AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

• According to Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline, a source close to Dolphins owner Stephen Ross says he’s not talking as if Oregon QB Justin Herbert is in the team’s plans with the No. 5 pick. 
• The source tells Pauline their feelings is the Dolphins will either take Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa No. 5 overall or use the No. 5 pick on Georgia OT Andrew Thomas and try and trade up for Utah State QB Jordan Love later. 
• Pauline adds Miami also likes Boise State OT Ezra Cleveland, Houston OT Josh Jones and Georgia OT Isaiah Wilson as potential first-round picks. 

Jets

• NBC Sports’ Peter King believes Jets S Jamal Adams wants to leave New York unless the team quickly overpays him in a long-term extension. 
• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer says some NFL executives believe Adams could be 2020’s version of Jaguars CB Jalen Ramsey, who made his dissatisfaction over not having a new deal very clear before Jacksonville traded him midseason. 
• However, Jets GM Joe Douglas says nothing has changed with his plan to make Adams a “Jet for life.” (Connor Hughes)
• Douglas acknowledged that if teams call with trade inquiries he will listen, but right now he doesn’t plan to trade any veterans. (Brian Costello)
• Douglas said that applies to Adams as well despite the blowup between the two sides over something similar last year at the trade deadline: “The plan would be for Jamal to be here long-term. And again, I’ve also made it known I have to do what’s in the best interests of this team. If other teams call to talk about players, I’ll listen. …” (Ralph Vacchiano)
• Douglas praised new LT George Fant as an “ideal fit” for their system and also talked up 2019 third-round OT Chuma Edoga. (Rich Cimini)
• Douglas believes free-agent signings will ramp up again after the draft. (Hughes)

Patriots

• NBC Sports’ Peter King writes that if Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa starts to slip in the draft he could see Patriots HC Bill Belichick making the move to go up and get him. 
• King mentions Patriots G Joe Thuney is a candidate to be traded during the draft. 
• However, the Athletic’s Jeff Howe said the team’s preference would be to sign Thuney to a long-term deal to lower his cap hit from the $14.8 million it’s at now under the franchise tag. He adds there haven’t been any notable trade discussions yet.