AFC Notes: Browns, Colts, Jaguars, Patriots

March 10, 2018

Regarding the Browns recent trade with the Patriots that sent former first-round DT Danny Shelton to New England, Albert Breer explains that Shelton was considered a “shaky fit” for Gregg Williams‘ defensive aggressive scheme.
Breer adds that the Browns weren’t going to pick up his fifth-year option in the coming months, as he is a two-gapping, two-down run stopper, who played just 44 percent of the snaps in 2017.

Mike Wells believes the Colts would ideally like to be able to choose between Penn State RB Saquon Barkley and North Carolina State DE Bradley Chubb at No. 3 overall.
However, if both players are gone by the time they’re on the clock, Indianapolis would be in a great position to trade back and pick up some more draft capital, considering that they could offer a team their choice of the top quarterback prospects.
Wells lists the Broncos, Jets and Cardinals as just a few teams who could reach out to the Colts about a potential draft trade.

Mike Kaye of First Coast News takes a look at eight notable free agents with ties to the Jaguars’ coaching staff.

Kaye’s list includes

While the Patriots could use a cornerback to replace Malcolm Butler, Mike Reiss doesn’t envision New England breaking the bank to sign Richard Sherman, especially considering that he’s coming off an Achilles injury.
In the event that there isn’t a big market for Sherman and he’s motivated to come to New England, Reiss says the fit with the Patriots “would make a lot of sense.“
Reiss expects the Patriots to keep open dialogue with free agent LT Nate Solder and RB Dion Lewis in the coming weeks. According to Reiss, the Patriots would like to re-sign both players, but it remains to be seen how the market will play out for them.
Reiss writes that while it seems unlikely that the Patriots would re-sign TE Martellus Bennett, there’s at least a chance they could consider a return down the road, depending on how the offseason plays out.
Reiss admits that it’s going to be really hard for the Patriots to lock up OL Shaq Mason, DE Trey Flowers and WR Brandin Cooks to long-term deals before they’re free agents next year.