AFC Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

• Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald mentions that there are a number of reasons why the Dolphins are still hoping QB Josh Rosen’s career can be salvaged.
• Some of these include the fact that they could need protection if rookie QB Tua Tagovailoa gets injured, veteran QB Ryan Fitzpatrick may not be with the team in 2021, and Rosen could be a cheap backup next year or possibly a trade chip if he excels at some point over the next year or so.
• Jackson writes that it’s clear the Dolphins decided they couldn’t project Rosen as their franchise quarterback. However, there is a mixed reaction regarding Rosen internally, as some are down on him as a quarterback while others saw improvement from him in practice last season and still believe he can be an asset.
• However, Jackson admits Miami is unlikely to get anything close to the second- and fifth-round picks they gave up for Rosen last year. They could potentially do better than a seventh-round pick.
• Jackson adds it’s highly unlikely the Dolphins will pick up the 2022 fifth-year option for Rosen next year.

Jets

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer points out Jets S Jamal Adams is the first major “homegrown” player GM Joe Douglas has to negotiate a new deal for and as a result there’s a greater emphasis on not setting a precedent by doing his deal two years early. 
• Connor Hughes of The Athletic notes third-round rookie S Ashtyn Davis is an extremely athletic player who is the most logical in-house replacement should the Jets trade Adams.
• Hughes adds there are also several potential free-agent options including S Tony Jefferson, S Morgan Burnett, and S Eric Reid.
• Brian Costello of The New York Post says it is unlikely the Jets trade for Jaguars DE Yannick Ngakoue due to the fact that he will likely want a contract extension and the Jets have already had issues paying Adams.
• Costello believes that the Jets should avoid any further issues by getting a long-term deal done with Adams. He also thinks that the team already has issues at cornerback, as well as at the receiver spot and on the offensive line.

Patriots

A source who worked in New England tells Albert Breer of SI.com that back in 2011 that Bill Belichick believed the one thing that would really hurt teams coming out of the lockout was being out of shape and giving up big plays as a result.

“So what better way to pressure on a tired defense than have Cam back there?” Breer’s source said when asked about the team signing Cam Newton.

Breer adds that if the Patriots feel they need to be a little simpler on offense and play faster, Newton would allow them to do so while building off of the run game.

Even so, Breer believes the decision to sign Newton ultimately comes down to giving themselves multiple shots at getting the quarterback position solidified.

• NBC Sports’ Tom Curran says the signing of Newton isn’t necessarily bad for 2019 fourth-round QB Jarrett Stidham, as if he loses the job, as expected, he still has more time to develop behind Newton and potentially take over later on. 
• Newton’s under contract for just one year and has well-documented health concerns, so Stidham could see the field soon even if he can’t be projected as the starter anymore. 
• Newton’s base salary is just $1.05 million, which likely puts his cap hit behind 50 other quarterbacks. (Ben Volin)
• Given Newton’s rapport with Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey, Volin expects Patriots RB James White to benefit from New England adding the quarterback. 
• Volin also cites Patriots 2019 first-round WR N’Keal Harry as someone who will benefit from Newton. Harry struggled to separate as a rookie and earn QB Tom Brady‘s trust, but Newton is not afraid to throw the ball into tight windows. 
• Patriots WR Damiere Byrd also played with Newton in Carolina and that could boost his chances of making the roster. 
• Newton’s contract does not include a no-tag clause, meaning New England could use the franchise tag to retain him following the 2020 season. (Jason La Canfora)