AFC Notes: Bills, Jets, Patriots

Bills

Bills HC Sean McDermott acknowledged DT Star Lotulelei is behind the rest of the team after sitting out last year.

“There’s definitely some catching up to do. It is good to have him here and participating. I’m sure his teammates feel the same way. He can help us, we all know that, he’s just going to have to continue to put the work in to continue to get himself back… acclimated, comfortable, if you will, to be ready to go,” McDermott said, via Bills Wire.

• The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia expects the Bills to prioritize getting a deal done with QB Josh Allen over LB Tremaine Edmunds, as Allen’s price certainly isn’t going down and could rise precipitously with another good season. 
• Buscaglia thinks the Bills could find a little more room if they end up cutting DT Vernon Butler during training camp. He’s competing with Justin Zimmer and Harrison Phillips for one of the final spots on the roster. The Bills would save $3.3 million by releasing him. 
• Buscaglia mentions that new Bills DE Efe Obada can play special teams and was guaranteed $800,000, which is a bad sign for DE Darryl Johnson‘s roster prospects. 
• Bills RB Antonio Williams had a mini breakout in Week 17 last year but Buscaglia still thinks his best bet is to latch onto the practice squad in 2021. 

Jets

Jets OT Mekhi Becton was excited when the team drafted OG Alijah Vera-Tucker in the first round.

“I was ecstatic because he a dog,” Becton said, via Jets Wire. “I know we’re ready to do some things on the line. He complements my game really well. We both like to see guys on the ground, so I feel like we’re going to be really good together. Real good together.”

Jets OL Greg Van Roten said he understands why Vera-Tucker was a high pick after seeing him in practice.

“You get why the Jets wanted him and you understand why they traded up to get him,” Van Roten said. “He’s a kid you look at and [say] ‘This guy could play for a long time.’ I’m excited to teach him what I know and I know a lot of guys in the room are excited he’s with us.”

Patriots

Patriots OLB Ronnie Perkins believes changing positions and learning a new defense won’t be a problem for him. 

“I’ll say I have a good athletic background that allows me to transition into stuff like that,” Perkins said, via NESN. “It’ll allow me to transition into coverage easily just because I had a tight end background, so I’m kind of good with footwork and everything, so that’ll help my transition to linebacker.”

Perkins also said the linebacker room with Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, Matt Judon, and coaches Jerod Mayo and Steve Belichick has made learning the defense easier on him.

“Pretty much everyone in our room has been around for a real long time,” Perkins said. “Coach Mayo, he played in the system, Steve, he’s been around the system his whole life, and then you got guys like Hightower and KV, they’ve been in the system for a long time. So I’ve got some great guys to learn from every day.”