AFC and NFC East Free Agency Outlook
AFC East
Buffalo Bills
Top Units
1. QB (83.9 Threat)
2. CB (77.8 Havoc)
3. S (75.7 Havoc)
Worst Units
1. DT (63.6 Havoc)
2. WR (64.5 Threat)
3. TE (67.2 Threat)
The Bills ran into the same wall they’ve run into several times in the playoffs once again this year and this offseason should be about how to not make that happen again. They attempted with acquiring Amari Cooper, who’s contract is also expiring, but his addition failed to add more value to Josh Allen’s attack. Mack Hollins is enjoyable as a meme but is a 50/50 proposition on returning to Buffalo. Damar Hamlin and Dawuane Smoot have become somewhat valuable defensive contributors but may receive richer offers in free agency.
If Buffalo wants to overcome Kansas City for good, they may want to properly pursue Tee Higgins or DK Metcalf to give Josh Allen a premier target (and make sure they don’t end up with Mahomes). Bring in BJ Hill, Sebastian Joesph-Day or Javon Hargrave may free up some blockers for linebackers to make plays in the run game and Greg Rousseau to rush the passer more effectively. Calais Campbell may retire but hasn’t properly ring chased yet and could find a spot in Buffalo on a discounted deal.
Miami Dolphins
Top Units
1. LB (80.1 Havoc)
2. QB (79.1 Threat)
3. DT (73.6 Havoc)
Worst Units
1. RB (61.6 Threat)
2. DE (64.7 Havoc)
3. S (65.1 Havoc)
One of the best units in football and for the Dolphins particularly currently lays in the hands of a 38-year-old journeyman. Even if Calais Campbell deicides to keep playing, it might not be on South Beach. A similar value drop-off may occur with Tyrel Dodson with his contract year concluding. Fellow veteran Kendall Fuller may seek other waters as well, but the appeal of Miami may bring him back. Raheem Mostert will probably rap up his career as the 3rd or 4th back on a depth chart at 33 years of age, sending the Dolphins onto the deep water of RBs in free agency or the draft. Jordan Poyer had his years of value, but as one of the lowest rated units on the team, Safety will be addressed this offseason as well.
The Dolphins have expiring contracts of older players and with Tua and Tyreek’s deals on the books, they would like to get much younger and cheaper. Chase Young might meet both those requirements while solving some of their other issues just like Dayo Odeyingbo. They will probably let Jevon Holland walk but may bring in Justin Reid for another post-Chiefs tenure.
New England Patriots
Top Units
1. CB (76.7 Havoc)
2. QB (74.5 Threat)
3. DE (73.4 Havoc)
Worst Units
1. WR (63.1 Threat)
2. RB (64.3 Threat)
3. DT (68.6 Havoc)
The Patriots don’t grade very well as an entire roster once snap counts are considered, but most of their story is about potential. Jonathan Jones and Jacoby Brissett don’t necessarily match with that idea, but Jones may be brought back as a continuation of one of the few good things they did last year. Deatrich Wise is also on the wrong side of 30 and has a higher price tag that Mike Vrabel and crew may want to use on other younger prospects.
Drake Maye should grow into a very interesting quarterback this year. He has to be better than Daniel Jones this year for things to actually matter, but, even with the large sums of cash, it's hard to see who will sign with the Patriots until Maye shows real signs of relevance.
New York Jets
Top Units
1. QB (77.4 Threat)
2. CB (75.9 Havoc)
3. LB (75.7 Havoc)
Worst Units
1. TE (61.5 Threat)
2. DE (64.9 Havoc)
3. RB & WR (65.8 Threat)
The tragicomedy on Broadway began as a hopeful pursuit of a Wild Card spot but ended with the Jets inventing departing free agents of their own in Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams. Though Rodgers grades out as one of the higher performing Jets, the eye test proved that Aaron Glenn is right to move on completely from the previous regime. DJ Reed and Javon Kinlaw have options in free agency and may exhaust them all before returning to the most dysfunctional situation in football.
Hiring Aaron Glenn as a lighthouse for winning makes sense and if the Jets were to sign a player from a true winner, like Charles Omenihu, then some may believe they’re serious. Juwan Johnson can bring some stability for whomever takes New York’s snaps next year. The quarterback questions will need to be answered and might be fulfilled with an old friend like Sam Darnold.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
Top Units
1. LB (78.6 Havoc)
2. QB (74.3 Threat)
3. CB (73.5 Havoc)
Worst Units
1. WR (63.0 Threat)
2. TE (65.1 Threat)
3. DT (66.2 Havoc)
The Cowboys need to make massive offensive moves if they want to compete in a division with the NFC Championship participants. The inexplicable philosophy of Jerry Jones will more than likely see Zack Martin walk and maybe the walking eccentricity will bring Trey Lance back. Eric Kendricks rates as one of the best linebackers according to Havoc, buoying the groups positioning as Dallas’ top group. Brandin Cooks will likely continue his journeyman tendencies while Jourdan Lewis sees what the other side of 30 has to offer for a cornerback.
The Cowboys probably will move like molasses in slow motion before making any moves of value, but some with the ‘Jones’ last name have suggested otherwise. To give Dak some help in the run game and in protection, Will Fries makes plenty of sense along with a one-year deal to Kevin Zeitler may hold them over if Martin walks.
New York Giants
Top Units
1. LB (82.1 Havoc)
2. CB (78.1 Havoc)
3. S (72.4 Havoc)
Worst Units
1. TE (62.8 Threat)
2. RB (64. 4 Threat)
3. DT (66.3 Havoc)
There couldn’t have been two more devastating losses in an offseason than Saquon Barkley and Brian Burns. Cutting Daniel Jones during the season and likelty losing Darius Slayton to a team ready tom win, the Giants will be. Searching for an offensive rebuild. Isaiah Simmons has has a bunch of potential, but hasn’t quite live up to it yet. Drew Lock played decent QB from the bottom corner of our televisions but might be a backup for the rest of time in New York or otherwise.
With linemen like Josh Myers and Patrick Mekari on the market, the Giants could solve some of the chronic offensive front issues for Big Blue. If Isaiah Simmons leaves, Robert Spillane could bring his coverage prowess from Vegas. The prime acquisition for the Giants will be who has Brian Daboll’s voice in his ear before the snap of the ball.
Philadelphia Eagles
Top Units
1. QB (82.9 Threat)
2. LB (82.6 Havoc)
3. CB (75.0 Havoc)
Worst Units
1. S (66.2 Havoc)
2. DT (66.3 Havoc)
3. DE (68.1 Havoc)
The Super Bowl champs have one of the (if not the) best roster(s) in football and has already locked down their most coveted free agent, Zach Baun, with a $51 million deal. Milton Williams is also scheduled to hit the open market and Roseman will let him with Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter demanding massive deal in just a few years. They’ve already cut Darius Slay and will let James Bradberry walk, but Josh Sweat, the public’s Super Bowl hero, will capitalize on his final game success in the open market.
The Eagles are the only team to hinder a three-peat in their only two potential circumstances (Patriots & Chiefs). Howie Roseman has earned “The Best General Manager in Football” title for me being that he’s been drafting and negotiating at a high level for a decade at this point, but most of Philly’s dealings will be internal. They’ve re-signed every player they can, and the next dollar spent will go against the future, so they don’t really have any free agency targets.
Washington Commanders
Top Units
1. QB (89.2 Threat)
2. LB (80.8 Havoc)
3. CB (77.8 Havoc)
Worst Units
1. WR (63.7 Threat)
2. TE (63.9 Threat)
3. RB (66.2 Threat)
There are only two conclusions in Washington: Jayden Daniels is that guy and Bobby Wagner isn’t ‘over the hill.’ Jeremy Chinn added to Wagner’s defensive production from the safety position and may cash in when time comes. So much of Washington’s roster was bar before Daniels elevated the franchise’s existence.
Now that Washington has their franchise cornerstone and cap flexibility, an active offseason is expected. Nabbing Deebo Samuel for a fifth rounder may be an offensive revelation for Kliff Kingsbury, who didn’t get another head coaching opportunity. Being that they have more money that some teams, swing for the fences and DJ Reed to bolster the addition of Marshon Lattimore during the season. If Jayden Daniels is as elite as his Threat rating suggests, opponents’ game plans may switch to a run-based approach, so seeking Jarran Reed’s massive veteran presence may provide more than just run support.
As we dive in, we look forward to the conversation, debate, and your feedback. Hit us up at @fieldvisionmi on X, @fieldvisionsports on Instagram, or on our website www.fieldvisionsports.com.
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