AFC East Notes: Sauce Gardner, Michael Onwenu, Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

• The Dolphins hosted long snappers Tucker Addington and Randen Plattner for workouts this week, per Howard Balzer. 
• Of the two, Miami signed Addington to their practice squad. 
• Miami didn’t make any moves ahead of the trade deadline this week. Mike McDaniel said it wasn’t because of reluctance from GM Chris Grier to part ways with draft picks and instead expressed confidence in the current players: “No. There were a couple conversations we had, people reaching out to us and different possibilities. [But ultimately] we believe in the roster.” (Barry Jackson)

Jets

Jets interim HC Jeff Ulbrich said he’s had conversations with CB Sauce Gardner about his tackling and Gardner knows he has to be better.

“In all honesty, and we’ve had this conversation, it needs to be better,” Ulbrich said, via NY Post. “And he knows that. I really felt like there was an improvement this past game. If you really watch this last game with a critical eye as far as his tackling is concerned, I felt like the intent to be physical was better than it’s been.”

Jets veteran DB Jalen Mills thinks Gardner has a bright future and believes his tackling woes will get cleaned up.

“He set the bar so high as rookie Year 1, Year 2 to where, you know, everybody expects nothing to go over there, nobody to catch the ball,” Mills said. “But at the end of the day, this is the NFL. Teams scheme, and it’s gonna happen. We play the hardest position in the league besides quarterback. We do everything backwards. Just keep progressing, him studying, him coming out, working hard. He’ll be good.”

Patriots

• When examining how to address the Patriots’ offensive line issues in 2025, Chad Graff of The Athletic writes New England will likely need three or four new starters. 
• Graff expects OT Michael Onwenu to return next season but is unsure what position he plays. 
• Graff points out C David Andrews has one year left on his contract. However, Graff thinks New England must keep their options open given he’s recovering from season-ending shoulder surgery.
• As for OT Vederian Lowe, Graff considers him to be the team’s second-best offensive lineman but doesn’t think he’s a capable starter. 
• Regarding free agency, although Graff writes the Patriots will be tempted to make a splash signing for an offensive lineman, he believes they are better suited to add a player like Bengals WR Tee Higgins and sign a mid-market lineman. 
• Instead of making exorbitant signings for players like Chiefs G Trey Smith or Ravens OT Ronnie Stanley, Graff feels it’d be more sensible to sign three offensive linemen at around $10 million per year for each player.
• Graff lists the following as players to consider: Cowboys G Zack Martin, Vikings G Dalton Risner, Dolphins G Liam Eichenberg, Steelers G James Daniels, Rams OT Alaric Jackson, Eagles OT Mekhi Becton, and Broncos OT Garett Bolles.