AFC Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Titans

Colts

Colts’ Director of Pro Personnel Kevin Rogers initially agreed with the concerns of RB Jonathan Taylor as a pass-catcher, that was until he saw the rookie work out at the NFL Combine.

“I think as the process went on, you saw him at the Combine, catch the ball, run routes, then you saw him at his pro day before the coronavirus stuff went into effect,” Rogers told Colts.com. “They were able to get the pro day in, and his pro day running routes and catching the football was outstanding. So I don’t think that’s going to be a question at all with him moving forward.”

After seeing Taylor run through drills and given the context of his seasons at Wisconsin, Rogers came around on him and his potential in the passing game.

“I probably dinged him on that a little bit more than I should have initially, but really the third-down stuff with him and the lack of catches was just, I mean, that was just when they were resting him. I mean, the guy was a bell cow for three years.”

• ESPN’s Mike Wells lists Colts RB Jordan Wilkins as a veteran player in danger of being cut this preseason. 

Jaguars

• Regarding Jaguars’ franchise DE Yannick Ngakoue, John Reid of The Florida Times-Union reports Jacksonville “actively” looked for trade partners ahead of Wednesday’s deadline, but were unable to find another team willing to match the two-first round picks they’d receive by another organization signing Ngakoue’s non-exclusive tag offer sheet. 

Titans

Titans RB Derrick Henry, who signed a four-year, $50 million extension, said he is grateful for his new deal and feels the organization is headed in the right direction. 

• Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk, citing sources with knowledge of the deal, reports Henry will receive $25.5 million fully guaranteed over the next two years.
• Florio notes that Henry’s guaranteed money will come by way of a $12 million signing bonus, $3 million fully-guaranteed base salary for 2020, and $10.5 million fully-guaranteed base salary next year. 
• Henry will also earn a non-guaranteed $12 million in 2022 and $12.5 million in 2023. 
• Over The Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald writes that overall the Titans didn’t take on an unreasonable amount of risk with Henry’s contract extension. He points out the Titans can get out of the deal with just $6 million in dead money in 2022. 
• Henry told reporters he had no doubts a deal would get done and the two sides stayed in communication this past week. (Terry McCormick)
• Henry acknowledged the current climate affected his thinking in accepting Tennessee’s offer: “It’s a crazy time right now (with COVID-19). No one knows what it going to happen two months from now, a year from now. Makes sense to get deal done now.” (Wyatt)
• Henry also noted this deal allowed the Titans flexibility to still add other players: “Really, I just thought the deal really made sense for me. If it gives us more room to bring in somebody else to help this team, then I’m all for it. Anytime you can improve your team at a position that we need, it’s a big benefit. Hopefully, my deal possibly did it. Hopefully, we can bring somebody that can help this team and improve us more.” (Kevin Patra)
• As far as any concerns about how big his workload is with the Titans, Henry said he’s always carried the ball a lot and he’s not worried about putting too much on his body. (McCormick)