The Buffalo Bills have been busy this offseason, but so have their AFC East rivals. The New England Patriots let money fly around, as they have by far and away spent the most this offseason in the league. In total, they’ve given out $364 million in contracts to try and improve their team. The New York Jets splurged a little as well, spending a total of $151 million, good for the 10th most this offseason.
The Bills, who focused on rewarding their key young guys, ranked 23rd, shelling out $92 million. While the Miami Dolphins rank 28th, with $69 million spent. The Bills won the AFC East in dominant fashion last season, extending their streak to five straight titles. After division domination like never seen before in the Patriots' Tom Brady-led 11 consecutive titles, the Bills and Josh Allen are just shy of owning half that record.
Jets and Dolphins fans are ripping their hair out, praying it will be their time, while the Patriots have learned what a life without Tom Brady is like. As has been the case over the last few years, these teams are making these moves in hopes of catching the Buffalo Bills.
After a massive spending spree, did the Patriots do enough to get back to winning ways? Will the Jets stop being the Jets, or will the Dolphins finally get that meaningful win over the Bills to take the division? Let’s grade the best moves from each team and how much of a threat they pose to Buffalo this season, before the draft.
Miami Dolphins: Biggest immediate threat to Buffalo
The Dolphins have been the only team that’s challenged the Bills for the division in the last five seasons. However, the Bills, no matter how injured or how out of sync they are, always get it done against the Dolphins. It helps when star quarterback Josh Allen plays his best ball against them.
Despite not being big-time players in free agency, the Dolphins still pose the biggest threat to the Bills. If they can stay healthy, mainly quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the South Beach Club is one of the better teams in the league. The speed they have on offense with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle is undeniable and Mike McDaniel has constructed a high-powered offense. They will also be getting guys like Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb back from injury.
Best Offseason Move: Not Trading Tyreek Hill (so far)
While they could still move him, keeping Tyreek Hill in Miami is a huge win for them. Despite having a down year, Hill, Tua, and McDaniels have been a great trio most of their time together in Miami. Hill is still a speed demon and a huge threat out wide. Keeping him paired with Waddle is a big win that keeps their offense dangerous. They can fill out the rest during the draft, especially upgrading the offensive line.
Worst Offseason Move: Letting S Jevon Holland leave
Holland has become one of the top safeties in the league and has had an immediate impact since entering the league. On top of that, he’s been one of their only players who’s played well against the Bills. By letting him leave, you lose an upper-tier player and now have a huge hole in the back end of your defense. It adds to their growing list of needs to keep winning games.