Is the AFC East the Best Division in Football?
Josh Frey
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As training camp continues to get closer, many folks have begun previewing the 2023 season and what we should expect to see from each NFL team in 2023. Over the course of the next couple weeks, we will be breaking down all 32 NFL teams, going over some of the biggest moves of the offseason, best-case and worst-case scenarios for 2023, and addressing some of the questions facing each team. Today, we’re talking about one of the most loaded divisions in all of football: the AFC East.
Buffalo Bills
- 2022 Record: 13-3 (1st in AFC East, No. 2 seed in AFC)
- Best Addition: IOL O’Cyrus Torrence
- Biggest Loss: LB Tremaine Edmunds
- Underrated Move: Re-signing S Jordan Poyer
- 2023 Floor: 11-6
- 2023 Ceiling: 14-3
- Biggest Question: What Kind of Production Do They Get at RB?
Josh Allen at QB eliminates a lot of problems for the Buffalo Bills, but as we saw in the playoffs, he still needs help around him. The offensive line has been a problem over the past couple seasons while they certainly could use more production from their running back room.
They made massive strides to fix their interior offensive line problems by landing O’Cyrus Torrence in the second round, arguably the best guard prospect in the entire 2023 draft class. Without Devin Singletary in the backfield, though, they will need James Cook and Damien Harris to take pressure off Allen’s arm.
Miami Dolphins
- 2022 Record: 9-8 (2nd in AFC East)
- Best Addition: CB Jalen Ramsey
- Biggest Loss: TE Mike Gesicki
- Underrated Move: Drafting CB Cam Smith
- 2023 Floor: 9-8
- 2023 Ceiling: 12-5
- Biggest Question: Can Tua Stay Healthy?
Last season was just about the worst-case scenario for the Miami Dolphins at the quarterback position, and they still finished 9-8. They are hoping Tua Tagovailoa has shaken the concussion problems that he faced during 2022, and they made sure to load up on weapons around him to ensure that he is able to get rid of the ball early.
Then, defensively, it almost feels like their trade for Jalen Ramsey has fallen a bit under the radar this offseason with all the QB storylines. Ramsey is still one of the better cornerbacks in the league, and they also landed a very physical CB in Cam Smith with their second-round pick in the draft. As long as they keep Tua’s jersey clean, this team should be poised to compete in the division.
New England Patriots
- 2022 Record: 8-9 (3rd in AFC East)
- Best Addition: CB Christian Gonzalez
- Biggest Loss: RB Damien Harris
- Underrated Move: Signing OT Riley Reiff
- 2023 Floor: 6-11
- 2023 Ceiling: 10-7
- Biggest Question: Will the Offense Keep Up with the Defense?
Bill Belichick has the Jimmys and Joes to make the Xs and Os work on the defensive side of the ball, especially after somehow landing Christian Gonzalez with the 17th overall pick in the draft, but what will things look on the offensive side of the ball? Mac Jones’ second year under center didn’t go nearly as well as many hoped, even being replaced by Bailey Zappe for a portion of the season.
Things don’t get much easier in 2023, especially with RB Damien Harris departing for their aforementioned division rivals, the Buffalo Bills. However, they may get a bit more help on the offensive line this year with the acquisition of Riley Reiff, who has strung together a very solid NFL career.
New York Jets
- 2022 Record: 7-10 (4th in AFC East)
- Best Addition: QB Aaron Rodgers
- Biggest Loss: DT Sheldon Rankins
- Underrated Move: Signing IOL Wes Schweitzer
- 2023 Floor: 8-9
- 2023 Ceiling: 13-4
- Biggest Question: Can Aaron Rodgers Get Back to MVP Form?
On paper, the New York Jets might be the most complete roster in all of football. However, they don’t play the game on paper. Aaron Rodgers is a four-time MVP and should be a huge upgrade at the quarterback position, but he looked like a shell of himself during his final season with the Packers. Was this due to injury, a lack of motivation, or are the wheels finally starting to come off for the 39-year-old QB?
That being said, Rodgers is in a perfect position to succeed with the Jets. They have a stacked backfield as long as Breece Hall comes back healthy in 2023 from his ACL tear, and the wide receiver room has starting caliber talent out the wazoo. Defensively, too, the draft selection of Will McDonald should give New York a twitchy pass-rusher that complements a terrific secondary featuring Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed at corner along with another deep room at the safety position.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.