AFC East Notes: Peterson, Patriots, Jets

Adrian Peterson could be a tough sell for Patriots ownership, Mike Florio of PFT opines. The Pats are hosting the former Minnesota great on a visit, but Florio wonders aloud if the meeting designed solely to put pressure on free agent LeGarrette Blount. Despite his impressive on-field resume, Peterson’s off-field history could be tough for owner Robert Kraft to swallow. At the time of Peterson’s child-abuse charges, Kraft called the allegations “completely unacceptable and as abhorrent” as the Ray Rice situation. Less than three years later, Kraft likely feels the same way.

Here’s more from the AFC East:

• The Jets are expecting to see Muhammad Wilkerson step it up in 2017, as Rich Cimini of ESPN.com writes. Last year, coach Todd Bowles gave the defensive lineman something of a pass due to his health situation. Now, he’s giving different indications. “I’m sure he played hurt most of the year,” he said. “We had to give him some off-days. Usually, those things take about a year-and-a-half to come back from. He came back early and gutted it out. It shows the kind of warrior he is. Hopefully, he’s gotten better and he can go back to being himself.” Wilkerson’s level of play in 2016 isn’t quite what they had in mind when they signed him to an extension with $37MM fully guaranteed.
• The Dolphins reportedly have interest in Michigan defensive end Taco Charlton, but they’re far from alone in that pursuit.
• Bills free agent agent linebacker Zach Brown, meanwhile, is unlikely to come to join up with the Dolphins. Brown ranks as PFR’s top free agent linebacker left, ahead of Perry Riley, Gerald Hodges, and DeAndre Levy. He’s also one of the most talented free agents remaining on the board at any position.