2013 Team Building: AFC East
Published by: Michael Ginnitti
Posted: August, 25, 2013 – Spotrac Premium — Sportrac.com
With the 2013 NFL regular season just weeks away from kickoff Spotrac Premium will take a quick glance back at the offseason that was from a team-to-team perspective. We’ll provide a look at the overall spending, the type of spending, positional spending, and notable contracts associated with each team.
Our 1st installment features the AFC East, a division that made plenty of noise in 2013 thus far. The Miami Dolphins were the major players in free agency. While the Buffalo Bills raised plenty of eyebrows with their 1st round draft selection of QB E.J. Manuel – the first quarterback off the board. The Jets have taken plenty of shots to the jaw this offseason, and their quarterback competition remains one of the more compelling scenarios heading into September. And no team received more on and off field attention than the New England Patriots, who’s roster has taken an unfortunate flip upside down quicker than anyone may have anticipated.
TOTAL SPENDING: $82,553,727 (28TH MOST)
Guaranteed: $25,172,741 (21st most)
FREE AGENCY: $27,542,500 (23RD MOST)
In terms of formidable contracts, the Jets did absolutely nothing this offseason, signs not only of a team with no identity, but a team with no clear understanding of its future. Mike Goodson was brought in on fairly base terms to fill the spot vacated by Shonne Greene, but offseason nightmares have all but thwarted that dream. No other Jets signing cost more than $4 million in total value.
WAIVERS/EXTENSIONS PERIOD: $17,521,000 (22ND MOST)
The Jets did due diligence during the waiver period, resigning a few internal players, and bringing in David Garrard to compete for the 2013 quarterback position.
DRAFT: $37,490,227 (6TH MOST)
The Jets had a draft that couldhelp to redefine themselves in the near future. Their two first round selections, while costly, replaced obvious gaps in their defense (Cornerback and Defensive End). And the 2nd round selection of QB Geno Smith put the current offense, notably Mark Sanchez, on red-level threat. The Jets used their cards to position themselves for higher draft picks, where talent is much cheaper than the free agent market these days.
TOTAL SPENDING: $286,417,324 (1ST MOST)
Guaranteed: $103,043,777 (1st Most)
FREE AGENCY: $159,673,750 (1ST MOST)
The clear cut class of the year includes WR Mike Wallace, T Tyson Clabo, TE Dustin Keller, and LBs Dannell Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler. The Dolphins have paid for talent and experience – and must win quickly for it to pay off.
WAIVERS/EXTENSIONS: $75,968,000 (10TH MOST)
The Dolphins secured their slot receiver prior to free agency in giving Brian Hartline a 5 year contract. They also brought back their backup QB on a formidable $8 million contract. And possibly the most underrated move of their offseason includes the extension of breakout safety Reshad Jones.
DRAFT: $41,936,574 (1ST MOST
One of the big day 1splashes came from Miami, who jumped up to #3 to draft a monster of a pass rusher in Dion Jordan.
TOTAL SPENDING: $212,620,926 (6TH MOST)
Guaranteed: $70,457,143 (3rd most)
FREE AGENCY: $89,775,000 (8TH MOST)
The Patriots held a fairly balanced spending plan this offseason (nothing new), but made little to no “splashes” to combat some fairly notable losses to their roster. Of their 18 free agent signings, 10 were on the offensive side of the ball, 8 on the defensive. Most of their “new” signings directly replaced a loss: Amendola for Welker, Adrian Wilson for Patrick Chung, Will Svitek for Donald Thomas, etc.
WAIVERS/EXTENSIONS: $73,338,000 (11TH MOST)
Don’t read too much into this number, as $70.6M of this figure accounts for the restructured extension of QB Tom Brady, who ripped up his 2013-14 figures to save the Patriots $8 million this year, and $7 million next. The only other waiver signing may prove key, as tight end Michael Hoomanawanui is now fighting for playing time at a quickly depleted position in New England.
DRAFT: $19,731,926 (28TH MOST)
The Patriots didn’t select a player until #52 in the 2013 draft, and had no selections in the 5th or 6th round either, reducing their overall rookie draft pool. Combine that with a low draft spot, and the result is nearly half the spending of the other AFC East teams.
TOTAL SPENDING: $80,075,778 (29TH MOST)
Guaranteed: $28,006,856 (19th most)
FREE AGENCY: $25,170,000 (26TH MOST)
The Bills made two free agent signings that directly impacted their offseason: QB Kevin Kolb, and LB Manny Lawson. Kolb will be vying for the starting job through the preseason, and Lawson becomes an immediate upgrade to the center of the defense.
WAIVERS/EXTENSIONS PERIOD: $23,130,000 (19TH MOST)
Just days before the free agency period begun the Bills struck a deal with cornerback Leodis McKelvin for 4 more years in Buffalo. They also brought back veteran LB Bryan Scott, and QB Tarvaris Jackson to compete this summer.
DRAFT: $30,290,778 (15TH MOST)
As previously noted, the Bills finally took a leap toward securing their next franchise QB when they selected E.J. Manuel at #16.
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