The 2025 NFL season has reached its quarter pole, giving fans a decent sample to work with as they look to the future. Naturally, some teams are already out of contention, keeping their eyes on the upcoming offseason and paying as much attention to Saturdays as Sundays.
As such, it's way-too-early mock draft season, and as we try to predict the future, it's worth considering where these rosters might stand after the 17-game marathon is complete.
We'll start with the AFC East, where teams have largely looked like their preseason expectations. The Buffalo Bills will challenge for the conference's top seed, the New York Jets are winless, and the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins are riding the roller coasters of their respective quarterbacks.
Buffalo Bills
Urgent needs: Safety, linebacker
Worth considering: Interior offensive line, corner
For as much discourse as Buffalo's receiving corps has generated in recent years, the offense has found a happy medium. Keon Coleman has taken some steps forward, and Khalil Shakir remains consistent. Josh Palmer, being a competent deep threat, has been enough. This is a unit that is happy to succeed with a dozen hands touching the ball, and while a lack of a Stefon Diggs-shaped receiver is a theoretical issue, Josh Allen's ability to be Superman makes it a non-issue.
Defensively, though, there are real concerns about the spine of this defense. The Bills' safety duo is among the worst in the league -- untenable given the passing offenses of the AFC. At the second level, Matt Milano has long been a difference maker. But neither his health nor his contract makes his 2026 spot safe.
Buffalo must improve between the numbers, even if it's not flashy.
New England Patriots
Urgent needs: Safety, wide receiver, interior offensive line
Worth considering: Offensive tackle, linebacker, edge rusher
The New England faithful can feel secure about the most important part of the puzzle. Drake Maye is taking the leap asked of him in Josh McDaniels' offense. Putting him in a position to be successful with quality tackles and receivers continues to be a challenge.
The Patriots are among the teams most likely to take a receiver this April, and might be the most explosive landing spot for Arizona State dynamo Jordyn Tyson. Left tackle Will Campbell is one half of an inspiring tackle duo. He needs a partner in crime, but improvements at left guard and center are necessary, too. New England has a star under center. Competing during his rookie contract is imperative.
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On the other side of the ball, it felt like nobody knew who the Patriots would start. Safety Jabrill Peppers was a late cut, and Kyle Dugger is a non-factor. Competing against Allen and the other prolific offenses across the conference demands safety play that can contain vertical passing offenses and create turnovers.
Expect head coach Mike Vrabel to leave an even bigger imprint on the defense in a year's time after the improvements at defensive tackle reaped early benefits.
Miami Dolphins
Urgent needs: Cornerback, safety, offensive tackle
Worth considering: Quarterback, tight end, receiver
I don't know if head coach Mike McDaniel will keep his job after yet another unsuccessful run in South Florida. But the team operating in his image has run into the same problems, demanding reinforcement this offseason. The offensive line is still mediocre, made worse by a slow start from Jonah Savaiinaea. This is an inherently fragile offense that cannot work without a quality offensive line and running game.
With that said, it is inherently fragile because of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Miami cannot function out of structure. Adding a natural playmaker at the sport's most important position is something the Dolphins must consider, although a post-June 1 trade is the only reasonable way for the team to pivot off its passer.
Tyreek Hill's injury changes the math at receiver. Replacing his speed and/or complementing Jaylen Waddle as he takes on the top-target role will be important in boosting Tagovailoa and his potential replacement.
Elsewhere, the Dolphins' defense is falling well short of expectations. A high-profile front has struggled to generate pressure, but having so many significant investments up front means that it should rebound down the stretch. The secondary, though, lacks playmakers aside from Minkah Fitzpatrick.
New York Jets
Urgent needs: Quarterback, wide receiver, safety
Worth considering: Linebacker, defensive tackle, cornerback
In the most surprising news of the season, the Jets need a quarterback. New York looks every part of a top-five-picking team looking for a franchise passer, and this class should oblige, despite its early turbulence.
Justin Fields isn't the answer, but without a second quality receiver, a potential rookie won't find much success. Garrett Wilson needs a running mate, and the lack of a co-star has allowed defenses to focus solely on him.
Moreover, head coach Aaron Glenn must improve a once-elite defense that has since deteriorated. Brandon Stephens is not a starting-caliber corner, and somehow, he hasn't been the most underwhelming defensive back in the starting lineup.
In the front seven, Jamien Sherwood has taken a step back, and the depth behind him is untenable. Trades for defensive tackles Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs have reinforced the interior, but long-term help (and a run-defending edge to replace Michael Clemons) should be on New York's radar.
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