AFC Notes: Jets, Patriots, Raiders

Jets

Jets HC Todd Bowles was noncommittal on whether QB Teddy Bridgewater will be a full participant for the team’s OTA practices that begin on May 22.

“I can’t give you 100 percent,” Bowles said, via Rich Cimini of ESPN. “I’ll see when it gets to that. Then I’ll be able to tell you.”

Bowles did say that he expects Bridgewater “to be out there throwing and competing with everybody else,” but Cimini mentions that throwing and participating in team drills are two different things.

Cimini expects Bridgewater will be limited in some fashion during OTAs.

Patriots

• Mike Reiss mentions that the proposed changes to the kickoff should benefit Cordarrelle Patterson and other kick returners around the league, as the new rules will create more space and time for returns to develop.
• While Baker Mayfield‘s agent said that the Patriots entertained a trade up for his client, Reiss “seriously doubts” this was a strong consideration for New England. Reiss adds that while the Patriots may have like Mayfield a lot, they had to sell their interest in him just to get a meeting.
• As for first-round RB Sony Michael, Reiss says part of his appeal was his versatility and the flexibility he gives their offense to do anything at any time.
• In the weeks leading up to the draft, there was a lot of talk about Alabama LB Rashaan Evans being a good fit for the Patriots. However, Reiss reports that he wasn’t a serious consideration for them in the first round and after the Cowboys took Leighton Vander Esch, the Patriots knew they weren’t going with a linebacker with their No. 23 pick.

Raiders

• Scott Bair writes that the Raiders will have first-round pick Kolton Miller start off working at left tackle with third-round pick Brandon Parker working at right tackle.
• Newly acquired WR Ryan Switzer has reportedly impressed and will compete for both return jobs. Raiders HC Jon Gruden said Switzer has “nasty quickness” from the slot.
• Gruden told reporters that CB Gareon Conley is close to full clearance after having shin surgery last winter: “He participated in the veteran minicamp in the walk-throughs and he’s running with our defensive backs out here on the field. He’s extremely close to get the green light. We’re just being smart with him.”
• Gruden mentioned that fourth-round CB Nick Nelson is three-to-four weeks away from being cleared, and should be ready for training camp.