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AFC East free agency roundup: How do rivals look?

By Patrick Morgan

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 30: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots hugs Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets after a game at Gillette Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 30: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots hugs Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets after a game at Gillette Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 16: Cole Beasley #11 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball in the game against the Indianapolis Colts in the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 16: Cole Beasley #11 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball in the game against the Indianapolis Colts in the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Buffalo Bills

In Sean McDermott’s first season as head coach of the Bills back in 2017, the team overcame modest expectations and finished the year second-place in the division with a 9-7 record and a playoff berth. Understandably, Bills Mafia was pumped – especially since McDermott had just vanquished a 17-year playoff drought in his very first season as skipper.

Things regressed a little back to the mean in 2018. Buffalo finished last season third-place in the AFC East with a 6-10 record and missed out on the playoffs. In fairness, McDemott also started a rookie quarterback in 12 of those 16 games, and primary running back LeSean McCoy had his lowest rushing average and yardage total in his 10-year career.

Still, the Bills defense finished No. 2 in the NFL in yards allowed (although they finished 18th in points allowed). So all in all, it was an up-and-down year for everyone’s favorite team from Western New York.

To get back to what they were doing in 2017, the Bills entered free agency with a firm agenda and a loose pocketbook in hand. They inked former Cowboys wide receiver Cole Beasley to a four-year deal worth $29 million and former Ravens wide receiver John Brown to a three-year deal worth $27 million. Between Beasley, Brown, and last year’s leading receiver Zay Jones, Buffalo now has some semblance of a talented wide receiver corps for the first time in forever.

Curiously, the team signed the 35-year-old Frank Gore to compete with the 30-year-old McCoy for snaps at running back. Both players are clearly on the back nine of their respective careers, so you’d think Buffalo GM Brandon Beane will look to draft the future bell-cow back for this franchise next month.

The team solidified its offensive line by signing away Chiefs center Mitch Morse to a four-year, $44.5 million pact. They also added offensive tackles Ty Nsekhe and LaAdrian Waddle to further beef up the big boys protecting second-year quarterback Josh Allen.

It’s a start, but the Bills still have a long way to go if they hope to compete with the Patriots in 2019 for the division title. Buffalo is still thin at cornerback, tight end, and running back.

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