AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Bills, Jets, Patriots

Speaking to the media earlier today, Dolphins executives Mike Tannenbaum and Chris Grier indicated their belief that Miami has enough draft capital to move from pick No. 11 into the top-six, as Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald tweets. The Dolphins have been heavily linked to quarterbacks this spring, and they could potentially seek a long-term upgrade over Ryan Tannehill. Trading up into the top-six would likely require Miami to sacrifice its 2019 first-rounder, but the price tag could be worth it if head coach Adam Gase wants to work with someone like UCLA’s Josh Rosen or Wyoming’s Josh Allen.

Here’s more from the AFC East:

• The Bills are hosting Boston College edge rusher Harold Landry, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Almost assuredly a first-round pick, Landry is viewed a notch below the draft’s consensus best defensive end, North Carolina State’s Bradley Chubb. Landry, who notched 48 sacks during his collegiate career, isn’t expected to last until pick No. 23 (Patriots), per Rapoport. That shouldn’t come as a surprise, as he’s drawn plenty of interest during the pre-draft process. Landry has also recently met with the 49ers and Falcons, report Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link). In a draft that lacks depth at the pass rusher position, Landry should be highly coveted on Day 1.
• Speaking of edge defenders, Georgia linebacker Lorenzo Carter spent Wednesday with the Jets, tweets Rapoport. Perhaps no club needs more help at getting after opposing quarterbacks than New York, as its depth chart at outside linebacker currently is comprised by Lorenzo Mauldin, Jordan Jenkins, Josh Martin, and Kevin Pierre-Louis, among others. Indeed, Pro Football Focus today listed the Jets as possessing the single-worst edge rushing group in the NFL. Carter, who posted 14 career sacks for the Bulldogs, is a “long and rangy” athlete with the “ability to cover ground quickly,” writes Lance Zierlein of NFL.com.
• The Patriots met with Maryland wideout D.J. Moore this week, reports Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.net (Twitter link). Rapoport indicated earlier today that Moore is likely to become a first-round pick, and that’s entirely possible given that a clear No. 1 wide receiver prospect hasn’t really emerged. Alabama’s Calvin Ridley, who has also visited New England, had been viewed as the top pass-catcher early in the draft process, but he’s not a lock to be the first receiver off the board. The Patriots are on the hunt for another offensive weapon after trading Brandin Cooks to the Rams, and Moore — who posted 80 catches and 1,033 yards in 2017 — could fit that bill.