For the AFC East, it’s been the New England Patriots and everyone else for a few years now. That may not change in the short term, but the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets all look like they’ve added some players that could potentially make a huge impact, both in 2013 and beyond. Let’s look at the major story lines for each of the four teams in the division as they head into offseason minicamps.
AFC East minicamp preview: Quarterback battles heating up
The AFC East is the new home to some potential high-impact rookies in 2013. Let’s take a look at what we might expect out of these teams as they head into offseason minicamps.
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OTAs: May 13-15, May 20-21, May 23, May 28-31
Voluntary minicamp: April 16-18
Mandatory minicamp: June 11-13
Rookie minicamp: May 10-12
For the Bills, all eyes are on the quarterbacks entering minicamp. Ryan Fitzpatrick is gone, and in come new arrival Kevin Kolb and top draft pick E.J. Manuel. First year head coach Doug Marrone will have to judge whether Manuel needs time to learn before he can start, as throwing him into the fire before he's ready could be disastrous for the snakebitten franchise.
On the other side of the ball, the Bills will be changing to a new defense under new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. The new system will be more of a hybrid 3-4/4-3 than the traditional 4-3 the team used last season, but most of the personnel remains the same. The only new players that could figure into the starting lineup are at linebacker in free agent linebacker Manny Lawson and second round pick Kiko Alonso. It will be interesting to see how Mario Williams and the rest of the defense bounce back from a disappointing 2012 under the new system.
OTAs: May 21-23, May 29-31, June 3-6
Mandatory minicamp: June 11-13
Rookie minicamp: May 3-5
The Dolphins needed to upgrade the talent around Ryan Tannehill on offense, and they did just that by signing wide receivers Mike Wallace and Brandon Gibson, as well as tight end Dustin Keller. They did lose left tackle Jake Long to free agency, and are counting on Jonathan Martin to move over from right tackle to take his place.
Most of Miami's moves in the draft were on the defensive side of the ball, highlighted by third overall pick Dion Jordan at defensive end. Jordan could be part of a fearsome pass rushing duo with Cameron Wake, and has drawn comparisons to Dolphins legend Jason Taylor. They also took a pair of cornerbacks in Jamar Taylor and Will Davis, which, when combined with the addition of free agent Brent Grimes, could make up for the loss of Sean Smith in free agency.
OTAs: May 20-21, May 23, May 28-30, June 3-4, June 6-7
Mandatory minicamp: June 11-13
Rookie minicamp: May 3-5
The Patriots will have a completely new wide receiving corps in 2013. Production machine Wes Welker left for Denver, and Brandon Lloyd is gone as well. The two have been replaced by a group of players including Danny Amendola, Donald Jones, and Michael Jenkins, whose already heavy burden could get heavier if tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez aren't fully healed from injury by the beginning of the season.
Defensive, there weren't many major changes from the 2012 unit, but the two newcomers most likely to make an impact are pass rusher Jamie Collins from Southern Mississippi and cornerback Logan Ryan from Rutgers.
OTAs: May 20, May 22-23, May 28, May 30-31, June 3-6
Mandatory minicamp: June 11-13
Rookie minicamp: May 10-12
As per usual with the Jets, the focus will be on the quarterbacks. Tim Tebow is gone, but the team drafted Geno Smith, and still have a glut of players at the position behind Mark Sanchez. If Smith can impress early, he could easily take the starting job for Week One. Elsewhere on offense, New York lost Shonn Greene to free agency, and look like they'll use a committee of backs to start the year, headlined by Joe McKnight, Mike Goodson, and newly-acquired Chris Ivory.
Most of the attention will go to the quarterbacks, but the Jets spent two top thirteen picks on defense, taking Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner and Missouri defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson. Both those players should be able to start as rookies, and Milliner will be counted on heavily to replace Darrelle Revis.
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