Ranking the AFC East Teams by Defensive Secondary, Pre-NFL Draft Edition

The NFL is a passing league, and defenses have adjusted accordingly. As a result, cornerbacks and defensive backs, and high quantities of them, are wildly more valuable to a roster than they've ever been.

History has shown us that Super Bowls are won by teams that dominate the battle of the skies, on offense and on defense. In order to do so, a talented secondary is essential.

Which team has the best secondary in the AFC East?

1. New York Jets

Other than the AFC East quarterback rankings, this is the only time that one player has had such a tremendous impact on the ranking for his team.

But Darrelle Revis truly bears the cross for this group. According to Pro Football Focus, Cromartie gave up at least one touchdown in five games (six total); Revis gave up one touchdown all season. Kyle Wilson hasn't looked so great, either, giving up 59.4 percent completions last year.

Even more so than cornerback, the Jets need to find talent at safety in this draft class. Mark Barron has often been linked to the Jets at No. 16, with Jim Leonhard coming off an injury and as of yet unsigned, Eric Smith taking more steps backward than forward as a starting safety and LaRon Landry not providing the right kind of insurance at the position.

But it's hard to argue with success; the Jets ranked No. 1 in defensive passer rating in 2009, No. 6 in 2010 and No. 3 in 2011. They may not be incredible, or incredibly deep in the secondary, but they're doing enough, and Revis is doing a lot more than enough.

2. Buffalo Bills

George Wilson and Jairus Byrd are the type of safeties you look to build a secondary around. That's exactly what the Bills are doing at this stage. They added 2011 second-round pick Aaron Williams last year, but he struggled. Their 2008 first-round pick Leodis McKelvin has struggled since entering the league. 

As of yet, the Bills still lack that shutdown presence at cornerback. Stanford Routt and Brandon Flowers are the only notable cornerbacks who were available on the open market, and the Bills missed out on both. They will likely be in the market for more talent at cornerback in the draft.

Via the Bills' improved defensive line and the continued chemistry of their two safeties, the secondary will play better than last year through osmosis. That doesn't mean they shouldn't still address the need for more talent at cornerback.

3. Miami Dolphins

While the Dolphins begin their rebuilding process—whether they'll admit it's one or not—they also must begin rebuilding their secondary. Veterans Will Allen and Yeremiah Bell have left the team in one way or another, and that leaves the Dolphins searching for answers.

They added the talented Richard Marshall, who could contribute in the slot or as a safety. Vontae Davis remains a talented cornerback, capable of containing a team's best option at receiver.

And beyond that, there's not a lot to speak of. The Dolphins could use to add a safety through the draft, and possibly even another cornerback. But let's face it: The Dolphins could use to add a lot of things through the draft.

4. New England Patriots

The Patriots have a great deal of depth in the secondary, most of which has the potential to be good in the NFL. For one reason or another, they fall short of that. 

Kyle Arrington is solid and versatile as a cornerback, playing inside and outside when he is called upon. Sterling Moore was a mid-season wonder and played incredibly well for the Patriots down the stretch.

Beyond those two? Ras-I Dowling spent 14 games on injured reserve; while his future is bright, it's also uncertain. Devin McCourty was just as down in 2011 as he was up in 2010. 

But even if the Patriots get what they think they can get from those four, they still need a safety. Patrick Chung was the only guy who could be counted on in the back end last year, and that was only when he was healthy.

The Patriots secondary is currently a construction scene, and while the foundation is laid in some areas, they must continue to build from the ground up.

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