AFC EAST GRADES AND OFFSEASON QUESTIONS

MIAMI DOLPHINS

An improvement over their 6-10 record in 2017 is noteworthy and coaches likely will use that as a sign of progress. But as the Dolphins head into 2019, it’s hard to say we know more about the long-term future than we did six months ago. That makes it somewhat of a lost season. 

The Miami Dolphins ended the season a with a 42-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills to finish the season at 7-9. Here's a recap of the season and what's next:

Season grade: Average -- Most preseason projections had the Dolphins lucky to get to 7-9 or 8-8, so it’s hard to say they fell below expectations. But there has to be a lingering frustration for Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and fans that their team remains cloaked in mediocrity. An improvement over their 6-10 record in 2017 is noteworthy and coaches will likely use that as a sign of progress particularly due to their injury burden. But as the Dolphins head into 2019, it’s hard to say we know more about the long-term future than we did six months ago. That makes it somewhat of a lost season.

Season in review: The Dolphins had one of the NFL’s worst statistical offenses and defenses, but they were in the playoff hunt until Week 16 because they were 7-1 in games decided by eight points or fewer up until that point. Miami started off as one of the NFL’s biggest surprises jumping out to a 3-0 record thanks to explosive plays and a ball-hawking defense. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill played well, too, in his first action since December 2016. But back-to-back losses followed and Tannehill’s shoulder capsule injury put a damper on the second quarter of the season. Tannehill missed five games -- backup Brock Osweiler started with a win over Chicago and ended with no offensive touchdowns over his last nine quarters -- and the Dolphins went 2-3. Injuries to key offensive players helped turn what had become an exciting, big-play offense to a relatively ineffective and occasional big-play offense. The Miami Miracle -- a 69-yard hook-and-lateral Kenyan Drake TD to beat the Patriots in exciting fashion -- was the highlight of the season. But the Dolphins were doomed by their inability to win on the road. The offense was flat-out bad much of December as the offensive line crumbled and Tannehill couldn’t do anything special to save them.

He said it: “It’s not good football if you are going to be inconsistent ... It’s not complementary. It doesn’t work.” -- Dolphins defensive end Cam Wake

OFFSEASON QUESTIONS

What is the Dolphins long-term answer at QB? This remains the Dolphins biggest question mark for the second consecutive season. Tannehill is a legitimate starting quarterback who can keep Miami in the playoff picture annually, but is he good enough to take them to the next level? Miami has spent seven years waiting to get a definitive answer and it might decide time is up. Coach Adam Gase is a huge Tannehill supporter, and if the coach returns, he might want to bring Tannehill back. Tannehill is also due an $18.7 million salary in 2019 to go along with his $26.6 million cap hit. But QB competition is sparse in Miami, and no, Osweiler, doesn’t scare anyone. Free agency and the draft market don’t appear strong this offseason, but Ross will likely want his decision-makers to address the QB position regardless. Is this the year the Dolphins draft their first quarterback before the seventh round since 2012? It should be -- specifically in the first three rounds -- whether Tannehill returns or not.

Which personnel direction do Dolphins choose to follow more: veteran culture or youthful promise? Gase wanted to build a 2018 Dolphins roster that could overcome adversity, so he brought in veterans such as Frank Gore, Danny Amendola, Josh Sitton, Daniel Kilgore and Akeem Spence. The results were up and down, but three of those players ended the season on injured reserve. There will be a decision due on longtime Dolphins veteran Cameron Wake, who will be a free agent. Also, Miami will have to decide whether to clear paths for promising young players such as Minkah Fitzpatrick, Kenyan Drake and Kalen Ballage -- each of whom was somewhat blocked by veterans. Xavien Howard, Laremy Tunsil and Fitzpatrick are recently drafted players to build around, but are they ready to be leaders? There is a talent void and the Dolphins will have to decide whether fix it with youth or veterans.

How will Miami rebuild its defensive line? Miami’s defensive line is the position group most in need of an overhaul. The Dolphins rank in the bottom five of the NFL in sacks, and they sport one of the NFL’s worst run defenses. On the edge, Robert Quinn and Andre Branch are due huge salaries and could be candidates to be cut. Charles Harris, a 2017 first-round pick, has been a disappointment with just three sacks in his two NFL seasons. Wake is a free agent. Miami needs to add at least two and possibly more edge rushers to this group -- and it’s likely the team’s biggest need. Defensive tackle is an issue as well. The Dolphins never properly replaced Ndamukong Suh. William Hayesand Vincent Taylor, arguably the Dolphins most productive run-stuffers, were both on injured reserve by midseason and they will have to utilize the draft or free agency to fill that hole.

BUFFALO BILLS

The Bills were ranked among the league’s worst teams in offensive and special-teams efficiency. However, Buffalo was expected to win about only five games and they did lay a foundation for rookie quarterback Josh Allen. 

 The Buffalo Bills ended the season with a 42-17 win over the Miami Dolphins to finish the season at 6-10. Here's a recap of the season and what's next:

Season grade: Below average -- Context is important to this grade. Compared to the rest of the NFL, the Bills performed at a below-average level this season. They were outscored by 130 points through Week 16, third-worst in the NFL, and ranked among the league’s worst teams in offensive and special-teams efficiency. However, the Bills were expected to win only about five games in a season that was clearly about making a transition to first-round-pick rookie Josh Allen at quarterback. Given’s Allen’s performance since his Week 12 return from an elbow injury, the Bills accomplished their goal of laying a foundation for long-term success at the position.

Season in review: It was a tale of two seasons for the Bills, who began the season 2-7 while playing the NFL’s most difficult schedule through Week 9. The Bills averaged an NFL-worst 10.7 points a game through their first nine games amid a quarterback carousel with opening-day starter Nathan Peterman, Allen and veteran Derek Anderson. Everything changed in Week 10, when the Bills began the league’s easiest season-ending schedule with a cathartic 41-10 win over the Jets, snapping a four-game losing streak. The return of Allen in Week 12 from an elbow injury continued to inject energy into the team and provide hope for 2019. After ranking 31st in yards per game (248.3) and last in points per game through Week 9, the Bills’ offense made a U-turn to rank in the top half in yards per game and points per game from Week 10 through Week 16. Allen made a similar recovery, jumping from a 32.4 Total QBR (31st in the NFL) before his Week 6 injury to a 58.1 since his return (16th-best) through Week 16.

He said it: “Obviously, we haven’t won as many games as we wanted to win, but the fact remains that we’re building this football team, I feel like, the right way. That means trying to develop a football team that can sustain success over a period of time and compete at a high level over a period of time.” -- Bills coach Sean McDermott

KEY OFFSEASON QUESTIONS

Will LeSean McCoy return? Although general manager Brandon Beane and coach Sean McDermott have said they view running back LeSean McCoy as part of the team’s plans in 2019, McCoy’s production has declined steeply since setting a career high with 5.4 yards per carry in 2016. His career-worst season can be attributed partly to problems along the offensive line, but it is fair to question how much McCoy has left at this stage of his career. The Bills could keep McCoy, who will turn 31 before next season, for the final season of his contract in 2019. They also have the option of releasing or trading him, which would save $6.175 million of his $9.05 million salary-cap number. McCoy’s contract allows the Bills to delay their decision until the start of the regular season without committing financially. The expectation is the Bills, who had the NFL’s oldest backfield this season, will add young talent to the position regardless of whether or not they keep McCoy this offseason.

Where will the No. 1 receiver come from? One of the Bills’ top needs is a No. 1 receiver, as Kelvin Benjamin’s audition to fill that role flopped, resulting in his release earlier this month. Buffalo seems to have found some complementary receivers in Zay Jones, Robert Foster and Isaiah McKenzie but still could use a blue-chip prospect to top their depth chart. That player might not be available in free agency this offseason, leaving a trade or the NFL draft as the Bills’ best options. Even so, the top of the draft seems to lack the sort of prospect the Bills need at the position. Trading down in the first round could make wide receiver the pick without overreaching.

How will the Bills spend (or not spend) their salary-cap space? The Bills had more than $60 million in “dead money” against their 2018 salary cap from players who were released, traded or retired. Some of that was the design of Beane, the second-year GM who upon his arrival told ownership it would take at least two seasons to straighten out the team’s salary-cap situation. The result is more than $80 million in salary-cap space in 2019. The danger for Buffalo is going on a spending spree to lure free agents to a cold-weather city, potentially taking on contracts that could weigh down the team again in the future. How the Bills use their glut of cap space will be a test of Beane’s philosophy upon taking the job in May 2017. “I’m going to build through the draft, first and foremost,” he said then. “You have to draft well and sign those guys. If you draft well, you sign them. You’re not going to see big splashes of free agency.”

NEW YORK JETS

No one expected a playoff berth, but this was a total failure -- from the front office to the coaching staff to the players. The mandate from ownership was to show progress, but the Jets actually went backward. They were 1-5 in games decided by eight or fewer points. 

The New York Jets ended the season a with a 38-3 loss to the New England Patriots to finish the season at 4-12. Here's a recap of the season and what's next:

Season grade: Below-average -- No one expected a playoff berth, but the season was a total failure -- from the front office to the coaching staff to the players. The mandate from ownership was to show progress, but the Jets went backward. Their roster was poorly constructed, not nearly strong enough to withstand the growing pains of rookie quarterback Sam Darnold. When the Jets played competitively, they had no clue how to finish games, blowing late leads with dumb penalties and poor execution -- and that falls on coaching. They were 1-6 in games decided by eight or fewer points. Just brutal.

Season in review: Let’s start with a positive: After a midseason slump and a four-week foot injury, Darnold showed enough in the final month to make you believe that the Jets finally have a quarterback. He must cut down the number of his interceptions, but he has the talent and intangibles to be really good as long as the Jets don’t mess him up. Imagine if he had a strong supporting cast. The top skill-position players -- Quincy Enunwa, Jermaine Kearse, Robby Anderson and Isaiah Crowell -- each had disappointing seasons, although Anderson played better late in the season. The offense disappeared during the six-game losing streak, but the real culprit was the defense, the second worst in franchise history based on points allowed in a 16-game season. Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams emerged a star, but the unit crumbled when it needed to make a big stop. The special teams were the best unit. Hey, it’s something.

He said it: “I'm sick of losing. I'm fed up with losing. It pisses me off every time. I'm not a loser. I want to get back on the winning track. ... I’m not going to hold my tongue for anything anymore.” -- Jamal Adams after the Nov. 4 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

OFFSEASON QUESTIONS

Who’s the next coach? Todd Bowles, only the sixth NFL coach since 2000 to suffer three straight seasons of double-digit losses, is expected to be fired. It won’t be easy to find the right replacement because the pool of candidates is thin. Mike McCarthy would be a terrific choice because of his track record and offensive background. The question is, do the Jets have enough savvy to land a big fish? Their last hire with head-coaching experience was Bill Parcells in 1997. If they don’t hire McCarthy -- it might be tough to sell him on New York -- the talent drops off significantly from there. Unless Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh changes his mind or John Harbaugh unexpectedly shakes free from the Ravens, the Jets probably will hire a coordinator again. Ideally, they should hire an offensive-minded coach who can develop Darnold and rebuild the offense. It’s impossible to overstate the importance of this decision.

How will they spend their $100 million in salary-cap room?General manager Mike Maccagnan will be calling the shots, assuming he isn't fired. Maccagnan has an affinity for RB Le’Veon Bell, and there are some in league circles who believe that Bell’s decision will come down to the Jets and Colts. The price will be enormous, and he’d come with baggage, but his playmaking ability would take pressure off Darnold. Other names on their free-agent wish list are DE DeMarcus Lawrence, OLB Jadeveon Clowney, DE Dante Fowler Jr. and OLB Dee Ford. The Jets have 22 of their own free agents, namely DE Henry Anderson and CB Morris Claiborne. Enunwa was set to be a free agent, but he was locked up with a four-year, $36 million extension. This means they won’t have to overpay for a No. 2-caliber receiver in free agency. They won’t be able to fill every hole in free agency, but they will be in better shape if they can sign Bell and a defensive to bolster the front seven.

Can they hit on another high draft pick? Maccagnan has made a lot of mistakes, but give him credit for nailing his two most recent first-round picks, Adams and Darnold. A GM can’t live in the top five -- it can be hazardous to his employment -- but Maccagnan will get another swing. Unfortunately, the Jets' needs don’t match with the value at the top of the draft. In other words, it’ll be tough to find an offensive playmaker or blue-chip offensive lineman. Unless there’s a way to get Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa, they will be motivated to trade down, hoping to recoup the draft capital it cost them to trade up for Darnold. Doing so would be a coup because the Jets have multiple needs.