BB5: Same Face, New Place
The Five New Division Players to Know
With odds at +170, the Bills have a slight edge, according to Vegas, to win the AFC East. However, they face a formidable challenge this year, with the most competitive defense of their crown since their run began in 2020. In this edition of BB5, I will delve into the profiles of five new players in the division, each poised to challenge the Bills' quest for a fifth straight division crown.
5. Drake Maye: The Patriots are not expected to be good this year, but they feel they have their quarterback of the future in Drake Maye. There is a chance that Maye won't be the starting quarterback at the beginning of the season, but that may change as the season progresses, and New England wants to see its future signal caller. New England plays three divisional games in the first eight weeks of the season before playing three more over the final six weeks of the season. The Bills play New England in weeks 16 and 18, when they will be in the heat of finishing the season and locking up the division. Will Maye be playing like C.J. Stroud at this point or looking more like Zach Wilson? Maye may not be leading a team competing with the Bills for the division, but will he be able to steal a late-season game from the Bills that allows another team to win the division?
4. Odell Beckham Jr: OBJ is not the player he was in Super Bowl LVI before injuring his knee. In Miami’s offense, he doesn't need to be. Miami has a lethal 1-2 punch in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. The addition of Beckham adds pressure on the defense and gives the offense a valid receiving option at WR3, which they haven't had in the last two seasons. Miami has shown they are good at beating lesser competition and head into the 2024 season with the 8th easiest schedule based on Vegas win totals for all teams. I am not concerned with how the Bills will match up with the Dolphins as much as I believe their schedule will allow them to stack wins. 2024 will be Beckham’s best chance at showing what he has left in the tank after a disappointing season in Baltimore.
3. Tyron Smith: Smith, like the NY Jets, has boom or bust potential this season. He’s coming off a season in which he played his most games (13) since 2019. When healthy, he is an excellent LT and instantly brings credibility to the revamped offensive line protecting Aaron Rodgers. Smith’s experience will be valuable in helping guide the youth that accompanies him on the OL in recent draft picks, Olu Fashanu, Joe Tippmann, and Alijah Vera-Tucker. Smith will fill a significant hole on the Jets' offensive line if he can stay healthy. On paper, the Jets are the biggest threat to preventing the Bills from continuing their AFC East championship reign with the added benefit of playing a third-place schedule in 2024. If Smith and company stay healthy, it will be a much improved offense from last season.
2. Calais Campbell: Campbell looked reinvigorated last season with the Atlanta Falcons. Campbell's play, even at age 38 when the season begins, along with his leadership, will be valuable for a young group returning Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips from injury, alongside first-round pick Chop Robinson and fifth-round pick Mohamed Kamara. His addition to the defensive front in Miami will help lessen the loss of Christian Wilkins this off-season, as Miami has learned from last year and improved their depth in the front 7. If the Dolphins' defense improves from last season, they will remain a viable threat to the Bills' chances of winning the division.
1. Haason Reddick: Although Reddick isn’t happy with his current contract, he is the most significant addition to an AFC East opponent for this upcoming season. The Jets let Bryce Hall walk in free agency (signed by Philadelphia) and then traded for Reddick from the Eagles. This move was peculiar in the long term, but in the short term, it is beneficial for the Jets to get a player coming off his fourth straight double-digit sack season looking for a big payday. The motivation paired with Robert Saleh’s defensive coaching will be a significant addition to a Jets defense that has given Josh Allen the most trouble since he entered the NFL. The Jets appear to be “All In” with their offseason moves.
