NFL Notes: Jaguars, Dolphins, Patriots & Washington

Jaguars

• Jaguars LT Luke Joeckel has the hottest seat among incumbent starters, according to ESPN’s Mike DiRocco. Joeckel will battle former Steelers LT Kelvin Beachum (ACL) for the starting position. DiRocco writes that some people inside the Jaguars’ building believe Beachum is a top 10 left tackle.
• No. 3 overall draft pick Jalen Ramsey could play slot corner while CB Aaron Colvin serves a suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. Ramsey was only going to play outside corner, but he picked up the defense fast enough for reps in the slot. CB Dwayne Gratz has also worked inside. Gratz could fill Colvin’s spot if the Jags keep Ramsey outside, according to DiRocco.
• Dirocco reports that WR Marqise Lee got work at all the receiver positions in the spring. Therefore, the Jaguars can move him around to create matchup issues. If Lee stays healthy, DiRocco expects him to be around the 50-catch mark.

Dolphins

• Dolphins CB Xavien Howard was the most impressive rookie in Dolphins minicamp and  OTAs, according to ESPN writer James Walker. Walker says Howard is outplaying second-year CB Tony Lippett for the starting job. Howard has already picked off QB Ryan Tannehill a few times in the offseason, however, Walker says the coaching staff won’t make any firm decisions until training camp the preseason.
• Walker also says the Dolphins must improve blitz pickup after minicamp. The offensive line allowed too many LBs and DBs into the backfield during team drills.
• Rookie head coach Adam Gase should improve the coaching, according to Walker. Walker says Gase and his staff are pushing their players. Moreover, the competition on the practice field is more spirited than previous seasons. The schemes also make more sense for the Dolphin’s personnel, according to Walker.

Patriots

Michael Lomardi‘s fingerprints were on the Patriots’ additions of RB Dion Lewis, WR Brian Tyms, and DE Jabaal Sheard, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

However, Reiss expects Lombardi’s impact to extend beyond his tenure with the Patriots. Reiss writes that Lombardi was on the college scouting trail with Bill Belichick, so other players Lombardi vouched for could come along the way.

The Patriots rely on collaboration but Belichick makes the final call, Reiss points out. Reiss says Belichick takes information from director of player personnel Nick Caserio, football research director Ernie Adams, director of college scouting Monti Ossenfort and Lombardi, among others.

Redskins

The d-line has the most to prove after last season, according to ESPN’s John Keim.

The group returns most of its players, and the front office did not make a lot of changes. The group faces pressure because the front office did not select anyone early in the NFL Draft.

Keim projects the starting d-line as DE Chris Baker, NT Kedric Golston and DT Stephen Paea (or Ricky Jean Francois) for Washington’s base 3-4 defense.

DE Trent Murphy moves from playing linebacker his rookie year, and DE Kendall Reyes was signed as a free agency despite struggling the last couple of years. Those two players have something to prove, according to Keim.

Keim writes that Baker, Reyes and Golston all have a job incentive too. Those three players become free agents after this year.