AFC Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

• Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes the Dolphins like RBs Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson and would also like to tender restricted free agent RB Salvon Ahmed. However, he wouldn’t rule out some outside additions. 
• Jackson doesn’t expect Miami to make a big-money signing at running back, however. 
• Jackson says wide receiver needs the least amount of attention on the team, and Miami could re-sign WR Trent Sherfield and bank on further development from young players like Erik Ezukanma and Braylon Sanders. 
• Miami’s end-of-season comments suggest they are fine running it back with RT Austin Jackson and LG Liam Eichenberg in 2023, per Jackson, but he expects them to try and bolster their depth. 
• Jackson mentions Raiders TE Foster Moreau, Ravens TE Josh Oliver, Titans TE Austin Hooper and Texans TE Jordan Akins as some veterans the Dolphins could look into to round out their tight end room. 
• He adds the Dolphins need to prioritize a legitimate backup quarterback given the situation with QB Tua Tagovailoa, and he mentions Saints QB Andy Dalton or Eagles QB Gardner Minshew as strong options. 

Jets

• The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt writes that from a cap perspective, the Jets would be able to handle a trade for Packers QB Aaron Rodgers relatively easily. The bigger issue would be cash, as a trade would necessitate owner Woody Johnson writing an almost $60 million check. But he’s said he’s willing to spend big to land a veteran. 
• Raiders QB Derek Carr is also an option, and while he’ll be cheaper than Rodgers from a cash and trade cost perspective, he’d still be relatively costly, per Rosenblatt. 
• While Jets DT Quinnen Williams said he wanted to have a new deal by the start of OTAs, Rosenblatt notes Williams could actually benefit by waiting, as there are a number of defensive tackles due for new deals that could push the market forward. 
• Rosenblatt mentions the Jets could look to negotiate a pay cut with DE Carl Lawson or LB C.J. Mosley rather than cut them for cap savings, as both are still solid players. That also might mean they have the leverage to say no, though. 
• SNY’s Connor Hughes notes the Jets and Lawson might prefer an extension to lower his cap hit and keep him in New York, pointing out they spent most of his exit meeting talking about the 2023 season. 

Patriots

Patriots fourth-round QB Bailey Zappe saw a lot more action than most people thought when he was drafted. He adds he feels like he benefited tremendously from his time on and off the field in New England this season. 

“Joe Judge, Matty [Patricia], Bill Belichick, being surrounded by those three [coaches], I was able to learn a lot of ins and outs of coverages, defensive schemes and things like that, which coming out of college I had zero idea about. I never learned them,” he said via ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “To be able to have that knowledge now, to carry into next year, is going to help a lot.”

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer mentions it’s his understanding that Patriots HC Bill Belichick was active on the headsets for the offense during games and would occasionally moonlight as a play-caller.