Presented By AFC Offseason Overhaul: Current conference hierarchy Published: Apr 14 Alex Anzalone Jersey , 2017 at 03:50 AM Around The NFL Podcast Co-Host The are rarely far from the center of the NFL conversation, but this offseason they are inescapable. The Pats followed up with the boldest free-agent payout ( , which included a whopping $40 million guaranteed) and biggest trade ( ) of the offseason. Sometime around when , it felt like overkill. The will enter 2017 as heavier favorites in the AFC than they have been in a decade. That 2007 team came close to perfection, but ultimately didn't finish with a title. So what teams are most likely to get in this time? After a week of evaluating Offseason Overhauls acro s the AFC, here's how the conference shapes up as a whole, based on roster strength: Come and get them . 's supporting cast, not his workout routine, could be the key to keeping him young. Brady has never had a group of receivers this deep. Bill Belichick will be the first to point out that many pitfalls stand between the and home playoff games, but this is an organization that has earned a bye in There are questions in the defensive front seven, but the pickup of cornerback gives the team one of the league's better secondaries ( ). Anything short of a bye would be a disappointment. That's the bar Belichick has set. Playoffs or bust , , and . The might wind up with the best "offseason addition" if/when . Marshawn Lynch ( ) and will add even more juice to a offense that was already difficult to stop. The have consistently been better than the sum Jermar Jefferson Jersey of their parts under Andy Reid, and the parts surrounding have only been getting better. The have the most questions in this tier because of their new coaching staff and the quarterback situation, but this is an organization that won at least 12 games four straight seasons before 2016. This can still be a championship defense. It's unlikely that every team in this tier will make the playoffs. But they all have championship aspirations and the pedigree to believe they should be playing in January. Any one of them could take out the if things break right. The contenders , , and . Get ready for hype. The offseason was quiet, but the roster has difference makers throughout -- and a quarterback ready to make the sentimental run that never could. Baltimore wasn't that far away from the playoffs last year, although general manager Ozzie Newsome Jeff Okudah Jersey knows his defense is far away from its heyday. The need instant impact from this draft, just like the . Both teams aren't used to having so many depth-chart holes. Miami has a real chance to grow its young offense together alongside second-year coach Adam Gase. The haven't had back-to-back winning seasons since Jay Fiedler was at quarterback a decade-and-a-half ago. There isn't much separating this group from the tier above. They all enter the season with realistic playoff hopes. The AFC South plus one , , , and . I'll believe that has a legitimate title contender when I see it. The and both had strong offseasons if you ignore their rehabbing quarterbacks. The ' roster looks like a playoff team if you ignore their quarterback position Amani Oruwariye Jersey and record over the last five years. Houston is due for a market correction after a season where the team was very lucky to win nine games. The fit right in with these AFC South teams. Too many things have to go right for them to make the playoffs, and 6-10 is more likely. At least the combination of , and should be fun to watch (health permitting). A playoff berth for any team in this tier should be viewed as a bonus and being a true challenger to the ' throne would be a huge surprise. It's a group of franchises that should try to underpromise and overdeliver. Wait until next year and . The aren't that far away from being a lot of fun to watch on offense -- well, if they can just figure out that pesky quarterback problem. They were better than their 1-15 record last year Alim McNeill Jersey and should improve in 2017, but they are among the two AFC teams in which playoff hopes just aren't realistic. The exodus might not be over in New York. It wouldn't be surprising if and joined the phalanx of veterans ( , , Nick Mangold) dumped by the team this season. Coach Todd Bowles won't admit this is a rebuild, but this is the most barren roster in the AFC -- even without looking at quarterback. The are in prime position to # . This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be mi sing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an i sue.
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