AFC East Rumors: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

• Miami had formal meetings with Alabama DT Quinnen Williams and Houston DT Ed Oliver at the Combine, though the team would likely have to trade up to have a shot at either. (Cameron Wolfe)
• LSU CB Greedy Williams said he’s met with 12 teams including the Dolphins. (Aaron Wilson)
• Washington CB Byron Murphy is meeting with the Dolphins at the Combine. (Aaron Wilson)

Jets

• According to Tony Pauline, the Jets would prefer to target second-tier running backs during free agency rather than spend big on RB Le’Veon Bell.  
• That doesn’t mean the Jets absolutely won’t sign Bell, as they could target him if they miss out on a top pass rusher and have cash to spend. Pauline mentioned that this happened in 2018 when the Jets lost out on QB Kirk Cousins and signed CB Trumaine Johnson instead.
• The Jets have been linked to Rams free agent DE Dante Fowler, but are reportedly balking at giving Fowler the four-year deal he’s seeking, according to Pauline.  
• Because of a quirk in the CBA, which expires in 2020, Rich Cimini points out that the Jets could not designate CB Trumaine Johnson as a June 1 cut next season, meaning they’d have to take a $12 million cap hit instead of $4 million. 
• Jets new HC Adam Gase was surprised at what he saw from WR Robby Anderson when he watched tape of his roster: “You don’t see a whole bunch of guys who have what he has and the way he tracks the ball down the field.  I don’t think I’ve ever been around a player that does it as smooth.”
• Jets GM Mike Maccagnan says tight end is the strongest position in the draft, leading Cimini to believe the Jets could consider one in the third round or later to pair with second-year TE Chris Herndon.

Patriots

• Patriots DE Trey Flowers is rehabbing from a recent shoulder surgery that was described as a non-serious, clean-up procedure, according to Mike Reiss. 
• The Boston Herald’s Karen Guregian says keeping the defensive line strong will be a priority for New England this offseason.  
• She mentions Boston College’s Zach Allen, Ohio State’s Dre’mont Jones, Notre Dame’s Jerry Tillery, Miami’s Gerald Willis and Kansas’ Daniel Wise as potential options late in the first and second rounds.