AFC Notes: Browns, Jaguars, Patriots, Texans

Browns

According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the lack of an experienced top personnel executive in the Browns’ front office has “created a power vacuum over the roster, including the draft.”

Cabot mentions that it’s clearly a problem when the coaching staff knows more about football talent than the top executives in the front office.

In the days leading up to this year’s draft, reports said that some within the Browns were pushing for QB Mitch Trubisky while the coaching staff wanted to go with DE Myles Garrett. Cabot says that the Browns top three quarterback prospects were Trubisky, Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson, likely in that order. However, the Browns declined to take Watson and instead traded back with the Texans.

Another issue for the Browns, according to Cabot, is that coaching staff and front office are also at odds over the lack of receivers and other key positions. Interestingly enough, Cabot writes that Cleveland never made a serious run at Jimmy Garoppolo, or A.J. McCarron this offseason and they elected to released Josh McCown, who has performed well for the Jets.

Sources tell Cabot that the Browns’ coaching staff was miffed that they traded LB Demario Davis back to the Jets this offseason.

A report from this past weekend said that the Browns are reaching out to front-office candidates and Cabot suggests Peyton Manning, who is friends with owner Jimmy Haslam, as someone who could help turn things around in Cleveland. Although, she says it would likely require giving Manning the ability to bring in more experienced personnel execs and possible an ownership stake for him to seriously entertain the idea.

Jaguars

• Howard Balzer reports that the Jaguars worked out WR Philly Brown, WR Noel Thomas, CB Alex Carter, CB Deji Olatoye, and CB D’Joun Smith on Monday.

Patriots

• Patriots HC Bill Belichick said during a conference Tuesday that it’s “a possibility” LB Shea McClellin could return from injured reserve and practice this week if cleared. (Nora Princiotti)

Texans

• Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports that Texans rookie LB Dylan Cole suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain and is expected to miss “at least” four weeks.