Okay MYBookie NFL fans and betting enthusiasts, with the current free agent signing period producing a ton of change across the league and none bigger than in the AFC East, it’s time to offer up some expert insight into how each team fared in this year’s free agency. Let’s get started with the once, perennially-powerful New England Patriots, who will look as different as they ever have in the last two decades with their NFL Odds and Super Bowl Odds Updated.
AFC East Free Agency Thoughts Week 1
New England Patriots
Additions/players brought back:
- G Joe Thuney (franchise tag)
- S Devin McCourty (re-signed for two years, $23 million, $17 million guaranteed)
- ST Matthew Slater (re-signed for two years, $5.3 million)
- DI Beau Allen (signed for two years, $8 million)
- WR Damiere Byrd (signed for one year, $2.5 million)
Losses:
- QB Tom Brady
- EDGE Kyle Van Noy
- LB Jamie Collins Sr.
- DI Danny Shelton
- C Ted Karras
- S Duron Harmon (via trade)
The Patriots saw six-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Tom Brady bolt for Tampa Bay, mostly because head coach Bill Belichick couldn’t stop treat the GOAT like he was just a ‘normal’ quarterback. Now, the Pats have a roster of quarterbacks featuring the likes of Jarrett Stidham, Brian Hoyer and Cody Kessler. New England did manage to retain their top two impending free agents in veteran guard Joe Thuney and Pro Bowl safety Devin McCourty, but they also lost stalwarts, Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins Sr. Overall, the Pats get a failing grade because they couldn’t retain Tom Brady and they certainly didn’t make any real roster improving additions.
- Grade: F
- Odds to Win the AFC East: -110
- Odds to Win AFC: +1000
- Odds to Win Super Bowl: +1800
Buffalo Bills
Additions/players brought back:
- WR Stefon Diggs (via trade)
- EDGE Mario Addison (signed for three years, $30.45 million, $15.25 million guaranteed)
- DI Vernon Butler (signed for two years, $18 million, $9.3 million guaranteed)
- DI Quinton Jefferson (signed for two years, $13.5 million)
- CB Josh Norman (signed for one year, $6 million)
- G Quinton Spain (re-signed for three years, $15 million)
- LB A.J. Klein (signed)
Losses:
- EDGE Shaq Lawson
- EDGE Lorenzo Alexander
- CB Kevin Johnson
- DI Jordan Phillips
The Bills pulled off a stunning move by adding Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl wide receivers Stefon Diggs to go along with John Brown and Cole Beasley. Buffalo also made some nice additions on the defensive side of the ball that could pay big dividends by adding two veteran defensive tackles, edge rusher Mario Addison and former perennial Pro Bowl cornerback Josh Norman. The Bills not only closed the gap on the Patriots, but they may have even surpassed the Pats.
- Grade: B+
- Odds to Win the AFC East: +175
- Odds to Win AFC: +1200
- Odds to Win Super Bowl: +2000
Miami Dolphins
Additions/players brought back:
- G Ereck Flowers (signed for three years, $30 million, $19.95 million guaranteed)
- CB Byron Jones (signed for five years, $82 million, $54 million guaranteed)
- RB Jordan Howard (signed for two years, $10 million)
- EDGE Shaq Lawson (signed for three years, $30 million)
- C Ted Karras (signed for one year, $4 million)
- EDGE Kyle Van Noy (signed for four years, $51 million, $30 million guaranteed)
- EDGE Emmanuel Ogbah (signed for two years, $15 million, $7.5 million guaranteed)
- S Adrian Colbert (signed for one year, $1.775 million)
Losses:
- No one notable
The Dolphins pulled off one of the biggest free agent additions by adding Pro Bowl cornerback Byron Jones to a massive contract that makes him the highest paid cornerback in the league. Now, the Fins have arguable the best pair of cornerbacks in the league with Jones joining Pro Bowler Xavien Howard. I love Miami’s addition of veteran running back Jordan Howard and guard Ereck Flowers on offense and the Fins made some even bigger moves on the other side of the ball by adding edge rushers, Shaq Lawson, Kyle Van Noy and Emmanuel Ogbah. While Miami may have overpaid Ogbah and Flowers isn’t exactly a Pro Bowler, Miami’s free agency upgrades looks fantastic.
- Grade: A
- Odds to Win the AFC East: +1000
- Odds to Win AFC: +4000
- Odds to Win Super Bowl: +10000
New York Jets
Additions/players brought back:
- CB Brian Poole (re-signed for one year, $5 million)
- T George Fant (signed for three years, $30 million)
- C Connor McGovern (signed for three years, $27 million, $18 million guaranteed)
- G Alex Lewis (re-signed)
Losses:
- WR Robby Anderson
- WR Demaryius Thomas
- RB Ty Montgomery
- C Ryan Kalil
- T Brandon Shell
- T Kelvin Beachum
- CB Trumaine Johnson (cut)
The Jets overpaid tackle George Fant on three-year deal and their additions of cornerback Brian Poole, center Connor McGovern and guard Alex Lewis just don’t overwhelm anyone. The loss of veteran wide receiver Robby Anderson will sting and the loss of fellow wideout Demaryius Thomas won’t help Sam Darnold grow as a passer either. New York’s loss of three offensive linemen also doesn’t bode well heading into 2020. Overall, the Jets get a big-time failing grade!
- Grade: F
- Odds to Win the AFC East: +650
- Odds to Win AFC: +3500
- Odds to Win Super Bowl: +10000
