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Related: Breaking down the Patriots’ offseason capital relative to the rest of the NFL
A lot has already been written around these parts of the Internet about the New England Patriots’ class of free agents: 19 of the team’s players will see their contracts expire next month, including cornerstones such as quarterback Tom Brady, guard Joe Thuney, linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins, safety Devin McCourty, and special teamers Matthew Slater and Nate Ebner. The Patriots front office has its work cut out for them.
But while several difference-makers are scheduled to hit the market once it opens on March 18 and are therefore no safe bets to return to New England in 2020, the reigning AFC East champions are not the only team in the division that will have to work through a long list of free-agents-to-be. A look at the free agency classes of the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and New York Jets illustrates that they too will have some work ahead.
Buffalo Bills
Expected salary cap space: $80,186,963
Free agents: 16 (12 unrestricted, 1 restricted, 3 exclusive rights)
The biggest names on Buffalo’s list of free agents are offensive lineman Quinton Spain and defensive end Shaq Lawson, who both played key roles for the AFC East runner-ups in 2019: while Spain started all 17 contests at left guard, Lawson ranked third on the team with a combined 40 quarterback pressures. While neither is among the top free agents at their respective positions, they should create solid markets for themselves over the next month.
Other noteworthy names on the list above are cornerback Levi Wallace — one of the team’s primary perimeter cornerbacks, who will likely be brought back through exclusive rights free agency — as well as defensive tackles Jordan Phillips and Corey Liuget. Former Patriots swing tackle LaAdrian Waddle will also hit the open market after missing all of 2019 because of a quad injury.
Miami Dolphins
Expected salary cap space: $89,390,424
Free agents: 16 (7 unrestricted, 5 restricted, 4 exclusive rights)
No team in the NFL has the same amount of salary cap space to work with this offseason, which means that Miami is expected to be a big player in March. Some of that money will go towards bringing back members of the team’s free agency class even though not all of them can be considered priorities. Punter Matt Haack and linebacker Vince Biegel are probably the two biggest names for the Dolphins to retain, with both being restricted free agents.
Another big name on the list above is cornerback Aqib Talib, who was acquired by Miami via trade last October despite being on injured reserve. The team did not give up a lot to bring the then-32-year-old on board, which means that he likely will not be a priority moving forward. However, his history with Dolphins head coach Brian Flores — they were both with the Patriots in 2012 and 2013 — suggests that he might stick around after all.
New York Jets
Expected salary cap space: $49,693,190
Free agents: 29 (22 unrestricted, 2 restricted, 5 exclusive rights)
The Jets have one of the biggest free agency classes in the entire league, with 22 of the 29 players listed about to enter unrestricted free agency — including starters such as wide receiver Robby Anderson, offensive linemen Kelvin Beachum, Brandon Shell and Alex Lewis, slot cornerback Brian Poole, and punter Lachlan Edwards. Furthermore, rotational linebackers Neville Hewitt is also set to hit the open market next month.
Anderson might be the biggest name on the list considering his status as New York’s number one wide receiver for the last few seasons. The impact of potential departures along the offensive line and at running back — Bilal Powell is also an unrestricted free agent, for example — cannot be underestimate either, however, especially when it comes to the development of third-year quarterback Sam Darnold.
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