Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills have probably made the biggest trades in their conference this offseason, trading Kiko Alonso for LeSean McCoy. They also have a new head coach in Rex Ryan and he is focusing on the Bills biggest strength, defense. Leodis McKelvin, Stephon Gilmore, and newly drafted 2nd round cornerback Ronald Darby have helped solidify the secondary but this is largely due to the amount of pressure the Bills generate. Jerry Hughes, Mario Williams, and Marcell Dareus have become a force to be reckoned with in the AFC. The Bills had 54 sacks last season but that was about it. The only thing that kept them in games was their defense.
So what has changed? In an offseason the saw the loss of speedy, running back C.J. Spiller the Bills have found a workhorse running back that will put fear into the hearts of their opponents in Shady McCoy. Along with McCoy they have added wide receiver Percy Harvin and quarterback Matt Cassel in free agency. Harvin will prove to be an invaluable asset to a team that could use a couple of more complimentary offensive weapons. After drafting Sammy Watkins in 2014 the Bills find themselves really with only one position of weakness and that's their starting quarterback. Matt Cassel was brought in as a band aid just in case Tyrod Taylor, EJ Manuel, or Matt Simms doesn't pan out. The Bills are a lot like the Rams of the AFC East they can generate a lot of pressure but are lacking a true offensive identity. Expect Rex Ryan to focus on the ground and pound all season long.
New York Jets
The New York Jets had a couple of great selections in the 2015 NFL draft that should provide a solid impact on the field. After stealing Leonard Williams in the draft, the Jets grabbed 2nd rounder Devin Smith and 4th round quarterback Bryce Petty. Williams will provide instant pressure which is something head Coach Todd Bowles is extremely skilled at using. Devin Smith will provide some breakaway speed to the offense and Petty will be developed into the future Jets starting quarterback.
The Jets also reunited with Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie in free agency suddenly making their secondary very intriguing. With the addition of Buster Skrine the Jets may now be able to look at the secondary as a strength or at the very least, not as bad as it was a season ago. This however is all predicated on pressure and with Sheldon Richardson being suspended, the task of generating pressure will fall on veteran Muhammad Wilkerson and rookie Leonard Williams. If Williams lives up to his draft billing he should be what the Jets need to get their defense back on track. Offensively the Jets have added running backs Zac Stacy and Stevan Ridley to the mix which should bring a little extra burst to the running game. The Jets also added Brandon Marshall in free agency, a player who if he doesn't decline too drastically will force defenses to be a lot more honest.
New England Patriots
The defending Super Bowl champs lost their secondary to free agency, can they repeat? The answer is a little more convoluted than one might think. The Patriots have always dominated the AFC East and are always contenders for the Super Bowl as long as Tom Brady is under center. Brady should remain suspended for the four games (I cannot see the NFL overturning the deflategate punishment). The Patriots open against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a game that if Tom Brady is not on the field, the Patriots will lose. The week after they face the Bills, a tough divisional foe, with a new head coach that despises the Patriots. Then they get somewhat of a reprieve facing Jacksonville in week 3 followed by their bye week. If the Patriots lose those first two games they will lose the division.
This is going to be a tight race and even when they manage to string together some wins after Brady's suspension is up I still do not believe it will be enough. The Patriots lost their secondary to free agency so this new group is very untested and could collapse if any injuries to Logan Ryan or Bradley Fletcher occur. The Patriots will be bringing the most pressure they've had in quite some time. Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich, Dominique Easley, Trey Flowers, and first round pick defensive tackle Malcom Brown will be able to attack opposing quarterbacks with a lot of speed and strength. The defensive line is the strongest point on defense for the New England Patriots. Jimmy Garoppolo will lead the Patriots offense week 1 for now and as one of the most capable backup quarterbacks in the league we will see if he can save the Patriots from themselves.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins added the biggest free agent available in Ndamukong Suh, what type of change will he bring to the Dolphins defense? Suh will lead a defensive line that includes a pro bowl caliber player in Cameron Wake, as well as young upstarts in Dion Jordan, Jelani Jenkins, and C.J. Mosley. The Dolphins will be able to generate constant pressure thanks to Suh making it infinitely easier for the other members of the defensive line to reach the opposing quarterback.
If the defensive line is not the deepest position on the roster than it must be the Dolphins new look wide receivers. Kenny Stills, DeVante Parker, Greg Jennings, and Jarvis Landry will all make an impact on the Dolphins offense making Ryan Tannehill's job that much easier. The Dolphins have been trying to play faster and utilize the spread offense, the addition of rookie running back Jay Ajayi and LaMichael James makes that much easier. Look for the Dolphins to put up more of a fight than they have in quite some time.
