AFC Notes: Bengals, Colts, Dolphins, Jaguars, Jets & Ravens

Bengals

• Coley Harvey of ESPN believes the Bengals view second-year QB A.J. McCarron as a priority player to develop, even after signing QB Terrelle Pryor.
• Harvey writes that McCarron should avoid the practice squad since Cincinnati used a fifth-round pick on him in 2014.
• Harvey expects WR Denarius Moore, WR Cobi Hamilton and CB Onterio McCalebb to see action as return specialists during the offseason program.
• However, Harvey sees CB Adam Jones as the primary punt-return man with WR Brandon Tate and seventh-round rookie WR Mario Alford possibly earning action at both return positions.
• Harvey hears there is a “good chance” that OT Andrew Whitworth receives a contract extension later this summer.

Colts

• Mike Wells of ESPN writes that RB Vick Ballard‘s health will dictate whether he makes the 53-man roster, while former practice squad RB Zurlon Tipton will have to perform well during offseason activities to make the active roster.
• Wells views WR Griff Whalen as a “long shot” to make the 53-man roster.

Dolphins

• James Walker of ESPN writes the Dolphins have never viewed RB Lamar Miller as a workhorse type of running back, so it is hard to determine whether he will earn more carries in 2015. According to Walker, Miami appears “very optimistic” that fifth-round rookie RB Jay Ajayi will earn snaps next season.
• Walker believes Miami must produce a winning season in 2015 for HC Joe Philbin to receive an extension.
• Walker expects the Dolphins to run a 4-3 base defense, but could rotate to 5-2 and 3-4 sets given certain situations.

Jaguars

• Mike DiRocco of ESPN expects one of LB Thurston Armbrister, LB Matt Robinson and LB Todd Thomas to make the 53-man roster.
• DiRocco views WR Allen Robinson as the team’s No. 1 receiver at this point in time.
• DiRocco expects DE Ryan Davis to earn more playing time with the recent injury to first-round rookie DE Dante Fowler Jr.
• DiRocco has been told that TE Clay Harbor will be the No. 2 pass-catching tight end behind Julius Thomas, while Marcedes Lewis will likely be used as a blocker.
• Sam Young and Cody Booth are expected to be the Jaguars’ primary backup offensive tackles, while Austin Pasztor will move inside to the guard position.
• DiRocco says that second-round rookie RB T.J. Yeldon is “absolutely” the favorite to be the starting running back.