For the last 20 years, the AFC East has remained the same for the most part. The Patriots have won 17 of the last 20 division titles (along with 6 Super Bowls) while every other team tries to play catch up. Things are different this year.
Let's start with the Bills...
The Buffalo Bills made the playoffs for the second time in three years as a wild card team. How do they improve their roster in the offseason? They acquired wide receiver Stefon Diggs, drafted wide receiver Gabriel Davis in the fourth-round to go along with Diggs, John Brown, and Cole Beasley, and drafted running back Zach Moss in the third round with the expectations that Moss will compete with second-year running back Devin Singletary for playing time. In his third year, quarterback Josh Allen is expected to take another step forward, especially given all the talent around him and a defense that saw corner back Tre'Davious White tied for the league lead with 6 interceptions. Can the Bills dethrone the Patriots? Time will tell.
Speaking of the Patriots...
Tom Brady no longer resides in Foxborough as he took off for sunnier weather in Tampa Bay. So the Patriots lose their MVP quarterback. No worries, they'll just get another one in Cam Newton. While Cam certainly doesn't compare to Brady, he still does have an MVP to his name along with a trip to the Super Bowl and is the main reason the Panthers went 15-1 en route to that Super Bowl appearance. After a drama-filled release from the Panthers, Cam now has a chip on his shoulder as he looks to prove to the world that he is over his injuries and can still play.
When will the Dolphins start Tua?...
A nasty injury perhaps cost Tua from being the No. 1 pick April's draft. Instead, he falls down to No. 5 where the Dolphins happily selected the former Alabama product. He suffered was a dislocated hip and posterior wall fracture on November 16th and had to miss the rest of his season. Now, as rookies start to show up for training camp, Tua declared himself healthy and ready to go. He is expected to backup Ryan Fitzpatrick to start the season. The big question down south is, when will we see Tua. Will it be early? Later in the season? Could he sit the entire year? How will that sit with Dolphins fans if he does sit all year? A lot of questions/excitement with this Miami Dolphins team. Even rapper Rick Ross is excited.
Then there's the Jets...
A surprising 7-9 last season despite Sam Darnold missing games due to mono. This offseason has been more on the negative side with all-pro safety Jamal Adams wanting out of New York and now owner Woody Johnson is facing allegations that he made sexist and racist comments in his role as U.S. Ambassador to the U.K. Still, the Jets find themselves in the thick of the AFC East race as long as Darnold can stay healthy and Le'Veon Bell can improve on his disastrous season from a year ago. The team drafted Mekhi Becton to protect Darnold's blindside and added receiver Denzel Mims with their second-round selection. Via free agency, receiver Breshad Perriman, running back Frank Gore, and quarterback Joe Flacco also join the team.
New faces all over the AFC East. How will that translate on the field? That remains to be seen but one thing's for sure, this division might be the most exciting one to watch in the NFL.
PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES