Over the course of the next 8 days I will dive into the recommended offseason plans for each NFL team. Up first are the four teams in the AFC East. As long as the Patriots have Tom Brady and Bill Belichick they figure to be the favorites in the division, nevertheless let’s take a look at what the Bills, Dolphins, Jets, and Patriots should do this offseason.
- New England Patriots, 2015 record (12-4)
Key Free Agents:
LeGarrette Blount
The Patriots currently rank 30th in salary cap space with roughly north of 3 million in cap room. The biggest challenge for the Patriots will be finding cap space to take care of next season rather than this season. Jamie Collins, Chandler Jones, and Dont’a Hightower are due to be free agents following next season. Finding a way to extend those three guys is priority number one. Releasing guys Danny Amendola, Jerod Mayo, and Marcus Cannon would save New England close to 15 million alone to make those extensions possible. Having already lost their first round pick due to Deflategate the Patriots will have to do some bargain shopping as well. It’s safe to say even if New England doesn’t do anything on the free agent market this is still a Super Bowl contending roster.
- New York Jets, 2015 record (10-6)
Key Free Agents:
Muhammed Wilkerson, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Chris Ivory, Damon Harrison, Calvin Pace, DeMario Davis
The Jets missed the playoffs last season despite the 10-6 record. The tough task will be improving this team despite having so many free agents with limited cap space. The Jets will have about 14 million to work with to retain their free agents. Franchising Muhammed Wilkerson should be the first thing that gets taken care of. The problem is doing so leaves the Jets with virtually no cap space. Task number two should be resigning quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. If I were the general manager I would find a way to get a one-year deal plus team option for a second year worth about 10 million per season. Releasing Antonio Cromartie seems like the logical move to clear up that cap space as he would also comes with no guaranteed money. I would also recommend letting Ivory and the other free agents go elsewhere with virtually no money elsewhere. This would also collect the Jets four valuable compensation picks for the following season.
- Buffalo Bills, 2015 record (8-8)
Key Free Agents:
Cordy Glenn, Ritchie Incognito
The Bills are currently the only team over the projected 155 million to start the offseason ranking 32nd in cap space. The only free agent I would try to bring back is starting left tackle Cordy Glenn. Then again the Bills can’t break the bank for him either. I would let Incognito walk as his great 2015 season will land him a large pay day. To clear cap space I would start exploring the trade market for Mario Williams and Stephon Gilmore. Even collecting a few mid round picks for the players will give the Bills enough cap space to do serious work in free agency. Trading both players would give Buffalo over 23 million to work with. I would also find out what LeSean McCoy could reel in on the trade market.
- Miami Dolphins, 2015 record (6-10)
Key Free Agents:
Oliver Vernon, Lamar Miller
This organization is a train wreck lets make no mistake about it. Miami will have about 8 million to work with in free agency. If I were the general manager I would blow this team up completely and tank the season. Is Ryan Tannehill going to win you a Super Bowl? No, its time to move on even though Miami will likely hold onto him for 2-3 seasons continuing to not make the playoffs in the meantime. Can we find a taker for Ndamukong Suh’s albatross of a contract? If so see you later….. I would treat this situation similar to a rebuilding team in baseball even though Miami will likely do the complete opposite.
*All cap numbers courtesy of Over the cap and Sportrac
