It was an up and down year for the AFC East where all four teams had legit playoff opportunities this season, but ultimately just Buffalo and Miami made it. The Dolphins were killed by Tua’s injury while the Bills fell flat on their face in the postseason. As for New England and New York, there are lots of questions surrounding their young QBs and offenses in general where two new coordinators will call the shots this year. Here are the 2023 AFC East team needs.
Buffalo Bills
Team Needs: OL, LB, WR
Josh Allen could be the next great quarterback, but he isn’t getting a ton of help in the receiver and O-line room. Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis can’t do it all and they need a scary number three option. Making sure Allen is protected is the next most important thing. After that, shore up the middle of the defense with a linebacker. I’d expect the Bills to draft an interior offensive lineman in round one so they can get a long-term solution on the books. In free agency, LB Lavonte David from Tampa makes sense as they look to add another defensive star and someone who can complement Von Miller.
Miami Dolphins
Team Needs: OF, TE, S
Tua MUST have protection moving forward if the Fins want to save his career before it’s too late. They don’t have a first-round pick, but all I can say is that most of the picks should be placed into building an iron wall around him. Mike Gesicki is a goner and filling his spot at tight end with someone like Dalton Schultz would be fun in this offense. Vic Fangio is also the new DC in South Beach, and he should be looking for solid secondary play. If they grab a player like S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson from Philadelphia, I love their chance of contending.
New England Patriots
Team Needs: WR, OT, DB
The Patriots have a lot of questions they need to answer this offseason, but maybe most importantly will be elevating their offense. Matt Patricia is no longer in charge, and I am curious where QB Mac Jones stands. Getting him some legit blocking and wide receiver help should be the focus for this team. TCU WR Quentin Johnston should be available for the Patriots when they pick, but they have a terrible track record of wide receivers in the draft. Instead, I’d go with a player like Georgia OT Broderick Jones on their line to get Jones some real help.
New York Jets
Team Needs: QB, S, WR
The Jets have a real issue at the QB position. The locker room turned against Zach Wilson this season and Mike White will be torn apart if he is the starter entering the season. Do the Jets go for a guy like Aaron Rodgers? Do they look at another veteran? Nothing else seems important until that is decided. A perfect offseason in my mind is signing Derek Carr or trading for Rodgers while adding a wide receiver like Ohio State star Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the draft or attacking the safety position with Antonio Johnson from Texas A&M in round two.