AFC Notes: Chargers, Raiders, Ravens

Chargers

• Per the Athletic’s Daniel Popper, Chargers HC Anthony Lynn believes 2019 first-round DT Jerry Tillery can play all four spots on the defensive line but the goal is to get him comfortable at the three-technique first. 
• Lynn said Chargers C Mike Pouncey “looks real good” coming off his season-ending neck injury last year: “He’s our starting center.” (Popper)

Raiders

Raiders OC Greg Olson said they’ve included third-round RB Lynn Bowden Jr. in their quarterback room to learn RPO situations given his experience at Kentucky.  

“Right now, we have him working out of the running back room,” Olson said, via Vic Tafur of The Athletic. “But he’s also had to learn a lot of things that we do at the quarterback position. … You see the game changing, with the use of RPO’s and the Taysom Hills and those types of players, they become valuable. We believe that (Bowden) can transition and be a running back, as well as do some of those plays at the quarterback position that he did in college.”

Regarding Raiders’ first-round WR Henry Ruggs III, Olson said owner Mark Davis was “looking for the next Cliff Branch“ when drafting the rookie. 

“That was the No. 1 reason we drafted him, his speed,” Olson said. “The owner, Mark (Davis), mentioned that we’re looking for the next Cliff Branch (and) he hasn’t disappointed.”

As for Raiders’ third-round WR Bryan Edwards, Olson believes the rookie has “great size and ball skills.”

“The thing that jumps out at you is just how thick of a person he is,” Olson said. “He has great size and ball skills and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do once we get up to full speed.”

Olson pointed out that the Raiders struggled mightily in the red zone last season and hopes their added depth will lead to more touchdowns. 

“Inside the 10-yard line, our goal-to-go offense last season was horrific,” Olson said. “We turned the ball over four times and settled for field goals too often. So that will be an area of emphasis as we go through training camp.”

Ravens

The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec lists a number of returning players who are on the roster bubble for the Ravens, including:

• LB Otaro Alaka
• CB Anthony Averett
• LB Chris Board
• S DeShon Elliott
• DT Justin Ellis
• G D.J. Fluker
• CB Iman Marshall
• QB Trace McSorley
• OL Patrick Mekari
• WR Chris Moore
• G Ben Powers
• S Jordan Richards
• WR Jaleel Scott