AFC Notes: Browns, Colts, Jets

Browns

One of the factors that set new Browns HC Kevin Stefanski apart from other contenders for Cleveland’s coaching vacancy was his willingness to work toward the strengths of his players. For a Browns team that desperately needed to get former No. 1 overall QB Baker Mayfield back on track, that was compelling. The Browns had talent but never really established an identity in 2019 to give Mayfield structure to grow. So far, Stefanski seems to be changing that. 

“I feel confident that we put him in the system we’re implementing,” Stefanski said via Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. “We added some pieces to the offensive side of ball, which can only help the development of a young quarterback. Then, like anybody else, we’re going to work our hardest with this kid, we’re gonna keep our thumb on him. Then it’s just a matter of the players rising to the occasion, and I think Baker’s done that over the course of his lifetime. He’s won in high school, he’s won in college, he’s won some games in the NFL and now it’s his third year and I just think there’s a natural progression to these things.”

Colts

Colts GM Chris Ballard said second-round RB Jonathan Taylor is a “unique talent” that they felt was worth trading up for in round two. 

“He is a unique talent, and anytime a unique talent starts to fall a little bit — at that point we were like, ‘Man, we need to go get the player,’” Ballard said.

Taylor mentioned that he ran a power-run scheme with Wisconsin and feels his former HC Paul Chryst prepared him well for the NFL. 

“When you think Wisconsin football, you think of power scheme, gap scheme,” Taylor said. “You don’t think of getting a back out in space. (Chryst) knew I definitely had that ability and wanted to make sure that I was ready (for the pro game).”

Colts’ personnel executive Mike Rogers believes Taylor’s consistent production in the Big Ten proves he is ready for the professional level and mentioned that his issues with fumbles are correctable. 

“I mean the guy rushed for (nearly) 2,000 yards three straight years in the Big Ten,” Rogers said. “I think it’s pretty easy to translate all those skills to the NFL level. A lot of the fumbling, a lot of it’s just effort. Most of it’s very correctable.

Rogers added that Colts RBs coach Tom Rathman should be able to help Taylor’s ball security. 

“Our running back coach, Tom Rathman, if there’s one guy that can clean up the fumbling issues, it’s him. He harps on it every day. It’s No. 1 for him,” said Rogers. 

As for his transition into the Colts’ offense, Taylor believes his experience at Wisconsin will help him have a “seamless transition” to Indianapolis. 

“It’s kind of like a seamless transition, in a sense,” Taylor said. “Coming from the University of Wisconsin, where we want to focus on taking pride and dominating the line of scrimmage up front, it’s the same thing with the Indianapolis Colts. So I feel like I’m seamlessly transitioning from one culture to the next, but it’s the same exact culture.”

Jets

The Jets moves this offseason will be largely judged by how successful they are in helping QB Sam Darnold take another step forward. New York completely revamped its offensive line and could have four new starters, but the receiving corps still appears to be below league average. The Jets apparently weren’t that interested in trading for WR DeAndre Hopkins from the Texans, instead choosing to sign Breshad Perriman and draft Denzel Mims in the second round to join slot receiver Jamison Crowder. Jets HC Adam Gase defended the team’s skill position players while also suggesting New York wasn’t done rebuilding the offense. 

“I know everybody keeps focusing on the wide receivers, which I think is going to be a pretty good group,” Gase said, via Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. “I look at our tight ends, our running backs, I feel like we’re in a good spot. Who knows what will be added from here on out?”

• The Jets also submitted a waiver claim for LB Austin Calitro after he was cut by the Jaguars. Calitro was awarded to the Bengals. (Field Yates)