Things are heating up as free agency opens, and the AFC East has been active. The Buffalo Bills are obviously the focus here, but the rest of the division are worth keeping an eye on. Focusing on the fresh faces, we'll be ignoring re-signings and extensions. To help get a grasp on the new-look Jets, Patriots, and Dolphins, as well as where the Bills stand, read on.
New England Patriots: A-
New head coach Mike Vrabel signed on for a drem when he agreed to coach the New England Patriots. Financially sound, with a solid young QB entering year two of his rookie deal, he's had money to spend. Their moves, weighed against their resources, have been very good thus far.
Harold Landry III, LB
The New England Patriots signed LB Harold Landry III to a three-year, $43.5 million deal including $26 million in guarantees.
With any new coaching change, there are matching personnel changes. Landry isn't the only one of Mike Vrabel's former defense to sign on in New England, with five years together in Tennessee under his belt.
A deliberate move to familiarity makes this a comfortable signing. Landry has been productive on his career, despite his 2022 ACL tear, and there past few seasons have been no different. Turning 29 this season, he expects to keep it up. Vrabel brought him in to revitalize a front seven that needs help. His defensive line and linebacker groups have always been effective; Now they have help.
Grade: A-
Robert Spillane, LB
One friendly face leads to another. Robert Spillane agreed to a three-year contract with the Patriots, worth $37 million. Though their time together in Tennessee was brief, Vrabel leaning on two of his former players in the middle of his defense is no surprise. Speed had been a focus of the Titans defense, and it's something Vrabel took with him when he left. Now, they look to modernize New England.
The problem with both signings is age, as both are on three-year commitments but have injury history and push 30 years old. Still, big changes in the middle for New England are a plus; The only way to go was up.
Grade: B-
Carlton Davis III, CB
New England addressed a major need early in free agency and beat the market, bringing in Carlton Davis III on a three-year, $60 million contract. It's big money, but not cumbersome.
Yet another familiar face signing, Davis played with incoming Patriots DC Terrell Williams in Detroit last season. The move is a solid one, but Davis has the same issues as the rest of New England's signings.
He's aging at a position that doesn't favour maturity, and his injuries have kept him out of every season of his career. Eight years as a pro but never a complete set of games. Davis has been excellent, but he's got genuine risk. Still, ignoring the injury factor, he's one of the most competent free agent cornerbacks on the market.
Grade: B+
Morgan Moses, OT
The New England Patriots and Morgan Moses have agreed to a three-year contract worth $24 million.
Morgan Moses is an established veteran who can play right tackle comfortably. In a Patriots offense that desperately needed some security, they have a solid and consistent lineman here. The money at this point in his career is good, and a three-year deal shows commitment from the front office, but his remaining durability is a concern. Still, he's been largely healthy on his career and there's no established reason to believe that'll change. A leader, Moses may be a big part of this team in the locker room.
Grade: B+
Milton Williams, DT
A whopping deal for Milton Williams, as he's agreed to a four-year, $104 million contract with the Patriots.
After a handcuffed 2024 offseason, New England has money to spend, and they haven't hesitated. Williams has been extremely effective in a rotational role, so he'll need to step up to the workload if he intends to justify this contract.
A slightly undersized player, he may need some help getting off blocks, but he's proven worth the effort. Defensive tackle was a major need this offseason, and they've addressed it. Following this move, the Patriots have few holes remaining on the roster.
Grade: B
Joshua Dobbs, QB
Josh Dobbs agreed to a two-year, $8 million deal with New England.
Whilst Maye is the established starter for the Patriots, backup Joe Milton flashed in the final game of the season. Bringing in Dobbs is a move to give veteran support to their sophomore starter, and potentially give them trade bait in Milton.
Grade: B-
Khyiris Tonga, DT
Khyiris Tonga agreed to a one-year, $2.7 million deal with the Patriots.
Tonga is a run-stuffer who can double-team the gaps and try to shore up a patchy Patriots defensive line. The deal is minimal and the risk is too. At worst, he doesn't make the roster, no harm done. At best, he anchors this unit for the 2025, and revitalises the pass-rush.
Grade: A
Mack Hollins, WR
The New England Patriots signed Mack Hollins to a two-year deal worth $8.4 million.
Hurtful to the fans of the Bills, who loved Hollins as he led the team in touchdown catches in 2024, but the price was right. Buffalo made other moves away from Hollins, and he got good money for an aging veteran at his position. A minor overpay is worthwhile for a guy who can contribute to multiple niche areas.
Hollins is set to serve as reasonable depth and bring his effective run-blocking to make things easier for the young Patriots offense.
Grade: A-
New York Jets: B-
The New York Jets haven't been active enough in free agency to counter their significant losses, so their few good moves are weighted against that.
Justin Fields, QB
The New York Jets have a quarterback, signing Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million deal, with $30 million guaranteed.
There was no digging themselves out of the hole they put themselves in with Aaron Rodgers, but at least Justin Fields is a young QB with physical upside. No one expects much from New York in 2025, but this is the sensible risk that can help get them back on track. They handled this breakup as well as any team in the NFL.
His hot start to 2024 should give them Jets hope, and the short contract makes this an easy commitment.
Grade: A-
Brandon Stephens, CB
The Jets are signing CB Brandon Stephens to a three-year, $36 million deal.
Losing D.J. Reed was a problem for the Jets, but they've found a cost-effective solution. Admittedly, Stephens is coming from a bad season but much, like Levi Wallace when surrounded by Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde, Taron Johnson, and Tre'Davious White, he suffered from being the only place on the field to pass the ball.
There's hope that in a more balanced secondary he will bounce back. He will be a step down from what they had, but they've avoided a major hole on the first day of Free Agency.
Grade: B+
Andre Cisco, S
Andre Cisco has agreed to a one-year deal worth $10 million with the New York Jets.
One of the biggest holes this offseason for the Jets was at safety. Now, they've got their stop-gap whilst they try to find a long-term solution. Andre Cisco was excellent up until this past season. Now, he'll need to return to form, but the lack of long-term commitment is a plus for New York as they attempt to rebuild this roster.
Miami Dolphins: C+
The Miami Dolphins seem to be in freefall, despite not losing a mass of talent this year. With no positive motion and holes opening on the roster, they'll need to do much more before they earn praise.
Zach Wilson, QB
In a surprise move, Zach Wilson is joining the Miami Dolphins on a one-year deal worth $6 million.
The Miami Dolphins did need a competent QB2 behind Tua Tagovailoa, but did they get it? Zach Wilson doesn't break the bank, and he's young enough to still be malleable, but there's little reason to believe this will actually help the Dolphins more than any other move they could have made.
When the Dolphins lost Tua to start 2024, they fell to pieces, and couldn't get back on top in time to make a playoff run. Zach Wilson doesn't change that scenario if they find themselves in the same hole.
Grade: C-
James Daniels, G
James Daniels is joining the Miami Dolphins on a three-year deal worth $24 million.
Coming off a torn achilles tendon, Daniels is a small risk. Generally healthy, and consistently productive, his contract isn't going to weigh Miami down. They needed help at guard could have done a lot worse. He will start this season for the Dolphins, and brings his consistency to a unit that needs it.
Grade: B+
Larry Borom, T
Contract Details Not Yet Confirmed
The Miami Dolphins have struggled with health at both tackle spots in recent years. The signing of Larry Borom as likely depth, with a potential future starting role, might help with that. He's not a high-quality starter on his career, but he is average, and that's an improvement.
It's difficult to grade this move without contract details, so no grade just yet.
Ifeatu Melifonwu, S
The Miami Dolphins have signed Ifeatu Melifonwu on a one-year deal worth $4 million.
This move was a necessary one. Though Ifeatu Melifonwu may not be the exceptional starter Jevon Holland was, he's good enough to fill the role at a luxury position. They will have to find a consistent solution at the position, something they've failed to do for the past few offseasons. It's something they have yet to do this offseason as well. Melifonwu played in only three games last season, and only 37 total in his four seasons. At least with his price tag he won't hinder the Miami defense.
Grade: C+
Buffalo Bills: B
The Buffalo Bills have had some solid signings thus far, but there are holes on this roster which the team must address before the NFL Draft. These pickups are good, but more must be done to avoid a glaring need down the line. Fun fact: All Buffalo's Free Agent signings so far this offseason are Canadian.
Michael Hoecht, DE
A surprise investment, the Buffalo Bills signed Michael Hoecht to a three-year deal worth $21 million.
Hoecht is a stunningly versatile player with the size to play DT, the skillset to play DE, and the speed and coverage capacity to play linebacker. He's not the player many thought Buffalo would target this offseason, but Michael Hoecht is a shocking fit. In a unit that just handed Greg Rousseau a major extension, freak athletes seem to be the focus for Buffalo right now. He's a major special teams ace despite being 310lbs, and blocked three kicks last season.
Hoecht has played every game in his career so far, and his contract doesn't weigh down the team. They still have spending money ahead of restructures, and decent draft picks to supplement these moves down the line.
Grade: A-
Joshua Palmer, WR
Josh Palmer agreed to a three-year deal with the Buffalo Bills worth $36 million.
Josh Palmer can play out of any spot on the field, separate vs man coverage, beat a press, and stretch the field. He can be effective at every level, and offers an asset the Buffalo Bills were missing last season. Likely the WR2 behind Khalil Shakir, Palmer brings much to the table.
The biggest concern with Palmer is not his health or ability, but his role. This is a significant step up in responsibility for him, and it's going to be a challenge to beat the new defensive focus. Buffalo's major flaw last season was the inability to use Curtis Samuel, their top free agent signing of 2024. With Samuel and Palmer both taking notable money, the team will have to incorporate them better in 2025.
Grade: B-