The NFL Draft is less than a week away as teams gear up for what they hope will be a prosperous 2015 season. Last year in the AFC East, three teams finished with a record of .500 or better including the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. For all that went right for teams in the AFC East, each has at least one player that could really use a big year in 2015. Here is one for each of the four teams in the division:
E.J. Manuel, QB – Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills enjoyed their first winning season in a decade in 2014, but very little of that success had to do with Opening Day starting quarterback E.J. Manuel. After being a first round pick of the Bills in 2013, the future for the former Florida State star in Buffalo is beginning to look murky at best. Manuel started just four games last season and showed little improvement from the previous season. The Bills turned to veteran Kyle Orton shortly after, who guided them to a 9-7 finish. Expectations will be uncharacteristically high for Buffalo this season and if Manuel is unable to unseat Orton, he could begin 2016 in a different city.
Dion Jordan, DE – Miami Dolphins
Since being selected third overall in the 2013 NFL Draft, Dion Jordan has hardly been the vaunted pass-rusher that Miami had hoped. In two NFL seasons, Jordan has just three sacks and 39 total tackles. Last season, the former Oregon star appeared in just 10 games due to suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs. Miami has experimented with Jordan both at end and outside linebacker, but the production has been absent at both positions. While Ndamukong Suh will join a defensive line that features perennial Pro Bowler Cameron Wake, Jordan is in danger of becoming a forgotten man for a franchise that has struggled in December in each of the last two seasons.
Danny Amendola, WR – New England Patriots
Regarded once as the perfect replacement for Wes Welker, Danny Amendola hardly produced like he should have in 2014 despite playing with one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time in Tom Brady. With the exception of any injured-shortened 2011, Amendola had the worst season of his NFL career. Amendola appeared in all 16 games for New England, but finished with just 27 catches for 200 yards. His 7.4 yards-per-catch average was the lowest of his NFL career. Though he did come to life with three touchdowns in the postseason, Bill Belichick and the Patriots’ organization isn’t one for keeping players around who don’t pull their weight. If Amendola can’t up his production in 2015, he may find himself looking for work in 2016.
Geno Smith, QB – New York Jets
Perhaps the most maligned quarterback in the National Football League, Geno Smith must prove in 2015 that he has the tools to succeed at the professional level. A former second round pick out of West Virginia, Smith ranked 27th in the league last season in yards-per-attempt and completion percentage. Smith had four games last season with 10 completions or fewer as the New York Jets finished just 4-12 after going 8-8 the previous year. Rumors are that the Jets are considering trading up to take Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota second overall in this year’s draft. Either way, the clock is definitely ticking on Smith’s tenure with the Jets and if 2015 goes the way 2014, Smith’s future not only with New York, but in the NFL in general could be in serious jeopardy.
