The AFC East has been ruled by two teams the past 15 years. The New England Patriots owned the division (and the league) during the first 20 seasons of this century. That includes an NFL-record 11 straight division titles from 2009-2019. However, the past four seasons, Sean McDermott’s Buffalo Bills have owned the top spot in the AFC East.
What about the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets? The former hasn’t won a division title since 2008, and hasn’t prevailed in a postseason game since 2000. As for the Green and White, the team last won the AFC East in 2002—the first season of the league’s current eight-division and four-team alignment.
This year, both the Bills and Dolphins were forced to make significant changes to their rosters because of their salary-cap situations. The Patriots come off a four-victory season (their worst showing since a 2-14 campaign in 1992), and wound up with the third overall pick in the draft. The Jets were once again busy during free agency, and are still looking to end the NFL’s longest active playoff drought. The club’s last postseason appearance came in 2010.
So, what were the best additions and biggest losses for each of these franchises this offseason? Could there wind up being a change at the top of this quartet in 2024?
Top addition, biggest departure for the 4 AFC East teams
Buffalo Bills
Best addition: WR Keon Coleman
The Buffalo Bills have revamped their wide receiving corps in a big way this offseason. In are Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Chase Claypool. With the first pick in the second round of April’s draft, general manager Brandon Beane grabbed Florida State wideout Keon Coleman.
This analysis via NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein. “Above-the-rim artist with circus catches resembling a scene from the tents of Cirque du Soleil…Excellent size and ball skills…(He) might lack the athletic traits to be a well-rounded WR2. Instead, keep an eye on him as a big slot receiver who can be a red-zone specialist.
Biggest loss: C Mitch Morse
Some would argue that dealing a four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver to a conference contender was a questionable move. Stefon Diggs was a highly productive performer for Sean McDermott’s club. He totaled 100-plus grabs in each of his four seasons in Buffalo, totaling 445 for 5,372 yards and 37 TDs.
However, the choice here is the anchor of the Bills’ offensive line the past five years. Center Mitch Morse was one of many salary-cap casualties by the franchise this offseason, and now he’s a member of the Jaguars. He has 126 regular-season contests and 13 playoff games on his nine-year resume (all starts).
Miami Dolphins
Best addition: LB Shaq Barrett
Late last season, the Miami Dolphins were hit with a slew of injuries when it came to their pass-rushing corps. It definitely played a part in the team’s late defensive swoon and the secondary paid the price. In their last four outings, including the 26-7 playoff loss at Kansas City, Miami allowed 11 touchdown passes.
Shaquil Barrett is a two-time Super Bowl champion with Denver (50) and Tampa Bay (LV), respectively. He brings nine years of NFL experience, as well as 59.0 sacks and 22 forced fumbles to South Florida. Barrett also has 11 postseason games on his resume. He played in 16 games and a pair of playoff contests in ’23.
Biggest Loss: DL Christian Wilkins
The Dolphins just added veteran Calais Campbell to its roster, and he brings production and leadership to a team. He spent 2023 with the Falcons, started all 17 games and tied for the team lead with 6.5 sacks. The six-time Pro Bowler and 2017 All-Pro was a nice addition.
Still, offsetting the loss of Christian Wilkins obviously remains to be seen. Before adding Campbell, the team signed a slew of defensive lineman. Wilkins was a 17-game starter each of the past three seasons and totaled a career-high nine sacks in 2023.
New England Patriots
Best addition: QB Drake Maye
For the second time in 4 years the New England Patriots opted for a quarterback in the first round. In 2021, the team thought they might have the answer in University of Alabama’s Mac Jones. He started all 17 games, the team finished 10-7 and reached the playoffs and he actually wound up in the Pro Bowl.
It was all downhill from there, and not all his fault. He was dealt to the Jaguars this offseason. With the third overall pick in April, the new-look Pats opted for North Carolina’s Drake Maye. The signs have been positive to date. In 2023, the Patriots were tied with the Panthers in scoring a league-low 236 points.
Biggest loss: WR/ST Matthew Slater
Obviously, 2023 proved to be a dismal year for the once-formidable Patriots. It would be Bill Belichick’s final season with the team, and New England’s 4-13 finish was its worst since a 2-14 showing in 1992. Jerod Mayo is the new head coach. The club is hoping to get better quarterback play this season.
It was also the end for a 10-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro special teams ace Matthew Slater, He called it a career after 16 seasons, He was part of playoff teams and is a Super Bowl champion. The next question for him is whether he is Hall of Fame worthy. The Patriots will no doubt feel his absence.
New York Jets
Best addition: OLB Haason Reddick
So far, the news surrounding one of the premier pass-rushers in the league has been his absence during OTAs and mini-camps. The NFL regular season is still roughly three months away, so there’s no reason to panic. Once he takes the field, edge-rusher Haason Reddick will make a major difference.
Once a first-round disappointment at inside linebacker with Arizona, the seven-year pro has emerged into one of the NFL’s top defensive playmakers. Since 2020, he’s totaled 50.5 sacks and 13 forced fumbles with three different clubs. The Jets acquired him from the Eagles for a conditional third-round pick in 2026.
Biggest loss: LG Laken Tomlinson
If you take a look at the current guard rankings by the folks at Pro Football Focus, you’ll notice that Laken Tomlinson owns a 55.0 grade by the service and new Jets’ left guard John Simpson (56.3) is just ahead of him. The former was cut loose back in March and saved the team $8.1 million in cap room (via Spotrac).
What you don’t see is that the 2015 first-round pick of the Lions has missed one game in nine seasons. The former Duke University standout was a fixture at left guard for the Jets the past two seasons. New York’s problem-plagued offensive line is in rebuild mode again, and Tomlinson’s reliability will be missed.