AFC East

Buffalo Bills

Key Additions: WR Brad Smith (4 years, 15 million), QB Tyler Thigpen (3 years), MLB Nick Barnett (3 years, 12 million)

Key Re-signings: CB Drayton Florence (3 years, 15 million)

Key Losses: MLB Paul Posluszny (Jaguars), DL Marcus Stroud (cut), S Donte Whitner (49ers)

Grade: C

Why: I like the signing of Brad Smith as well as Nick Barnett but the loss of Paul Posluszny hurts. Barnett should fill in well but he is no Paul Posluszny, who should excel in a 4-3 defense down in Jacksonville. I am not completely sure of Smith’s role, but it seems they will implement him into the wildcat. He is sure to be used often though, he is a dynamic player. The defense certainly needs some upgrades, coming into this season at the moment it looks very beatable.  

Miami Dolphins

Key Additions: RB Reggie Bush (Trade) 2 years, 9.75 million), QB Matt Moore (2 years), MLB Kevin Burnett (4 years, 21 million) DE/OLB Jason Taylor (1 year)

Key Re-signings: NT Paul Soliai (Franchise Tag) 1 year, 12.4 million) DL Tony McDaniel (2 years, 6 million), G Richie Incognito (3 years)

Key Losses: MLB Channing Crowder (cut), MLB Tim Dobbins (Texans), Ronnie Brown (Eagles)

Grade: B

Why: It’s a close B. Reason is that Burnett no doubt had a monster year but he’s never been consistently good. It’s a large investment so we will see how it plays out, at least they have Dansby to help him out. Adding Reggie Bush is very key, the organization needed playmakers and Bush is one. I like the resigning’s as well as the addition of Jason Taylor. The one thing i’d do if I were the Dolphins is lock up Soliai for more years and less money then the 12 plus million he’s making. Open’s up more cap room to upgrade.

New England Patriots

Key Additions: WR Chad Ochocinco (Trade) 1 year, 6 million), DL Albert Haynesworth (Trade) 5 years), DL Shaun Ellis (1 year), DL Andre Carter 

Key Re-signings: CB Kyle Arrington (2 years, 3.725 million), G Logan Mankins (Franchise Tag) 1 year, 10.51 million), T Matt Light (2 years, 12 million), RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis (1 year, 1.835 million) 

Key Losses: T Nick Kazcur (cut), DE/OLB Tully Banta-Cain (cut), DL Ty Warren (Broncos)

Grade: A

Why: The addition of Ochocinco only adds another weapon to the already dangerous receiving core not too mention he is just another target for Brady, scary. Haynesworth is a low risk, high reward. So I don’t think it’s remotely a bad deal. A couple of late draft picks landed these 2, what a bargain. Also keeping Light and Mankins is huge, I’m sure Tom Brady is a very happy man. The re-signing of Green-Ellis is also big, he was a force last season. They just nabbed Shaun Ellis away from the rival Jets,and picked up Andre Carter. Both players should excel well which makes the Patriots line insanely scary. Just another reason to watch out for the Patriots this season

New York Jets

Key Additions: WR Plaxico Burress (1 year, 3 million), Derrick Mason (1 year, 910,000)

Key Re-signings: WR Santonio Holmes (5 years, 50 million), CB Antonio Cromartie (4 years, 32 million), S Eric Smith (3 years, 7.5 million), MLB David Harris (4 years, 36 million), S Brodney Pool

Key Losses: NT Kris Jenkins (retired), T Damien Woody (retired), WR Brad Smith (Bills), P Steve Weatherford (Giants), WR Jericho Cotchery (cut), WR Braylon Edwards (49ers), DL Shaun Ellis (Patriots) 

Grade: B

Why: Re-signing Holmes, and Cromartie as well as locking up David Harris was key to the future of the Jets. These are the players that make teams into playoff contenders, so losing them was not in the plans. Losing Brad Smith though to the Bills will hurt the offense and especially the return game. Also losing a solid offensive lineman in Woody and Jenkins who was one of the best Nose Tackles to retirement, will be tough to replace. They also just recently released Cotchery for Derrick Mason. I’m unsure I like that too much. Does Holmes, Burress, Mason sound better than Holmes, Edwards, and Cotchery? Not to me, and probably not to Sanchez. Now the Jets just lost Shaun Ellis to the Patriots, the hits keep on coming.