AFC Notes: Broncos, Chiefs, Raiders

Broncos

• Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post mentions RB Royce Freeman, TE Jake Butt, TE Jeff Heuerman, TE Troy Fumagalli, WR DaeSean Hamilton, and WR Juwann Winfree. as being offensive players possibly on the roster bubble this summer. 
• As for defenders on Denver’s roster bubble, O’Halloran lists: DE DeMarcus Walker, OLB Malik Reed, ILB Joe Jones, ILB Josh Watson, CB Davontae Harris, and CB Duke Dawson.
• O’Halloran writes that the Broncos’ staff would like third-round C Lloyd Cushenberry to beat out Patrick Morris and Austin Schlottmann for the starting job and should be expected to earn the Week 1 first-team role. 
• As for Broncos OLB Bradley Chubb‘s recovery from a torn ACL, O’Halloran writes that he’s anticipated to be ready for the season opener. 
• According to O’Halloran, Broncos RT Ja’Wuan James (knee) and CB Bryce Callahan (foot) are fully recovered and ready for the start of training camp. 
• Should Denver choose “young guys over veterans,” O’Halloran could see UDFA RB LeVante Bellamy, CB Essang Bassey, and S Douglas Coleman challenging for positions on the active roster. 

Chiefs

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes said everyone around the organization respects G Laurent Duvernay-Tardif’s decision to forgo the 2020 season in order to assist with the pandemic in Canda. 

“Everybody respects the decision 100%….he’s trying to make the world a better place,” said Mahomes, via B.J. Kissel. 

Chiefs HC Andy Reid praised Duvernay-Tardif’s decision to use his medical background and wasn’t surprised. 

“I understand the dedication it takes to be a doctor,” said Reid, via Adam Teicher.

• Chiefs’ first-round RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire made it clear he plans to be more than a willing blocker: “That’s literally half of my job.” (Terez A. Paylor)
• Chiefs third-round OL Lucas Niang said he’s been working at tackle and guard since the NFL Combine after receiving positive feedback from coaches in Indianapolis. (Kissel)

Raiders

• The NFL and NFLPA are discussing a 2021 salary cap floor of $175 million, which is down from the $198.2 million this year. It’s possible that the figure could be pushed higher, depending on the revenue losses incurred by the league from the 2020 season.
• Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com projects the Raiders to have -$9,813,777 of cap space next year, assuming the cap is set at $175 million.