AFC Notes: Colts, Patriots, Raiders, Titans

Colts

• Zak Keefer of the Indianapolis Star takes a look at six defensive free agents that could make sense for the Colts this offseason.
• Keefer’s list includes Cowboys ILB Anthony Hitchens, Saints DE Alex Okafor, Cowboys RFA DE David Irving, Falcons DT Dontari Poe, Patriots CB Malcolm Butler and Jets ILB Demario Davis.
• We have most of these players featured in our Top 100  – 2018 NFL Free Agents list.

Patriots

Ian Rapoport added to his report about the Patriots attempting to step in late and trade for DE Michael Bennett before the Seahawks sent him to the Eagles.

“This was a complicated situation,” Rapoport said Thursday. “First of all, the Bennett brothers were going nuts trying to get it somehow so they could play together on the Patriots. I know Martellus Bennett was talking about taking less salary, trying to stick around so the Patriots could then trade for his brother. … Now, from what I am told, this was basically done, a done deal between the Seahawksand Eagles — this was Tuesday morning. Then the Patriots came in late and said ‘Well, maybe we’ll give you this’ — a little bit better draft-pick compensation. The problem was the [Seahawks-Eagles] deal was basically already done. … The Seahawks are honorable people and they did the deal that was basically consummated earlier.”

• Doug Kyed of NESN takes a look at some speculative options the Patriots could consider in the coming weeks.
• Kyed’s list includes RB Doug Martin, RB Shane Vereen, TE Tyler Eifert,TE Troy Niklas, DE Chris Smith, DT Beau Allen, LB Preston Brown, along with CBs Aqib Talib and Richard Sherman (assuming they’re released).

Raiders

• Free agent LS Jon Condo announced on Twitter that he has been informed by the Raiders that they do not plan on re-signing him this offseason.

Titans

• Cameron Wolfe reports that the Titans and free agent G Josh Kline haven’t ruled out reaching an agreement before free agency begins, but the two sides aren’t close to a deal right now.
• According to Wolfe, Kline’s reps met with the Titans last week at the Combine to discuss a deal, but there remains a gap in negotiations.
• This fits with a report from Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com.
• We have him featured in our Top 100  – 2018 NFL Free Agents list.