Discussing the Top Free Agent Departure from Each AFC East Team
The New York Jets and each of their three AFC East division rivals all lost at least one significant player to free agency this month.
Whipping around the AFC East, I’ve identified the most-impactful departure from each team. In a noteworthy occurrence, all four free agents signed with teams outside of the division.
BUFFALO BILLS
LB Tremaine Edmunds (Bears)
Edmunds’ departure leaves a massive hole in the middle of the Bills’ defense. The 6-foot-5 middle linebacker’s length and athleticism allowed him to cover a lot of ground during his five seasons with Buffalo.
Edmunds, the second of the Bills’ two first-round picks at the 2018 NFL Draft, has made more than 100 tackles every season as a pro. Making 74 starts, the two-time Pro Bowl selection recorded 565 combined stops, 6.5 sacks and five interceptions as a Buffalo Bill.
LB Tremaine Edmunds
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
With its current salary cap situation, Buffalo simply couldn’t afford the four-year, $72 million contract that Edmunds received from the Chicago Bears. The Bills were able to re-sign safety Jordan Poyer while outside linebacker Matt Milano is on a long-term deal, but Edmunds’ absence must be addressed
MIAMI DOLPHINS
LB Elandon Roberts (Steelers)
Roberts has been a staple of the Dolphins’ defense over the past two seasons, playing all 34 regular season games with 32 starts.
The 6-foot-1 linebacker accounted for a career-high 107 combined tackles and 10.0 tackles-for-loss in 2022. Starting all 17 games, Roberts also registered a career-best 4.5 sacks last season.
Roberts, an eighth-year pro, has appeared in 107 games during his NFL tenure. The former Patriots’ sixth-round draft pick (2016) spent his first four seasons in New England before signing as a free agent with the Fins in 2020.
While Roberts bolted for the Pittsburgh Steelers on a two-year deal, Miami inked a younger inside linebacker with starting experience. David Long, who made 26 career starts (50 games) with the Tennessee Titans, joins the Dolphins on a two-year contract worth $11 million, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
WR Jakobi Meyers (Raiders)
Leaving for Las Vegas, Meyers was the first significant receiver off the free agent market this year. The former undrafted free agent quickly became a reliable playmaker for the Patriots when his offensive role expanded as a second-year pro.
The 6-foot-2 Meyers, who enjoyed a breakout performance against the Jets on Monday Night Football in 2020, has averaged 800 receiving yards per season over the past three years. In 2022, Meyers led New England in receptions (67), receiving yards (804) and touchdown catches (6) despite missing three games due to injury.
WR Jakobi Meyers (16)
Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
After the Raiders signed Meyers to a reported three-year, $33 million deal, the Patriots brought in veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster on a three-year contract reportedly worth up to $33 million with incentives. Smith-Schuster, who played the 2022 season with the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, is unquestionably an accomplished receiver, but the ascending Meyers likely provides more value at a similar price.
NEW YORK JETS
DT Sheldon Rankins (Texans)
Rankins accepted a one-year contract reportedly worth $10.5 million from the Houston Texans, leaving a void on Gang Green’s defensive line. The veteran run stuffer had performed admirably alongside All-Pro Quinnen Williams during his two-year stint with the Jets.
After the Jets signed him to a free agent deal prior to the 2021 season, Rankins proceeded to play in 31 of a possible 34 games. In 2022, the New Orleans Saints’ former first-round pick made 43 combined tackles and 3.0 sacks over 15 starts for the Green & White.
While the Jets were able to retain free agent Solomon Thomas for their defensive line rotation, general manager Joe Douglas may be able to secure Rankins’ replacement in the upcoming NFL Draft. Clemson’s Bryan Bresee and Wisconsin’s Keeanu Benton are two interior linemen with first-round ability.
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