Now that the draft is over, and free agency has simmered, it’s time to look ahead to the 2020 season, and take a look at how each team looks.
The AFC East has been absolutely dominated by the Patriots since Tom Brady took over. Since 2001, only twice have they not finished kings of the East. Things are different now. Brady moved south to Tampa Bay, and now all bets are off. The Bills were a surprise wild card team last year, but did they do enough to become the new favorite in the division? Will the “Tank for Tua” campaign in Miami pay off? Will Sam Darnold get better protection? Let’s look at the AFC East.
Rookies will be noted with * and players from the 2019 Pro Bowl will be in bold.
Buffalo Bills
Offense
QB: Josh Allen
RB1: Devin Singletary
RB2: Zack Moss *
WR1: Stefon Diggs
WR2: John Brown
WR3: Cole Beasley
TE1: Dawson Knox
TE2: Tyler Kroft
LT: Dion Dawkins
LG: Quinton Spain
C: Mitch Morse
RG: Jon Feliciano
RT: Cody Ford
Defense
DE: Mario Addison
DT: Ed Oliver
DT: Star Loutuleilei
DE: Jerry Hughes
OLB: AJ Klein
MLB: Tremaine Edmunds
OLB: Matt Milano
CB: Josh Norman
FS: Micah Hyde
SS: Jordan Poyer
CB: Tre’Davious White
We all know the Bills have a very talented defense. The offense is what intrigues me. After giving up a first round pick to acquire Stefon Diggs, the receiving core now consists of two trusted outside receivers with Diggs and John Brown, as well as Cole Beasley in the slot. The offensive line is returning from a season ago, and they drafted Zack Moss in the third round to bring more youth in the backfield now that Frank Gore is gone. The pieces are there. It’s now up to Josh Allen to put that puzzle together.
Miami Dolphins
Offense
QB: Ryan Fitzpatrick
RB1: Jordan Howard
RB2: Matt Brieda
WR1: DeVante Parker
WR2: Preston Williams
WR3: Albert Wilson
TE1: Mike Gesicki
TE2: Durham Smythe
LT: Austin Jackson *
LG: Ereck Flowers
C: Ted Karras
RG: Robert Hunt *
RT: Jesse Davis
Defense
DE: Shaq Lawson
NT: Davon Godchaux
DE: Christian Wilkins
OLB: Vince Biegel
ILB: Raekwon McMillan
ILB: Elandon Roberts
OLB: Kyle Van Noy
CB: Xavien Howard
FS: Bobby McCain
SS: Eric Rowe
CB: Byron Jones
It’s hard to find a more talent-deficient roster than the 2019 Dolphins. They traded away Kenny Stills, Laremy Tunsil, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Kenyan Drake last season to accumulate draft capital, meaning the “Tank for Tua” campaign was alive and well. Right now, I don’t have the rookie starting at quarterback, and that’s okay. The plan should be to sit him in 2020, and then when the Dolphins continue to put talent around him, plug him into the starting job by 2021. After getting absolutely nothing from their running backs, they acquire Jordan Howard and Matt Brieda to bring some production to the backfield.
New England Patriots
Offense
QB: Cam Newton
RB1: Sony Michel
RB2: James White
WR1: N’Keal Harry
WR2: Julian Edelman
WR3: Mohamed Sanu
TE1: Matt LaCosse
TE2: Devin Asiasi
LT: Isaiah Wynn
LG: Joe Thuney
C: David Andrews
RG: Shaq Mason
RT: Marcus Cannon
Defense
DE: Lawrence Guy
DT: Beau Allen
DE: John Simon
OLB: Josh Uche *
ILB: Dont’a Hightower
ILB: Ja’Whaun Bentley
OLB: Brandon Copeland
CB: Stephon Gilmore
FS: Devin McCourty
SS: Patrick Chung
CB: Jason McCourty
I’m not ruling out either Andy Dalton or Cam Newton signing with the Patriots, but until I hear buzz, I’m sticking the mystery of Jarrett Stidham at the starting lineup. New England’s weaknesses down the stretch last year was the offense, and that was WITH Tom Brady. He’s no longer in the picture, and barring some wizardry from Bill Belichick (which is always a possibility), I can’t see the Patriots in the playoffs this year with a thin front seven on defense.
UPDATE: Cam Newton signs a 1-year deal with the Patriots. So there ya go.
New York Jets
Offense
QB: Sam Darnold
RB1: Le’Veon Bell
RB2: Lamical Perine
WR1: Breshad Perriman
WR2: Jamison Crowder
WR3: Denzel Mims *
TE1: Chris Herndon IV
TE2: Ryan Griffin
LT: Mekhi Becton *
LG: Alex Lewis
C: Connor McGovern
RG: Brian Winters
RT: Chuma Edoga
Defense
DE: Quinnen Williams
NT: Steve McLendon
DE: Henry Anderson
OLB: Harvey Langi
ILB: CJ Mosley
ILB: Avery Williamson
OLB: Jordan Jenkins
CB: Pierre Desir
FS: Marcus Maye
SS: Bradley McDougald
CB: Bryce Hall *
Special Teams
K: Sam Ficken
P: Braden Mann *
If the Jets want to avoid shortening Sam Darnold’s career, they had no choice but to address the offensive line, which was hole-free for Le’Veon Bell and made Darnold a sitting duck. Joe Douglas’ first draft pick as their GM was taking the 6’7, 369 lb mammoth Mekhi Becton from Louisville, so that is the first step in fixing the O-line. His next pick was Denzel Mims, and he should provide a go-to presence for Darnold. It’s imperative that the Jets’ offense takes a step forward in 2020, or Adam Gase will take a step forward to the exit door.
UPDATE: Jamal Adams was traded to the Seattle Seahawks.
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