Who will win the AFC East next season?
By: Jeremy Trottier
The Miami Dolphins have become one of the more impressive teams over the course of this offseason by signing back their core free agents while bringing in new pieces to supplement the roster. With this, they have pushed themselves into definite contention for the playoffs, and into a potential shot at the AFC East title this season. In this article, I will cover 3 reasons why the Dolphins could win the division, as well as how they each impact their chances.
Tyreek Hill
The most blatant and recent reason as to why the Dolphins could take the division is the cheetah himself, Tyreek Hill. There is simply no receivers in the game that are like him, and there are even fewer secondaries that can stop him. His speed is what he is most known for as we all know, but his route running capabilities and his shiftiness allow him to get open in instances where his speed cannot.
Did the Dolphins have to spend a lot of picks to get him? Yes. However, over the course of the next 5 years, this move pushes the Dolphins up to a deep playoff-caliber team simply put.
Playmakers, both returning and incoming
Ok so we have talked about Tyreek, but lets talk about the rest of this star studded offense. The Dolphins have rookie standout receiver Jaylen Waddle alongside Hill, as well as receiving tight end Mike Gesicki, both of whom return for 2022. On top of that, their running game is getting better as well, with the addition of Chase Edmonds, as well as Myles Gaskin still on the team.
On top of all this, the Dolphins added a premier left tackle in Terron Armstead, who if he can avoid injury will be an amazing addition to protect Tua Tagovailoa. While many have criticized Tua in recent months, with this amount of weapons, and some true protection on the OL, odds are he will be able to produce.
Division is in question
The final reason the Dolphins could take the AFC east, is well, the division itself. Obviously the Bills have not lost a lot of talent, and rather added it with Von Miller. However, the New England Patriots really have not exponentially improved this offseason, and still lack true playmakers on the offense to help out Mac Jones. Then the Jets, who while they seem to be on the upturn, still have a lot of work to do to get up to the playoffs.
That leaves Miami and Buffalo, which is somewhat up in the air depending on how the remainder of their offseasons go. Each team has a few holes, Buffalo being CB2 and the defensive interior (due to free agents), and Miami being IOL as well as linebacker. Both teams have exceptional firepower, so Miami should definitely be in the top of the AFC East this coming season.
