The Super Bowl champions, a playoff team looking to build on momentum, the owners of North America’s longest playoff drought and a big market preparing for a rebuild.
Welcome to the AFC East in 2017.
In total, the division’s four teams have nearly 70 players about to hit free agency, so get ready for plenty of change.
Here’s a look at what we can expect from the AFC East when NFL free agency hits on March 9.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Biggest needs: MLB, DL, RB
The Super Bowl champions have a busy off-season ahead of them with 14 players from last season’s title-winning team on the verge of free agency. While LeGarrette Blount’s possible departure leaves a 19-touchdown hole in the Patriots’ lineup, the biggest losses will come on the defensive side of the ball with four starters about to hit the open market.
Biggest potential loss: Dont’a Hightower, MLB
The most dire of New England’s potential losses could be at the centre of Matt Patricia’s defence. A crucial piece to a pair of Super Bowl–winning units, Hightower has racked up more than 400 total tackles and 17 sacks in five seasons with Patriots. His importance to New England can be summed up in one play, which turned the tide in last month’s stunning comeback win over the Falcons.
Potential target: Calais Campbell, DL
New England should take a good long look at re-signing Hightower and then move on to improving the defensive line. It would be very anti-Patriots to sign one of the top players available, but bringing in the former Arizona Cardinal would go a long way in solidifying the defence for another run at the Super Bowl.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Biggest needs: OL, DL, WR, LB
The Dolphins returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2008, but stood no chance at making a run with Ryan Tannehill watching from the sidelines. Adam Gase will look to build on that progress with a solid off-season in which we could see the Dolphins spend some big money, which they’ve balked at doing in the past.
Biggest potential loss: Kenny Stills, WR
Starting right guard Jermon Bushrod will leave, but was probably the weakest link in an offensive line that struggled last season. Although Stills had an infamous gaffe or two last season and caught just 52 per cent of his targets, he led the Dolphins in receiving touchdowns with nine and had arguably the best season of his young career. At just 24, Stills is likely to get paid on March 9.
Potential target: T.J. Lang, OG
Protecting Tannehill and creating holes for Jay Ajayi should be the top priority of the Dolphins this off-season. Centre Mike Pouncey — Miami’s best offensive lineman — will return healthy after playing just five games in 2016, while Laremy Tunsil will shift to left tackle. Lang, the former Packers guard, would fit nicely on the right side and be a big help in pass protection.
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BUFFALO BILLS
Biggest needs: WR, CB, LB, QB (?)
In all likelihood, GM Doug Whaley is working to keep his job this off-season, and he’s got plenty of work to do. A lot of what the Bills do this spring will depend on how the Tyrod Taylor situation plays out (hence the question mark beside QB above), but we’re going to assume Buffalo gets things figured out contractually with their signal caller because it makes the most sense given all their other needs.
Biggest potential loss: A top defensive trio
The Bills could lose their top tackler in Zach Brown, top sack getter in Lorenzo Alexander and top interceptor in Stephon Gilmore in free agency. Both Brown and Gilmore are among the top players available at their positions, so re-signing them would mean the Bills would have to shell out some serious dough. Alexander might be more manageable, but at 33 years old (turning 34 in May) it might not be all that smart to sign the late bloomer to a lucrative deal.
Potential target: DeSean Jackson, WR
I know, I know. Why explain Buffalo’s dire defensive needs and then suggest they take a go at a 30-year-old pass catcher? Well, aside from losing their best defensive players, the Bills are also likely losing receivers Robert Woods, Marquise Goodwin, Justin Hunter and Brandon Tate. With plenty of defensive talent in the draft, focusing on finding another target for Taylor (or whomever) should be Whaley’s top priority. And while Jackson is in the later stages of his career, no one doubts his big-play capability. Imagine him and a healthy Sammy Watkins lining up on the outside.
NEW YORK JETS
Biggest needs: QB, CB, OL
The Jets were a win away from a playoff berth in 2015 before Ryan Fitzpatrick fitzpatrick’d in Buffalo in Week 17, and then this past season was a disaster. With the recent cuts of franchise icons Darrelle Revis and Nick Mangold, among others, the Jets appear to be in rebuild mode and have a long to-do list this off-season.
Biggest potential loss: Nick Mangold, C
While the Jets already have his replacement on the roster in Wesley Johnson, Mangold has been an anchor at the heart of the Jets offence for the last 12 seasons, and his release last month signals a new era for the team. Now the Jets’ focus is strictly on building for the future.
Potential target: Mike Glennon, QB
Fitzpatrick is out in the Big Apple and neither Bryce Petty nor Christian Hackenberg are the answer under centre for the Jets this coming season. With this year’s crop of college quarterbacks available in the draft very much a question mark, the Jets might be better off signing a free agent. Enter Glennon.
The former Buccaneers starter has quickly emerged as an intriguing option despite having appeared in just two games over the last two seasons, completing a total of 10 passes. At worst Glennon could be a short-term answer if the Jets don’t love any of the options available in the draft. At best, they find a long-term starter in the 27-year-old.
