NFL Notes: Browns, Jets, Ravens & Steelers

Browns

• Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer writes that first-round rookie OL Cameron Erving has a chance to start at right tackle or right guard.
• GM Ray Farmer said that OL Michael Bowie could be a “major factor” in 2015.
• Special teams coach Chris Tabor said he expects WR Travis Benjamin to have a “bounce-back” season in 2015.
• Tabor mentioned third-round rookie RB Duke Johnson as a possible return specialist.
• Tabor said he views CB Justin Gilbert as a kick return specialist.

“He’s a kick returner. Some people think he’s a punt returner,” said Tabor. “He is not a punt returner. He is a kick returner.”

Jets

• Rich Cimini of ESPN hears the Jets are in “no rush” to get a extension in place with DE Muhammad Wilkerson, but that the team should be able to get a deal done despite having just $6 million in available cap space.
• HC Todd Bowles said that third-round rookie OLB Lorenzo Mauldin has earned reps at the Sam and Rush linebacker spots so far during the Jets’ offseason program.
• Cimini does not expect Mauldin to be an immediate starter, but he could emerge in sub packages.

Ravens

• Jamison Hensley of ESPN expects the Ravens to use fourth-round rookie DE Za’Darius Smith over OLB Courtney Upshaw on passing downs.
• Hensley has heard “rumblings” that the Ravens will use third-round rookie DL Carl Davis as a five-technique defensive end.
• Hensley envisions Davis, Timmy Jernigan, and Brandon Williams making up the Ravens’ starting defensive line in the future.
• Hensley could see the Ravens pursuing veteran free agent options if younger players on the roster play poorly during the offseason program or get injured.

Steelers

• DE Stephon Tuitt expects to be the Steelers’ starting left end for 2015.

“That is my role right now and that is what I am going to do,” said Tuitt, via Steelers.com. “I respect everybody else, but I love my position. I love my role right now and I am going to continue to strive to be better at it.”