The AFC East is shaping up to be one of the most competitive divisions in football come the 2024 season. Buffalo Bills While they're looking to win their fifth consecutive AFC East title, other teams are eager to get in the way. Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriotsand New York Jets.
The start of the 2024 NFL season is just around the corner. How does each NFL division stand heading into this season? Here we outline the offseason cuts, additions, coaching changes, reasons for optimism, and reasons for pessimism for each team in the AFC East.
Buffalo Bills
2023 record: 11-6
2023 offense: 374.5 total yards per game (4th)
2023 defense: 307.2 total yards allowed per game (9th).
Subtract: WR Stefon Diggs, WR Gabe Davis, C Mitch Morse, S Jordan Poyer, S Micah Hyde, CB Tre'Davies-White, CB Dane Jackson, DE Leonard Floyd, LB Tyrell Dodson
addition: WR Curtis Samuel, WR Mack Hollins, WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, S Mike Edwards, WR Keeon Coleman, S Cole Bishop
Reasons for optimism for the Bills
With superstar quarterback Josh Allen leading the way, the Bills always have a chance to have a special season, and offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who took over midway through the 2023 season, has the rest of the offseason to get his offense up and running.
Reasons to be pessimistic about the Bills
The Bills lost several key leaders, including six team captains starting in 2023. A new voice will need to step up to fill the leadership void. On offense, only one receiver (Khalil Shakir) has caught a pass from Allen so far, and the revamped receiver room will need to build chemistry with the quarterback quickly.
Miami Dolphins
2023 record: 11-6
2023 offense: 401.3 total yards per game (1st)
2023 defense: 318.3 total yards allowed per game (10th).
Subtract: DT Christian Wilkins, CB Xavier Howard, CB Eli Apple, LB Jerome Baker, S Brandon Jones, DeSean Elliott, DT Raekwon Davis, DE Andrew Van Ginkel, OG Robert Hunt, C Connor Williams, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio
addition: WR Odell Beckham Jr., C Aaron Brewer, TE Jonnu Smith, S Jordan Poyer, S Marcus Maye, CB Kendall Fuller, LB Anthony Walker, LB Jordan Brooks, DT Calais Campbell, DT Benito Jones, DE Chopp Robinson, OT Patrick Paul, RB Jalen Wright, defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver
Reasons for optimism for the Dolphins
of Dolphin The Dolphins already have one of the best WR duos in the NFL in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and they've further strengthened their WR corps with OBJ and two draft picks. With Vic Fangio gone, the Dolphins are getting a fresh start with defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. If they can get a talented roster of players to play a good defense to match their strong offense, they could finally rise to the top of the division.
Reasons to be pessimistic about the Dolphins
Will they have enough? After a strong start in 2023, the Dolphins fizzled when it mattered. Can they avoid the same result with nearly the same lineup? There are question marks about the offensive line after losing Robert Hunt and Connor Williams. Tua Tagovailoa was healthy in 2023, but another injury could derail his season with a weak defense.
New England Patriots
2023 record: 4-13
2023 offense: 276.2 total yards per game (30th).
2023 defense: 301.6 total yards allowed per game (7th).
Subtract: Head coach Bill Belichick, offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien, QB Mac Jones, RB Ezekiel Elliott, WR DeVante Parker, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, TE Mike Gesicki, OT Trent Brown, S Jalen Mill, LB Mack Wilson, DE Matthew Judon, ST Matthew Slater, DT Lawrence Guy
addition: Head coach Jerrod Mayo, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, QB Jacoby Brissett, RB Antonio Gibson, WR KJ Osborne, TE Austin Hooper, OT Chikuma Okorafo, LB Sione Takitaki, S Jaylin Hawkins, QB Drake May, WR Jalyn Polk, OT Kaidan Wallace
Reasons for optimism for the Patriots
They have a new No. 10. Mac Jones is gone and rookie QB Drake Maye is taking his place. I don't think it will be long until he replaces Jacoby Brissett and usher in a new era. It was a breath of fresh air for Patriots fans to have another investment in an offensive playmaker so early in the NFL Draft. Adding some youth to the offensive core position will strengthen their unit for the future.
Reasons to be pessimistic about the Patriots
The Patriots are still in the rebuilding phase, and their overall roster is still lacking in talent. It will be hard to compete for a division title this year, and there are still big question marks on the offensive line, which will be problematic for a team looking to develop a rookie quarterback (which is likely why Maye sat out the start of the year).
New York Jets
2023 record: 7 wins, 10 losses
2023 offense: 268.6 total yards per game (31st).
2023 defense: 292.3 total yards allowed per game (3rd).
Subtract: TE CJ Uzomah, OG Laken Tomlinson, C Connor McGovern, OT Billy Turner, DT Quinton Jefferson, DE Bryce Huff, DE Carl Lawson, S Jordan Whitehead
addition: WR Mike Williams, OT Tyron Smith, OT Morgan Moses, OG John Simpson, DE Haason Reddick (holdout), DT Javon Kinlaw, OT Olu Fashanu, WR Malachi Corey, RB Braylon Allen
Reasons for optimism for the Jets
The second Aaron Rodgers show Monday Night Football Beginning the 2024 NFL season. if If he can stay healthy, they will be dangerous. The Jets are playing a “third-place” schedule after last year's season fell apart with a Week 1 injury to Rodgers. Sharp soccer analysisThis gives them the fourth easiest strength of schedule.
Reasons for Jets to be pessimistic
While the schedule may be easier overall, a tough final five weeks against the Dolphins, Jaguars, Rams, Bills and Dolphins could make or break the season. With expectations so high, the pressure could mount quickly for the Jets if they don't get off to a good start. A tough start could stall them out. Oh, and Rodgers hasn't played in a year since skipping the preseason and hasn't taken a meaningful snap since he was with the team. Packers.
