AFC Notes: Bengals, Bills, Patriots

January 28, 2018

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the most important decision to be made over the next six months for the Bengals in regards to their offensive line is what to do at left tackle.
Former first-round pick Cedric Ogbuehi hasn’t lived up to his draft status and the Enquirer expects Cincinnati to decline his fifth-year option in the coming months.
There’s reportedly still “optimism” within the Bengals about Jake Fisher playing right tackle for them, despite an up-and-down first year as a starter in 2017.
The Enquirer believes re-signing Andre Smith would make sense for them, as he would be a good utility player for them.

Joe Buscaglia takes a look at 10 prospects from the 2018 Senior Bowl that the Bills could consider during the NFL Draft.

With their first-round pick, Buscaglia writes that Stanford DT Harrison Phillips would make sense since the team is “desperately” in need of help at the position.
In the second round, Buscaglia could see Oregon OT Tyrell Crosby and Oklahoma’s Ogbonnia Okoronkwo being two names to watch for Buffalo in round two.
As for some late-round picks to keep an eye on, Buscaglia suggests Richmond QB Kyle Lauletta, Iowa State WR Allen Lazard, NC State DT Justin Jones, Texas DT Poona Ford, Central Florida’s Shaquem Griffin, South Carolina State’s Darius Leonard and Penn State CB Christian Campbell.

With the Patriots set to lose OC Josh McDaniels to the Colts and DC Matt Patricia to the Lions, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe takes a look at the candidates to watch for New England.
According to Volin, veteran OL coach Dante Scarnecchia, RBs coach Ivan Fears, and TEs coach Nick Caley aren’t realistic option to replace McDaniels.
However, two internal candidates worth keeping eye on, according to Volin, are QBs coach Jerry Schuplinski and WRs Chad O’Shea. Of the two, Volin says that O’Shea is the “most realistic” internal choice for offensive coordinator.
As for defensive coordinator, Volin writes that LBs coach Brian Flores is the “obvious heir” to Patricia.