The AFC East is going to look drastically different this season. There will be no Tom Brady, no guarantees that the Patriots’ reign of terror over the AFC East will continue for another season. The Dolphins are a drastically improved roster and the Buffalo Bills have brought in one of the most electric wide receivers in the game of football — Stefon Diggs.
But as we survey the AFC East landscape for 2020, which players are the cream of the crop? Who stands head and shoulders above the rest as the best talent the division has to offer this year?
We break down the 10 best talents in the AFC East here, team by team.
Buffalo Bills
WR Stefon Diggs
Diggs’ addition is a huge win for Buffalo as the team looks to unlock the potential of QB Josh Allen’s deep ball. Chemistry will be a big question — if things go awry, how long will Diggs keep his composure after effectively strong-arming his way off the Vikings this offseason. One thing not up for debate? Diggs’ talent.
CB TreDavious White
The AFC East has suddenly become a mecca for top-flight cornerbacks. White has budded in Buffalo into one of the best cover options in all of football — although apparently DeVante Parker never got that memo.
LB Tremaine Edmunds
Long, freakishly fast and just 22-years old with two years of league experience — the sky is the limit for Edmunds. He’ll continue to play a starring role in the Bills defense and will definitely be a focal point of Miami’s game planning.
Miami Dolphins
WR Devante Parker
Parker enjoyed a breakout season this year, getting his fair share of production against top flight corners like White and New England’s Stephon Gilmore. With 1,200 receiving yards to his name in 2019, Parker finally lived up to the expectations that come with being a first-round pick.
Now…it’s time for an encore.
CB Byron Jones
Jones joins the Dolphins from Dallas this season and don’t let the lack of interceptions fool you — Jones is capable of blanketing the top receivers in football when he’s on. And, now playing across from Xavien Howard, he’s likely to get more targets this season and more opportunities for turnovers.
New England Patriots
OG Joe Thuney
Thuney will play this season on the franchise tag. Whether or not he’s retained long-term in New England is yet to be determined, but the franchise tag was well warranted — both the Dolphins and the rival Jets were reported to be hot on Thuney’s tail before the Patriots slapped him with the franchise tag at the last moment.
CB Stephon Gilmore
Gilmore, the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2019, has a strong case to be the best cornerback in football. Although, once again, DeVante Parker didn’t seem to get the memo.
SAF Devin McCourty
McCourty logged 5 interceptions this past defense as a prowler on the back end for the Patriots — he’s been a long-time staple in New England and despite being a little slower with his age, he’s still a top free safety option. A silver lining for Miami, McCourty was rumored to have the Dolphins as a preferred destination had the Patriots not brought back his brother Jason to play in 2020.
New York Jets
LB CJ Mosley
Mosley was injured last season, but don’t let that recency bias creep in and deter you from appreciating how good Mosley is as a three-down linebacker. He’s a stud and will be the fixture of the Jets’ defense for a long time to come.
SAF Jamal Adams
Adams might be the the best overall player in the division. He’s certainly the most versatile. But he’s also requested a trade — and none of the AFC East teams made the cut onto his preferred shortlist.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing.
If Adams were dealt, who would be the next player in line to get a call up? Serious consideration would have to go to Dolphins CB Xavien Howard — if he’s healthy, he’s as good of a ball hawk as any corner in the division. You’re more than willing to live with the ups and downs when you produce as many turnovers as Howard does when he’s on the field.