AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

New Dolphins HC Brian Flores mentioned that he believes QB Ryan Fitzpatrick‘s best years are still ahead of him. 

“He’s brings leadership, he brings intelligence, he brings toughness,” Flores said, via Sirius XM NFL Radio. “We’ve had a couple really good talks. Obviously, I coached against him and I just think he’s a really good player. I’m looking forward to watching him play. I think his best days are ahead.”

• According to Barry Jackson, the Dolphins will host Wisconsin DT Olive Sagapolu on a top-30 visit. 

Jets

• ESPN’s Rich Cimini says some NFL personnel evaluators are curious about how the Jets new additions fit together, like free-agent addition LB C.J. Mosley and last year’s inside linebacker Avery Williamson, neither of which excel in pass coverage.  
• One coach was puzzled by the Jets apparent quest to trade LB Darron Lee, who he called the team’s “best coverage linebacker.
• The Jets also added free agent WR Jamison Crowder and re-signed WR Quincy Enunwa, both who play their best from the slot.
• Williamson, who graduated from Kentucky, has lobbied DC Gregg Williams to draft Kentucky DE Josh Allen: “He’s just one of those kids you want on your team. He’s going to bring the ability to rush the passer and that’s what we’ve been lacking. That’s what we need. We need a great edge rusher.”
• NJ.com’s Darryl Slater looks at potential wide receivers the Jets could draft in the middle rounds, including Arizona State’s N’Keal Hary, North Carolina State’s Kelvin Harmon, South Carolina’s Deebo Samuel, Ohio State’s Parris Campbell and Iowa State’s Hakeem Butler. 

Patriots

• ESPN’s Mike Reiss reports Patriots HC Bill Belichick has lobbied for more time to work with the players at the owners’ meetings in April.  
• With the departure of Schiano, Belichick could take on a more prominent role with the defense, per Reiss.  
• According to Reiss, TE Rob Gronkowski would have to be moved off the reserve/retired list before Week 13 to be eligible to return.  
• Reiss says new S Terence Brooks will primarily play special teams at first, but will also be included in some defensive packages.  
• The Boston Herald’s Karen Guregian says potential trade targets to keep an eye on for the Patriots include WRs Sterling Shepard and Nelson Agholor. 
• The Patriots could also feature their running backs more next season, including Sony Michel and James White.