NFL Free Agency - Sky Sports breaks down offseason needs in the AFC East

As NFL free agency approaches on March 10, Sky Sports takes a look at what needs each franchise will be looking to address in the offseason. First up is the AFC East.

New England Patriots (12-4)

The New England Patriots captured their 11th AFC East crown in 12 years last season on their way to becoming Super Bowl champions. 

Key Free Agents: Devin McCourty (S), Shane Vereen (RB), Steven Ridley (RB), Dan Connolly (OG)

Note: The Patriots placed their franchise tag on kicker Stephen Gostkowski.

Team Needs:

1.             Offensive Guard – Six-time Pro Bowler Logan Mankins was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the beginning of last season and the Patriots offensive line struggled without him at different points during the season. Team captain Dan Connolly, 32, is a free agent. This position will be a priority for Bill Belichick in the offseason.

2.            Safety – Pro Bowl safety Devin McCourty will be a free agent and is likely to command a huge contract as he will be the top option on the free agent market at his position. The Patriots chose not to apply the franchise tag to retain the 27-year-old’s services and he will leave a gaping hole in the New England secondary if he does leave.

3.            Defensive tackle – Vince Wilfork has been the heart and soul of the Pats defence since he was drafted by the team in 2004. However his powers are on the wane and the team could save more than $8m on their salary cap by cutting the 33-year-old. If the team chooses to go down this road, they will need to find a nose tackle to anchor the defence.

Note: All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis is scheduled to make $20m in salary in 2015 in the second year of the two-year deal he signed with New England last offseason. This figure is likely to be too high for the team to carry and they may release him if they cannot agree an extension. If this happens, cornerback becomes the team’s number one need.

Buffalo Bills (9-7)

The Buffalo Bills boasted a ferocious defence last season which racked up a league-best 54 sacks but sub-par quarterback play resulted in them just missing the playoffs and hiring ex-Jets head coach Rex Ryan to turn around their fortunes.

Key Free Agents: Jerry Hughes (DE), CJ Spiller (RB), Brandon Spikes (ILB), Da'Norris Searcy (S)

Team Needs:

1.             Quarterback – There are two kinds of teams in the NFL – those with franchise quarterbacks and those without. The Bills are most certainly in the latter category. Last season’s starter Kyle Orton has retired and EJ Manuel is looking like a first-round bust. Buffalo is without its first-round pick thanks to last year’s trade up in the draft for Sammy Watkins so the team are likely to look to a thin free agency crop to find next season’s starter.

2.            Running back – CJ Spiller is a free agent, Fred Jackson is 34 years old and Bryce Brown didn’t live up to expectations after being acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles last year. Luckily for Buffalo, there will be plenty of quality running backs available in both the draft and free agency.

3.            Offensive tackle - Seantrel Henderson, a seventh-round rookie, started at right tackle last year, but struggled mightily and the Bills could do with an upgrade opposite Cordy Glenn.

Miami Dolphins (8-8)

The Miami Dolphins looked destined for an AFC playoff wildcard spot until three losses in their final four games knocked them out of the race.

Key Free Agents: Jared Odrick (DT), Knowshon Moreno (RB), Louis Delmas (S)

Note: The Dolphins applied their transition tag to tight end Charles Clay.

Team Needs:

1.             Cornerback – Miami released starting cornerback Cortland Finnegan so the Dolphins need to acquire someone to start opposite Pro Bowler Brent Grimes.

2.            Defensive tackle – Jared Odrick played very well for Miami last season and is likely to command big money on the free agent market. Randy Starks regressed last season after signing an extension and the Dolphins are unlikely to thrust him into Odrick's role.

3.            Wide receiver – Mike Wallace has not lived to expectations since Miami made a big splash in free agency by signing him two years ago. He counts $12.1m against the cap and Miami would reduce that figure to only $2.5m by releasing him. Brian Hartline was released after he managed only 474 yards last season. 

New York Jets (4-12)

The New York Jets enjoyed a miserable four-win campaign which marked the end of Ryan's entertaining six-year run with the team and ushered in the Todd Bowles era.

Key Free Agents: David Harris (ILB), Chris Johnson (RB), Dawan Landry (S), Michael Vick (QB)

Team Needs:

1.             Quarterback – After two seasons in New York, Geno Smith has done nowhere near enough to be viewed as the franchise’s quarterback of the future. Michael Vick, 34, is a free agent. The Jets, who will be picking number six in the draft, are strong contenders to draft one of Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota though they may have to trade up in order to get one.

2.            Cornerback – Dee Milliner was picked ninth overall in the 2013 draft with the hope he could replace Darrelle Revis but he has come nowhere close to doing so. He played in just three games in 2014 after tearing his Achilles tendon. The Jets have little outside of him at the position.

3.            Wide Receiver – Percy Harvin is due to make $10.5m in 2015 which is a lot for a player who managed 350 receiving yards and one touchdown in eight games for the Jets after joining them from Seattle. If he is released, the Jets will need to find someone to play opposite Eric Decker. If Winston and Mariota are off the board when the Jets pick in the draft, Amari Cooper and Kevin White will be strong considerations.

As the clock ticks down towards March 10, Sky Sports will be publishing one divisional breakdown a day as we examine each team's offseason needs. Next up is the AFC North.