Dolphins
- ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe notes the Dolphins wanted more out of their offensive line in 2021 and elected to do some shuffling, signing Matt Skura to replace Ted Karras at center and drafting second-round OT Liam Eichenberg to replace Robert Hunt at right tackle, allowing Hunt to move to guard to replace Ereck Flowers who was traded to Washington.
- Wolfe says Dolphins CB Xavien Howard‘s reps have asked the team to at least make Howard the highest-paid corner on the team ahead of Byron Jones. Miami remains hesitant to redo a deal with four years remaining, however.
- He adds without a raise, Howard could request a trade during training camp and has already opened himself up to $93,000 in fines for skipping mandatory minicamp.
- According to Adam Jahns, the Bears will host the Dolphins for joint practices before their preseason game.
Jets
Jets DC Jeff Ulbrich expects franchise S Marcus Maye to elevate the defense in 2021.
“We did miss him, to be completely honest,” Ulbrich said, via JetsWire. “But he’s a guy that, in my short time getting to know him, is super eager to get caught up and to get up to speed with what we’re doing. I’m excited about moving forward in training camp with him because he definitely will elevate this group in every way.”
- ESPN’s Rich Cimini thinks the Jets value a long-term extension for Maye in the $11.25 million a year range, similar to what the Browns gave S John Johnson in free agency this offseason.
- However, Cimini thinks Maye’s camp will ask for closer to $14 million a year since the Jets put the franchise tag on him. The two sides have until July 15 to agree to a long-term deal.
Patriots
- ESPN’s Mike Reiss notes the Patriots still need to sign first-round QB Mac Jones, second-round DT Christian Barmore and third-round DE Ronnie Perkins, but their agents are letting other rookies sign first before finalizing their deals.
- One player noted to NFL Media’s Michael Giardi Jones was on the same page with OC Josh McDaniels during OTAs and had a good command of the segments he was given of a notoriously complex playbook: “Mac sees the game the way Josh sees it.”
- Giardi believes Jones will be a legitimate challenge to incumbent Patriots starting QB Cam Newton.
- When Jones had good days this spring, the offense looked closer to what it’s been the past couple of decades from an accuracy and timing perspective out of the quarterback position. (Reiss)
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