AFC Notes: Bengals, Chiefs, Colts, & Jaguars

Bengals

• Coley Harvey of ESPN believes seventh-round rookie WR Mario Alford‘s impressive speed will earn him valuable playing time this season.
• Harvey does not expect the Bengals to rush in regards to re-signing current players to contract extensions, at least not until all their draft picks have signed.
• Harvey could see Cincinnati allowing RT Andre Smith or LT Andrew Whitworth to enter free agency following the 2015 season, since the Bengals selected tackles in the first two rounds of the draft.

Chiefs

• Adam Teicher of ESPN writes that QB Alex Smith must take more chances on downfield passes in order for him to have career-high passing statistics.
• Teicher mentions that WR Albert Wilson will have No. 2 receiver duties, while the No. 3 job could come down to Da’Rick Rogers, Chris Conley, Frankie Hammond Jr., Junior Hemingway or Jason Avant.

Colts

• According to Mike Wells of ESPN,Jonathan Newsome is the likely favorite to backupTrent Cole at rush linebacker if Robert Mathis is not yet recovered from his torn Achilles’ injury.
• Wells notes that HC Chuck Pagano could see LB Bjoern Werner lining up at multiple positions, making it possible for him to appear as a strong side backup linebacker.

• Wells expects WR T.Y. Hilton to lead the team in touchdown receptions and to have a higher yards-per-reception average than he did last season.
• Colts TE Coby Fleener could end the season with more touchdown receptions than TE Dwayne Allen, due to Fleener’s ability to remain healthy.
• Wells believes its a tossup between Donte Moncrief, Phillip Dorsett and Duron Carter to land No. 3 receiver duties.
• According to Wells, OL Todd Herremans will likely start as a guard, while Hugh Thornton and Lance Louis are front-runners for the other spot. Former CFL OL Ben Heenan is also being in the mix.

Jaguars

• Mike DiRocco of ESPN believes that realistic expectations for second-round RB T.J. Yeldon in 2015 are “at least” 700-800 rushing yards rushing and 10-15 receptions.
• GM David Caldwell said it was a “possibility” for the Jaguars to have five running backs on their roster this season.
• DiRocco believes RB Storm Johnson will have to beat out RB Bernard Pierce to make the 53-man roster.
• Johnson could also be on the bubble if the team is “intrigued” with undrafted RB Corey Grant as a kick returner.
• DiRocco expects Zane Beadles to beat out A.J. Cann for the starting left guard position.
• According to DiRocco, the Jaguars are content with their cornerbacks, and that they will not sign any veteran free agents.
• Tandon Doss, Ace Sanders, Rashad Greene, Tony Washington and Neal Sterling are all expected to compete for the fourth and fifth receiver spot.
• DiRocco expects Stefen Wisniewski and Luke Bowanko to compete for the starting center job.
• DiRocco’s “guess” on the starting offensive line includes: Luke Joeckel at left tackle, Beadles at left guard, Wisniewski at center, Brandon Linder at right guard, and Jermey Parnell at right tackle.