NFL Training Camps have been ongoing for a couple of weeks now. The AFC East has been a focal point all offseason, as it might be the toughest division this season. All of the teams in the AFC East have gotten better in terms of talent — through the draft and free agency — and this looks to be a grind for whoever wins the division crown. There are so many questions swirling around the division, so where has training camp left us thus far?
Buffalo Bills
The Bills have failed to reach the Super Bowl with a talented roster, but is this their year? A rocky offseason was only made worse when Stefon Diggs seemed unhappy with the team. However, GM Brandon Beane has put the rumors to rest. Will Diggs and quarterback Josh Allen be on the same page this season, following some bickering this offseason? Fantasy owners hope so, as the Allen-Diggs stack has paid dividends in the past few seasons. Last season, Diggs had a 13.2 YPR, which was his best YPR rate since joining the Bills. He also had 11 touchdown catches and 108 receptions. Diggs has also racked up 484 targets in three seasons with Buffalo.
Josh Allen looks more than ready for the season and redzone opportunities galore in training camp.
Josh Allen with a dot to Trent Sherfield for a sliding touchdown grab! #BillsMafia
(Via: @BuffaloBills) pic.twitter.com/cUEr2HGBFV— Built in Buffalo (@BuiltInBuffalo_) August 7, 2023
Two more topics of discussion surrounding the Bills: Can James Cook function as the main running back in this offense that is certainly pass-heavy? Who of the tight ends will be a better fantasy option, rookie Dalton Kincaid or veteran Dawson Knox?
James Cook looks to take over as the Bills’ every down back this season, with the departure of Devin Singletary and the season-ending injury to Nyheim Hines. And he appears to be running great routes in training camp so far.
Cookin’. 😏@Ticketmaster | #BillsCamp pic.twitter.com/RGsqLtd1A1
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) July 30, 2023
Per Sleeper and FantasyPros, Dalton Kincaid ranks as TE17 and Dawson Knox as TE24. Kincaid looks to take targets from Knox this season, but what isn’t yet clear is whether Buffalo will run double-tight end sets. Much like the Patriots did, the Bills have two tight ends that can each catch the ball and threaten opposing defenses. However, Knox is likely going to be the blocking tight end. It is safe to say that Kincaid is the best pick from this offense.
Miami Dolphins
With perhaps the best wide receiver duo in the NFL in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, the Dolphins offense looks to build on the explosive success they had last year.
Hill (WR4) and Waddle (WR10) both finished in the top-10 for fantasy points per game last season, and this came in the wake of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa missing four games.
1️⃣ to 🔟 real quick 😎 pic.twitter.com/9UAL6mIqcz
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) July 30, 2023
It’s safe to say that Hill and Waddle will be in the top-10 once again for fantasy PPG, and both should be drafted as such. If Tua can stay on the field this year, this Dolphins offense will once again put up a lot of points — from both fantasy and real-life perspectives.
The biggest question mark for this team comes at the tight end position because of the departure of Mike Gesicki, who has joined the New England Patriots.
From 4for4.com
New England Patriots
Is this the season when Mac Jones steps up and shows the team and fans alike that he is what they thought he was? The Patriots signed wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster this offseason, hoping that he can unlock Jones’ talent. However, I would stay away from drafting Jones this season, simply because of the fact that he is facing three top-10 defenses six times in the Bills, Jets, and Dolphins.
Mac Jones with a nice ball to JuJu Smith-Schuster in warmups #Patriots pic.twitter.com/R0TU892jaF
— Patriots on CLNS (@PatriotsCLNS) August 6, 2023
According to Sleeper, he sits at ADP 242 and should be avoided in fantasy drafts this season.
On the flip side, focusing on running back Rhamondre Stevenson is a must. His current rank of RB9 shows that he has the ability to help your team win this season.
New York Jets
J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets!
The addition of quarterback Aaron Rodgers has Jets fans rabid for the season to begin. They aren’t worried about a preseason loss to the Cleveland Browns in the Hall of Fame game either. After all, none of the starters played in that game.
Pairing Rodgers with second-year wideout Garrett Wilson is enough to bring euphoria to Gang Green. But, if the Jets were also able to land free-agent running back Dalvin Cook? Yikes!
Jets fans were already serenading Cook at practice when he showed up for a visit during training camp.
Jets fans started a "Dalvin Cook" chant during his training camp visit 🗣️
(via @NYJets_Media) pic.twitter.com/ww5Ossxd5T
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) July 30, 2023
Second-year running back Breece Hall will look to rebound from a knee injury that forced his season to end after seven games. His current ADP in PPR leagues is 30 and he ranks as RB13. Hall scored four rushing touchdowns last season and will be able to build on that in 2023.
AFC East Training Camp Conclusion
In what might be the best and toughest division in the NFL this upcoming season, there are plenty of questions surrounding the teams in the AFC East. Will Rodgers lead the Jets to the playoffs? Will the Bills win the AFC East crown for a fourth consecutive season? Will the Dolphins offense lead the league in scoring? Can Mac Jones have a resurgent third year under center?
So many questions and so few answers currently, but hang onto your hats because the teams in this division are about to pound on one another.
Dustin Brown
Dustin Brown is a writer for The League Winners. He enjoys hanging out with my family and friends when not trying to delivering NFL news or fantasy content to win your league. There is no sports stone left unturned when it comes to what he will watch.