AFC Notes: Dolphins, Patriots, Ravens

Dolphins

• According to Barry Jackson, the Dolphins are eying Georgia LB Roquan Smith, Virginia Tech LB Tremaine Edmunds, and Washington DT Vita Vea with the No. 11 overall pick.
• Regarding Vea, the Dolphins believe he will be an “excellent pro” and view him as a capable replacement for Ndamukong Suh.
• Jackson adds that the team is also interested in Florida State S Derwin James while Ohio State CB Denzel Ward and Alabama DB Minkah Fitzpatrick are two more intriguing prospects for the Dolphins to consider.
• According to Jackson, the Dolphins hosted QB Luke Falk, TE Hayden Hurst, and TE Dallas Goedert for pre-draft visits this week.
• Barry Jackson reports that the Dolphins like San Diego State RB Rashaad Penny have been trying to schedule a visit with him.
• Some other running backs on the Dolphins’ radar, according to Jackson, include LSU’s Derrius Guice, Georgia’s Sony Michel and Nick Chubb.

Patriots

New Patriots WR/KR Cordarrelle Patterson said during an appearance on “Good Morning Football” Wednesday that HC Bill Belichick told him: “We’re going to make you a player that you should be.”

“I was excited. Like you said, they make it to the Super Bowl almost every year. If they don’t, they win it. It was an exciting feeling for me,” Patterson said, via NFL.com. “I got a call from Bill [Belichick]. You know, it was crazy. He was just telling me I don’t know what you’ve been through in the past, but basically we get the job done here. We’re going to make you a player that you should be.”

• The Patriots are hosting Texas OT Connor Williams for a pre-draft visit on Wednesday. (Ian Rapoport)
• Mike Reiss reports that Patriots second-year DE Derek Rivers remains on track in regards to his recovery from a torn ACL and hasn’t suffered any setbacks.

Ravens

New Ravens QB Robert Griffin III said during his introductory press conference on Wednesday that he’s looking forward to learning from Joe Flacco.

“I really do look forward to getting in the quarterback room with him,” Griffin said, via Pro Football Talk. “It’s a great opportunity for me. I still feel like I’m a young player. I’m 28, but feel like I’m 25. He’s been through a lot of things in his career. He’s been to the pinnacle, won the Super Bowl, Super Bowl MVP. I think that’s a great opportunity to learn from him.”

Griffin III added that he knew there were no guarantees that he would play again after sitting out last season.

“I think playing football in the NFL is not something that’s promised,” Griffin said, per Jamison Hensley. “So, you have to make sure you stay ready. That’s what my focus was all last year and coming into this offseason and keep the faith.”

According to Griffin, not playing at all last year helped become a smarter player.

“It helped me become a smarter player,” Griffin said, per Hensley. “I tried to use that experience to grow. I feel like I have grown from that and I look forward to being able to show it.”