NFL Free Agency: 10 Additions Who Will Make an Impact on the AFC East

The AFC East has seen some pretty dramatic changes this offseason. Each team has seemingly gotten better. 

From big-name defensive tackles to wildcat specialists, each franchise in the AFC East added players who will help their franchises right away. 

Let's take a look at the top 10 additions who will make the biggest impacts in the AFC East. 

10. Jason Taylor Signs with the Miami Dolphins...Again

Jason Taylor keeps trying to play outside of Miami, but the only team he is ever happy with or plays well with is the Dolphins. 

The Dolphins have a great pass rusher in Cameron Wake, so teams will not be necessarily game-planning against Taylor. He is not what he used to be, but he still brings a veteran presence, and he is still a solid player. 

With Wake drawing all of the attention from offensive coordinators, Taylor should be able to have a successful season. 

9. Reggie Bush Gets Traded to the Miami Dolphins

Reggie Bush is not even close to as good as he was supposed to be, but he is still a huge playmaker that teams have to game-plan around. 

Miami lost running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams in free agency. They traded for Bush, and it appears he will touch the ball a lot more than he did in New Orleans. 

Bush will give the Dolphins a huge boost in the passing game. He gives Brandon Marshall and Davone Bess some help and gives quarterback Chad Henne a safe option to check down to. 

Bush will not put Miami over the top, but he will definitely give their offense a weapon they needed.

8. Brad Smith Leaves the New York Jets and Signs with the Buffalo Bills

Brad Smith gives Buffalo a weapon they will be happy to use. Head Coach Chan Gailey is a big fan of Smith, and it seems like he cannot wait to play with his new toy.

Gailey likes to use a wildcat offense and now he can with Smith. Smith is one of the more versatile players in the NFL—he can play quarterback, running back, wide receiver, kick returner and punt returner. 

Buffalo already showed a glimpse of how dangerous Smith makes their offense in their preseason game on Saturday night.

Buffalo always had a miserable time trying to defense Smith, but not anymore. Now he is theirs, and now he can be other teams' headache to defend.  

7. Plaxico Burress Signs with the New York Jets

The fact that we do not know what Plaxico Burress is still capable of makes him lower on this list than he could be. He could end up being the best move any team in the AFC East made, but until he proves it, he must stay in this spot.

The Jets were not very good in the red zone last season, but that could change drastically with Burress. Burress can give the Jets a huge red-zone target and give Mark Sanchez a few more touchdowns. 

Although the Jets had Braylon Edwards last year, he is not as good in the red zone as Burress is. As good as the Jets are at running the ball, now add a 6'6" wide receiver. They could be one of the best red-zone teams in the NFL.

6. Kevin Burnett Signs with the Miami Dolphins

Kevin Burnett had a good year in San Diego last year. The Dolphins lost linebacker Channing Crowder to retirement, and they needed a good inside linebacker to replace him. Well, they got one. 

In fact, they improved from Crowder. Burnett is better in coverage, better against the run and better at rushing the passer. He is all-around better than Crowder. 

Miami's defense was good last year, and it appears it will be even better this year. Burnett is the main reason for that. 

5. Derrick Mason Signs with the New York Jets

The Jets greatly improved their slot receiver position by signing the ageless Derrick Mason. Jerricho Cotchery had basically become a non-factor for the Jets, so they decided to part ways with him. 

Mason has been a great player for so long. Why he signed for veteran minimum is beyond me, but it does not matter. He gives Mark Sanchez a safe option in the slot. 

With Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burress on the outside, Mason could be even more open than usual. He could end up leading the Jets in receptions. 

4. Nick Barnett Signs with the Buffalo Bills

Buffalo had the worst run defense in the NFL last season and losing Paul Posluszny did not help. By signing Nick Barnett, Buffalo found their replacement for Posluszny. 

Barnett was a great signing by Buffalo. He has a lot of experience in the 3-4 defense, and he comes at a much cheaper price than Posluszny. In fact, Barnett may be better than Posluszny when healthy.

With the addition of Barnett, the drafting of Marcell Dareus and the return of Shawne Merriman, Buffalo's defense could improve by 100 percent from last season. 

3. Shaun Ellis Leaves the New York Jets and Signs with the New England Patriots

Shaun Ellis has been so good for so long, it shocked a lot of people when the Jets just let him walk. What was even more shocking was when the long-time Jet signed with the rival New England Patriots. 

With reports of New England switching to a 4-3 defense, it should be interesting to see where Ellis lines up on defense. Ellis is still a very good player and will help New England's shaky defense.

Ellis provides New England with depth at the defensive line and starting experience. Jets vs. Patriots just got even more interesting.

2. Albert Haynesworth Gets Traded to the New England Patriots

When Albert Haynesworth is motivated, he is terrifying. He can be unblockable. The problem? Keeping him motivated. Ever since Haynesworth got his huge payday from the Redskins, he has been extremely lazy. 

Proof that he has been lazy? How about the multiple failed physicals?

Things are different now. Haynesworth is on a team where being lazy and not trying does not fly. If Bill Belichick catches Haynesworth being a lazy slob, he will be a lazy slob without a job. If anyone can get Haynesworth to play to his potential, its Belichick. 

If Haynesworth tries like we know he can, a defensive front with him alongside Vince Wilfork and Shaun Ellis is scary. 

Good luck running against that. 

1. Chad Ochocinco Gets Traded to the New England Patriots

A big reason the Patriots lost in the playoffs last season was the lack of a go-to wide receiver. While Wes Welker and Deion Branch are good players, they are not go-to wide receivers. With the addition of Chad Ochocinco, Tom Brady now has his first go-to receiver since Randy Moss.

Ochocinco may not be on the level Moss was, but he still gives Brady more of a threat than he had last season. 

He is a great route runner and has better hands than Welker and Branch. Ochocinco would easily be the No.1 option in big situations, and he will give the Patriots one of the best receiving groups in football.