The NFC East, NFC North, and NFC South Free Agency report cards are in. It is now time for the AFC East.
New England Patriots
Additions and Re-signs:
Lawrence Guy (DE- Balt), Rex Burkhead (RB- Cin), Dwayne Allen (TE- Indy), Kony Ealy (DE- Car), Stephon Gilmore (CB- Buf), Brandin Cooks (WR- Saints), Dont’a Hightower (LB), James Develin (FB), Alan Branch (DT), Duron Harmon (S), Michael Williams (TE)
Losses:
Jabaal Sheard (DE- Indy), Barkevious Mingo (LB- Indy), Martellus Bennett (TE- GB), Logan Ryan (CB- Tenn)
The Patriots don’t appear to be slowing down in any way. The trades for Dwayne Allen and Brandin Cooks will be huge for the passing game, especially the Cooks signing. Rex Burkhead adds another wrinkle to the running attack, perhaps like Danny Woodhead did a couple of seasons ago.
On defense, the Pats got better up front with the Lawrence Guy signing and the Kony Ealy trade. Dont’a Hightower is back and the addition of Stephon Gilmore at corner could be a big one. It’s also still very possible that restricted free agent Malcom Butler will re-sign.
There’s no loss worth mentioning, but the one area they’ll have to look at is offensive line.
Patriots Grade: A
Buffalo Bills
Additions and Re-signs:
Patrick DiMarco (FB – Atl), Micah Hyde (DB- Packers), Ryan Davis (DE- Dal), Andre Holmes (WR- Oak), Jordan Poyer (S- Clev), Joe Banyard (RB- Jax), Corey Brown (WR- Car), Jeremy Butler (WR- SD), Vladimir Ducasse (G- Balt), Mike Tolbert (FB- Car), Leonard Johnson (CB- Car), Steven Hauschka (K- Sea), Lorenzo Alexander (DE), Ryan Groy (C), Ramon Humber (LB), Brandon Tate (WR), Jordan Mills (T), Colton Schmidt (P), Colt Anderson (S)
Losses:
Marquise Goodwin (WR- SF), Garrison Sanborn (LS- Tampa), Lerentee McCray (DE- Jax), Stephon Gilmore (CB- NE), E.J. Manuel (QB- Oak), Robert Woods (WR- Rams)
The Bills made a couple of interesting acquisitions, especially when they grabbed two fullbacks. Micah Hyde should provide a lot of versatility on the back end and can also be an effective punt returner.
Bringing back Ryan Groy and Lorenzo Alexander were good moves, as was the re-signing of Tyrod Taylor. The Bills need to continue to build their defense in the draft and they will be able to compete for a Wild Card.
Bills Grade: B
Miami Dolphins
Additions and Re-signs:
Anthony Fasano (TE- Tenn), Ted Larsen (G- Chi), Nate Allen (S- Oak), Lawrence Timmons (LB- Pit), Kenny Stills (WR), Kiko Alonso (LB), Andre Branch (DE), Jermon Bushrod (G), John Denney (LS)
Losses:
Earl Mitchell (DT- SF), Dion Sims (TE- Chi), Jelani Jenkins (LB- Oak), Jordan Cameron (TE- Retired)
I wouldn’t say the Dolphins made a splash, but they didn’t do bad. Lawrence Timmons gives them veteran leadership at linebacker, as does Kiko Alonso. Bringing back Kenny Stills was a good move, as he is a legitimate homerun threat.
Dolphins Grade: C
New York Jets
Additions and Re-signs:
Morris Claiborne (CB- Dal), Mike Pennel (DT- GB), Quinton Patton (WR- SF), Josh McCown (QB- Clev), Kelvin Beachum (T- Jax), Chandler Catanzaro (K- Ariz), Tanner Purdum (LS), Brian Winters (G), Josh Martin (DE), Corey Lemonier (DE), Ben Ijalana (T)
Losses:
Nick Folk (K- Tampa), C.J. Spiller (RB- KC), Brandon Marshall (WR- Giants), Geno Smith (QB- Giants), Arthur Brown (LB- Sea)
The Jets are beginning the rebuilding process. Some of the older veterans are moving on and they are still figuring out who their quarterback will be.
Morris Claiborne can give them a lot at corner, if he stays healthy. It will be interesting to see what direction they go in the draft.
Jets Grade: C-
