AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

• According to Pro Football Talk, former Dolphins and Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum will take a job as an ESPN analyst. 
• Old Dominion DE Oshane Ximines visited the Dolphins on Sunday. (Simon Clancy)
• Ian Rapoport reports that the Dolphins are hosting Oregon EDGE Justin Hollins for a pre-draft visit on Monday.

Jets

Jets LB Avery Williamson said he’s fine with moving to the weakside linebacker spot to accommodate free-agent signing C.J. Mosley. 

“If they want to move me to the weak side, if I’ve got to do it, wherever they put me on the field, I’m going to make plays regardless,” Williamson said via NJ.com’s Darryl Slater. “I’m excited for it. I feel like we’re going to have a great defense.”

Williamson hasn’t played weakside linebacker since his rookie year in 2014 but adds it’s not a tough transition. 

“It’s all the same, 3-4 defense,” Williamson said. “All you’ve got to do is go out there and make plays, man.”

Another major free-agent signing, WR Jamison Crowder, is expected to affect WR Quincy Enunwa, as both players do their best work out of the slot. 

“I think there’s plenty of football to go around. As long as we stay healthy and we make plays, it doesn’t really matter,” Enunwa said via Darryl Slater. “I think that there are plenty of teams that have situations like that, and everybody gets the ball and everybody is happy. That’s going to be the biggest thing: We’re going to have all this talent, and it’s all about the coaches putting us in the right positions and us making plays.” 

Jets HC Adam Gase is known for featuring slot receivers in his offense, and QB Sam Darnold says Crowder is a perfect fit. 

“Just the way that he fills space,” Darnold said. “On certain option routes, you can tell that he just has a really good feel of leverage and how to use it against the defenders. I think being able to find him in good matchups against a nickel [cornerback] or a linebacker — and even a safety coming down [toward the line] — it’s going to be hard to guard that dude.” 

• Gase said he’s excited to work with Darnold as the first young quarterback he’s mentored: “My biggest thing is, I’m always going to stress to him an open dialogue. … Really, the open dialogue is critical for me and the quarterback.”  (Rich Cimini)
• Jets WRs Robby Anderson and Quincy Enunwa are excited about potentially having new roles with Gase after feeling pigeonholed into one role last year. 
• The Jets won’t hold a rookie minicamp after the draft this year, instead the team will put draft picks and undrafted free agents through a four-day rookie orientation. (Manish Mehta)

Patriots

Patriots WR and special teamer Matthew Slater said retirement isn’t imminent but is something he has to think about going forward. 

“I think I’ve always approached my career as every year could be my last year because of the nature of my position and the unique role I have on the team as a core special teams player,” Slater said via ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “Obviously, at this stage of my career, my wife and I have to have a conversation as our family grows and our kids grow up, and as we evolve, decisions aren’t just about what’s best for me. It’s about what’s best for my wife and for my children. We’re happy where we’re at now, and we’re just going to stay the course, thankful for the opportunity we have ahead of us and give it everything we got.”

• Reiss says the Patriots are looking for a “market correction” in negotiations with K Stephen Gostkowski after his deal as the highest-paid kicker in 2015 still hasn’t been topped. 
• Reiss mentions if DE Allen Bailey is still available after May 7, the date teams can sign other team’s free agents without affecting the compensatory pick formula, the Patriots could get a deal done. 
• According to NBC Sports’ Tom Curran, the Patriots could still bring back WR Chris Hogan, who remains unsigned after early interest from the Giants. 
• The Patriots lead the NFL in players with per-game roster bonuses on their roster with 33, while only two other teams have more than 20 players. (Ben Volin)