AFC Notes: Bengals, Chiefs, Colts, & Patriots

Bengals

• Bengals OC Hue Jackson expects rookie TEs Tyler Kroft and C.J. Uzomah to play a role in the offense if they continue to progress during training camp and the preseason.
• However, Coley Harvey mentions that there is a “sizable gap” between the two rookies and TE Tyler Eifert for the starting job.
• Harvey offers some games on the Bengals’ schedule that will be especially important for QB Andy Dalton including: Week 1 at Oakland, Week 3 at Baltimore, and Week 5 vs. Seattle.

Chiefs

• Adam Teicher doesn’t see the Chiefs re-signing CB Sean Smith after the season.
• Teicher notes that Kansas City has been loading up on cornerbacks in recent years, so they won’t be desperate to lock up Smith to an extension.
• Teicher mentions that the starting center spot appears to be Eric Kush‘s to lose right now.
• Teicher expects Jeff Allen to their starting right guard.
• Regarding former Pro Bowl S Eric Berry, Teicher doesn’t see any way he’s back until the midway point at the earlest.
• Despite the fact that HC Andy Reid has said that they won’t have interest in free agent G Evan Mathis, Teicher wouldn’t be shocked if things changed now that they have more cap space to work with.

Colts

• Mike Wells of ESPN projects the Colts’ starting offensive line to be: LT Anthony Castonzo, LG Jack Mewhort, C Khaled Holmes, RG Todd Herremans, RT Gosder Cherilus.
• Wells writes that it’s a safe assumption that T.Y. Hilton and Andre Johnson will be the Colts’ top two receivers.
• That leaves Donte Moncrief, Phillip Dorsett and Duron Carter s the primary candidates for the No. 3 receiver job.

Patriots

• Field Yates of ESPN writes that WR Brandon Gibson could end up being the next free agent receiver signing to pan out for the Patriots.
• Yates expects K Stephen Gostkowski play out all four years of his $17.2 million contract in New England.
• While Patriots HC Bill Belichick has long admired WR Reggie Wayne, Yates doesn’t expect the Patriots to seriously pursue him in the coming weeks.