New England Patriots AFC East Offseason Analysis: Buffalo Bills

Jun 16, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan watches his team during minicamp at Ralph Wilson Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

On defense the Dolphins paid top dollar to import a pair of linebackers. Incumbents Karlos Dansby and Kevin Burnett were dumped while the team signed Philip Wheeler and Dannell Ellerbe. In the draft the Dolphins traded up to #3 overall spot to grab pass rushing defensive end Dion Jordan. It was unanimous in the press: the Patriots’ Reign in the AFC East was over for real in 2013. Instead the Dolphins finished 8-8, averaged less than 20 points per game, and allowed a whopping 58 sacks as the Dolphins locker room disintegrated in the Richie Incognito bullying scandal and the Dolphins.

Now heading into the 2015 season the New England Patriots will face another round of new challenges in the AFC East. The Dolphins have reworked their offensive weapons and spent big in free agency yet again to challenge the Patriots. The Jets have spent millions and millions on reworking their secondary and adding players to the offense. Finally, the Bills have made a number of big moves to improve including trading for Pro Bowl running back LeSean McCoy.

All three teams in the AFC East have improved on paper with flashy moves via trades and free agency. However, will any of the teams be in position to overtake the Patriots in 2015? A three-part series looking at what the opponents in the AFC East have done this offseason and analysis of those moves kicks off with the second place team of the division in 2014: the Buffalo Bills.

Next: Starting Off With The Quarterback