AFC Notes: Dion Lewis, Patriots, Broncos, Steelers

February 27, 2018

Dion Lewis

Patriots free agent RB Dion Lewis said he would like to return to New England, but he’s aware that this is a business first and foremost.

“I love it here,” Lewis said on The Adam Schefter Podcast. “I’ve grown great relationships in this area the past three years, and I’m close to home — Albany, New York, is 2½ hours [away], so I’m real close to my family. At the same time, it’s a business. Hopefully it will work out, but at the same time, you can’t really think that way. You have to take care of yourself and your family at the same time.

“At the same time, I’m not putting all my eggs in one basket,” Lewis said. “I know how the team likes to handle their business, and as a running back, you have to make the most of your opportunity, and me being the player I am, my main thing is making sure I can go out there next year and show people what type of player I can be. I still think I can improve from what I did this past year. My main thing is just making sure I’m valued. That’s my biggest thing — to make sure I’m valued the way I value myself.”

We have him featured in our Top 100 – 2018 NFL Free Agents list.

Broncos

Mike Klis could see the Broncos looking closely at punters and kickers at NFL Combine this week after the team struggled on special teams in 2017.
Klis adds that he would still be surprised if Broncos gave up on either K Brandon McManus or P Riley Dixon, but points out that with a new special teams coordinator in place, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Denver bring in some competition this summer.
Klis lists Alabama P J.K. Scott, Texas A&M P Shane Tripucka, Texas P Michael Dickson, and Auburn K Daniel Carlson as some prospects to watch.

Steelers

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that the Steelers are expected to keep veteran CB Joe Haden his $11.6 million cap number.
However, it’s possible that Pittsburgh could approach Haden about reworking his deal at some point, but that’s not the expectation right now.
Fowler says that Artie Burns should have the inside track to win a starting job.
Fowler mentions CB William Gay, CB Coty Sensabaugh, S Mike Mitchell and S J.J. Wilcox as potential cap casualties for the Steelers, which could free up $11.225 million of cap room.