NFL Notes: Broncos, Jets, Lions, Texans

Broncos

• Mike Freeman of B/R says that almost everyone he’s spoken to about the Broncos’ backfield expects Jamaal Charles to emerge as their starter and that whatever committee he’s currently a part of won’t last long.

Jets

• Rich Cimini writes that will be counting heavily on third- and fourth-round picks ArDarius Stewart and Chad Hansen to play key roles for them in 2017 now that they’re prepared to move on from Eric Decker.
• Quincy Enunwa is their most proven option at the position and figures to be the team’s top receiver this year.
• As for replacing veteran LB David Harris, who was cut loose earlier in the week, Cimini projects Demario Davis to handle the middle linebacker spot and Darron Lee to play weakside linebacker.

Lions

Lions DC Teryl Austin mentioned that second-round CB Teez Tabor has really done a good job in offseason workouts up to this point.

“He has size and length, so he doesn’t get swallowed up by the bigger receivers,” Austin said, via MLive.com. “He’s able to get in there and really mess with them and get his hands on them and play with them a little bit. I know we’re not bumping this time of year, but there’s obviously a little bit of contact at some point. He does a really good job of getting his body in front of receivers and making it hard for them to get down the field.”

• Dave Birkett, citing a person with knowledge of the situation, reports that Calvin Johnson actually paid back the Lions at least $1 million of his signing bonus after deciding to retire last year.
• NFLPA records show that Johnson paid the Lions $320,000 of his $3.2-million signing bonus, so there’s clearly a discrepancy between the two.

Texans

Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins told reporters on Wednesday that he’s leaving contract talks up to his agent and the team to sort out.

“Those talks are between the Texans and my agent, but this city has embraced me just like my hometown in South Carolina has,” said Hopkins, via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. “I love being here. I love playing for this team, great organization. Bob McNair and Cal McNair, they do a great job at having an organization that speaks for itself. I thank those guys all the time for picking me 27th when nobody knew who DeAndre Hopkins was.”