AFC Notes: Chiefs, Jaguars, Jets & Ravens

Chiefs

• Adam Teicher of ESPN thinks the Chiefs will draft a wide receiver in the first round, with Oklahoma’s Dorial Green-Beckham or Kansas State’s Tyler Lockett being possible targets.
• Teicher believes the Chiefs’ “hand may be forced” to release WR Dwayne Bowe due to his $14 million cap charge. Although, he admits that Kansas City would prefer to keep him on their roster.
• Chiefs are not expected to trade up in the draft for a player such as Alabama WR Amari Cooper.
• With the uncertainty surrounding SS Eric Berry and the possibility of safeties Ron Parker and Kurt Coleman departing to free agency, Teicher believes the Chiefs may draft a safety.

Jaguars

• Michael DiRocco of ESPN believes the Jaguars would rather trade down if there are no pass rushers that they like with the No. 3 overall pick, than draft Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston in hopes to trade them to quarterback needy teams.
• HC Gus Bradley said the rushing offense will primarily be a zone-blocking scheme with some incorporation of gap schemes.
• DiRocco says it is possible the Jaguars draft either Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon or Georgia RB Todd Gurley in the second round if they’re available.
• However, DiRocco states drafting a running back “would be a waste” due to Bradley and GM David Caldwell already saying that RB Toby Gerhart will have a role in the offense in 2015.
• DiRocco labeled impending free agent TE Julius Thomas as a “priority” to sign.
• DiRocco expects the Jaguars to sign a tight end through free agency, and draft a tight end due to Marcedes Lewis being in the final year of his contract.
• DiRocco lists in order the Jaguars’ positions of priority to sign in free agency as: right tackle, offensive line depth, tight end, veteran receiver, outside linebacker, and running back.

Jets

• Rich Cimini of ESPN believes that in the event Oregon QB Marcus Mariota is drafted prior to the Jets’ No. 6 overall pick, they could select Michigan State CB Trae Waynes or to trade down and grab the best cornerback available.
• Cimini believes it is more likely that CB Darrelle Revis signs with the Jets than the Bills, if he is released by the Patriots.

Ravens

• Jamison Hensley of ESPN writes the Ravens are “certainly due” to draft a wide receiver with the No. 26 overall pick. Assistant GM Eric DeCosta admitted he feels that “elite” wide receiver talent can be found at the end of the first round.
• Hensley believes the Ravens will pursue a wide receiver in free agency if they cannot re-sign impending free agent WR Torrey Smith.
• Hensley expects the Ravens to draft a wide receiver in the first round regardless of their ability to re-sign Smith.
• Hensley mentions Saints WR Marques Colston as a player the Ravens could target should he be released by New Orleans.
• Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon could be a first-round target for Baltimore, due to his experience with former Wisconsin RB coach Thomas Hammock, who was added to the Ravens’ coaching staff.
• Hensley “wouldn’t be shocked” if the Ravens drafted Minnesota TE Maxx Williams, Clemson DE Vic Beasley, or Florida State CB P.J. Williams in the first round.
• Hensley lists four other running backs Baltimore could target after the first round: Indiana’s Tevin Coleman, Miami’s Duke Johnson, Florida’s Matt Jones, and Mississippi State’s Josh Robinson.