The AFC East saw plenty of movement this offseason as teams looked to regroup, reload, or take the next step toward contention. Each front office approached free agency with a distinct plan, targeting everything from impact starters to long-term developmental fits. The moves made this spring could determine how the division shapes up in a tightly packed AFC landscape. With Buffalo no longer the unquestioned favorite, the door is open for a new contender to emerge.
New England Patriots
Key Additions
WR Stefon Diggs (3 years, $69 million)
New England made a splash by signing veteran wideout Stefon Diggs after his brief stint with the Houston Texans. Diggs was productive early in 2024 before tearing his ACL in Week 8. Now healthy, he brings route-running expertise and a proven ability to beat man coverage. Diggs gives second-year quarterback Drake Maye a true No. 1 target and helps anchor a receiving corps that lacked reliability last season.
DT Milton Williams (4 years, $104 million)
Williams broke out with the Eagles in 2024, posting 7 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. His first-step quickness and power made him one of the more disruptive interior defenders in the league. The Patriots paid a premium to land him in his prime. He will start alongside Christian Barmore, forming a high-upside pairing on the interior.
LB Harold Landry III (3 years, $43.5 million)
Landry played all 17 games for the Titans last season and delivered 71 tackles, 9 sacks, and 4 pass breakups. He brings burst off the edge and can drop into coverage, giving New England versatility in its front seven. Landry fits well in a hybrid system and upgrades both their pass rush and run defense.
CB Carlton Davis III (3 years, $60 million)
Davis started 13 games for Detroit in 2024, recording 56 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 11 pass deflections. He is a press-man corner with length, physicality, and playoff experience. New England needed stability at corner, and Davis brings both veteran presence and matchup ability on the boundary.
Summary
The Patriots were one of the most aggressive teams in free agency. They added proven starters on both sides of the ball to support their young quarterback and reshape a roster that lacked identity in 2024. Diggs gives Maye a top target, while the additions of Williams, Landry, and Davis bring toughness and experience to a defense in transition. This looks like a team that intends to compete now, not rebuild slowly. If Maye takes a leap, New England could surprise in a competitive AFC.
Grade: A
Buffalo Bills
Key Additions
DE Joey Bosa (1 year, $12.6 million)
Bosa joins the Bills on a prove-it deal following another injury-limited season in Los Angeles. He recorded 5 sacks in 14 games and still flashes elite hand usage and explosiveness when healthy. Buffalo is betting on a managed workload and better luck in the health department. Bosa remains a dangerous situational pass rusher.
WR Josh Palmer (3 years, $36 million)
Palmer provides size and steady hands to a reshaped receiver room. He averaged 15 yards per catch with the Chargers in 2024 and brings starting experience. He may not be a true No. 1 option, but he gives Josh Allen a reliable perimeter target and fills a valuable secondary role.
LB Michael Hoecht (3 years, $24 million)
Hoecht had 73 tackles and 5 sacks last year with the Rams. At 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds, he offers versatility as a stand-up edge rusher or interior lineman depending on the package. His motor and toughness fit well in Buffalo’s rotational front seven.
DT Larry Ogunjobi (1 year, $8.3 million)
Ogunjobi brings depth and veteran savvy to the defensive interior. He had 3.5 sacks last year for Pittsburgh and remains a reliable contributor in both base and sub packages. He will likely rotate with Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones.
Summary
Buffalo played it safe in free agency. Bosa is a high-reward gamble. Palmer upgrades the receiver group. Hoecht and Ogunjobi give the front seven more flexibility. These are solid moves, but none reshape the roster. Cornerback remains thin, and the offensive line still has questions. Buffalo is counting on its core staying healthy and productive.
Grade: B
Miami Dolphins
Key Additions
G James Daniels (3 years, $24 million)
Daniels was off to a strong start with Pittsburgh before tearing his Achilles in Week 4. Miami is banking on a full recovery and hopes he can stabilize the right guard spot. He brings toughness and intelligence to a line that has struggled with consistency. If healthy, Daniels is a major upgrade in pass protection.
CB Ifeatu Melifonwu (1 year, $4 million)
Melifonwu missed most of 2024 due to injury but flashed when healthy. He can play both corner and safety, and his athleticism makes him a valuable depth piece. Miami will give him a chance to earn a bigger role in camp.
WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (2 years, $6.5 million)
Westbrook-Ikhine scored nine touchdowns last season with Tennessee and posted strong numbers in the red zone. He brings size and physicality to a receiver group built around speed. He should rotate in as a boundary receiver and be a red-zone threat.
QB Zach Wilson (1 year, $2.1 million)
Wilson arrives as a low-risk backup option. He spent 2024 with Denver as the third-string quarterback. Miami hopes to tap into his arm talent in a more stable environment. He will compete for the backup job behind Tua Tagovailoa.
Summary
Miami made smaller, lower-cost additions this offseason. Daniels is a potential impact starter if healthy. Westbrook-Ikhine brings a new dimension to the receiver group. Melifonwu adds versatility in the secondary. Wilson is a flier. The Dolphins largely stood pat, trusting their current core. It is a calculated approach, but one that could come up short if injuries hit again or young players do not progress.
Grade: C+
New York Jets
Key Additions
QB Justin Fields (2 years, $40 million)
Fields joins the Jets looking for a fresh start. He played ten games for Pittsburgh last year, throwing for over 1,100 yards and adding nearly 300 rushing yards. He showed improved decision-making and remains one of the league’s most dynamic runners. The Jets hope a more stable situation will help unlock his potential.
CB Brandon Stephens (3 years, $36 million)
Stephens had a breakout year with Baltimore, recording 70 tackles and ten pass deflections. He can play outside or in the slot, offering flexibility and size in coverage. With D.J. Reed gone, Stephens will start opposite Sauce Gardner.
S Andre Cisco (1 year, $10 million)
Cisco had 68 tackles and 7 pass breakups for Jacksonville last season. He has good range and playmaking instincts and will compete for a starting role in Robert Saleh’s defense. Cisco has upside and fits the Jets’ defensive identity.
WR Josh Reynolds (1 year, $5 million)
Reynolds caught 12 passes for 183 yards in five games with Denver before a finger injury ended his year. He brings experience and a big catch radius to a Jets offense that needs more reliability. He will contribute as the third or fourth option behind Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard.
Summary
The Jets made a quarterback change and shored up their secondary. Fields is the biggest swing and will define how this class is judged. Stephens and Cisco help replenish a defense that lost some pieces. Reynolds offers depth but may not be a difference-maker. The offensive line remains a concern, and the Jets are betting that Fields can elevate the offense even if protection remains shaky.
Grade: B
AFC East Outlook for 2025
New England clearly had the strongest free agency period in the division, making high-impact additions on both sides of the ball. Their aggressive approach shows confidence in Drake Maye and a desire to compete immediately. Buffalo and Miami made quieter moves, each filling depth roles but leaving questions in key areas. The Jets brought in a new quarterback and defensive upgrades, but concerns on the offensive line could hold them back once again. Every team in the division has a path to improvement, but how well each integrates its new pieces, particularly under center, will determine the 2025 pecking order in one of the league’s most competitive divisions.
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