Another NFL season is in the books. But don’t worry, there is still the combine, the draft, free agency, and the trade season to keep you entertained. Many of these teams won’t even take a second to evaluate what went right and wrong and how they need to improve the upcoming season. Here are the 2026 AFC East team needs.
Miami Dolphins
Biggest Needs: CB, WR, DE, QB
The Dolphins have a lot of needs and some burning questions that must be answered before they fully delve into the offseason. They’ve already released Bradley Chubb and Tyreek Hill. Next order of business is figuring out Tua Tagovailoa’s future. Is he still your starter or are you running it back with Quinn Ewers under center? Before they can really begin to make movies and shape their roster, first year coach Jeff Hafley needs to figure that out.
Buffalo Bills
Biggest Needs: WR, LB, EDGE, DL
The Bills have already had a really weird offseason and it’s hardly begun. They fired Sean McDermott and then promoted Joe Brady to be their coach. But after the firing of McDermott, their owner blamed him and his coaches for drafting Keon Coleman who was supposed to be Josh Allen’s go-to wide receiver. Well, if that’s true then it’s odd that they promoted a guy who would have had a hand in drafting and developing him. Regardless, the Bills need some serious defensive help, but they better address the receiver position. Josh Allen’s talents are being wasted year after year.
New York Jets
Needs: QB, LB, WR, CB, RB
The Jets have no clear direction at QB and Aaron Glenn really made it a weird situation when he started Brady Cook over Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor late in the season. The draft or a trade for a guy like Mac Jones is probably their best bet going into the upcoming season. Outside of that, they traded away Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams during the year and there’s a world where they trade WR Garrett Wilson and lose RB Breece Hall. Building through the draft will be key for the Jets over the next few seasons and while they hit on picks, they rarely take advantage of their skills.
New England Patriots
Biggest Needs: EDGE, OT, LB, WR
Close, but no cigar. The Patriots were the far less physical team in the Super Bowl, and it cost them a championship ring. The Patriots are a young and undeniably talented team that has a core of great players locked in. But that being said, there are always places to improve. You have to start on the offensive line that allowed the fourth most sacks in the NFL. On top of that, as much as I like Mack Hollins and his weirdness, the Patriots could benefit from another legit wide receiver to pair with Diggs and Boutte.