AFC Notes: Bills, Colts, Raiders

Bills

• The Buffalo Bills worked out FSU RB Devin Singletary after his Pro Day last week. (Chase Goodbread)

Colts

In a radio interview, Colts GM Chris Ballard defended his team’s approach to free agency, as Indianapolis didn’t splurge despite being among the league leaders in cap space.  

“We were a very young football team last year and they are going to get better,” Ballard said via Kevin Bowen. “I think people need to realize that a lot of these guys are not at their ceilings yet. Just take the offensive line, do you think Quenton Nelson and Braden Smith are as good as they are going to be after a year of bullets, as a rookie? No different with any of our young players. We think our young players will continue to improve.”

Ballard added the team felt more comfortable re-signing its own players.  

“To us, when it’s your player and he’s played for you and you know exactly what he is, we feel more comfortable paying our own players,” Ballard said. “Is that to say we don’t want to sign a player in free agency? No. But it’s got to be at a price point that we think is beneficial to both parties.”

• Ballard said S Clayton Geathers was one of their own guys they were happy to bring back:  “He fought through some things last year. When you do a one-year deal, it gives the player another year to show that he’s completely healthy and can play throughout the season. I’ve let it be known how much of a fan I am of Clayton Geathers. We think it’s a good deal for both sides. I’m really happy to have him back and I think he’ll have a big impact for us this year.”
• Ballard said the Colts were doing their “due diligence” bringing in RB Jay Ajayi for a visit last Wednesday, adding they like their current running back stable.

Raiders

Coming out of free agency, Raiders GM Mike Mayock says the team is well-positioned for the draft.  

“The more you do in free agency, the more surgical you can be in the draft,” Mayock said, via Pro Football Talk.

• Former Raiders CB Rashaan Melvin apologized on social media to Oakland fans for his play in 2018; “I greatly appreciate the Oakland organization for giving me the opportunity to further my career this past season,” Melvin wrote via Pro Football Talk. “I respect the Raiders organization; I respect the tradition; and I respect the die-hard fans that has and will forever believe in Raider Nation. I feel like I cheated the fans and organization and [the] long list of players that came before me that made the organization what it is. It was always a lifetime dream of mine to wear the silver and black. It really hurt me that I wasn’t able to be myself and play the style of play that I know I was capable of playing. To all my guys in that locker room, I appreciate you guys for making the year special through everything. I cherish the relationships that were created on and off the field. I respect you guys, and I wish you boys the best. Y’all ball out for the city of Oakland one more time or for however long y’all [are] there. Respect!”