AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

• Regarding possible changes for the Dolphins’ offensive line, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes that the organization is unsure whether they want to commit a long-term contract to impending free-agent RT Ja’waun James.
• In the end, Jackson does not think Miami wants to continue paying James over $9 million per year.
• However, Dolphins’ recently signed OL coach Pat Flaherty said he would like to retain James in order to keep “continuity” along the offensive line: “I think it keeps the continuity there, if we’re able to retain him. We sure hope he does [stay with Miami]. He’s a good football player. I’ve had an opportunity to go back and watch every game from 2018. He’s a fairly young guy also, so he has some things technique-wise that he can get better.” 
• Flaherty went on to say that possible prospects in the 2019 NFL Draft will still “take some time” to adjust to the league: “It’s going to take some time for those young guys. Even though they’ve played at a high level in college, they’re not seeing the same type of player. You’re seeing really a skilled player at this level.”
• Regarding the possibility of adding QB Nick Foles this offseason, Armando Salguero says it’s not happening. 

Jets

• Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports that the Jets have “massive buyer’s remorse” about the five-year, $72.5 million contract they signed CB Trumaine Johnson to last year. 
• According to Mehta, the Jets are keeping their fingers crossed that new DC Gregg Williams can get the most out of Johnson in 2019. 
• Mehta believes Patriots DE Trey Flowers is a free agent who would make a lot of sense for the Jets. 
• Darryl Slater of NJ Advance Media notes that the Jets created $5.46 million in cap space on Tuesday by declining DL Mike Pennel, S Terrence Brooks, and LB Kevin Pierre-Louis‘ contract options. 

Patriots

Doug Kyed of NESN takes a look at the Patriots’ potential market for a quarterback of the future and examines their free agent, trade, and 2019 NFL Draft options. 

• Regarding the potential free agent market, Kyed lists Eagles QB Nick Foles, Saints QB Teddy Bridgewater, Eagles QB Nate Sudfeld, and former 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick. 
• Kyed mentions four possible trade options, including the Cardinals’ Josh Rosen, Colts’ Jacoby Brissett, Raiders’ Derek Carr, and the 49ers’ Nick Mullens. 
• As for the 2019 NFL Draft, Kyed names early-round prospects Kyler Murray of Oklahoma, Dwayne Haskins of Ohio State, Missouri’s Drew Lock, Duke’s Daniel Jones, or West Virginia’s Will Grier as potential options. 
• Kyed could also see the Patriots waiting until 2020 to consider drafting Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa, Oregon’s Justin Herbert, Iowa’s Nate Stanley, Washington’s Jacob Eason, or Georgia’s Jake Fromm.