Buffalo Bills
Key acquisitions: S Mike Edwards, LB Nicholas Morrow, WR Mack Hollins, WR Curtis Samuel, QB Mitchell Trubisky, DE Casey Toohill, C Will Clapp, DE DeShawn Williams, T La’el Collins
Re-signed: DE A.J. Epenesa, S Taylor Rapp, CB Cam Lewis, DT DaQuan Jones, RB Ty Johnson
Departures: WR Stefon Diggs (Texans), S Jordan Poyer (Dolphins), CB Tre’Davious White (Rams), C Mitch Morse (Jaguars), WR Gabe Davis (Jaguars), DE Leonard Floyd (49ers), CB Dane Jackson (Panthers), LB Tyrel Dodson (Seahawks), WR Deonte Harty (Ravens), CB Siran Neal (Dolphins), DT Jordan Phillips (Giants), G Ryan Bates (Bears), DT Tim Settle (Texans), RB Nyheim Hines (Browns), WR Trent Sherfield (Vikings), DT Poona Ford (Chargers)
Remaining free agents: S Micah Hyde, DE Shaq Lawson, RB Latavius Murray, LB Tyler Matakevich, DT Linval Joseph
Analysis: Oof. Just oof. One of the most heartbreaking offseasons for any team I have ever seen. The amount of departures is just brutal, an absolute teardown of a franchise.
Lost four starters in the secondary (three Pro Bowlers), starting center, top two receivers including a perennial Pro Bowler, and depth all throughout the offensive and defensive line. All the releases were cap saving moves as they went all-in a few years ago to get a Super Bowl, but came up just short every single year.
They at least signed a couple guys to help patch the wounds in Mike Edwards, La’el Collins, and career backup receivers Mack Hollins and Curtis Samuel, but there’s not much you can do.
Conclusion: Just draft…whoever honestly. You have a quarterback, but just accumulate as many picks as you can and start rebuilding. The 28th pick isn’t much, but you could get a good receiver, or the top player at most other positions.
Miami Dolphins
Key acquisitions: S Jordan Poyer, OLB Shaq Barrett, LB Jordyn Brooks, LB Anthony Walker, CB Kendall Fuller, C Aaron Brewer, TE Jonnu Smith, CB Siran Neal, DT Neville Gallimore, T Jack Driscoll, DT Benito Jones, DT Teair Tart
Re-signed: CB Nik Needham, G Isaiah Wynn, P Jake Bailey, RB Salvon Ahmed, WR Braxton Berrios, WR River Cracraft, T Kendall Lamm
Departures: DT Christian Wilkins (Raiders), CB Xavien Howard, LB Jerome Baker (Seahawks), S Brandon Jones (Broncos), G Robert Hunt (Panthers), OLB Andrew Van Ginkel (Vikings), DT Raekwon Davis (Colts), S DeShon Elliott (Steelers), DE Emmanuel Ogbah, CB Keion Crossen, WR Cedrick Wilson (Saints)
Remaining free agents: C Connor Williams, CB Eli Apple, CB Justin Bethel
Analysis: A LOT of turnover for the Dolphins, losing a ton of defensive starters. The defensive line lost Christian Wilkins, Raekwon Davis, and Emmanuel Ogbah, the linebackers lost Jerome Baker and Andrew Van Ginkel, and the secondary lost Xavien Howard, Brandon Jones, and Deshon Elliott. That’s eight guys. They signed six potential starters, so that’s an issue, but they’re good guys. Jordan Poyer is a very good safety to help replace Jones and Elliott alongside his former teammate Siran Neal. Shaq Barrett helps balance out Van Ginkel and Ogbah, and Jordyn Brooks and Anthony Walker help with the loss of Baker, but Teair Tart does not help replace Wilkins.
Conclusion: This was a rough offseason for Dolphins fans, seeing a lot of fan favorites leave and get replaced but those less than them. I don’t really know where they’ll go in the draft, I see the secondary and edge rush as the big holes as they had a ton of injuries on the edge last year.
New England Patriots
Key acquisitions: RB Antonio Gibson, LB Sione Takitaki, QB Jacoby Brissett, T Chukwuma Okorafor, TE Austin Hooper, DE Armon Watts, WR K.J. Osborn, S Jaylinn Hawkins
Re-signed: S Kyle Dugger, T Michael Onwenu, TE Hunter Henry, WR Kendrick Bourne, LB Anfernee Jennings, LB Josh Uche, WR Jalen Reagor
Departures: QB Mac Jones (Jaguars), ST Matthew Slater (retired), DT Lawrence Guy, S Jalen Mills (Giants), LB Mack Wilson (Cardinals), T Trent Brown (Bengals), CB Myles Bryant (Texans), S Adrian Phillips, WR DeVante Parker (Eagles), CB J.C. Jackson, LB Chris Board (Ravens), TE Pharaoh Brown (Seahawks), S Cody Davis (retired)
Remaining free agents: RB Ezekiel Elliott, T Riley Reiff
Analysis: The first offseason without Bill Belichick in 24 years was a nice one. They focused on bringing back their important guys of the 2020 draft class of Kyle Dugger, Michael Onwenu, Anfernee Jennings, and Josh Uche, along with veterans Hunter Henry and Kendrick Bourne. They also made some Patriot-like signings in Antonio Gibson, a dual-threat back with return skills and Austin Hooper to pair with Henry replacing Mike Gesicki. They also brought in former Steelers starting tackle Chukwuma Okorafor to replace Trent Brown and former Brown Sione Takitaki to replace Mack Wilson. K.J. Osborn is a nice piece to add to the receiving room and Jacoby Brissett is the perfect QB to have alongside a rookie (hopefully).
Conclusion: The third overall pick is rare and exciting in New England. The Mac Jones hype was real after a Pro Bowl rookie season, but was just mentally destroyed the next two seasons and was traded to Jacksonville. It’ll likely be Drake Maye as the next Patriot to try and replace Tom Brady, but you never know who may be calling about a trade up. New head coach Jerod Mayo has a lot riding on this draft following a solid free agency.
New York Jets
Key acquisitions: T Tyron Smith, WR Mike Williams, DE Haason Reddick, G John Simpson, DT Javon Kinlaw, T Morgan Moses, NT Leki Fotu, CB Isaiah Oliver, QB Tyrod Taylor
Re-signed: K Greg Zuerlein, P Thomas Morstead, DT Solomon Thomas, S Chuck Clark, S Ashtyn Davis
Departures: QB Zach Wilson (Broncos), DE Bryce Huff (Eagles), S Jordan Whitehead (Buccaneers), G Laken Tomlinson (Seahawks), TE C.J. Uzomah (Eagles), DT Quinton Jefferson (Browns), CB Bryce Hall (Buccaneers), CB Justin Hardee (Browns)
Remaining free agents: T Mekhi Becton, C Connor McGovern, DE Carl Lawson, DT Al Woods, T Duane Brown, WR Randall Cobb
Analysis: A Jets offseason is always exciting as they are always active and hope is high, but when September hits it’s only disappointment, but let’s evaluate the moves anyway.
The offensive line was once again a focus, bringing in longtime All-Pro tackle Tyron Smith from the Cowboys, and also got Morgan Moses and John Simpson to start. Mekhi Becton and Duane Brown are likely not back and they cut Laken Tomlinson so they’ve made improvements there. With Smith at LT, Moses at RT and Simpson at guard, Joe Tippman will likely slide to center with Connor McGovern a free agent and Alijah Vera-Tucker will be the other guard. They will still probably take a tackle early because they need the depth and have had a lot of injury problems.
They made a big pass catching add in former Charger Mike Williams who will pair nicely with Garrett Wilson for Aaron Rodgers.
They traded for Pro Bowl pass rusher Haason Reddick from the Eagles, who got replaced by Bryce Huff, who he is replacing on the Jets. They also added interior depth with Javon Kinlaw and Leki Fotu.
Conclusion: Holding the 10th pick, the Jets could stand pat for a receiver or tackle, but have flexibility to move around if need be. This is a good looking roster that may be a piece or two away, but either of those two positions would be the smartest play.
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