The best and worst of the AFC

By: Josh Frey-Sam

I’m always searching for different ways to get a feel for each roster before the draft.

Stacking up position groups within each division is a great way to do that, as teams look for the best ways to compete with those they face twice per season.

Comparing the best and the worst units can give me a sense for where teams might look to allocate their picks.

We start with the AFC.

BEST OF AFC NORTH: Cleveland Browns secondary

For everything that is wrong with the Browns, they can hang their hat on a strong defensive back room. This is a young group with star potential at every position. Denzel Ward is the headliner in the prime of his career. Greg Newsome and Martin Emerson Jr. round out the cornerback group, while Grant Delpit and Ronnie Hickman hold it down at safety.

WORST OF AFC NORTH: Cincinnati Bengals linebackers

This was a tough pick between the Bengals’ linebackers and front. Cincy’s backers were borderline unplayable last season, which contributed to how horrific that unit played all season. Logan Wilson missed the last seven games of the year, which didn’t help, but as things stand, this team’s starters are Wilson, Germaine Pratt and Oren Burks. Any team with Burks — a great special teamer but someone who has no business starting — starting can not be taken seriously.

BEST OF AFC WEST: Denver Broncos offensive line

Arguably the best starting five in the league. The Broncos’ offensive line was purely dominant last season, and there’s no reason it shouldn’t be again next year.

WORST OF AFC WEST: Las Vegas Raiders linebackers

Just a lot of unknowns here. This unit struggled a year ago, then lost Robert Spillane, an underrated gem, to free agency earlier this month. Amari Burney, Elandon Roberts and Luke Masterson are the projected starts currently. This unit needs to add a difference maker in the draft.

 BEST OF AFC EAST: New England Patriots secondary

This might be the hottest take of this exercise, due in large part to the fact that we haven’t even seen this revamped unit play a snap together. The pieces are in place for the Patriots’ defence to be really solid in 2025-26, and that will be headlined by its secondary. Carlton Davis was a tremendous addition to this backend and forms a shutdown tandem with Christian Gonzalez. Marcus Jones is the other corner. Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger are a solid safety tandem.

WORST OF AFC EAST: Miami Dolphins offensive line

Probably not what you want when Tua Tagovailoa is your quarterback. It feels like Terron Armstead is on the brink of retiring; Liam Eichenberg just can’t seem to put it together, and Austin Jackson feels like more of a depth option than a starter. Aaron Brewer is probably the best of this unit, while it remains to be seen how free-agent acquisition James Daniels acclimates to his new digs.

BEST OF AFC SOUTH: Houston Texans defensive line

Among the best fronts in the NFL. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter form arguably the best pass-rush tandem in the league, while Tim Settle Jr. and Sheldon Rankins anchor the middle. There’s also depth here with Denico Autry and Mario Edwards Jr.

WORST OF AFC SOUTH: Jacksonville Jaguars secondary

There’s an argument to be made that we haven’t seen what this unit is really capable of because of how poorly it was used last season. Former defensive coordinator Ryan Neilsen played a lot of man coverage, and, quite frankly, this personnel isn’t equipped for that scheme. Anthony Campanile will play more zone, which should bode well for this unit, but there’s still a lot to be desired outside of Tyson Campbell.

Tomorrow we do the NFC.

Thanks for reading and, as always, have a great day.

Josh