Here are some takeaways from some of the latest mailbags produced by AFC reporters.
- The Browns upset Pro Bowl safety Tashaun Gipson by placing a second-round tender on the restricted free agent instead of a first-round tender, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. A first-round distinction would’ve paid Gipson $3.35MM this year, as opposed to the $2.36MM he’ll receive if he signs the second-round tender by June 15. Cabot, however, expects the team to offer Gipson a long-term deal before June 15.
- Before going to the Chiefs at pick 76, Georgia wideout Chris Conley caught the Browns’ eye, likely inducing one receiver-needy team to leapfrog the other, Cabot notes. The eventual receiver Cleveland selected, fourth-rounder Vince Mayle of Washington State, will undergo thumb surgery soon.
- Wideout DeAndre Carter (Sacramento State) and safety Nick Perry (Alabama) are the best best to make the Ravens as undrafted free agents, per to ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley. With John Harbaugh proclaiming the team’s next return specialist could emerge from the UDFA contingent, as the team lost Jacoby Jones to the Chargers, Carter’s returning experience in Division I-FCS play bodes well for his chances, notes Hensley. Perry’s work in the Crimson Tide’s pro-style defense helps his cause.
- ESPN.com’s Paul Kukarsky expects rookie Jeremiah Poutasi to line up at right tackle with the Titans and anticipates former ballyhooed free agent Andy Levitre will have one more season to display the proficiency at left guard that led him to signing a six-year, $46.8MM deal in 2013. Despite ranking as the 45th-best guard last season on Pro Football Focus’ scale (subscription required), Levitre has an $8.6MM cap figure that is tied with Jason McCourty‘s for the Titans’ highest.
- Dorial Green-Beckham will threaten the playing time of raw outside target Justin Hunter before the second-rounder disrupts No. 1 receiver Kendall Wright‘s path, Kuharsky writes. Wright and Harry Douglas are now the primary slot receivers, with Wright’s versatility likely preventing any such Hunter-DGB looks in two-tight end sets.