AFC Notes: Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Bills

The Bills were one of only a few teams that were set to return the same five starting offensive linemen in 2020. But a wrench was thrown into that plan when starting RG Jon Feliciano suffered a torn pectoral that will keep him out for a few months at least. The Bills have some options to replace Feliciano, but GM Brandon Beane said the veteran will still be missed. 

“You see his passion on the field,” Beane said via NewYorkUpstate.com’s Matt Parrino. “We even have to get on to Jon sometimes because I think it spilled over a couple times where he got a 15-yard flag — but you live with those with a guy like Jon. I think they play different positions but I think him and Josh [Allen] are wired the same. They’re fired up, they play every play like it’s their last. Replacing that energy that he brings and that leadership — and he fits what we look out for in our offensive linemen: smart, tough dependable guys. That’s not easy. That’s a blow and we feel bad for Jon.”

Dolphins

• Per Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald, Dolphins HC Brian Flores said WR Preston Williams has been cleared to resume some activity. Williams tore his ACL last November: “He’s running, he’s lifting.”
• Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports Dolphins QB Josh Rosen has not requested a trade despite the team drafting QB Tua Tagovailoa in the first round and veteran QB Ryan Fitzpatrick appearing locked in as the starter to open the year. 
• Flores said the team is still looking for Rosen to improve in practice before giving him a chance to start: “You’ll earn your reps on the field based on how you perform in practice. That hasn’t changed with Josh.” (Beasley)
• Flores mentioned one of the ways they’ll adjust to the pandemic is increased cross-training between positions to build in more positional versatility. (Barry Jackson)

Jets

• Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports the Jets were trying to trade LB Avery Williamson all offseason and were open to cutting him to save $6.5 million. 
• However, following LB C.J. Mosley‘s decision to opt out, Mehta says New York could have pivoted to releasing G Brian Winters, which cleared more than $7 million in cap space. 
• Jets released WR Quincy Enunwa. 
• Jets waived RB Trenton Cannon, OL Ben Braden and OLB Wyatt Ray. 

Patriots

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer notes the Patriots now have a gaping hole at linebacker that could be challenging to fill.
• New England lost Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy in free agency, who each played over 80 percent of the snaps, and starting LB Dont’a Hightower who played 72 percent of the snaps opted out.
• Backup LB Elandon Roberts (20 percent snaps) also signed elsewhere, leaving LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (27 percent) as the top returning player for New England. 
• Breer says the Patriots will almost have to rely on second-round LB Josh Uche and third-round LB Anfernee Jennings to be contributors as rookies. Free-agent addition LB Brandon Copeland could also be called on as a starter. 
• Ben Volin of the Boston Globe lists four free agents the Patriots should go after to bolster their roster after the wave of opt-outs, including OT Demar Dotson, CB Logan Ryan, LB Alec Ogletree and S Eric Reid. 
• Volin also thinks the Patriots should swing a trade with the browns for TE David Njoku, though he acknowledges free-agent options like Delanie Walker, Charles Clay or Luke Stocker are more likely.
• New England hosted undrafted rookie WR Isaiah Zuber for a visit Sunday, indicating the team likely plans to re-sign him to fill one of the open roster spots. (Mike Reiss)