AFC Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

Dolphins’ DT Christian Wilkins explained how HC Brian Flores has changed in year two with the team.

“It’s weird. You can see growth with players and you can see growth with a coach going from Year 1 to Year 2,” Wilkins said, via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. “I’m not saying he was a bad coach or anything last year or had many flaws or anything, but you could see growth and it’s good to see that, and just his confidence and everything. He’s a great leader for us to follow. You can tell he really wants the best for us as men, on and off the field, so that’s great. I feel like we all have more respect for him ultimately as a man, person, and as a coach.”

Wilkins also mentioned that the competition for a starting spot on the right side of the offensive line between rookies Solomon Kindley and Robert Hunt has been interesting.

“We did pretty well getting the right guys in here, and those guys have been competing,” Wilkins said of Hunt and Kindley. “They both have great potential and if they keep their head on the straight and narrow, they’ll be pretty good in this league.”

• Joe Schad believes WRs Isaiah Ford and Mack Hollins have both earned a spot on the Dolphins’ 53 man roster.
• While DeVante Parker and Jakeem Grant have been missing practice, the Dolphins expect both receivers to be ready and healthy for Week 1. (Adam Beasley)
• Flores declined to provide a pecking order between Dolphins QBs Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tua Tagovailoa and Josh Rosen: “We’re not saying who’s QB1, QB2, QB3. It’s still a competition. We like where all three of them are.” (Josh Tolentino)
• While all the reports on Tagovailoa’s hip which he dislocated last fall have been positive, Flores said the injury would still play a role in how comfortable they felt making the first-round rookie active on gamedays: “That is definitely part of the conversation — for sure. We’re at 10 months. It was a pretty serious injury. He looks good, though. . . . He’s healthy. He’s moving around to his right and to his left. But yes, that’s part of the conversation.” (Safid Deen)
• The Dolphins were one of the teams that expressed interest in DB Logan Ryan at one point this offseason, according to Ryan’s father. Ryan had multi-year offers on the table but wanted to sign a one-year deal and picked the Giants this week for $7.5 million. (James Kratch/Zack Rosenblatt)
• Dolphins OL Jesse Davis says he’s working at right tackle more frequently and that’s the position he prefers. That leaves Kindley and Hunt competing at right guard. (Cameron Wolfe)

Jets

• Per ESPN’s Rich Cimini, Jets’ LB Avery Williamson‘s roster spot is safe, though he could be facing a reduced role, after agreeing to take a $3.75 million pay cut. 
• The Jets were one of the teams that expressed interest in DB Logan Ryan at one point this offseason, according to Ryan’s father. Ryan had multi-year offers on the table but wanted to sign a one-year deal and picked the Giants this week for $7.5 million. (James Kratch/Zack Rosenblatt)
• Jets WRs Breshad Perriman (knee) and Denzel Mims (hamstring) remained out at practice. (Ralph Vacchiano)
• Jets TE Chris Herndon left practice with some chest tightness which the team isn’t sure if it’s related to the rib and lung issues he had last year. (Connor Hughes)
• Jets HC Adam Gase says LB Patrick Onwuasor will be out for 4-5 weeks with his knee injury. (Cimini)
• Jets CB Pierre Desir is nearing a return to at least individual drills after sitting out a while with a hamstring injury. (Vacchiano)
• Jets fourth-round RB La’Mical Perine has a sprained ankle but the team is hopeful the rookie won’t miss much time. (Costello)
• Former Monmouth University RB Pete Guerriero visited with the Jets on Monday. (Aaron Wilson)

Patriots

• The Athletic’s Jeff Howe has the Patriots keeping five running backs, including Lamar Miller, while cutting UDFA J.J. Taylor with the hopes of putting him on the practice squad. 
• Howe projects Damiere Byrd and Gunner Olszewski taking the final two spots at receiver, with Jakobi Meyers and UDFAs Jeff Thomas and Devin Ross on the other side of the roster bubble. 
• Howe wouldn’t be surprised if the Patriots look to add a tackle for depth. In the meantime, sixth-round OL Justin Herron is projected to make the team. 
• Because Patriots DT Beau Allen has barely participated at camp, Howe thinks the team could place him on injured reserve. He adds DT Xavier Williams is currently on the outside looking in. 
• While Howe has LB Brandon Copeland and UDFA OLB Rashod Berry getting cut, he notes Copeland could easily make the team because of his veteran status. Both are possible practice squad candidates, with the lack of a preseason really hurting Berry. 
• Per Howe, Patriots sixth-round LB Cassh Maluia is the favorite for the final linebacker spot, while UDFA LB Terez Hall is unlikely to clear waivers. 
• Patriots CB Michael Jackson is another possible injured reserve candidate according to Howe. Undrafted CB Myles Bryant has also had a terrific camp and New England could try to avoid putting him on waivers. 
• Howe has the Patriots keeping six safeties, including corner-convert Joejuan Williams, Cody Davis, Terrence Brooks and Adrian Phillips. 
• Patriots K Nick Folk‘s deal is for one year and $1.05 million, plus a $7,500 signing bonus. The deal includes a split salary of $550,000 if he lands on injured reserve and counts $757,500 against the cap. (Ben Volin)