There's no such thing as "perfect", but in this scenario I get to play GM for a day and pretend the offseason are perfect!
This series is dependent on every other team, so you won't see the same player be signed to multiple teams.
BUT, this won't be insanely detailed, and it will be mainly offense based. So, I will mention the salary cap and draft pick implications, but I'm not going to include an entire salary cap breakdown.
That being said, let's breakdown the AFC East and what moves I think each team should be making in the 2022 Offseason!
New England Patriots
Last Year's Record: 10-7
2022 Estimated Cap Space: $13,277,827
2022 Draft Picks: 1st (1), 2nd (1), 3rd (1), 4th (1), 7th (2)
Notable Free Agents; Devin McCourty (S), Dont'a Hightower (LB), J.C. Jackson (CB), James White (RB), Matthew Slater (ST), and Jakobi Meyers (WR).
The good news is that the Patriots are expected to be in the positives as far as cap space, can't say the same for about 10 or so other teams. The bad news is that there's a lot of big names, mainly on defense that need some money.
** UPDATE; After reading popular reports and rumors, I've made a change to some of the Patriot's offseason. I now have them trading a 2nd Round Pick for (WR) Calvin Ridley! The Patriots have traded with the Falcons in the past and Ridley needs a new home.
Now let's breakdown the offseason in it's main pillars, coaching changes, free agency, and the draft.
Coaching; It's possible Josh McDaniels (OC) and/or Jerod Mayo (LB Coach) get snagged, but the Patriots aren't usually an outside hire type team. I expect with loss they would promote within or even look at the college level for replacements. Other than that, I don't see any changes that need to be made.
Free Agency; There's some cap space to work with, but I don't image the Patriots will be able to retain all of McCourty, Hightower, and Jackson. If I'm the Patriots, here are some moves I'm making on offense.
+ James White (RB)
+ Brandon Bolden (RB)
+ Jakobi Meyers (WR)
+ Gunner Olszewski (WR/KR/PR)
- Brian Hoyer (QB)
- J.J. Taylor (RB)
- Troy Fumagali (TE)
Jarrett Stidham should be back from injury and healthy enough to serve as a backup, and worst case I'm sure Brian Hoyer will be on call.
Running back wise, Bolden proved himself as not only a valuable special teamer, but great depth at RB, I'd bring him back on a one year vet minimum. James White on the other hand is returning from injury, but when on the field he serves as an easy dump off/safety net, something Mac Jones didn't have last year.
Jakobi has continued to grow and will continue to be a growing asset, and with the addition of Calvin Ridley, this receiving corps is looking pretty good for Mac's second year.
As far as the rest of the team goes, I'm letting Hightower and McCourty walk (or retire), and I'm doing whatever I can to keep J.C. Jackson in New England. Matthew Slater is still playing well, but I imagine he's considering retirement. Would love to see him in a coaching position in the near future. With whatever money they have left.
2022 NFL Draft; With the Patriots acquiring Calvin Ridley for their second round pick, I'm expecting them to back to their ways of drafting defense early. Currently, I have the Patriots drafting pass rusher Drake Jackson in the 1st Round. I could also see them taking a corner or maybe even linebacker! In the 3rd Round I have them selecting (WR) Khalil Shakur!
So altogether, here's what the Patriots' starting offense would look like in 2022...
QB - Mac Jones
RB - Damien Harris
RB - James White
WR - Calvin Ridley
WR - Jakobi Meyers
TE - Hunter Henry/Jonnu Smith
How we feel about that #PatsNation?
New York Jets
Last Year's Record: 4-13
2022 Estimated Cap Space: $53,878,365
2022 Draft Picks: 1st (2), 2nd (2), 3rd (1), 4th (2), 5th (2)
Notable Free Agents; Marcus Made (S), Jamison Crowder (WR), Morgan Moses (OT), and Braxton Berrios (WR/KR/PR).
Joe Douglas has been busy lately, and with over $50,000,000 in estimated cap and a ton of early draft picks, this year is to VITAL to show some sort of improvement.
Let's breakdown the offseason in it's main pillars, coaching changes, free agency, and the draft.
Coaching; Definitely not coming off a great year, but I don't expect any coaching changes in the 2022 offseason.
Free Agency; The Jets have a lot to work with and in a growing year it makes sense for them to utilize as much as they can. So here are some moves I see the Jets making on offense.
+ Mike White (QB)
+ Jeff Wilson (RB)
+ Braxton Berrios (WR)
+ Keenan Cole (WR)
+ Richie James (WR)
+ Jeff Smith (WR)
+ O.J. Howard (TE)
- Joe Flacco (QB)
- Tevin Coleman (RB)
- Jamison Crowder (WR)
- Tyler Kroft (TE)
Zach Wilson has had his learning phase, and towards the end of the season we saw some great improvement from him. Keep Mike White as a high upside backup and let Flacco walk..
With Tevin Coleman on the outs in the RB room, might not bring in another San Fransisco guy like Jeff Wilson. He could play a perfect compliment or backup to Carter and will be familiar with the system.
There's opportunity to make some big moves in the WR space, but I think their cap needs to be used mainly for that defense. Bring back Cole and Berrios, who should really be moved into their starting slot position after how well he finished the year. Keep the San Fransisco vibe going and add Richie James as depth too! Let Crowder walk, who was on the cusp of being cut/traded last year.
Here's where the big move comes, the Jets need to make a splash at TE. They have the cap space and there's a lot of names available. The Jets can give O.J. Howard a fresh start in a system that will feature him rather than rotate him. Make him the "George Kittle" of this offense.
With the defense in mind, the Jets need to use their cap to bolster that front seven, make it one of the best in the league with guys like Harold Landry, Akeim Hicks, and others. It seems as if Marcus Maye is ready to abandon ship, so it also wouldn't be a bad idea to invest in some secondary help.
2022 NFL Draft; With all the draft picks they have, It'd be great for them to stack up on some defensive help. In the first round, I have the Jets taking Derek Stingley and Charles Cross. In the next two rounds I'd like to see at least one Wide Receiver, someone like Romeo Doubs, Jalen Tolbert, or Skyy Moore.
So altogether, here's what the Jets' starting offense would look like in 2022...
QB - Zach Wilson
RB - Michael Carter
WR - Elijah Moore
WR - Corey Davis
WR - Braxton Berrios
TE - O.J. Howard
How we feel about that #JetsNation?
Miami Dolphins
Last Year's Record: 9-8
2022 Estimated Cap Space: $73,602,253
2022 Draft Picks: 1st (1), 2nd (1), 3rd (1), 4th (2), 5th (1), 6th (1), 7th (1)
Notable Free Agents; Emmanuel Ogbah (DE), Mike Gesicki (TE), and Will Fuller V (WR).
The Miami Dolphins go into the 2022 offseason with the most estimated salary cap of any team. Which means they are BOUND to make some moves under a new regime. The trade of Deshaun Watson being an unlikely one now with the departure of Brian Flores.
Let's breakdown the offseason in it's main pillars, coaching changes, free agency, and the draft.
Coaching; Mike McDaniel has been named the new head coach of the Miami Dolphins! I did a full breakdown on my instagram linked here!
Free Agency; The Dolphins almost need to be spenders here. Being a win or two away from the playoffs and then following it up with the most cap space in the league is a great sign of things to come. Here are some offensive moves I think the Dolphins should make...
+ Raheem Mostert (RB)
+ Chris Godwin (WR)
+ Mack Hollins (WR)
+ Preston Williams (WR)
+ Mike Gesicki (TE)
+ Durham Smythe (TE)
- Duke Johnson (RB)
- Phillip Lindsay (RB)
- Malcom Brown (RB)
- Salvon Ahmed (RB)
- Albert Wilson (WR)
- Allen Hurns (WR)
This leaves Raheem Mostert, Myles Gaskin, and Patrick Laird in the running back room. But they aren't done adding to the room yet..
With Brady gone, I think Godwin will be on the move. If he wants to stay in Florida the Dolphins have the money to pay him and are the best choice! Bolster the depth with Mack Hollins, who played very well when given the chance.
They can afford to keep Gesicki, and their blocking Tight End Durham Smythe, so I say do so!
Also look to sign guys like Orlando Brown (OT), Brandon Scheriff (OG), Jason Pierre-Paul (DE), Stephon Gilmore (CB), all while keeping Emmanuel Ogbah (DE).
2022 NFL Draft; This is where things start to pick up. I have the Dolphins taking Breece Hall (RB), in the 1st Round. I wouldn't mind seeing the Dolphins take a stab at some later WR values like John Metchie III (WR) or Jalen Tolbert (WR).
So altogether, here's what the Dolphin's starting offense would look like in 2022...
QB - Tua Tagovailoa
RB - Breece Hall
WR - Chris Godwin
WR - Jaylen Waddle
WR - DeVante Parker
TE - Mike Gesicki
It's all #PhinsUp for 2022!
Buffalo Bills
Last Year's Record: 11-6
2022 Estimated Cap Space: $6,736,139
2022 Draft Picks: 1st (1), 2nd (1), 3rd (1), 4th (1), 5th (1), 6th (2), 7th (2)
Notable Free Agents; Jerry Hughs (DE), Mario Addison (DE), Emmanuel Sanders (WR), and Levi Wallace (CB).
The Bills really don't have much cap space to work with, and but they are in a good spot right now to make a Super Bowl roster via the draft and what little money they have for free agency.
Let's breakdown the offseason in it's main pillars, coaching changes, free agency, and the draft.
Coaching; The Bills are actively fighting to make the Super Bowl as I speak, and because of their success, they could lose their offensive and defensive coordinator this offseason. Both Brian Daboll and Leslie Frazier have been hot names for interviews. My assumption is they lose at least one of them, and I could see them poaching a position coach from another team if they lose them.
Free Agency; The Bills will likely not be huge spenders here, but I think there's some wiggle room to continue to add to this roster. Here are some offensive moves I think the Bills should make...
+ Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB)
+ Melvin Gordon (RB)
+ Isaiah McKenzie (WR/PR/KR)
+ Damiere Byrd (WR)
+ Auden Tate (WR)
- Matt Breida (RB)
- Taiwan Jones (RB)
- Emmanuel Sanders (WR)
Anyone else see Fitz rooting for the Bills in their playoff game? This guy loves Buffalo, so let him play out what could be his last year in the league as a backup, and have a chance to be on a championship team.
The RB room in Buffalo has been rough the last few years. Melvin Gordon is someone who you can pay less than $10 Million for, and he's a perfect compliment to Devin Singletary. MG3 has experience working in a committee and this could finally be the move to ease off Josh Allen so he can actually have a long career (and a run game).
Let Sanders walk and have Gabriel Davis embrace the starting role next to Beasley and Diggs, he's earned it. McKenzie has been a great utility guy for them, while Byrd and Tate are upside veteran depth pieces for them.
Both Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison will be in their mid 30s this offseason, and I think it's time to move on (especially at their current prices). You have some young pass rushers and it's never bad to draft more.
2022 NFL Draft; That being said, I'd like to see the Bills address pass rush, which might seen a little excessive but never a bad idea in the NFL. Or draft a CB to make up for the potential loss of Levi Wallace. I could see the Bills drafting Drake Jackson (DE) in the 1st Round and following it up with a DB like Martin Emerson or Derion Kendrick in the 2nd Round!
So altogether, here's what the Bills' starting offense would look like in 2022...
QB - Josh Allen
RB - Melvin Gordon
RB - Devin Singletary
WR - Stefon Diggs
WR - Cole Beasley
WR - Gabriel Davis
TE - Dawson Knox
How we feel about that #BillsMafia?!?