In a division that has been dominated by the New England Patriots in recent years, the AFC East is starting to look really formidable. E.J. Manuel will be entering his second season as the starting quarterback of the Buffalo Bills, and they will be looking to add more targets aqround the Florida State product this May. Now that the Richie Incognito story is almost over, the Miami Dolphins can focus on their future in 2015. Also, the New York Jets have one of the best defenses in the league. They also have been active so far in free agency. This could be one of the most competitive divisions when the 2014 NFL season rolls around.
New England Patriots
KEY ADDITIONS
KEY LOSSES
FREE AGENCY OUTLOOK
The Patriots have been awfully busy in free agency so far. While they did lose two key defensive starters in Brandon Spikes and Aqib Talib, it should be worth noting that the Patriots got two of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, and they added a dynamic player that can move across the offense in Brandon LaFell. In my honest opinion, I believe the Patriots got a lot better on defense in the past week. Spikes was never good against the pass, and Darrelle Revis is still one of the premier talents in the game. The best thing about Revis is that he will only make $12 million in 2014.
DRAFT NEEDS
- Tight End
- Interior Linemen
- Defensive Tackle
- Inside Linebacker
- Free Safety
DRAFT OUTLOOK
With the plethora of injuries to Rob Gronkowski and the imprisonment by Aaron Hernandez, the Patriots should be looking to add an in-line tight end in this year's draft. Jace Amaro has been mocked to the Patriots in the first round in numerous mock drafts, and that comes with reasoning. He has great hands, and he has a future at being a contributor in the run game. With the news of Vince Wilfork wanting out in New England, the Patriots could really help themselves by getting a defensive tackle in the middle rounds of the draft. They could also use an inside linebacker and a free safety to sure up this defense.
Miami Dolphins
KEY ADDITIONS
KEY LOSSES
FREE AGENCY OUTLOOK
The Dolphins have quietly done a great job in free agency at filling their positions of need. At the start of free agency, they signed the best tackle available in Branden Albert and they added two above-average starters in the secondary in Louis Delmas and Cortland Finnegan. If Delmas can stay healthy, this secondary could wind up as one of the best in the entire NFL. The Dolphins also added Earl Mitchell, who will benefit from playing next to Randy Starks.
DRAFT NEEDS
- Running Back
- Wide Receiver
- Offensive Tackle
- Linebacker
DRAFT OUTLOOK
The Lamar Miller experiment in 2013 was a bumpy one, and the Dolphins should look towards the draft to improve this position. If Miami adds a bulldozer back like Bishop Sankey, I believe their offense will improve tremendously. Another receiver could also make this offense better as it would give franchise quarterback Ryan Tannehill another weapon on offense. On the other side of the ball, Miami could use a linebacker who could cover opposing tight ends.
New York Jets
KEY ADDITIONS
KEY LOSSES
FREE AGENCY OUTLOOK
The Jets overpaid for Eric Decker, but he was the top receiver on the market and they had to do so. I believe Decker is a true No. 2 receiver, and Peyton Manning made him look much better than he really is. Another addition in free agency was Breno Giacomini, who had some decent years for the Seahawks in his time there. Losing Austin Howard will be tough, but Giacomini could be an even better option than the Howard.
DRAFT NEEDS
- Wide Receiver
- Tight End
- Linebacker
- Cornerback
DRAFT OUTLOOK
Regardless of signing Decker, the Jets still need more weapons around Geno Smith. Drafting a receiver and a tight end in this year's draft will be a smart investment for New York if they get the right guys. Also, the Jets need another linebacker for help in the run game. After the Jets released Antonio Cromartie, the hole for a cornerback opposite of Dee Milliner became a hold. There will be a ton of quality players available throughout this draft.
Buffalo Bills
KEY ADDITIONS
KEY LOSSES
FREE AGENCY OUTLOOK
The Bills went in free agency and really tried to improve the second level of the defense. There have been reports that Kiko Alonso will move to the weak-side linebacker position. That said, adding Brandon Spikes and Keith Rivers will make this unit one of the strongests in the league. Losing Jairus Byrd in free agency was difficult, but his price tag was too high. Buffalo has made a ton of low-risk, high-reward moves so far in free agency.
DRAFT NEEDS
- Wide Receiver
- Offensive Tackle
- Cornerback
- Free Safety
DRAFT OUTLOOK
Buffalo is an interesting position because they have their franchise quarterback, and they have a pretty good defense too. Their focus in the draft should be to stock up their skill positions. They need at least two receivers to help out Manuel, and they also need some guys in the secondary to fill the void left by Byrd. The Bills should also look to draft a tackle at some point in this year's draft.
Follow me on Twitter @RyanRattyNFL