AFC East best teams by position

DEFENSIVE LINE

New York Jets

Dec 28, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson (91) greets Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) after the play was called dead during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

This is a push between the Jets and Miami. The Jets are very stout up front and get the nod if for no other reason that the addition of former Dolphins defensive line coach Kacey Rodgers. Rodgers is the teams defensive coordinator but you can bet he will be working his fingers into the defensive front. Coaching aside this is no simple defensive unit in need of good coaching. Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson are joined by the top defensive prospect in the 2014 NFL Draft, Leonard Williams. Damon Harrison and T.J. Barnes are competing for the nose tackle spot. The depth on the squad is pretty good as well with Kevin Vickerson on the third team unit.

Miami Dolphins

Aug 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (93) reacts to a play during the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

The addition of Ndamukong Suh makes the defensive front very very good and Earl Mitchell has already shown signs that Suh is going to help his game as well. The Dolphins have some young players in A.J. Francis and Anthony Johnson and spent a second round pick on big defensive lineman Jordan Phillips who is taking personal one on one lessons from Suh. The Dolphins run a 4-3 defense so you have to look on the outside as well where Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon rush from the edges and last years 7th round gem Terrence Fede is making big strides to compete for playing time. Derrick Shelby is also a very solid edge rusher as well.

Buffalo Bills

Nov 24, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; New York Jets quarterback Michael Vick (1) is sacked by Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams (94) during the first half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Marcel Darius and Kyle Williams are dominant defensive lineman and are joined by edge rushers Jerry Hughes, Manny Lawson, and Mario Williams. The Bills defensive front is as good as both the Dolphins and Jets and Bills fans will quickly argue that they are better. Like the wide-receivers there is no shortage of very good if not great defensive lines in the AFC East which is why there are no top two teams. The Bills have had one of the best defensive fronts in the NFL and this year will be no different. In fact, it will be interesting to see what new head coach Rex Ryan will bring to the table as the Bills defense, while talented, lacked an attitude which surely won’t be the case in 2015.

New England Patriots

Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Rob Ninkovich (50) celebrates after the game against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Seahawks 28-24.Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Alan Branch is the best inside defensive lineman on the roster but what makes him better is veteran defensive ends Rob Ninkovich and Chandler Jones on the outside. Ninkovich is very solid all around. He can drop into pass coverage and rush the quarterback. Jones has shown a lot of potential for a younger player and is still improving which is scary for the rest of the AFC East. The Patriots biggest problem however is on the interior of that defensive line where they miss the big body of Vince Wilfork.