Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins have been extremely active in free agency for the second consecutive year, but unlike last year, most of the new signings are primarily to add depth to the roster. This depth will give the team a very competitive environment where everyone can improve off each other. Most of these players help reinforce Miami’s trenches, particularly Miami’s defensive front seven. DT Adam Butler, LB Brennan Scarlett, and LB Duke Riley are all new faces looking to help contribute to the Dolphins’ defense, and OL D.J. Fluker and C Matt Skura will be looking to do the same on the other side of the ball. Also, it’s worth noting that LB Vince Biegel and CB Nik Needham will return to the Dolphins for another season.

By far, the most exciting signing for Miami is WR Will Fuller. The former Texan agreed to a one-year deal with the Phins worth just over $10 million. Fuller brings explosiveness, speed, and big-play ability to Miami’s offense, which was missing down the stretch of last season. Fuller joins a wide receiver room with a lot of potential, with players like DeVante Parker and Preston Williams leading the group. Fuller gives QB Tua Tagovailoa a great weapon, as the young quarterback looks to have a breakout year in his second season.

With the departure of QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Dolphins needed to figure out a good backup for Tagovailoa. Former Indianapolis Colt Jacoby Brissett fits that role perfectly. Brissett has started 32 games in his five-year career and adds knowledge and leadership to the team. The former Colt also possesses a lot of versatility, and it would not be surprising to see Brissett come on the field in goal-line and short-yardage situations. Brissett provides healthy competition to the quarterback room, which can only be beneficial for Tua.

New York Jets

New York has been fairly active in free agency this offseason, and four of their signings are projected to be starters: DE Carl Lawson, DT Sheldon Rankins, LB Jarrad Davis, and WR Corey Davis. Former first-round pick Sam Darnold is no longer with the Jets, as he was traded earlier this year to the Carolina Panthers. The Jets currently hold the second overall pick in this year’s draft, and they are projected to draft their quarterback for the foreseeable future with that selection.

DE Carl Lawson signed a three-year contract with the Jets, and his $15 million yearly salary will make him the highest-paid player on the team. Coach Robert Saleh likes to run a 4-3 scheme, which desperately needs a player like Lawson. The former Bengal excels at generating pressure, and he lined up next to DT Quinnen Williams gives New York’s defensive line a big presence.

WR Corey Davis has a similar frame to WR Denzel Mims, and whoever ends up under center for the Jets is sure to like two 6-foot-3 receivers on the outside. Davis has received a lot of criticism because he was the fifth overall pack in 2017 and has yet to have a 1,000-yard season. It will be the next quarterback’s responsibility to bring the best out of Davis.

Many eyes will be on New York as fans eagerly wait to see who they select in this year’s draft. The Jets are going in the right direction, but they still have a lot of work to do to win games consistently.

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Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills just came off an awe-inspiring season, as they were just one game away from reaching the Super Bowl. The Bills wasted no time addressing their needs since they resigned LB Matt Milano, G Jon Feliciano, and T Daryl Williams before free agency began. Milano has a lot of versatility and particularly excels in passing scenarios, while the Feliciano and Williams signings help keep that offensive line unit together.

One of Buffalo’s most interesting signings of this free agency was QB Mitchell Trubisky, the former Chicago Bears starter. Trubisky transitions into a full-time backup role behind QB Josh Allen. The former Chicago Bear resembles Josh Allen’s frame and athleticism, and if Allen were to miss any time due to injury, the Bills would not have to change their offensive scheme too much when Trubisky has to step up.

Former New Orleans Saint Emmanuel Sanders joins a Bills receiving room with a lot of talent, with Stefon Diggs leading the way. Sanders is a two-time Pro Bowler, and Buffalo adds another weapon to their offense in the former Saint.

There are a couple of former Dolphins on Buffalo now as well. Former Miami punter Matt Haack agreed to a three-year deal with Buffalo, and RB Matt Breida joins the Bills on a one-year deal.

New England Patriots

The New England Patriots are having an unprecedented offseason thus far, as the Patriots have broken the NFL recorded for most guaranteed money ever spent in free agency. This free-agency spending spree feels oddly similar to the Dolphins’ offseason last year when Miami reshaped their entire roster overnight. Most of New England’s moves address three specific areas of their team: defensive front seven, tight end, and wide receiver.

Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Matthew Judon is one of the Patriots’ biggest signings this offseason. Judon signed a four-year, $56 million deal that includes around $30 million in guaranteed money. Judon brings a lot of physicality to New England, and him paired with LB Dont’a Hightower will be a formidable duo for the Pats. LB Kyle Van Noy returns to the Pats for a two-year deal after his stint in Miami.

New England brought in an impressive pair of tight ends with former Charger Hunter Henry and former Titan Jonnu Smith. New England had minimal production from their tight ends last season, and Henry and Smith will both work to change that, as they fill the hole left by former TE Rob Gronkowski.

To bolster the defensive line, the Pats came to terms with DT Lawrence Guy to keep the talented lineman in New England. Guy has been a cornerstone for the Patriots in the four last seasons, and in an environment where so many new players are coming in, New England looks to keep the backbone of their defense. Former Miami Dolphin DT Davon Godchaux is with the Patriots now also.

Wide receiver has been looked at as a big need for the Pats in recent years. While the Patriots didn’t sign any big-name receivers, they did bring WR Nelson Agholor and WR Kendrick Bourne onboard to help generate production from that position group.