Which AFC East Team Has the Best Linebacking Corps?

The Miami Dolphins struggle in a lot of areas, but linebacker isn't one of them. 

Assigning rankings is difficult, simply because the three AFC East teams all ask their linebackers to do different things. So, I assessed them based on their ability to carry out their assignments and the overall depth of each group.

The Patriots have consistency on their side, but can they add the final pieces to the puzzle in the draft?

What about the Jets, who need answers both inside and outside—could they be in line for a face-lift?

Here are the full rankings for each AFC East team's linebacker corps.

1. Miami Dolphins

Believe it or not, the Dolphins didn't earn the top spot by signing Gary Guyton.

Nope, they earned it with solid seasons from Kevin Burnett, Karlos Dansby and Cameron Wake.

Beyond the fact that Wake is one of the best pass-rushing linebackers in the game at the moment, Burnett and Dansby are two talented and versatile players who will help lead the Dolphins in the hybrid defense they plan on running.

The Dolphins could use a little more depth at linebacker and another guy to come off the edge—be it a 4-3 defensive end or a 3-4 outside linebacker "hybrid"—but they're better off than the other teams in the AFC East and earn the No. 1 spot for their top-end talent.

This situation gets murkier when you factor in the uncertainty around Wake's contract and a potential holdout (if it reaches that point).

2. New England Patriots

The Patriots don't have a lot going for them on defense, but one thing they can count on is consistency in the linebacker corps. Having worked together for the past two years, Rob Ninkovich, Brandon Spikes and Jerod Mayo are all returning to the team in 2012. 

There are questions about who the other outside linebacker will be when the Patriots line up in the 3-4, but in the 4-3, their group is set in stone.

The Patriots got elite production from their two rush defensive ends last year in Mark Anderson and Andre Carter, and while Carter is a 4-3 end at his core, the hope is that he can play at that level once again.

Looking forward, the need should be addressed at some point.

There should be opportunities to do so in April's draft, but the question is: Which of those players, who were mostly 4-3 defensive ends, fit in the 3-4 at outside linebacker?

3. New York Jets

The Jets are in the market for one of the draft's many available linebackers. They could use depth all across the board.

David Harris is a reliable anchor for the Jets linebacker corps and provides a steady hand in coverage. Calvin Pace is aging, and his production has slipped. Bryan Thomas' injury last year exposed big problems with depth for the Jets at outside linebacker.

We all know Bart Scott lost playing time last year, and we all know how he felt about it, but regardless, he's back for another season and can still contribute to the defense if his mind is right.

4. Buffalo Bills

Kelvin Sheppard, Nick Barnett and Kirk Morrison figure to comprise the Bills' starting trio of linebackers as presently constructed.

Take nothing away from Barnett, who played very well for the Bills last year with 130 total tackles, 78 of them solo, three sacks, three interceptions, a touchdown and a forced fumble.

But what about the rest of the group?

Morrison hardly played in 2012, while Sheppard played a limited role.

Behind those three, the depth is pretty slim with names like Andra Davis, Antonio Coleman and Arthur Moats making up the second- and third-stringers.

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