AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

• According to NBC Sports’ Peter King, Dolphins HC Brian Flores and GM Chris Grier are against trading the farm to go up to No. 1 overall and take LSU QB Joe Burrow. 
• While there are some in the organization in favor of the move, King says his sense is Dolphins owner Stephen Ross won’t force his front office’s hand. 
• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer brings up the possibility the Dolphins pass on Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa for Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons or an offensive tackle at No. 5. 
• Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald mentions that the Dolphins will likely take a running back in the first two days of this year’s draft with Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins and Georgia’s D’Andre Swift being two names to watch at No. 26 overall.
• Should Miami wait until the middle rounds, Jackson mentions that LSU’s Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor could be paired with free agent addition Jordan Howard.
• The Dolphins hosted Dobbins for a pre-draft visit back in March 12 before visits were canceled for draft prospects.
• According to Jackson, a Dolphins official has been telling people how much the team likes Swift and the team had been planning to bring him to team headquarters for a visit this month. The Dolphins also planned to do the same with FSU’s Cam Akers.
• Dolphins RBs coach Eric Studesville took Taylor to dinner after Wisconsin’s Pro Day.
• Beyond that, Miami has reportedly expressed interest in Vanderbilt’s Ke’Shawn Vaughn, UCLA’s Josh Kelley and Washington’s Salvon Ahmed.

Jets

• Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline says the Jets have significant interest in Temple C Matt Hennessy, which would push OL Connor McGovern to guard if they draft him. 
• Pauline adds the Jets are among the teams that have shown the most interest in FIU QB James Morgan.

Patriots

• Per NBC Sports’ Peter King, a rival general manager says the Patriots love Oregon QB Justin Herbert but isn’t sure if that’s enough to prompt them to trade up for him. 
• Per ViSN, former NFL GM and Patriots exec Michael Lombardi says the Patriots might have to get up to No. 4 or No. 5 from No. 23 to get Herbert, which would take an awful lot. Lombardi thinks the Dolphins are locked in on Herbert at No. 5. 
• Lombardi doesn’t think the Patriots are that interested in Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa, as they prefer bigger, more physical and healthier players. 
• Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline says the Patriots are among the teams that have shown the most interest in FIU QB James Morgan.
• Pauline adds the Patriots have had multiple video conferences with James Madison QB Ben DiNucci. 
• Using an old scouting report, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe says Morgan, Georgia QB Jake Fromm, Iowa QB Nate Stanley, Princeton’s Kevin Davidson and Oregon State’s Jake Luton all fit Patriots HC Bill Belichick‘s archetype at the position.
• Belichick told reporters it would be impossible to sum up QB Tom Brady‘s career: “I’m sure we will be talking about him for years and decades to come.” (Michael Giardi)
• Asked if New England had interest in bringing Brady back, Belichick responded it was “water under the bridge.” (Doug Kyed)
• Belichick said this year’s crop of quarterbacks is interesting, particularly later on: “Interesting group. Probably one that has some decent depth to it.” (Mike Reiss)
• Belichick also confirmed the team likes the two quarterbacks currently on the roster; Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham: “We spent quite a bit of time with Brian and Stid. I think Josh (McDaniels) and I have a pretty good feel for both of those players. Circumstances will be different this year. … Main thing is to give everyone a chance to compete.” (Kyed)
• Belichick defended trading a second-round pick to the Falcons for WR Mohamed Sanu: “That player, Sanu, filled a need for us, so that’s OK.” (Kyed)