Traditionally, the AFC East has been one of the NFL’s powerhouse divisions. Over the last several years however, it’s been dominated largely by the New England Patriots. But the resurgence of the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins, combined with the loud talking New York Jets, the AFC East is quickly becoming one of the focal points of the league.
The Patriots are still the team beat in the division, but the rest of the AFC East is starting to catch up. What areas will they be focused on to make sure they keep gaining ground?
Buffalo Bills
Offensive Tackle
Like it or not, the Buffalo Bills appear to be committed to Ryan Fitzpatrick for the long haul. To ensure he has the best chance for success, the Bills will have to improve on their pass protection. Right tackle is an area of weakness on the line, and it’s likely the first area they’ll look to improve.
Outside Linebacker
Winning in the NFL requires protecting your quarterback while harassing the opposition’s. In Buffalo’s 3-4 defense, the best way to get pressure on the quarterback is via an athletic pass rushing outside linebacker. Shawne Merriman has struggled with injuries the past two seasons, and Buffalo needs a younger playmaker that they can rely on. The defense has other needs as well, primarily at cornerback, but bolstering the pass rush should be the top priority on that side of the ball.
Wide Receiver
While Buffalo appears to want him back, it’s considerably questionable as to whether or not controversial play maker Stevie Johnson will return. Even if he does, adding another play maker to the Bills offense will be crucial to Buffalo’s success in 2012.
Miami Dolphins
Quarterback
The Dolphins season got off to a terrible start, but they rallied and ended the season as one of the hottest teams in the league. Miami’s front office has done a pretty good job of reworking their roster, but there is still a big void at quarterback. Having a legit quarterback under center in 2012 could make Miami a legitimate playoff contender.
Right Tackle/Right Guard
Whether Miami needs to look for a tackle or guard will depend on what they elect to do with right guard Vernon Carey. If they resign him and keep him at guard, the Dolphins will need to address the right tackle position. If they elect to kick Carey outside to tackle however, they’ll need to focus their attention on finding a replacement at right guard.
Outside linebacker
Miami’s defense was a top 15 unit in 2011, but there is plenty to improve upon in 2012. Primarily, it’s the pass rush that needs to be addressed. They recorded 41 sacks in 2011, certainly not a number to be ashamed of, but they’re losing 7 of those sacks with the retirement of OLB Jason Taylor. Combined with a new quarterback, a strong pass rushing outside linebacker could help propel Miami past Buffalo in 2012.
New England Patriots
Defensive Secondary
It’s without a doubt that New England’s defense is where improvement is needed most in 2012. It all starts in the secondary, where injuries and poor play forced guys like Julian Edelman into the line up. Any help the Patriots can acquire in the defensive backfield, starters or improved depth, would help the Patriots tremendously.
Defensive Line
When looking at the make up of the Patriots defensive line, one gets the feeling that it’s made up of many temporary fixes and not many long term solutions. Perhaps the biggest issue is that the Patriots are in the midst of a transition between a 3-4 and 4-3 defense. They don’t quite have the personnel for either one currently, and it’s caused plenty of problems for New England.
Wide Receiver
It may seem counter intuitive to suggest that wide receiver could be a weak spot for such a high scoring team, but it just may be the case. Deion Branch and Chad OchoCinco aren’t going to strike any fear into the heart of any opposing defense. The two have played a combined 21 years in the league and they just don’t have the speed to pose a serious threat at that this point in their careers.
New York Jets 
Inside Linebacker
Bart Scott has been the voice of the Jets’ defense for years, but it appears that Scott’s time in a Jets’ uniform is coming to an end. He’s been rather ineffective on the field, and his antics off the field have proven to be a distraction. New York would be well suited to find his replacement during the offseason.
Wide Receiver
If Scott has been a distraction for the Jets, Santonio Holmes has been an absolute disaster in the locker room. While I’m not sold on Mark Sanchez as a quarterback, having a cancer like Holmes around has done nothing but hamper Sanchez’s development. Finding a true number one receiver is a must for New York.
Outside Linebacker
The Jets need to bolster their pass rush, whether its via an outside linebacker or an athletic defensive end. New York puts a lot of effort into exotic blitz packages, but a player that can get to the quarterback on his own could return New York’s defense to an elite status in 2012.
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