AFC Notes: Bengals, Browns, Jets

Bengals

Bengals executive VP Katie Blackburn indicated that DT Geno Atkins is someone they want to sign to a long-term extension this offseason.

“We always try to do deals that work for the team and the player,” Blackburn said, via the Enquirer. “These days guys are playing longer than they used to and they take good care of themselves, so we’ll see where things go. We have tried to not to do a deal in our minds that would put a lot of dead cap money in there. Geno’s been a good player. He has some good football ahead of him.”

“In our football business, you pay for high-end talent and Geno has been at the top of our industry for a long time and we think he can continue to do that and that’s why we’re trying to see what the opportunities are going forward,” Bengals VP Troy Blackburn said.

Another extension candidate for the Bengals is DE Carlos Dunlap and Troy Blackburn admitted that they view him in the same category as Atkins.

In the end, Paul Dehner Jr expects the Bengals to sign Atkins to a new contract before the 2018 season and while it’s possible Dunlap could also get a new deal, he admits that this is a “steeper hill to climb.”

Browns

• Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com writes that the Browns can’t afford to pass on a quarterback at No. 1 overall and risk ending up with third best quarterback prospect at No. 4.
• If Saquon Barkley and DE Bradley Chubb are both on the board for the Browns at No. 4 overall, Cabot would take Chubb over Barkley.
• While there has been a lot of speculation about the Browns possibly trading down from No. 4 overall, Cabot expects them to stay there and draft an impact player.
• Cabot adds that she could see them using one of their second-round picks on a running back such as Derrius Guice, Ronald Jones or Nick Chubb.

Jets

• Brian Costello of the New York Post writes that while the Jets drafted Elijah McGuire last year, it’s possible they could once again be in the market to use a mid-round pick on a running back in 2018.
• Costello adds that Bilal Powell is in the final year of his contract and could be gone next year, so it couldn’t hurt to bolster their running back depth in what’s considered to be another good class for the position.
• As for receiver, Costello doesn’t seem them drafting a receiver, considering that they added Terrelle Pryor in free agency and will get Quincy Enunwa back from injury.
• While the Jets have said they like TE Jordan Leggett, Costello thinks they could target the position in the middle rounds with Penn State’ Mike Gesicki being a tempting option.
• Rich Cimini of ESPN writes that Wyoming QB Josh Allen‘s low completion percentage of 56.2 is “concerning” even though he displayed improved accuracy during the pre-draft process.