For the bulk of this century, the AFC East has been a have vs. have not division. Typically, there’s been one team ruling over the rest, who are on the outside looking in on postseason contention. The majority of that dominance has been enjoyed by the New England Patriots, while the Buffalo Bills have recently ascended into that role.
That said, things are changing quickly.
This division is growing increasingly more competitive and this offseason is no exception. After their emergence last season, the Miami Dolphins have made moves that will keep them in the playoff conversation. Meanwhile, The New York Jets are on the verge of adding a Hall of Fame quarterback into the fray. Yeah, it’s been a doozy of an offseason and we haven’t even hit the NFL Draft.
With the first waves of free agency now behind us, let’s run down what each team in the division has done thus far and hand out our grades.
Buffalo Bills: B
Additions: WR Deonte Harty (Saints), QB Kyle Allen (Texans), WR Trent Sherfield (Dolphins), C Greg Mancz (Vikings), RB Damien Harris (Patriots), RG Connor McGovern (Cowboys), RG David Edwards (Rams)
Re-signings: LB Matt Milano, S Jordan Poyer, RB Nyheim Hines, IDL Tim Settle, LB Tyler Matakevich, RG David Quessenberry, P Sam Martin, RG Ike Boettger, LB Tyrel Dodson, CB Cam Lewis, CB Dane Jackson
Departures: QB Case Keenum (Texans), LB Tremaine Edmunds (Bears), WR Isaiah McKenzie (Colts), WR Jamison Crowder (Colts), RT Justin Murray (Raiders), RB Devin Singletary (Texans), S Jaquan Johnson (Raiders), TE Tommy Sweeney (Giants)
Buffalo’s most important moves this offseason came by way of retaining talent that was already on the roster. The team extended Matt Milano and surprisingly was able to bring back star safety Jordan Poyer as well. Poyer seemed to be a likely candidate to leave once he hit the open market, so being able to keep a player of his caliber was a major coup for a Bills team that boasts a Super Bowl-caliber roster. The biggest hit came on the defensive side of the ball with Tremaine Edmunds inking a deal with the Bears, leaving a notable hole at the off-ball linebacker position.
Offensively, Damien Harris could be the type of running back that this backfield has been longing for quite some time. The former Patriot gives Buffalo the ability to dictate pace late in games and should allow them…
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