It seems much of the same for the AFC East. The New England Patriots are still winning, quarterback Tom Brady is still playing at an absurdly high level and the other three teams aren’t showing signs of toppling them this season. Two teams drafted quarterbacks in the first round – a sure fire sign of a rebuild – while the Miami Dolphins overhauled their roster. Will it be enough to unseat Bill Belichick’s men?
New England Patriots (13-3)
Belichick and Brady are aiming for a sixth Super Bowl title. (Photo credit: Boston Globe).
Draft Class: Isaiah Wynn (offensive tackle), Sony Michel (running back), Duke Dawson (cornerback), Christian Sam (linebacker), Braxton Berrios (wide receiver), Danny Etling (quarterback), Kieon Crossen (cornerback), Ryan Izzo (tight end).
Since 2001 the New England Patriots have been the dominant force in the AFC East. Ever since Quarterback Tom Brady entered the league he has guided the AFC powerhouse to 15 division titles and eight Super Bowl appearances. The partnership with mastermind Head Coach Bill Belichick has withstood the test of time and 2018 doesn’t look to be any different.
Things may not be as simple for the team this year after letting cornerback and Super Bowl XLIX hero Malcolm Butler and running back Deon Lewis walk to the Tennessee Titans in free agency. Offensive lineman Nate Solder and wide receiver Danny Amendola left for the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins respectively.
Wide receiver looks a touch thin with the departures of Amendola and Brandin Cooks, who was traded to the Los Angeles Rams for a first-round draft pick. Brady’s favourite target Julian Edelman is suspended for the first four games and releasing Malcolm Mitchell and Jordan Matthews recently makes for a tricky situation. Re-signing pass catching running back Rex Burkhead to an extended deal and receiver Eric Decker should help the situation.
The team signed defensive end Adrian Clayborn from the Atlanta Falcons, who can give the team a form of pass rush for the first time for a while. They also brought in offensive lineman LaAdrian Waddle to help fill the gap left by Solder.
New England made it all the way to the Super Bowl in 2017 for an impressive eighth time with Brady and Belichick at the helm. This season looks to be much of the same for the team as they try to gain a sixth Super Bowl title.
Buffalo Bills (9-7)
Sean McDermott guided Buffalo to the postseason in 2017. (Photo credit: Buffalo Bills).
Draft Class: Josh Allen (quarterback), Harrison Philips (defensive tackle), Terun Johnson (cornerback), Siran Neal (cornerback), Ray-Ray McCloud (wide receiver), Austin Proehl (wide receiver).
Bills fans were ecstatic last season when the Cincinnati Bengals scored a touchdown in the final moments of their final regular season game. That score meant that for the first time since 1999 the Bills were going to the playoffs.
Their postseason didn’t last long as they were defeated by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the wildcard round. It may be a big ask of the Bills to repeat as the team are looking to rebuild.
There’s change at the quarterback position as last year’s starter, Tyrod Taylor, went to the Cleveland Browns. To replace Taylor Buffalo bought in former Bengals back-up AJ McCarron and drafted Josh Allen. With Nate Peterman on the roster as well, the battle for the position is up for grabs.
The rest of the offence have many question marks around them. The off-field allegations of LeSean McCoy, their best offensive player, could see him missing for part the season. The wide receiver room is rated as one of the poorest in the NFL, ranking dead last in most metrics. Kelvin Benjamin who was traded from the Carolina Panthers mid-season last year being the only stand out receiver, and even he has much to prove.
The defense will be a strong force for Sean McDermott’s squad in 2018. Keeping most of the players together for the team will be an advantage as they hope to capitalise on the playoff appearance from last year. The secondary was outstanding last term with 18 interceptions. With veteran Vontae Davis looking to start alongside talented second year corner Tre’Davious White, not to mention All-Pro safety Micah Hyde, it will be a hard team to pass against.
It will be a big ask for the Bills to reproduce a playoff berth. The team are in the midst of a rebuild and are in the worst shape of the teams in the AFC East. For the first time in a few years there’s hope for the future. Most importantly the coaches and front office are getting along.
Miami Dolphins (6-10)
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill will return to action following an ACL injury. (Photo credit: Miami Herald).
Draft Class: Minkah Fitzpatrick (safety), Mike Gesiki (tight end), Jerome Baker (linebacker), Durham Smythe (tight end), Kalen Ballage (running back), Cornell Armstrong (cornerback), Quentine Poline (linebacker), Jason Sanders (kicker).
Ryan Tannehill returning from a torn ACL is a huge boost for the Miami Dolphins. Last year’s Jay Cutler experiment did not work, and the team had a miserable season finishing 6-10.
It’s all change in the receiver room for as target monster Jarvis Landry has gone to Cleveland and the team brought in Albert Wilson and Danny Amendola from the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots respectively. The addition of veteran running back Frank Gore brings some much-needed experience to the position but the impressive Kenyon Drake, who had a good back-end of the season, is the presumptive starter.
Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has left the team to join the Los Angeles Rams as a free agent and Robert Quinn has gone the opposite way as the result of a trade. In the secondary, cornerback Xavien Howard had some impressive performances last year at cornerback and newly drafted safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was a standout for Alabama.
Under coach Adam Gase the team could make it back to the playoffs. It was only 2016 when the former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator took them to the postseason. The changes made in the offseason may not please all fans, but with a bit of luck, they could once again be playing football in January.
New York Jets (5-11)
Sam Darnold was selected third overall in the 2018 draft. (photo credit: New York Jets).
Draft class: Sam Darnold (quarterback), Nathan Shepard (defensive tackle), Chris Herndon (tight end), Parry Nickerson (linebacker), Folorunso Faukasi (defensive tackle).
After years in the abyss, Jets fans now have hope. The team with the third overall pick in the draft chose one of the best quarterbacks to come out of college, Sam Darnold. The selection has left the fans giddy with excitement to see their rookie QB, although he may have to be patient and learn from veterans. Keeping experienced quarterback Josh McCown and adding Teddy Bridgewater will give the 20-year-old valuable experience on how to adjust to life in the NFL.
The receiving corps is decent without being outstanding. Robbie Anderson, Jermaine Kearse, Quincy Enunwa and new addition Tyrell Pryor, signed from the Washington Redskins, gives New York an interesting pass catching corps. The running game may also be improved with the signing of former Cleveland Brown Isaiah Crowell.
Defensively, the Jets haven’t changed a lot. They lost Muhamed Wilkerson to Green Bay. They bought in Trumaine Johnson to help a secondary that finished 21st against the pass in 2017. Safety Jamal Adams had an incredible rookie year and his relationship with fellow defensive back Marcus Maye should take another step forward as they both enter their sophomore season.
There are mixed views on what to expect from the 2018 New York Jets. The decision that Head Coach Todd Bowles must make regarding the quarterback could determine the Jets’ record. Regardless of who starts under center, any early season struggles could result in Gang Green supporters calling for whomever occupies the bench.
