Monday, August 15, 2016

NFL Team-by-Team Preview - AFC East

Buffalo Bills

2015 Record
8-8-0
2015 Divisional Standing
3rd AFC East
Head Coach
Rex Ryan

2015 Top Passers

  • Tyrod Taylor - 14 games, 63.7 completion percentage (cmp%), 3035 yards, 20 TDs, 6 INTs, 99.4 passer rating
  • EJ Manuel - 2 games, 61.9 cmp%, 561 yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs, 78.5 passer rating

2015 Top Rushers

  • LeSean McCoy - 895 yards, 4.4 yards/attempt (y/a), 3 TDs, 1 fumble lost
  • QB Tyrod Taylor - 568 yards, 5.5 y/a, 4 TDs
  • Karlos Williams - 517 yards, 5.6 y/a, 7 TDs

2015 Top Receivers

  • Sammy Watkins - 60 receptions, 1047 yards, 17.5 avg, 9 TDs, 125 Yards After Catch (YAC)
  • Robert Woods - 47 receptions, 552 yards, 11.7 avg, 3 TDs, 148 YAC
  • TE Charles Clay - 51 receptions, 528 yards, 10.4 avg, 3 TDs, 236 YAC

2015 Top Defensive Performers

  • S Corey Graham - 127 total tackles, 4 Tackles For Loss (TFL), 1.0 sack, 2 INTs
  • MLB Preston Brown - 120 total tackles, 3 TFL, 2 INTs, 1 Forced Fumble (FF)
  • DE Jerry Hughes - 52 total tackles, 4 TFL, 5.0 sacks, 2 FF
  • CB Stephon Gilmore - 36 total tackles, 3 INTs

2015 Notes

  • WR Percy Harvin retired
  • WR Chris Hogan signed with New England
  • QB Zac Dysert signed with Miami
  • TE MarQuis Gray signed with Miami
  • G/C Kraig Urbik signed with Miami
  • DE Mario Williams signed with Miami
  • DT Stefan Charles signed with Detroit
  • LB Nigel Bradham signed with Philadelphia
  • LB Ty Powell signed with Philadelphia
  • DB Leodis McKelvin signed with Phildelphia
  • DB Ron Brooks signed with Philadelphia

2016 Draft Results

RD 1, no. 19
Shaq Lawson
DE
Clemson
RD 2, no. 41
Reggie Ragland
LB
Alabama
RD 3, no. 80
Adolphus Washington
DT
Ohio State
RD 4, no. 139
Cardale Jones
QB
Ohio State
RD 5, no. 156
Jonathan Williams
RB
Arkansas
RD 6, no. 192
Kolby Listenbee
WR
TCU
RD 6, no. 218
Kevon Seymour
CB
USC

Free Agent Pickups

  • RB Reggie Bush signed from San Francisco
  • RB Dan Herron signed from Indianapolis
  • RB James Wilder Jr signed from Cincinnati
  • FB Glenn Gronkowski signed as an undrafted free agent
  • WR Jarrett Boykin signed from Carolina
  • WR Greg Little signed from Cincinnati
  • TE Jim Dray signed from Cleveland
  • DT Justin Zimmer signed as an undrafted free agent
  • LB Zach Brown signed from Tennessee
  • OLB Lorenzo Alexander signed from Oakland
  • OLB Eric Striker signed as an undrafted free agent
  • ILB David Hawthorne signed from New Orleans
  • ILB Jamari Lattimore signed from the Jets
  • CB Sterling Moore signed from Tampa Bay
  • CB Corey White signed from Arizona
  • CB Javier Arenas signed from the Jets
  • S Robert Blanton signed from Minnesota

2016 Schedule

Week
Date
Opponent
My Guess
1
9/11
@ Baltimore
W
2
9/15
Vs New York Jets
L
3
9/25
Vs Arizona
L
4
10/2
@ New England
L
5
10/9
@ Los Angeles
W
6
10/16
Vs San Francisco
W
7
10/23
@ Miami
L
8
10/30
Vs New England
L
9
11/7
@ Seattle
L
10
Bye
Week

11
11/20
@ Cincinnati
L
12
11/27
Vs Jacksonville
W
13
12/4
@ Oakland
L
14
12/11
Vs Pittsburgh
L
15
12/15
Vs Cleveland
W
16
12/24
Vs Miami
W
17
1/1
@ New York Jets
L

2016 Outlook

  • Last season the Bills had a .500 season and had another season of competitiveness and near playoff contention.  They got a positive surprise from QB Tyrod Taylor, whom they signed prior to last season, who started 12 games for them and was a calming presence for their offense.  They also had solid rushing production from several players, and will look for more from lead back LeSean McCoy.  WR Sammy Watkins served as a solid target for Taylor all season and will look to take another step forward in his development.  On defense, as with all Rex Ryan-coached teams, the Bills will always be solid and get after the opposing quarterback. This will look to increase this season following the drafting of DE Shaq Lawson in the first round.  I have the Bills going 6-10 this season, splitting the season series with the Jets and Dolphins and struggling with their tough out-of-division schedule.

Miami Dolphins

2015 Record
6-10-0
2015 Divisional Standing
4th AFC East
Head Coach
Adam Gase

2015 Top Passers

  • Ryan Tannehill - 16 games, 61.9 cmp%, 4208 yards, 24 TDs, 12 INTs, 88.7 passer rating

2015 Top Rushers

  • Lamar Miller - 872 yards, 4.5 y/a, 8 TDs, 1 fumble lost
  • Jay Ajayi - 187 yards, 3.8 y/a, 1 TD

2015 Top Receivers

  • Jarvis Landry - 110 receptions, 1157 yards, 10.5 avg, 4 TDs, 547 YAC
  • Rishard Matthews - 43 receptions, 662 yards, 15.4 avg, 4 TDs, 244 YAC
  • DeVante Parker - 26 receptions, 494 yards, 19.0 avg, 3 TDs, 98 YAC

2015 Top Defensive Performers

  • S Rashad Jones - 135 total tackles, 6 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 5 INTs
  • LB Kelvin Sheppard - 105 total tackles, 14 TFL
  • DE Olivier Vernon - 61 total tackles, 11 TFL, 7.5 sacks

2015 Notes

  • Acquired CB Byron Maxwell from Philadelphia
  • WR Rishard Matthews signed with Tennessee
  • RB Lamar Miller signed with Houston
  • DE Olivier Vernon signed with the Giants
  • DE Quinton Coples signed with Los Angeles
  • LB Kelvin Sheppard signed with the Giants
  • DB Brent Grimes signed with Tampa Bay
  • DB Brice McCain signed with Tennessee
  • WR Greg Jennings retired
  • TE Brandon Williams signed with Seattle
  • G Shelley Smith signed with Chicago
  • DB Dax Swanson signed with Dallas 

2016 Draft Results

RD 1, no. 13
Laremy Tunsil
T
Ole Miss
RD 2, no. 38
Xavien Howard
CB
Baylor
RD 3, no. 73
Kenyan Drake
RB
Alabama
RD 3, no. 86
Leonte Carroo
WR
South Carolina
RD 6, no. 186
Jakeem Grant
WR
Texas Tech
RD 6, no. 204
Jordan Lucas
CB/S
Penn State
RD 7, no. 223
Brandon Doughty
QB
Western Kentucky
RD 7, no. 231
Thomas Duarte
TE
UCLA

Free Agent Pickups

  • QB Zac Dysert signed from Buffalo
  • RB Arian Foster signed form Houston
  • RB Daniel Thomas signed from Chicago
  • RB Isaiah Pead signed from Pittsburgh
  • WR Griff Whalen signed from Indianapolis
  • WR Tyler Murphy signed from Pittsburgh
  • WR A.J. Cruz signed from Chicago
  • G Jermon Bushrod signed from Chicago
  • T/G Sam Young signed from Jacksonville
  • G/C Kraig Urbik signed from Buffalo
  • DE Andre Branch signed from Jacksonville
  • DE Mario Williams signed from Buffalo
  • DE Jason Jones signed from Detroit
  • DT Charles Tuaau signed from Kansas City
  • FS Isa Abdul-Quddus signed from Detroit
  • CB Chris Culliver signed from Washington
  • CB Chimdi Chekwa signed from Oakland

2016 Schedule

Week
Date
Opponent
My Guess
1
9/11
@ Seattle
L
2
9/18
@ New England
L
3
9/25
Vs Cleveland
W
4
9/29
@ Cincinnati
L
5
10/9
Vs Tennessee
W
6
10/16
Vs Pittsburgh
L
7
10/23
Vs Buffalo
W
8
Bye
Week

9
11/6
Vs New York Jets
W
10
11/13
@ San Diego
L
11
11/20
@ Los Angeles
W
12
11/27
Vs San Francisco
W
13
12/4
@ Baltimore
W
14
12/11
Vs Arizona
L
15
12/17
@ New York Jets
L
16
12/24
@ Buffalo
L
17
1/1
Vs New England
W

2016 Outlook

  • It's hard to imagine Miami getting much better after a 6-10 season last year.  Several of their big pieces (Lamar Miller and Olivier Vernon) have departed via free agency and it will be interesting if their replacements (and older Arian Foster and Mario Williams) can provide the same production. Ryan Tannehill still has yet to prove if he is a better than good quarterback and has struggled to lead the Dolphins with their less-than-stellar weapons.  The team did not do anything to address their lack of talent at the skill positions and will rely on Jarvis Landry and Kenny Stills as their number one and two wide receivers, respectively.  On their offensive line, Miami had potential number one overall pick Laremy Tunsil fall into their laps at number 13 due to his off the field issue on draft day. He and newly-acquired G Jermon Bushrod should help protect Tannehill and lead a rushing attack.  A quick look at the names on defense would make people think that the Dolphins are an elite defense, yet the numbers do not support this. Miami was in the bottom half of the league in scoring defense and a lot of that has to do with a front seven that could not get after the opposing quarterback.  They will need a big bounce back season from the highly-expensive Ndamukong Suh in order to stay in games this season.  I think the Dolphins will actually improve this season to 8-8, largely the result of playing a relatively soft out-of-division schedule and hosting New England the last game of the year, a time when the Patriots could be resting players for the playoffs.

New England Patriots


2015 Record
12-4-0
2015 Divisional Standing
1st AFC East
Head Coach
Bill Belichick

2015 Top Passers

  • Tom Brady - 64.4 cmp%, 4770 yards, 36 TDs, 7 INTs, 102.2 passer rating

2015 Top Rushers

  • LeGarrette Blount - 703 yards, 4.3 y/a, 6 TDs
  • Dion Lewis - 234 yards, 4.8 y/a, 2 TDs
  • Brandon Bolden - 207 yards, 3.3 y/a

2015 Top Receivers

  • TE Rob Gronkowski - 72 receptions, 1176 yards, 16.3 avg, 11 TDs, 565 YAC
  • Julian Edelman - 61 receptions, 692 yards, 11.3 avg, 7 TDs, 327 YAC
  • Danny Amendola - 65 receptions, 648 yards, 10.0 avg, 3 TDs,  280 YAC

2015 Top Defensive Performers

  • LB Jamie Collins - 12 games, 89 total tackles, 5 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 1 INT, 5 FF
  • S Patrick Chung - 85 total tackles, 3 TFL, 1 FF
  • DE Chandler Jones - 44 total tackles, 3 TFL, 12.5 sacks, 1 INT, 4 FF
  • CB Logan Ryan - 74 total tackles, 3 TFL, 4 INTs

2015 Notes

  • TE Scott Chandler retired
  • LB Jerod Mayo retired
  • LB Dane Fletcher retired
  • DT Sealver Siliga signed with Seattle
  • DE Akiem Hicks signed with Chicago
  • LB Dekoda Watson signed with Denver
  • DB Tavon Wilson signed with Detroit
  • Acquired TE Martellus Bennett from Chicago
  • Acquired G Jonathan Cooper from Arizona in exchange for DE Chandler Jones

2016 Draft Results

RD 2, no. 60
Cyrus Jones
CB
Alabama
RD 3, no. 78
Joe Thuney
G
N.C. State
RD 3, no. 91
Jacoby Brissett
QB
N.C. State
RD 3, no. 96
Vincent Valentine
DT
Nebraska
RD 4, no. 112
Malcolm Mitchell
WR
Georgia
RD 6, no. 208
Kamu Grugier-Hill
SS/LB
Eastern Illinois
RD 6, no. 214
Elandon Roberts
MLB
Houston
RD 6, no. 221
Ted Karras
G
Illinois
RD 7, no. 225
Devin Lucien
WR
Arizona State

Free Agent Pickups

  • RB Donald Brown signed from San Diego
  • RB D.J. Foster signed as an undrafted free agent
  • WR Chris Hogan signed from Buffalo
  • WR Nate Washington signed from Houston
  • WR DeAndre Carter signed from Oakland
  • TE Clay Harbor signed from Jacksonville
  • DE Chris Long signed from St. Louis
  • DT Terrance Knighton signed from Washington
  • DE Frank Kearse signed from Washington
  • DT Markus Kuhn signed from the Giants
  • LB Shea McClellin signed from Chicago
  • LB Ramon Humber signed from New Orleans
  • CB E.J. Biggers signed from Philadelphia
  • CB Jonathan Jones signed as an undrafted free agent
  • S Vinnie Snseri signed from New Orleans
  • S Cedric Thompson signed from Miami

2016 Schedule

Week
Date
Opponent
My Guess
1
9/11
@ Arizona
L
2
9/18
Vs Miami
W
3
9/22
Vs Houston
W
4
10/2
Vs Buffalo
W
5
10/9
@ Cleveland
W
6
10/16
Vs Cincinnati
W
7
10/23
@ Pittsburgh
W
8
10/30
@ Buffalo
W
9
Bye
Week

10
11/13
Vs Seattle
W
11
11/20
Vs San Francisco
W
12
11/27
@ New York Jets
W
13
12/4
Vs Los Angeles
W
14
12/12
Vs Baltimore
W
15
12/18
@ Denver
W
16
12/24
Vs New York Jets
W
17
1/1
@ Miami
L

2016 Outlook

  • The Patriots will be without quarterback Tom Brady for the first four games of the season; the result of the Deflategate suspension (thanks, Roger you douche).  Backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo will take over the reigns for the four games, but the Patriots should have enough talent even without Brady to win at least two of the suspended games.  I look for Bill Belichick to scheme enough to take as much pressure off Garoppolo as possible by using the running game and allowing for quick, short passes.  When Brady does come back, I feel that he will have one of the best stretches of his career and the Patriots will be on a roll.  The Patriots will have two solid tight ends again for the first time since Aaron Hernandez went to prison, now that Martellus Bennett was brought in during the offseason to play alongside Gronk.  They also traded for G Jonathan Cooper to help strengthen their offensive line, as well as drafted Joe Thuney to help keep the pocket clean. On defense, they brought in veteran Chris Long to replace Chandler Jones and also signed DT Terrance Knighton to play in their defensive line rotation.  Their linebacking corps looks to be great despite Jerrod Mayo retiring and their secondary took a big step forward last season and will look to continue to develop.  I think the Patriots will win three of four with Brady out (only dropping the first game against Arizona) and then only losing against Pittsburgh and at Miami in the last game of the year.  I have them going 14-2 and competing for another Super Bowl championship.

New York Jets

2015 Record
10-6-0
2015 Divisional Standing
2nd AFC East
Head Coach
Todd Bowles

2015 Top Passers

  • Ryan Fitzpatrick  - 16 games, 59.6 cmp%, 3905 yards, 31 TDs, 15 INTs, 88.0 passer rating

2015 Top Rushers

  • Chris Ivory - 1070 yards, 4.3 y/a, 7 TDs, 2 fumbles lost
  • Bilal Powell - 313 yards, 4.5 y/a, 1 TD

2015 Top Receivers

  • Brandon Marshall - 109 receptions, 1502 yards, 13.8 avg, 14 TDs, 395 YAC
  • Eric Decker - 80 receptions, 1027 yards, 12.8 avg, 12 TDs, 220 YAC
  • RB Bilal Powell - 47 receptions, 388 yards, 8.3 avg, 2 TDs, 441 YAC

2015 Top Defensive Performers

  • LB David Harris - 108 total tackles, 7 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 2 FF
  • LB Demario Davis - 90 total tackles, 6 TFL, 2.0 sacks
  • DE Muhammad Wilkerson - 64 total tackles, 5 TFL, 12.0 sacks, 2 FF
  • DB Marcus Williams - 27 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, 6 INTs, 1 FF

2015 Notes

  • RB Chris Ivory signed with Jacksonville
  • RB Steven Ridley signed with Detroit
  • WR Jeremy Kerley signed with Detroit
  • TE Jeff Cumberland signed with San Diego
  • DT Damon Harrison signed with the Giants
  • DT Leger Douzable signed with Buffalo
  • DE Stephen Brown retired
  • LB Demario Davis signed with Cleveland
  • LB Jamari Lattimore signed with Buffalo
  • DB Darrin Walls signed with Detroit
  • DB Antonio Allen signed with Houston
  • P Ryan Quigley signed with Philadelphia
  • T D'Brickashaw Ferguson retired
  • Acquired T Ryan Clady from Denver

2016 Draft Results

RD 1, no. 20
Darron Lee
OLB
Ohio State
RD 2, no. 51
Christian Hackenberg
QB
Penn State
RD 3, no. 83
Jordan Jenkins
OLB
Georgia
RD 4, no. 118
Juston Burris
CB
N.C. State
RD 5, no. 158
Brandon Shell
T
South Carolina
RD 7, no. 235
Lachlan Edwards
P
Sam Houston State
RD 7, no. 241
Charone Peake
WR
Clemson

Free Agent Pickups

  • RB Matt Forte signed from Chicago
  • RB Khiry Robinson signed from New Orleans
  • RB Bernard Pierce signed from Jacksonville
  • RB Dominique Williams signed from Minnesota
  • WR Jeremy Ross signed from Oakland
  • WR Chandler Worthy signed from Houston
  • WR Titus Davis signed from San Diego
  • G Craig Watts signed from San Diego
  • T Jesse Davis signed from Seattle
  • DT Steve McLendon signed from Pittsburgh
  • DE Shelby Harris signed from Oakland
  • DE Freddie Bishop III signed from Detroit
  • DT Jarvis Jenkins signed from Chicago
  • LB Bruce Carter signed from Tampa Bay
  • CB Darryl Morris signed from Houston
  • P Tom Hackett signed as an undrafted free agent

2016 Schedule

Week
Date
Opponent
My Guess
1
9/11
Vs Cincinnati
L
2
9/15
@ Buffalo
W
3
9/25
@ Kansas City
L
4
10/2
Vs Seattle
L
5
10/9
@ Pittsburgh
L
6
10/17
@ Arizona
L
7
10/23
Vs Baltimore
W
8
10/30
@ Cleveland
W
9
11/6
@ Miami
L
10
11/13
Vs Los Angeles
W
11
Bye
Week

12
11/27
Vs New England
L
13
12/5
Vs Indianapolis
W
14
12/11
@ San Francisco
W
15
12/17
Vs Miami
W
16
12/24
@ New England
L
17
1/1
Vs Buffalo
W

2016 Outlook

  • The Jets enter 2016 with one of the worst quarterback situations in the league.  They re-signed Ryan Fitzpatrick to a one-year deal, which still doesn't shine any light on their future of the position.  Fitzpatrick played well throughout the majority of last season but collapsed at the end of the season when it mattered most.  The Jets drafted Christian Hackenberg with their 2nd Round pick and looks to potentially be the QB of the future.  At running back, they lost Chris Ivory to free agency and brought in veteran Matt Forte who should help them in the passing game as well as running.  They also return a duo of wideouts in Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, both of which had over 1,000 yards of receiving.  It appears that the Jets' offense will be able to score their fair share of points this season.  On defense, they return nearly all of the players they had last season, including a front seven that allowed the second fewest rushing yards in the league.  Their entire secondary is also returning, a group that was in the top five in interceptions.  It remains to be seen if the Jets can put all of this together and take another step forward towards the playoffs.  Their struggle, however, will continue to be playing in the same division as Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.  I think the Jets will come back to earth a little compared to last season (the result of overachieving a bit) and see them going 8-8. 

*all information and statistics are from espn.comrosterresource.com, and  pro-football-reference.com

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