AFC Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

• Per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, North Carolina HC Mack Brown said DE Jason Strowbridge embraced the versatile role he had for the Tar Heels, which helped make him an attractive option to the Dolphins in the fifth round: “We were playing him inside, and he could have easily pouted or been worried about showing the NFL what he could do on the outside, but he was a true team player and did what we needed him to to help our defense be as good as it could possibly be.”
• Strowbridge will play both defensive end and defensive tackle for the Dolphins. 
• Jackson reports the Dolphins will be unable to conduct previously planned joint practices with the Falcons during training camp. 
• Dolphins seventh-round rookie Malcolm Perry, a quarterback at Navy, will play a dual running back/wide receiver role. 

Jets

• ESPN’s Rich Cimini writes that though the Jets now have $25 million in cap space, which is fourth-best in the NFL, following the designation of CB Trumaine Johnson‘s release as a June 1 cut, he doesn’t expect them to make a splash with it. 
• According to Cimini, the Jets never had serious interest in DE Jadeveon Clowney and have held off pursuing him because of reservations about his price tag, health, modest production and motor. 
• Cimini says the Jets could re-engage in talks with former Titans CB Logan Ryan if he drops his asking price, as Ryan’s reported $10 million a year asking price is too rich for Jets GM Joe Douglas. 
• Cimini mentions the Jets could still bring back WR Demaryius Thomas later this preseason. Thomas is a favorite of HC Adam Gase and could help bring the other receivers up to speed in the offense. 
• He also says Eagles WR Alshon Jeffery is a name to keep an eye on if he’s healthy as a possible trade candidate. 
• The Jets could use the cap space on an extension for S Jamal Adams but Cimini still gets the sense the team would prefer to wait until 2021. 
• With reports of the NFL facing salary cap reductions in 2021, Cimini adds the Jets could be prudent and choose to roll over their chunk of cap space to next year. 

Patriots

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes that a season with limited or zero fan attendance could help the home-field advantage for teams like the Patriots that play more games in the elements.