NFL Notes: Dez Bryant, Derrick Johnson, Jets

Dez Bryant

• Bucky Brooks of NFL.com takes a look at some teams that could use a veteran receiver like Dez Bryant.
• According to Brooks, some teams that would make sense for Bryant include the Bills, Jets, Seahawks, Colts, Redskins and 49ers.
• We have him featured in our Top 50 Available 2018 NFL Free Agents list.

Derrick Johnson

New Raiders LB Derrick Johnson tells Terez A. Paylor of Yahoo Sports that he hit it off with HC Jon Gruden during their meeting, which led to him signing with Oakland.

“You’ve spent 13 years in K.C. … you could just ride into the sunset,” Gruden asked Johnson. “Why do you still want to play?”

Johnson responded by saying: “Yeah, you’re right. But I still have a fire burning. I can still play at a high level, and I want to prove that.”

Johnson added that his response seemed to strike a chord with Gruden.

“That [response] made his eyeballs jump, because he’s got a lot to prove, too,” Johnson said. “There was an environment in the room that was very contagious. I knew a deal would happen after I left.”

Jets

Jets HC Todd Bowles made it clear that they won’t limit what they ask No. 3 overall pick Sam Darnold to do this summer.

“[I’m not] inhibiting him,” Bowles said, via Rich Cimini of ESPN. “We’re giving him everything. He’s going to learn as he goes, and he might get the reps as he goes. We’ll make that determination in the preseason and see where we are at the end of it, but we’re not holding him back. We’re not rushing him, but we’re not holding him back at all.”

As for being the highest quarterback drafted by the Jets since Joe Namath, Darnold say’s he’s embracing this opportunity.

“I embrace that,” Darnold said, “but I understand every single day is a process. You have to come in here and earn respect. I’m not going to come in here and demand it.

“I just have to come in here, understanding the position I’m in. I’m a rookie — I understand that — but at the same time, I’m a quarterback, and I have to be a leader on the field and off it as well.”

• According to Manisha Mehta, the Jets wanted to sign as an undrafted free agent SMU WR Trey Quinn before the Redskins used the pick of the draft on him.