AFC Notes: Bengals, Colts, Jaguars, Jets & Raiders

Bengals

• Coley Harvey of ESPN believes that CB Dre Kirkpatrick has been the “most improved player” of the offseason, with CB Darqueze Dennard being a “close” second place.
• At this point, Harvey views Kirkpatrick as a player that is more likely to start than Dennard.
• Harvey has been impressed with fifth-round rookie TE C.J. Uzomah and undrafted rookie TE Matt Lengel.
• Harvey expects the Bengals to stick with a 10-man offensive line rotation.
• Harvey’s expected lineup for the offensive line goes as follows: Starters: OT Andrew Whitworth, G Clint Boling, C Russell Bodine, G Kevin Zeitler and OT Andre Smith. Swing tackles: Eric Winston and second-round rookie Jake Fisher. Other backups: T.J. Johnson and Trey Hopkins.

Colts

• Mike Wells of ESPN writes that for second-year TE Erik Swoope to make the active roster, he will have to beat out TE Jack Doyle.
• Wells would not be “surprised” to see Swoope spend another season on the practice squad.
• According to Wells, Lance Louis, Hugh Thornton, and Donald Thomas are the most likely candidates to land the starting left guard spot, if Jack Mewhort converts to right tackle.

Jaguars

• Mike DiRocco of ESPN writes there is a level of “concern” from the Jaguars about their limited talent at safety.
• According to DiRocco, there are no players with lingering injury concerns outside of  DT Sen’Derrick Marks (ACL), OLB Dante Fowler Jr. (ACL), and S James Sample (broken arm).
• DiRocco has seen progress in the throwing mechanics of QB Blake Bortles, in that he has “shortened” his delivery and is “lengthening” his follow through.
• According to DiRocco, RB Storm Johnson has been passed on the depth chart by both Bernard Pierce and Corey Grant.
• DiRocco does not expect Bortles to get over exposure during the preseason, but will receive the normal amount of playing time for a starter.
• WR Arrelious Benn has “more of a chance” to make the active roster than DiRocco previously envision. However, DiRocco prefers WR Tony Washington, due to his performance during  OTAs and minicamp.

Jets

• Rich Cimini of ESPN believes that if QB Geno Smith can cut down on his turnovers, like Alex Smith for example, that the Jets could make the playoffs.
• According to Cimini, the franchise tag and the presence of rookie Leonard Williams, gives the Jets have the leverage in contract discussion with Muhammad Wilkerson.
• Cimini believes that Wilkerson’s contract will be the “starting point” for extension negotiations for DT Sheldon Richardson.
• Cimini does not think the Jets will target OLB Bruce Irvin if he becomes available, due to the presence of third-round rookie DE Lorenzo Mauldin.
• Second-year S Rontez Miles is not expected to start at any point this season, though he is “gaining” momentum.

Raiders

• Bill Williamson of ESPN writes that WR Amari Cooper dropped some passes during minicamp, but there is no concern over it becoming an issue.
• Second-round rookie DE Mario Edwards is a candidate to start “right away“.
• According to Williamson, third-round rookie TE Clive Walford has been “outstanding” this offseason, and could potentially start over TE Mychal Rivera.