AFC Notes: Colts, Jets, Steelers

Colts

• Per Justin Erickson, Colts LB Justin Houston says it’s easier to switch to 4-3 defensive end from 3-4 outside linebacker because you know you’re going in one direction: forward.
• Houston added his relationship with and trust in Colts GM Chris Ballard, who he worked with when both were with the Chiefs, convinced him to sign with the Colts. (Erickson)

Jets

• According to the New York Daily News’ Manish Mehta, Jets RB Le’Veon Bell was not present for the start of offseason workouts. 
• Rich Cimini writes the Jets’ ideal scenario at No. 3 would be to trade down one spot with the Raiders, giving up a third-round pick but gaining the Raiders’ second, and having their choice of Alabama DT Quinnen Williams or Kentucky DE Josh Allen.
• Tony Pauline reports the Jets are “desperate to move down” and don’t love the fit of any of the pass rush option at No. 3 unless Ohio State DE Nick Bosa falls.
• The Jets’ proposal for DE Frank Clark included swapping the No. 3 pick for the Seahawks’ No. 21 overall pick. (Mike Garafolo)
• Jets LB Darron Lee did not attend the start of OTAs with his roster status questionable heading into the draft. (Connor Hughes)

Steelers

Steelers GM Kevin Colbert says he doesn’t use the same trade value chart most of the league uses. 

“People talk about the charts, but we don’t use a chart. We know other teams will use a chart, and we know that when we call them they’ll say, well that doesn’t match our chart value,” Colbert said via Bob Labriola of the official team site. “That’s fine. They can do that, but in our minds we have to spend what we want to spend if we want a certain player. And we have to explain, if a team is trying to trade up to us, that we don’t follow a chart. We know what they’re saying and that’s up to them, but we make up our own values.” 

Colbert said he’s had some feeler discussions this year, but trade talks really start to heat up once the draft begins. 

“Our scouts, the pro guys, will start making their calls starting today to visit with teams,” he said. “We talk about it informally throughout the spring, but you never really get firm answers because we don’t know what we would be trading up for and teams don’t know what they’d be trading away from. Until you really get closer – you might have some idea that this team is interested in coming up and this team is interested in going down – until you actually get on the clock, those things will not happen in any great detail.”

• According to Peter King, “word on the street is that Mike Tomlin loves [Rock] Ya-Sin.“
• Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said that the additions of WR Donte Moncrief, CB Steven Nelson and LB Mark Barron “doesn’t preclude us doing anything from draft standpoint.” (Gerry Dulac)
• Colbert added he was open to either trading up or trading down. (Ray Fittipaldo)