As we continue with our divisional analysis, the AFC East will take the stand this week. It’s a division that has been dominated by the New England Patriots for more than 15 years. Can anyone take away the AFC East crown from the Patriots?
BUFFALO BILLS
Key Departures
TE Charles Clay, OG John Miller
Key Arrivals
C Spencer Long, RB Frank Gore, TE Tyler Kroft, C Mitch Morse, WR John Brown, WR Cole Beasley, OL Ty Nsekhe, OG Jon Feliciano, WR Andre Roberts, CB Kevin Johnson, OL LaAdrian Waddle, TE Jake Fisher, S Maurice Alexander
Best Draft Picks
DT Ed Oliver, Houston (Rd 1)
OT Cody Ford, Oklahoma (Rd 2)
RB Devin Singletary, FAU (Rd 3)
TE Dawson Knox, Ole Miss (Rd 3)
LB Vosean Joseph, Florida (Rd 5)
Analysis
The Bills are one of the teams that have reinforced the most this off season. They also had a very good draft where they picked Ed Oliver and Cody Ford with their first two selections. The offense will be commanded by quarterback, Josh Allen, who’s entering his second year in the league. But this season he’s going to have a lot of help, starting with a fully reinforced offensive line and the additions of wide receivers John Brown and Cole Beasley. The Bills need him to raise his game and be consistent if they want to be competitive and fight with the Patriots for the AFC East crown. They’re going to be a much better team this year, but i really don’t think it will be enough to make the playoffs this season.
*2019 Projection: 8-8
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Key Departures
OG Ted Larsen, DT Andre Branch, WR Danny Amendola, OT JaWuan James, EDGE Cameron Wake, OL Josh Sitton, QB Ryan Tannehill RE-SIGNINGS, EDGE Robert Quinn
Key Arrivals
EDGE Tank Carradine, CB Jomal Wiltz, TE Dwayne Allen, CB Eric Rowe, TE Clive Walford, QB Josh Rosen (The Rosen One T-Shirt Available in BellyUPSports.com)
Best Draft Picks
DL Christian Wilkins, Clemson (Rd 1)
IOL Michael Deiter, Wisconsin (Rd 3)
OLB Andrew Van Ginkel, Wisconsin (Rd 5)
OT Isaiah Prince, Ohio State (Rd 6)
RB Myles Gaskin, Washington (Rd 7)
Analysis
Miami is in fully reconstruction mode. They’ve let their best players go and their reinforcements are only rotation players. The best acquisition this offseason for the Dolphins is quarterback, Josh Rosen, who didn’t look very good in his rookie year in Arizona. Rosen has a lot of upgrades this season. He also has an opportunity to prove his worth and become the cornerstone of the reconstruction of the Dolphins. If Rosen is unsuccessful this year, then next year the Dolphins are going to select a quarterback in the first round. He would also be looking for his next opportunity. I believe this is going to be a very long season for the Dolphins. So don’t expect them to compete with the Patriots in the race for the AFC East crown.
*2019 Projection: 3-13
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Key Departures
TE Dwayne Allen, WR Darren Andrews, OT Trenton Brown, EDGE Trey Flowers, WR Cordarrelle Patterson, CB Eric Rowe, DT Malcom Brown, OL LaAdrian Waddle
Key Arrivals
DL Michael Bennett, EDGE John Simon, RB Brandon Bolden, WR Bruce Ellington, S Terrance Brooks, DL Mike Pennel, TE Matt LaCosse
Best Draft Picks
WR N’Keal Harry, Arizona State (Rd 1)
CB Joejuan Williams, Vanderbilt (Rd 2)
EDGE Chase Winovich, Michigan (Rd 3)
RB Damien Harris, Alabama (Rd 3)
OT Yodny Cajuste, West Virginia (Rd 3)
OL Hjalte Froholdt, Arkansas (Rd 4)
QB Jarrett Stidham, Auburn (Rd 4)
Analysis
We have seen this movie many times last season. Most were counting Tom Brady out, saying he’s too old, and didn’t had a good supporting cast. So how did they respond?… By winning SB XVIII. This offseason, things look very good for the Patriots, but they’re still the favorites to win another AFC East crown and to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl once again. They had an excellent Draft and they have Brady playing at a great level even at 42 years old. Head coach Bill Belichick always finds hidden gems in free agency year after year to reinforce his team. The Patriots look very powerful once again.
*2019 Projection: 13-3
NEW YORK JETS
Key Departures
CB Buster Skrine, TE Clive Walford, RB Isaiah Crowell, DL Mike Pennel
Key Arrivals
OG Kelechi Osemele, WR Jamison Crowder, WR Josh Bellamy, LB C.J. Mosley, RB Le’Veon Bell, LB Neville Hewitt, CB Brian Poole, QB Trevor Siemian
Best Draft Picks
DT Quinnen Williams, Alabama (Rd 1)
EDGE Jachai Polite, Florida (Rd 3)
OT Chuma Edoga, USC (Rd 3)
TE Trevon Wesco, West Virginia (Rd 4)
Analysis
It seemed that the Jets were finally starting to take off. Quarterback Sam Darnold showed some good things as a rookie. This season, Darnold will have an upgraded supporting cast around him to help him take the next step. The Jets also had a very good draft and were hoping that things could finally start going their way.
However, the Jets are being doing Jets things and after hiring a new head coach, selecting a new generation of players in the draft, and bringing in free agents, they decide to dismiss their general manager. It’s a clear sign of dysfunction in the team, and we will see if that dysfunction does not affect their new coach, Adam “Crazy eyes” Gase can finally can turn around the team. This season, I think they will improve, but I still don’t see them competing with the Patriots for the AFC East crown.
*2019 Projection: 9-7
Its all for this week. Stay tuned in BellyUpSports.com for more divisional analysis!!!
