AFC East free agency preview: Battle for Darrelle Revis ahead?
(Correction: Darrelle Revis' $12 million bonus is activated Tuesday afternoon, not Monday. Paste BN Sports regrets the error in the initial version of the story.)
A snapshot of each team's roster and considerations heading into free agency, which officially begins March 10 at 4 p.m. ET:
BUFFALO BILLS
Prominent free agents: ST/WR Marcus Easley, T Chris Hairston, G Erik Pears, S Da'Norris Searcy, ILB Brandon Spikes, RB C.J. Spiller
Issues: New coach Rex Ryan inherited a talented defense, and GM Doug Whaley has masterfully upgraded the offense before the official start of free agency, acquiring RB LeSean McCoy, QB Matt Cassel and G Richie Incognito, all perfect additions at their respective positions given the way Ryan wants to operate. The Bills have no first-round pick but do have some cap flexibility. DL Marcell Dareus is an extension candidate assuming he plugs effectively into Ryan's scheme. Pass rusher Jerry Hughes, who has 20 sacks since 2013, remained a good fit after playing so well for Ryan's former lieutenant, Mike Pettine, two years ago. He agreed to re-sign Monday.
Our advice: It might be smarter to pursue another ferocious run blocker like G Mike Iupati, who played for new OC Greg Roman in San Francisco and would perfectly execute Ryan's beloved "ground and pound" offense. With Mario Williams heading for linebacker, another down lineman might help.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Prominent free agents: TE Charles Clay (transition tag), G Daryn Colledge, S Louis Delmas, CB Cortland Finnegan (released), OL Nate Garner (released), WR Brandon Gibson (released), WR Brian Hartline (released), QB Matt Moore, RB Knowshon Moreno, DT Jared Odrick, C Samson Satele, ILB Kelvin Sheppard, RB Daniel Thomas, MLB Jason Trusnik, S Jimmy Wilson
Issues: They've got some nice pieces with free agent jewel Ndamukong Suh headed to South Beach. But coach Joe Philbin might need a few more to salvage his job by leading the team to just its second playoff berth since 2001. WR Mike Wallace's salary and attitude remain a concern. QB Ryan Tannehill will be due a new deal by next year. The salary purge will continue in order to absorb Suh's megacontract.
Our advice: The Dolphins would be wise to cut bait on the disastrous 2013 free agent haul that included Wallace and ILBs Dannell Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler. The 14th pick in the draft could net a receiver capable of replacing Wallace with linebackers available later or at bargain basement prices.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Prominent free agents: OLB Akeem Ayers, ILB Jonathan Casillas, G Dan Connolly, K Stephen Gostkowski (franchise tag), RB Stevan Ridley, RB Shane Vereen, DT Vince Wilfork
Issues: Coming off title No. 4 under Bill Belichick, the champs are settling into their usual offseason mode — clean up the cap by parting with a beloved veteran, in this case Wilfork, and look to fill in positions they don't value as highly (interior O-line, running back), down the road when the buyer's market takes shape.
VIDEO: Why Devin McCourty should stay with the Patriots
Our advice: CB Darrelle Revis' impact was obvious and keeping him seems imperative. But something needs to get done before his $12 million bonus kicks in Tuesday afternoon, otherwise the cap-strapped Pats will likely be forced to cut him, especially after agreeing to re-sign S Devin McCourty. Releasing a relatively unproductive player like WR Danny Amendola might provide tinder for a long-term Revis deal. But keeping the corner won't allow the Pats to make other major moves, though re-signing players like Connolly and Ridley, who's coming off ACL reconstruction, won't be costly. And don't count out Belichick's ability to entice potential cap casualties searching for rings amid career sunsets. We mean you, Andre Johnson.
NEW YORK JETS
Prominent free agents: CB Phillip Adams, G Willie Colon, FB John Conner, OLB Jermaine Cunningham, DL Leger Douzable, NT Kenrick Ellis, RB Chris Johnson, S Dawan Landry, RB Bilal Powell, WR Greg Salas, QB Michael Vick, CB Kyle Wilson
Issues: Unlike last year, under former GM John Idzik, the Jets have already been busy upgrading their roster. New GM Mike Maccagnan has come out swinging, re-signing underrated ILB David Harris — likely a target of Rex Ryan in Buffalo — and trading for WR Brandon Marshall, whose salary will likely be offset by the anticipated release of Percy Harvin while leaving Maccagnan nearly $50 million to dole out. With the exception of Powell, none of the team's other free agents should be much of a consideration. However this might be the right time to extend defensive linchpin Muhammad Wilkerson, who could be a free agent next year.
VIDEO: Brandon Marshall traded to Jets
Our advice: Quarterback remains the biggest concern, but Maccagnan's best hope to address that quickly is in the draft. Otherwise, best to see if Geno Smith finally excels with Marshall and OC Chan Gailey. The simmering question is whether the Jets can lure CB Darrelle Revis back if the Patriots are financially forced to unleash him onto the market. After failing to re-acquire Revis last year, the team remains desperate for corner help, and Revis would theoretically fit with Todd Bowles just as well as he did with Ryan. Antonio Cromartie, another ex-Jet who played for Bowles last year in Arizona, could be among the fallbacks. Such lofty business aside, there are holes at guard — maybe Mike Iupati if the Jets strike out on Revis — and a need for a shifty runner and pass rusher.
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