AFC Notes: Bills, Jets, Patriots

Bills

• Bills WR Stefon Diggs wrote on Twitter that he would be uncomfortable playing again during the pandemic: “But there’s so many unanswered questions with this upcoming season. I’d be lying if I said I was comfortable starting back up.”
• Diggs added that he’s been training his “butt off” just trying to stay ready and prepared.
• The Bills announced they hired Jason Sinnarajah a senior VP of business administration. 

Jets

• NFL Media’s Charley Casserly writes the Jets expect first-round OT Mekhi Becton to start at left tackle, with free-agent signing George Fant starting across from him at right tackle. 
• The Jets also expect second-round WR Denzel Mims to start in three-receiver sets as a rookie, with his early role envisioned as being a threat on deep shots, screens and hitches. 
• Casserly says Jets CBs Pierre Desir and Brian Poole will start outside and in the nickel respectively, leaving 2019 sixth-round CB Blessuan Austin and vet Nate Hairston competing for the No. 2 job. 
• At EDGE, incumbent Jets starter Jordan Jenkins will be pushed by Tarell Basham and Jordan Willis for the starting job. Casserly notes Jets EDGE Harvey Langi will start at the other outside linebacker position. 
• Casserly projects a spirited battle for the other starting inside linebacker position next to C.J. Mosley, with 2019 fifth-rounder Blake Cashman, Avery Williamson, Neville Hewitt and free-agent addition Patrick Onwuasor potential options. 
• Becoming more explosive on offense was one of the Jets’ top offseason priorities, per Casserly, and the hope adding WR Breshad Perriman in free agency and getting TE Chris Herndon back healthy will be a big boost toward that goal. 

Patriots

• Joel Corry of CBS Sports says the Patriots using the franchise tag on LG Joe Thuney wasn’t expected and that Thuney could potentially have become the NFL’s highest-paid interior offensive lineman had he hit the open market.
• Corry explains any extension for Thuney would have to be enough to convince him to forego the opportunity to hit the free-agent market again in 2021. 
• As of now, Eagles G Brandon Brooks is the highest-paid interior offensive lineman in the league at $14,137,500 per year.