AFC Notes: Bills, Jets, Patriots

Bills

• The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia says the Bills will be planning for extensions for LT Dion Dawkins and LB Matt Milano in 2021 under the assumption the cap will be at its $175 million floor. 
• Dawkins is a prime candidate for the franchise tag, according to Buscaglia, as it could be slightly under his market value. Milano’s tag would be a little bit higher so Buscaglia thinks getting a deal done with him first will be the team’s priority, even if it’s just a one-year deal to hold off until the cap rebounds in 2022. 
• Buscaglia writes Bills DE Trent Murphy projects to be a rotational player right now if Buffalo’s depth chart stays healthy and that’s a $7.3 million luxury the team might not be able to afford. 
• After Buffalo released OL Spencer Long for $1.675 million in savings, Buscaglia notes Bills K Stephen Hauschka ($1.05 million) and OL Daryl Williams ($1.5 million) are also potentially on the chopping block depending on how their respective competitions go. 
• In 2021, the list of potential cuts includes WR John Brown ($8.15 million), DE Jerry Hughes ($7.35 million), DT Vernon Butler ($6.85 million), DL Quinton Jefferson ($5 million), WR Cole Beasley ($4.4 million), G Quinton Spain ($4 million) and TE Lee Smith ($2.25 million). 
• Buscaglia points out the Bills’ move to bring in G Brian Winters likely means Cody Ford is staying at right tackle. Starting RG Jon Feliciano also might be able to return by October 4 against the Raiders. 
• Buscaglia adds Winters could move over to start at left guard ahead of Spain once Feliciano comes back healthy, as he’s a better scheme fit. 
• Bills GM Brandon Beane did leave the door open to moving Ford inside at some point, though: “Position 1 is right tackle. But the great thing about Cody is we think he can play guard….he’ll play both. We’re going to put the best five out there.” (Sal Capaccio)
• Beane said Bills CB Tre’Davious White, who is under contract through 2021 on the fifth-year option, is another one of the team’s top extension priorities: “I’m a big fan of Tre’ White, off the field, on the field, what he brings to our team. He’s a guy I was referring to when I say you don’t want him walking out of here. You want to keep him long term. It’s got to be right for him and right for us and hopefully at the right time we’re able to make it happen.” (Chris Brown)

Jets

• Ralph Vacchiano lists five players who need to step up now that the Jets will be without LB C.J. Mosley and S Jamal Adams in 2020.
• Among these players are DL Quinnen Williams, S Marcus Maye, LB Avery Williamson, LB Jordan Jenkins, and newly acquired S Bradley McDougald.
• Connor Hughes of The Athletic mentions the Jets will pick up at least an extra $7.5 million in salary-cap space for 2020 due to Mosley opting out.
• While Hughes says Mosley’s contract will still account for $10 million this year, actually his entire contract will toll through to 2021, including his base salary and prorated signing bonus.
• When the Jets released G Brian Winters, Hughes notes that it added another $7.28 million with no penalty since Winters had no more guarantees on the four-year, $29-million deal he signed in 2017.
• Hughes adds that the moves leave the Jets $42.17 million under the 2020 team cap, which is more than enough to sign DE Jadeveon Clowney or CB Logan Ryan.

Patriots

• ESPN’s Mike Reiss notes it was not coincidental how Patriots HC Bill Belichick and team captains C David Andrews, WR Matthew Slater, RB James White and S Devin McCourty all mentioned all three quarterbacks instead of just Cam Newton.
• Reiss says it’s part of how the team is ensuring Newton’s larger-than-life persona can fit within the Patriots’ team-first ethos. 
• The Patriots have elevated director of pro scouting Dave Ziegler to assistant director of player personnel. (Reiss)