AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

• The Dolphins are hosting free agent CB Bashaud Breeland for a visit on Sunday.
• Barry Jackson says that the Dolphins’ interest in Breeland “is real” and the visit with him is not merely due diligence or fact-finding. Jackson admits that Breeland’s health and contract demands will determine how viable of an addition he is.

Jets

• Rich Cimini writes that Jets GM Mike Maccagnan should contact the Raiders about disgruntled pass-rusher Khalil Mack to see if he’s available for trade.
• As of now, no reports have confirmed that Mack is actually on the trading block, but there has been increased speculation that the Raiders may have a tough time paying him the kind of contract extension he’s seeking.
• Cimini considers it unlikely that Mack gets traded, given that the Raiders could franchise him in 2019 and 2020. If Mack were to become available, it’s likely the Raiders are going to want at least a first-round pick for him.
• Cimini believes rookie TE Chris Herndon has a shot to be an immediate contributor for the Jets.
• Jets HC Todd Bowles announced that RB Isaiah Crowell has a concussion. (Rich Cimini)

Patriots

• According to Ben Volin, Patriots QB Tom Brady hasn’t had a full day of practice since Aug. 1. Brady is dealing with a sore back during training camp.
• Patriots HC Bill Belichick has elected to give Brian Hoyer and rookie Danny Etling more work. Volin believes this is nothing more than a case of Belichick managing Brady’s workload this camp.
• Regarding Brady’s contract, Mike Reiss mentions that if Brady plays at a similarly high level in 2018, the two parties will back in a similar situation as they were this year when they recently agreed to a restructured deal.
• If Brady plays out the 2019 season, Reiss says that the Patriots could be in a position where they may have to consider franchising Brady, which would be unprecedented considering that Brady would be 43 at that point.
• According to Reiss, Trent Brown is the leading candidate to replace Nate Solder as the Patriots’ starting left tackle.