AFC Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

• According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, part of the reason the Dolphins made the decision to start first-round QB Tua Tagovailoa is so they can know what they have and if they need to go after a quarterback in this coming draft class.
• The Dolphins have the Texans first and second-round picks this year which would put them in range or give them the ammunition to take another quarterback if Tagovailoa isn’t healthy or doesn’t look like a potential franchise quarterback. 
• Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reports the Dolphins also think Tagovailoa’s ceiling could be higher than veteran QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, who had the Dolphins in playoff contention before being benched. Glazer says Miami thinks Tagovailoa could be good enough to win the division as soon as this year. 

Jets

• Jets HC Adam Gase said after Sunday’s game that all indications are that QB Sam Darnold is “ok” but they will double back on that tomorrow. (Rich Cimini)
• Darnold insisted his throwing shoulder is fine: “I was able to get back up and throw. I think it’ll be OK. We’ll see tomorrow, I guess.” (Rich Cimini)
• As for another disappointing game, Darnold said: “I have to get the ball to the open guy and get it out in a timely manner. Our guys have to get open against man (coverage) and I have to do a good job of seeing and reacting to it and finding open areas in the zone.“
• ESPN’s Rich Cimini outlines how the Jets passed on QBs Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson because former GM Mike Maccagnan fell in love with S Jamal Adams and thought the 2018 quarterback class, including Sam Darnold, was better. 
• Cimini doesn’t think there’s much risk of Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence staying in school another year to avoid the Jets. 
• Cimini notes Jets 2019 third-round OT Chuma Edoga doesn’t appear to be a great fit with the current regime and could be a trade candidate by the deadline. 

Patriots

• Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported earlier in the day that Patriots QB Cam Newton had a little bit of slack coming into Sunday’s game but the team has been concerned about the number of errors he’s made the past few weeks and won’t give him unlimited carte blanche if he doesn’t improve. 
• Patriots HC Bill Belichick said of the quarterback situation after the game: “Cam’s our quarterback. It’s the way it’s been all year.” (Doug Kyed)
• NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport says the Patriots do expect WR Julian Edelman back at some point this season after having a cleanup procedure on his knee. However, Rapoport notes some people close to Edelman have some doubts, as he’ll still be dealing with a bone-on-bone condition. 
• Patriots third-round TE Devin Asiasi missed Sunday’s game against the Bills with a family matter, not disciplinary. (Ben Volin)