AFC Notes: Colts, Jets, Patriots

Colts

• Adam Caplan reports that the Colts signed RB Spencer Ware to a one-year contract worth $1.305 million and includes $150,000 fully guaranteed. 
• Kevin Bowen of 1070 The Fan believes the Colts trading up 20 spots in the third round to draft S Khari Willis could affect S Clayton Geathers‘ long-term future with the team.

Jets

Regarding rumors that the Jets wanted to trade out of No. 3 overall before selecting Alabama DL Quinnen Williams, GM Mike Maccagnan said the team always felt “very comfortable” staying at three. 

“It was never a situation where we were trying to get out of the third pick,” Maccagnan said on Ian Rapoport’s podcast “RapSheet and Friends”, via Jeremy Bergman of Around The NFL. “We actually felt very comfortable being there. We said very publicly we were going to get a very good player at 3. But we went through our process in talking to teams.”

Maccagnan said the Jets never received a trade offer worth moving down from No. 3 overall and were “very happy” to draft Williams.  

“I think when we were sitting there with our situation, I think we looked at the possibility of trading back or trading out of the spot. But when we were on the clock and talking to teams, there was never really a trade offer that we felt was strong enough to make us move basically when it was all said and done. That being said, we were very happy to take what we felt was one of the top players in the draft at that spot (Quinnen Williams) and went forward with it.”

As for the rumors of the Bills being a possible trade partner, Maccagnan said he “wouldn’t necessarily rule out” trading to a divisional opponent.

“When you trade within the division, you want to make sure it’s at least fair for both sides at minimum because you’re going to be facing those players all the time,” said Maccagnan. “I wouldn’t necessarily rule out trading with someone in the division if it’s a trade that works out for the beam both in the short and long term.”

• Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News believes the Jets would have drafted Ohio State DE Nick Bosa if they had the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. 

Patriots

• Albert Breer wouldn’t rule out the possibility of Rob Gronkowski unretiring and returning to the Patriots at some point during the second half of the season. However, he would also be “surprised if the Patriots are counting on it.“
• Breer says that there are a number of possibilities on the table for New England at tight end including possibly signing Benjamin Watson or even trading for Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph. 
• Patriots signed 11 undrafted free agents. (NFLTR)
• Patriots waived OT Ryker Mathews.
• Patriots signed LB Shilique Calhoun. (NFLTR)