Here’s the latest from around the NFL during minicamp month.
- Muhammad Wilkerson (still) isn’t expected to draw a long-term offer from the Jets any time soon, and Gang Green as it stands now doesn’t house any other 2016 extension-worthy players, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com writes. The Jets possess barely $3MM in cap space right now, and that’s without Ryan Fitzpatrick in the fold, and Cimini expects talk of a Sheldon Richardson extension to ramp up come 2017. Emerging cornerback Marcus Williams looms as another name for Gang Green to consider next year for a long-term pact in Cimini’s view.
- Brian Schwenke has taken reps at left guard during Titans workouts, as his center position figures to belong to the recently signed Ben Jones, Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com notes. Going into his contract year, Schwenke has started in each of the 25 games he’s played. But that streak may come to an end if the former fourth-round pick out of Cal can’t beat out Jeremiah Poutasi at left guard. This poses as an interesting competition, considering Poutasi saw most of his snaps at right tackle last season and Schwenke has played center since 2013, although Schwenke played guard for three years with the Golden Bears. The latter broke his leg last October and continues to rehabilitate toward 100% health.
- The Colts are not planning to sign a wide receiver to function as their No. 4 man behind T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief and Phillip Dorsett but instead to leave such a role to their young incumbents, Kevin Bowen of Colts.com writes. Former Patriots backups Josh Boyce and Brian Tyms headline that competition for a role that may take on more significance this season now that Indianapolis doesn’t boast an obvious No. 2 tight end immediately worthy of forcing the team into two-tight end sets with Coby Fleener‘s in New Orleans.
- Although newly re-signed Roman Harper mentioned he observed the Saints running mostly 3-4 concepts during OTAs this week, Evan Woodberry of NOLA.com expects the team’s base to be a 4-3. Now-full-time Saints DC Dennis Allen‘s units with the Broncos and Raiders both used 4-3 alignments.