AFC Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

• Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald notes Dolphins first-round CB Noah Igbinoghene has been the team’s most impressive defensive player at times during camp. 
• Beasley notes expected slot CB Nik Needham might not even make the team now. When all of Miami’s corners are healthy, Igbinoghene would play in the slot. 
• Dolphins LBs Kyle Van Noy, Kamu Grugier-Hill and Elandon Roberts have stood out and are expected to be the top three in terms of snaps, per Beasley. 
• Conversely, Dolphins LB Raekwon McMillan has had a quiet camp and could be relegated to just special teams if he makes the team. 
• Beasley also noted QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is miles ahead of first-round QB Tua Tagovailoa and should be the starter to open the season. 
• Dolphins fifth-round LB Curtis Weaver, waived by the team with an injury designation Monday, suffered a serious foot/toe injury and likely needs season-ending surgery. (Beasley)
• Weaver was likely already on the roster bubble before the injury if Miami was willing to risk him on waivers. (Armando Salguero)

Jets

Per Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, Jets RB Le’Veon Bell is confident he can buck the trend of running backs declining as they age.

“The other guys don’t have the same mindset I got… the same drive. I’m not really worried about age… I’m 28 years old. I feel better at 28 than I did at 21. It’s going to be a fun year,” Bell said. 

• Jets hosted RB Pete Guerriero for a visit. (Mike Jones)

Patriots

The biggest hurdle Patriots QB Cam Newton faced in winning the starting job was his relative lack of knowledge in the system. Both Patriots QBs Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer had years of experience in the offense on their side. But Newton has worked extremely hard and has nearly closed the gap, per Patriots QB coach Jedd Fisch.

“The best reflection of his work ethic — we’re not even at 4 weeks yet where he’s come into the building — is that he’s able to function and run the offense. That’s reflective of how hard he’s worked to get there,” Fisch said via ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

• The Athletic’s Jeff Howe notes Newton had 39 passing attempts in team drills on Sunday, which is a huge workload and appears to indicate the team has zeroed in on him as the starter and is trying to get him ready. 
• Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore has been out of practice since last Wednesday attending to a personal matter, per Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald. 
• However, NBC Sports Tom Curran raises the possibility of Gilmore conducting a “hold-in” similar to Chargers DE Melvin Ingram. While Curran says there haven’t been any indications of that from Gilmore or his agent, he points out the reigning defensive player of the year has no guaranteed money in the two years left on his contract. 
• Patriots sixth-round LB Cassh Maluia suffered a stinger on Monday and had to leave practice. However, the rookie is expected to be back soon as he continues his strong push for a roster spot. (Howe)
• Patriots worked out G Jovahn Fair, G Kevin Pamphile and G Elex Woodworth. (Mike Jones)