AFC Notes: Bills, Jets, Patriots

Bills

• WGR 550’s Sal Capaccio points out that if the Bills keep only four defensive tackles again in 2020, that means two from the group of Ed Oliver, Star Lotulelei, Quinton Jefferson, Harrison Phillips, Vernon Butler or Vincent Taylor won’t make the final roster. 
• Phillips is recovering from a torn ACL in Week 3 of last season and his health could be a key factor. Capaccio adds Taylor is probably the most likely cut out of that group. 
• Between the losses of Shaq Lawson and Jordan Phillips, the Bills have to replace 16 of their 44 sacks from last season. Buffalo is also looking for more edge pressure, which will fall on new DE Mario Addison and second-round DE A.J. Epenesa. 
• Capaccio notes the Bills are also banking on CB Josh Norman rebounding from a nightmare season with the Redskins in 2019 and being a better fit in Buffalo’s defense. 
• He adds depth at safety could become an issue if there’s an injury, as the Bills have nickel defender Siran Neal, S Dean Marlowe and 2019 sixth-round S Jaquan Johnson as the next options up.
• Former NFL GM and analyst for the Athletic Michael Lombardi writes the most obvious question for the Bills in 2020 is if QB Josh Allen can push his completion percentage over 60 percent. 

Jets

Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post takes a look at the five most likely outcomes regarding Jets S Jamal Adams and his recent trade request:

1. No movement given Adams will incur a $40,000 per day fine after if he misses training camp after the opening five days and he will also be at risk of losing an accrued season towards free agency.  
2. Open extension negotiations with Adams’ goal in-mind to eclipse Bears S Eddie Jackson‘s $14.6 million annual salary and Redskins S Landon Collins‘ $44.5 million guaranteed. 
3. Jets and Adams’ agent seek out trades. 
4. Jets sign Adams to a “band-aid contract” given New York has enough salary-cap flexibility over the next two years to raise his salaries without committing a large signing bonus.
5. Adams ends up signing a contract. Dunleavy believes this is the “least likely” scenario since he hasn’t received a starting offer up to this point. 

Patriots

• Former NFL GM and analyst for the Athletic Michael Lombardi writes the most obvious question for the Patriots in 2020 is how they will replace Tom Brady. 
• Lombardi mentions the Patriots could also improve their tackling, as New England ranked 26th in the NFL in allowing yards after the catch.