AFC East Notes: Gronk, Cousins, Jets, Solder

Following Rob Gronkowski‘s ambivalent statements regarding his future in the NFL after the Patriots‘ Super Bowl loss to the Eagles, tight end may become a position of need for the team this offseason.

Tom E. Curran of NBC Boston explores how Gronkowski’s retirement would shake up the Patriots’ roster and what options they would have to replace him. Along with Gronkowski, Dwayne Allen, Martellus Bennett, Will Tye and Jacob Hollister are all under contract for next season. Outside of Gronkowski, Patriots tight ends had just 20 catches on the season, despite Gronkowski missing two regular-season games.

Fortunately for the Patriots, there are ample tight ends who are set to hit free agency. Jimmy Graham headlines the group, with Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Tyler Eifert and Trey Burton all possibly available as well. Curran also identified South Dakota State’s Dallas Goedert, Stanford’s Dalton Schultz, Oklahoma’s Mark Andrews and South Carolina’s Hayden Hurst as tight ends who could be targeted through the draft.

Here’s more from the AFC East:

• Reports indicate the Jets will be in on the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes and Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap broke down a way for the Jets to give the soon-to-be free agent $60MM in his first season of a new deal. Cousins’ contract in the scenario given would be a five-year, $150MM deal in total money. If Cousins were to receive $60MM in his first season, that would serve as an 18% raise from the deal for Matthew Stafford, who’s currently the league’s top earner heading into next season.
• Speaking of Cousins, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY believes the Jets re-signing center Wesley Johnson could help as reinforcement for Cousins picking the team in free agency. The Jets and Johnson have not begun talks toward a deal, a source told Vacchiano. Johnson, 27, has missed just one game over the last two seasons, making 23 starts. Vacchiano points to the deal of 49ers center Daniel Kilgore (three years, $12MM deal; $7MM guaranteed) as similar compensation to what Johnson may receive.
• The Patriots have a host of players set to hit free agency but of the group, Zack Cox of NESN believes tackle Nate Solder would be the biggest loss due to the team’s lack of a backup plan. Solder, 30, has played in at least 15 games at left tackle in six of his first seven seasons with the Patriots. Fellow Patriots tackles Cameron Fleming and LaAdrian Waddle are due to become free agents as well this offseason. Antonio Garcia — a third-round pick in last year’s draft — did not suit up last season, spending the year on the non-football illness list.