AFC East Offseason Review

The Patriots will be hoping that Danny Amendola can replace some of the production that Wes Welker provided for Tom Brady.

New England Patriots

Last Season: 1st in Division, 12-4 regular season, lost in AFC Championship to Baltimore Ravens.

Biggest Offseason Additions: WR Danny Amendola, QB Tim Tebow, WR Michael Jenkins, WR Donald Jones, RB LeGarrette Blount, RB Leon Washington, DT Tommy Kelly, S Adrian Wilson.

Biggest Offseason Losses: WR Wes Welker, RB Danny Woodhead, WR Brandon Lloyd, WR Deion Branch, S Patrick Chung, DT Kyle Love, G Donald Thomas.

Draft Picks: LB Jaime Collins (Southern Miss), WR Aaron Dobson (Marshall), CB Logan Ryan (Rutgers), WR Josh Boyce (TCU)

Offseason Review: Losing Wes Welker was the headliner for the Patriots this offseason. They also lost Brandon Lloyd, and Deion Branch as well. They will be hoping that Amendola can step in and fill in Welker’s void the best he can. They are also hoping that the 2 draft picks, Dobson and Boyce can step in and fill the shoes of Brandon Lloyd. The additions of Blount and Washington give the Patriots even more depth at the running back positions. Washington will more than likely be used on returns, taking the burden off of McCourty, so that he will have a less likely chance of getting injured. Safety Adrian Wilson may have lost a step or two, but he provides veteran leadership and more depth at the safety position. Tim Tebow was signed as a QB, but we shall see what Josh McDaniels has in store, and how he plans to utilize Tebow. Rob Gronkowski is another story. No one knows how he will come back from 4 arm surgeries and a back surgery.

Offseason Grade: B

Mike Wallace was one of the most sought after WR free agents, and he landed down in Miami.

Miami Dolphins

Last Season: 2nd in division, 7-9 record, missed playoffs

Biggest Offseason Additions: LB Darnell Ellerbe, LB Philip Wheeler, CB Brent Grimes, WR Mike Wallace, TE Dustin Keller, OT Tyson Clabo, WR Brandon Gibson.

Biggest Offseason Losses: OT Jake Long, LB Karlos Dansby, RB Reggie Bush, CB Sean Smith, TE Anthony Fasano, WR Davone Bess

Draft Picks: DE Dion Jordan (Oregon), CB Jamar Taylor (Boise State), CB Will Davis (Utah State), LB Jeleni Jenkins (Florida), RB Mike Gillislee (Florida), K Caleb Sturgis (Florida)

Offseason Review: Well the biggest impact in terms of an addition is going to be Mike Wallace. Yes he sometimes has questionable hands, but for Ryan Tannehill, it gives him a deep threat, who can blow past defenders, while opening up the short passing lanes for Brian Hartline and Dustin Keller. The Dolphins also decided to go younger with their linebacking corp. They decided to let go of the older Karlos Dansby, and bring in Darnell Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler, who both are only going to get better. They also drafted Jeleni Jenkins out of Florida, who will also provide a solid tackler, while adding depth to their roster. Losing Jake Long definitely hurt, but being able to add TysonClabo as a replacement, almost cancels out that loss. The addition of Brent Grimes, and drafting Jamar Taylor should help out the secondary immensely. They lose Reggie Bush, but draft Mike Gillislee, who was a very good North and South runner at Florida, to back-up Lamar Miller.

Offseason Grade: B+

Jets drafted Geno Smith in the 2nd round of the draft. Will they start him over Mark Sanchez? We shall see.

New York Jets

Last Season: T-3rd in Divison, 6-10 record, missed playoffs.

Biggest Offseason Additions: TE Kellen Winslow, OG Willie Colon, RB Chris Ivory, RB Mike Goodson, S Dawan Landry.

Biggest Offseason Losses: CB Darrelle Revis, TE Dustin Keller, DT Mike DeVito, OG Matt Slausen, RB Shonn Greene, S LaRon Landry, S Yeremiah Bell

Draft Picks: CB Dee Milliner (Alabama), DT Sheldon Richardson (Missouri), QB Geno Smith (West Virginia), OG Brian Winters (Kent State), OT Oday Abushi (Virginia)

Offseason Review: The Jets definitely lost more quality players than they added. After a very disappointing season last year, I’m not sure they made all of the additions needed to make a run for the playoffs this year. They lost arguably the best CB in the game right now, in Revis. Yes Dee Milliner has a bright future coming out of Alabama, but he can not replace Revis in his first NFL season. Losing their #1 back over the last few years hurts as well. Mike Goodson and Chris Ivory are good role playing backs, neither is really a featured back, that can rush the ball 20+ times a game, for close to 100 yards. They also lost their starting SS and FS. Geno Smith should help the team, if he plays over Mark Sanchez. Rex Ryan has to be thinking about giving the rookie sensation a shot, after how disappointing Sanchez has been over the last 2 seasons.

Offseason Grade: C

E.J. Manuel was the only QB selected in the 1st round of the NFL Draft, but is it enough to help the Bills make a turnaround?

Buffalo Bills

Last Season: T-3rd in division, 6-10, missed playoffs.

Biggest Offseason Additions: QB Kevin Kolb, DE Alan Branch, OLB Manny Lawson

Biggest Offseason Losses: OG Andy Levitre, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, S George Wilson

Draft Picks: QB EJ Manuel (Florida State), WR Robert Woods (USC), LB Kiko Alonso (Oregon), WR Marquise Goodwin (Texas), FS Duke Williams (Nevada), K Dustin Hopkins (Florida State)

Offseason Review: Not a lot of offseason moves for the Bills. Most of their moves were made through additions at the NFL Draft. With 3 picks in the first 2 rounds, the Bills added some good raw talent. QB EJ Manuel should be the starter next year, with Kevin Kolb as his back up. The Bills did a good job of providing some options for their rookie QB to throw to, and develop chemistry with over the next few years. They drafted Robert Woods, who was exceptional at USC and Marquise Goodwin, who came close to breaking Chris Johnson’s 40 yard dash time at the combine. Adding these to receivers to go along with Stevie Johnson and TJ Graham should work out nicely. They also still have Fred Jackson, CJ Spiller, and Tashard Choice in the backfield. A good young offense, and a half-way decent defense have the Bills looking for an improved season in 2013.

Offseason Grade: B

Matt Rea – Multi-Sport Contributor – TitleTown Sports Network

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November 11, 2013 By Rachel Murphy Leave a Comment