AFC Notes: Dolphins, Patriots, Titans

Dolphins

• Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes that the Dolphins are expected to have “considerable turnover” at the defensive end position this offseason, which likely explains the team’s recent decision to sign Tank Carradine. 
• Jackson lists Robert Quinn and Andre Branch are potential cap casualties. 
• Former first-round DE Charles Harris is, however, expected to be back with the team, barring a trade. 
• New Dolphins OC Chad O’Shea declined to say whether veteran WR Danny Amendola will return for the 2019 season: “Danny has been a tremendous player for us in the past. He means a lot to a lot of people on this team and the organization and one we hold in very high regard. But we’re still in the process of evaluating the entire roster and seeing what’s best for the Dolphins.”

Patriots

• Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald takes a look at three potential candidates for the Patriots who could be franchised in the coming weeks including DE Trey Flowers, OT Trent Brown, and K Stephen Gostkowski.
• Regarding Flowers, Guregian writes that tagging him would buy New England some time to work on a long-term extension before the July deadline. The tag would cost them $17.3 million for the 2019 season. 
• Guregian says it’s doubtful the Patriots will be willing to pay Brown top-of-the-market money for a left tackle, but there’s at least a chance they could consider the franchise tag to allow them to bring Isaiah Wynn along slowly, as he returns from a torn Achilles.

Titans

• Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com is “skeptical” Tennessee will draft a tight end in the first round, as he could see TE Delanie Walker playing for “several more years.”
• Regarding Titans QB Marcus Mariota‘s stinger injury, Wyatt writes that “all indications” are that Mariota is recovering well and just needs more time. 
• Wyatt notes that Mariota is set to earn a base salary of $20.9 million under the fifth-year option.  
• Wyatt does not view Steelers WR Antonio Brown as an option for the Titans, given he has proven to be a disruption in the locker room.