For 2 decades the AFC East was the Patriots playground with little to no resistance, winning the division constantly and securing a top seed in the playoffs nearly every season. However times have changed, with the Buffalo Bills being the dominant team since 2020, winning the AFC East 4 straight times and will look to make it 5 straight in 2024. But this division is no longer the pushover it once was, with the Jets and Dolphins making significant changes to their rosters to help capture the AFC East crown. As with a lot of things in football though, a little luck is needed. In this article I will go over the biggest Christmas wish every AFC East team wants to come true.
Buffalo Bills: Wide Receivers Gel
The Buffalo Bills were one of the busiest teams this offseason, making many significant changes all across the roster, including parting ways with their Safety duo of Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, trading Star Wide Receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans and letting Gabe Davis depart in free agency to Jacksonville.
I still expect the defense to be a strong unit under Sean McDermott’s strong defensive schemes, but the real question is can Super Star Quarterback Josh Allen gel quickly with his new assortment of wideouts? The group has promise with 33rd overall pick Keon Coleman leading the charge. Shifty wideout Khalil Shakir has shown flashes of being a solid playmaker when given the opportunity and will take on an increased role this season. Free Agent addition Curtis Samuel has been decent throughout his career but has battled many injuries during his stints in both Carolina and Washington. With Josh Allen being the best Quarterback Curtis Samuel has ever played with, he could see a rise in production.
The unit as a whole definitely has upside to be a solid unit, and having an elite Quarterback slinging the football to you definitely puts you in a better position to succeed. A fifth straight AFC Division title is within reach, but the Wide Receiver room has to step up if they want to enjoy another home playoff game.
New York Jets: A Healthy Aaron Rodgers
We all know the story, Aaron Rodgers tears his Achilles 4 snaps into the season and the Jets season ended right then and there. With a healthy Aaron Rodgers, the New York Jets have a strong chance of ending a horrid 13 year playoff drought in 2024. It will definitely be a challenge making the playoffs in a hyper competitive AFC, but they definitely have the roster to give many of the AFC heavyweights a run for their money.
Star Wide Receiver Garrett Wilson gives Aaron Rodgers a reliable number 1 target to throw to, along with good complementary receivers in Mike Williams and 2024 65th overall selection, Malachi Corley. Stud Running Back Breece Hall is one of the NFL’s more dangerous runners out of the backfield behind an improved offensive line, including All Pro Left Tackle Tyron Smith and Left Guard Andrew Simpson.
The defense, which was excellent last year, will be a very sturdy unit once again and will definitely give Aaron Rodgers many advantageous opportunities with Super Star Cornerback Sauce Gardner, stalwart Defensive Tackle Quinnen Williams and a stud Linebacker duo of Quincy Williams and CJ Mosley leading the charge.
If Aaron Rodgers can stay upright, the Jets could make it very far in 2024. As I mentioned before the AFC will be a gargantuan challenge, but the Jets have the roster to roll with the punches.
Miami Dolphins: Defensive Makeover Pays Off
Offense won’t be an issue in Miami with a plethora of excellent talents on that side of the ball, with Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa throwing the ball to the elite tandem of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Rising Running Back Devon Achane should give the Miami Dolphins a stronger presence in the run game. In addition to this potent set of weapons, Head Coach Mike McDaniel is one of the NFL’s smartest offensive minds, the defense however is a much different story.
General Manager Chris Grier overhauled the defensive personnel with many new faces being brought in with the hope the defense can take a step forward in 2024. New Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver has some solid talent to work with. New additions of Linebacker Jordyn Brooks, Defensive End Calaias Campbell, Cornerback Kendall Fuller, and Safety Jordan Poyer should make major contributions in fixing the unit.
The Dolphins have as destructive of an offense as anyone in the NFL, but the defense needs to hold their end of the bargain. It may take time for the unit the gel with so many new additions, but if they can put the pieces together, the Dolphins could win their first AFC East title since 2008.
New England Patriots: Drake Maye Is The Guy
It’s a new era in Foxboro. For the first time since 1999, the legendary Head Coach Bill Belichick will not be the sideline boss. New England Patriots Linebackers Coach and Bill Belichick understudy Jerod Mayo was promoted to Head Coach and will be tasked with navigating a major rebuild.
The forefront of this rebuilding project will be 2024 3rd overall pick Drake Maye. Longtime veteran Jacoby Brissett likely wins the starting job but Drake Maye will definitely see some action in his rookie year. The offensive line is pretty decent, with the interior being one of the team’s best strengths and should give Drake Maye some breathing room as he develops chemistry with the pass catchers.
Speaking of pass catchers, this is an area that has to improve a lot if Drake Maye wants to have a fighting chance in his rookie season. The Tight Ends are fine with Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper being serviceable, but the Wide Receiver room lacks proven talent. Rookie Ja’Lynn Polk has the most upside of the group and I could easily see him taking over the number 1 role. DeMario Douglas, KJ Osborn and rookie Javon Baker will all likely see the field a lot this season and at least one of them has to step up as a viable number 2 receiver.
Even under very rough circumstances, if Drake Maye can show some promise as a rookie, the season is automatically a win for the Patriots regardless of the win-loss column.
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