AFC Notes: Broncos, Raiders, Steelers

Broncos

Broncos QB Kevin Hogan has a chance to open the season as the No. 2 quarterback ahead of second-round pick Drew Lock. To maximize his odds, Hogan is focused on himself, not looking back at his competition, Lock.

“I didn’t know too much about him,” Hogan said, via KUSA’s Mike Klis. “But since then, I’ve gotten to know he’s an awesome kid. Very talented. He and [undrafted free agent Brett Rypien] are great additions to the QB room. They’re going to be great quarterbacks for years to come. I’m happy they’re in the room with us. For me, it’s not worrying about what other people are doing. It’s just worry about myself. Control what I can control and move on from there.”

• The Athletic’s Lindsay Jones writes that if the Broncos are picking in the top-five picks in next year’s draft, they will certainly consider drafting a quarterback. 

Raiders

• Scott Bair of NBC Sports writes that Raiders seventh-round DL Quinton Bell is “raw and freakishly athletic” which is why the team should do what they can to give him time to develop.
• Bair believes the Raiders will “weigh possibilities” and see if they can sign Bell to their practice squad following the preseason. 
• Bair writes that the Raiders may have to find a way to keep Bell on the active roster or stash him on injured reserve in order to avoid teams making a waiver claim on him. 
• Although Bair points out that Oakland could “hide” Bell during the preseason, preventing him from playing could hinder his progress. 

Steelers

Steelers OT Matt Feiler started 10 games at right tackle for Pittsburgh last year and would be presumed to have the edge as the starter there for 2019. Feiler, however, says he’s competing with 2018 third-round pick Chukwuma Okorafor for the starting job. 

“It’s up for grabs,” Feiler said via Mike Prisuta of the team’s website. “It’s going to be a tough battle.”