The AFC East has also been a conference that has been very busy so far this offseason. Whether through free agency or trades, teams like the New York Jets, New England Patriots, and the Miami Dolphins are trying to dethrone the Buffalo Bills who have won the last three AFC East titles. Some argue that these teams actually have done enough to take over the reins of the AFC East. So, here are the grades of every AFC East team’s off-season moves thus far.
Buffalo Bills: B-
With the Bills almost on the cusp of reaching the Super Bowl the last three seasons, I am surprised they have not done a lot this offseason, and hopefully that will change. They said goodbye to linebacker Tremaine Edmunds who went off to the Windy City to play for the Bears, which will leave a hole in the Bills defense. But they were able to bring back safety Jordan Poyer, who has proven to be an elite safety in the league for many years now. Their offense does not need a lot of fixing but it would have been nice to add another weapon, especially with the loss of wideout Isaiah McKenzie. A “B-” seems like a fair grade.
Miami Dolphins: B+
Overall not a bad offseason for the fish after finishing 9-8 a season ago and clinching a playoff berth. They brought back running back Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson, hired Vic Fangio as their new defensive coordinator, and brought in quarterback Mike White as insurance. But perhaps the biggest move the Dolphins made was trading for star cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Los Angeles Rams. Even though he was not as elite last year as he has been in years past, Ramsey is no scrub and adding him to an already elite defense is scary. It’s been a good offseason so far for Miami and a “B+” is a fair grade.
New England Patriots: C-
I’m not real high on the New England Patriots offseason moves so far and I hope they make some more down the road. Devin McCourty retired and they let go of Jakobi Meyers, a wideout who I thinks has a lot of potential. Sure, they signed receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and signed tight end Mike Gesicki but I’m not buying those moves. With the three other teams already being very active this offseason, I think the Patriots are the worst team as of right now in the AFC East.
New York Jets: A
If they trade for Aaron Rodgers goes through like everyone anticipates it will, the New York Jets get an “A.” Even though Rodgers is now at age 39 and is coming off a not so productive season, you put Rodgers on your team and you’re automatically a contender. Plus with all the weapons that they have from Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, C.J. Uzomah and Corey Davis, the Jets are looking like a top five offense. That also does not mentioned them adding Allen Lazard to their team, matching him with his former buddy in Rodgers. Plus, their defense is the real deal with Sauce Gardner leading the way. I may be getting ahead of myself and no deal for Aaron Rodgers is done yet, but if he is does become a Jet, New York is not only a contender in the AFC East but for the Super Bowl as well.
