2020 AFC East Offseason Survival Guide
The land known as the AFC East has been dominated by Emperor Belichick and General Brady for the past twenty years. The Buccaneers were able to invade the “Patriot Way” and steal away their greatest player but does that free the rest of the East from occupation? The time to strike your enemy is while your enemy is at its weakest and the Patriots are wounded. The Dolphins have three first round picks, the Bills won 10 games last year and the Jets are ready to take a step forward. These dispirited organizations can now build their rosters through the draft to take advantage of some poor Patriot scouting and a depleted roster to supersede the twenty year reign. Finally, the AFC East appears to be in full blown rebellion.
New England Patriots 12–4
Outlook
From his own one yard-line, Tom Brady down one point with just .15 seconds left, tried to hit Mohammad Sanu on a quick out route, the ball is tipped up in the air into the hands of former teammate Logan Ryan and the speculation begins. After a strong start, the Patriots ended up losing five of their last nine signaling to many there is a chink in the chain of New England. That is where the offseason story begins. With insiders like Tom Curran and Jeff Darlington screaming that Brady was going to be departing from the Pats, there were other guys starting to leave New England too. Pro Bowl linebacker Kyle Van Noy will be extremely difficult to replace, Gronk’ is not coming out of retirement for them, and have not addressed the great quarterback of all times void. The six-time champion QB is not going to walkthrough those doors and save the Patriots from impending doom. Everyone is chomping at the bit to bring down the Bradyless Patriots.
Key Departures: Tom Brady QB, Kyle Van Noy LB, Jamie Collins, Danny Shelton DT, Phillip Dorsett WR, Ted Karras C.
Additions: Danny Vitale FB, Adrian Phillips S, Brandon Copeland LB, Brian Hoyer QB.
Team Salary Cap Space: $1,229,895
Picks: First round: 23rd Third round: 87th, 98th overall, 100th overall Fourth round: 125th, Sixth round: 195th, 204th, 212th , & 213th Seventh Round: 230th, 235th & 241st.
Needs: QB, WR, RB, DL, LB
Offseason Strategy:
The Patriots roster features a strong secondary which carried them to a 12–4 regular season record and little else. Their QB room features Jarett Stidham, a big time high school recruit who did little in college, and journeyman Brian Hoyer a career backup. The Pats already feature twelve picks in the draft and are notorious for trading back. At pick 23, there are only two options, Jordan Love or trade. They should be extremely active in trade talks all weekend whether it be up, down, or sideways. I think Belichick would relish the opportunity to have a supreme athlete and thrower like Jordan Love. A bit of risk tolerance coaching from McDaniels and Belichick would go a long way in developing this young and talented player. The Pats have very little cap space to work with because of the Tom Brady cap hit that still lingers as well as the Antonio Brown mistake.
Buffalo Bills 10–6
Outlook
Rejoice! The longest active playoff less streak in all of pro sports has come to an end! Coach Sean McDermott has impressed as a young coach and appears to be building a strong nucleus around QB Josh Allen. A 10–6 team last season is looking to make a return to the playoffs and win the division. The Vikings were able to add a serious playmaker in Stefon Diggs to continue the development for Josh Allen. The Diggs move shows that the Bills are in attack mode.
Key Departures: Lorenzo Alexander LB (retirement), Frank Gore RB, Shaq Lawson DE, Jordan Phillips DT,
Additions: Josh Norman DB, AJ Klein LB, Mario Addison DE, Tyle Matakevich LB, Quinton Jefferson DL, E.J. Gaines CB
Team Salary Cap Space: $20,925,668
Picks:Round 2: 54 Round 3: 86 Round 4: 128 Round 5: 167 Round 6: 188 & 207 Round 7: 239
Needs: RB, Edge, CB
Offseason Strategy:
The draft capital here in Buffalo is limited thanks to the expensive Stefon Diggs shopping that was done a few weeks ago. One of the most important things that a team has to do is establish culture. The culture in Buffalo is a strong and quick team which uses defense and ball control to outlast their opponent. In order to control the clock running the ball is imperative making the acquisition of a running back their biggest need. There are not many playmaking backs available through free agency, leading me to question why Todd Gurley was unable to be brought in. The word inside NFL circles must be pretty negative towards the former star RB from Georgia. Since there is little left in free agency, expect the Bills to draft another running back this year with their top pick hoping for a Jonathan Taylor or J.K. Dobbins are available. If both of them are off the board they should probably look at Edge rushers or one of the strong receivers in the class to build their offense.
Miami Dolphins 5–11
Outlook
Amazingly, the Dolphins were able to build a culture while trading their star players to accumulate draft picks. It was a very impressive season from Bill Belichick descendent, Brian Flores. When they moved Jarvis Landry, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Laremy Tunsil, the “Tank for Tua” began. The reality is they were not tanking, they were just building a culture. They own the 5th pick and two others in the first round leaving many to question if they will trade up for a QB. The Tank for Tua starts with one major hip injury on top of several other ankle injuries resulting in questions across the league about Tua’s draft stock. Carrying three first round picks into the draft prepares them to load up on young talent and contend for division titles for seasons to come. Ton’s of options are on the table in Miami. Having the most draft capital in football, Miami has the opportunity to compete right away with some of youngest talent in the league.
Key Departures: Aqib Talib CB, Reshad Jones S
Additions: Byron Jones CB, Kyle Van Noy LB, Jordan Howard RB, Emmanuel Ogbah DE, Shaq Lawson DE, Ereck Flowers OL
Team Salary Cap Space: $22,776,722
Picks: Round 1: 5th overall, 18th overall, 26th overall. Round 2: 39th & 56th. Round 3: 70th. Round 4: 141st Round 5: 153, 154 & 173rd Round 6: 185th Round 7: 227, 246, & 251st.
Needs: QB, RB, OL, WR
Offseason Strategy:
There are so many options for the Dolphins that it could have its own standalone feature. The Dolphins owning pick 5, pick 18, and pick 26 gives the Dolphins a ton of flexibility to bring in young talent while not adding big cap hits. Their major positions of need are across a talent deficient offensive roster and a leader at quarterback. The Dolphins have to draft a quarterback either at 5 or a trade up. The rumor is the Dolphins love Joe Burrow but to move up from 5 to 1 would cost picks 5,18, and 26. With the Los Angeles Chargers fuming that did not get the opportunity to sign Tom Brady, expect there to be a bidding war between the Chargers and Dolphins to get up to three with Detroit. As we are beginning to learn, the bidding war is not going to be for Tua, it will be for Oregon QB, Justin Herbert.
The Dolphins front office are undoubtably hoping that Herbert falls to 5 so they can move forward with three first round picks. If Brian Flores is willing to reward Bryon Jones the top contract in cornerback history, they are preparing to contend. It seems unlikely that waiting for Tua to be ready is apart of their longterm process. Justin Herbert has nailed the entire draft process according to all reports and had a very impressive senior bowl. Had he gone into the draft last year, he may have been a top 3 pick so this is not an unrealistic draft spot for the Oregon QB. Whomever they draft at 5 will undoubtably be a QB so expect them to jump on an offensive lineman or trade out of 18. 31 appears to be a great spot to draft a J.K. Dobbins or Deandre Swift. Get ready the Dolphins are building a winner in Miami.
New York Jets 7–9
Outlook
Unlike the Dolphins and Bills, the Gang Green has done little to set up Sam Darnold up for success. He came out as one of the top QB prospects in college football and has not disappointed. He has been missing the serious opportunity he needs to compete with talent around him. Last season, was a mixed bag but ended with a flourish including an impressive dismantling of the Raiders at home late in the season. We all know and have joked about Darnold somehow contracting Mono during the season missing more than a month of the season but that aside, they were able to pull off a 7–9 record. With CJ Mosley expected back at middle linebacker, and the temptation to trade Jamal Adams, the Jets appear to be trending in the right direction.
Key Departures: Robbie Anderson WR, Trumaine Johnson DB, Brandon Shell OT, Tom Compton G, Brent Qvale OL, Brandon Copeland LB, Maurice Canady CB, Darryl Roberts CB
Additions: Patrick Onwuasor LB, Breshad Perriman WR, Greg Van Roten G, George Fant OT, Alex Lewis G, Connor McGovern G
Team Salary Cap Space:18,803,771
Picks: Round 1: 11 Round 2: 48 Round 3: 68 & 79 Round 4: 120 Round 5: 158 Round 6: 191 & 211
Needs: WR, Edge, CB, OL
Offseason Strategy:
With some cap space still available, there should be a Jadeveon Clowney conversation somewhere in their plans. They are desperate for a serious pass rusher in New York and seemingly have not had one since Calvin Pace. They’ve tried to draft one and have struggled to do it so free agency might be the way to get one. Jamal Adams has been floated in trade rumors for several months. They would need to blown away to trade their version of Ed Reed but if the Lions, Browns, or Bears come calling with their top pick + a starter at receiver or offensive line, how could you say no? Mock trade proposal: Jamal Adams and №48 & 68 to Washington for №2 and Trent Williams? Get on the phone New York you should already be talking about this.
Taking the abstract out of the discussion, number 11 should be reserved for the best available offensive tackle. There are four top level tackles available and Darnold needs someone to protect his blindside. Featuring one of the worst offensive lines in the league, the Jets have done a terrible job putting Darnold in positions to succeed. It is a testament to Darnold’s talent and will power to be able to succeed up until now with slim talent across their team. Their second rounder could be used at wide receiver where they need a number one guy. Denzel Mims, Michael Pittman Jr, Jalen Reagor, or Tee Higgins will be names argued about virtually in their pixelated and slow moving video chats. Hopefully the Jets can make strong selections on the offensive side of the ball to give Darnold room to grow and compete with young teams in Miami and Buffalo.
