in their meals or complete their allotted workouts. He never had to punish Becton. 

“We haven’t had an issue with it [since],” Sirignano said via NJ.com’s Darryl Slater. “He doesn’t fluctuate like people would think with someone that size. I don’t ever see that being a problem.”

• According to Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline, the Jets are still fishing around DE Jadeveon Clowney and would have a good shot at him with a legitimate offer.
• Clowney’s camp tells Pauline he would love to play for a big-market team like the Jets. However, Pauline adds nothing is imminent and it’s expected to be a long process for Clowney. 
• As for former Titans CB Logan Ryan, Pauline says the veteran is in a holding pattern. 
• Brian Costello of the New York Post thinks it’s fair to expect a transition period for Jets second-round WR Denzel Mims, as he needs to expand his route tree and the limited offseason will impact his ability to learn. 
• Costello thinks Jets G Brian Winters could still be a cap casualty at the end of camp if he doesn’t win a starting job, as New York could save $7 million by moving on. 
• According to Over The Cap’s Nick Korte, the Jets are projected to receive two sixth-round compensatory picks in 2021. 

Patriots

• ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler says the Patriots did not show much interest in former Bengals QB Andy Dalton when he was available via trade, but it’s possible that could change now that he’s a free agent. 
• According to Over The Cap’s Nick Korte, the Patriots are projected to receive a third-round compensatory pick and two fourth-round picks in 2021. 
• Korte adds the Patriots could potentially add a sixth-round comp pick for losing DT Danny Shelton if they cut either S Adrian Phillips or DT Beau Allen before they accrue 10 weeks.