NFL AFC East: Predicting One Bust for Every Team

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As the NFL season approaches, every team in the competitive AFC East division has a player who could potentially
disappoint. Today, we will analyze five players who might be busts and could impact the NFL Lines throughout the year.

Buffalo Bills – WR Gabriel Davis

The Buffalo Bills might not see the desired performance from WR Gabriel Davis.

The Buffalo Bills have been patiently waiting for Gabriel Davis to have a breakout season for the past three
years. Standing at 6’2″ and weighing 210 pounds, Davis has the potential to be a 1,000-yard receiver by now. As
the No. 2 wide receiver on an offense led by quarterback Josh Allen, with defenses focused on slowing down Stefon
Diggs, Davis had a significant number of targets last season. However, he only caught 51.6 percent of them,
resulting in 836 yards and seven touchdowns. The Bills may regret not investing more effort into finding a
legitimate No. 2 option, as evidenced by their previous interest in free agent DeAndre Hopkins. While Davis has
shown flashes of greatness, such as his 201-yard, four-touchdown game against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021
playoffs, he has yet to consistently build upon those moments. This season could be an opportunity for him to
establish himself as a solid deep threat, although he may not reach the level of a top-tier No. 2 receiver.

Miami Dolphins – LB Channing Tindall

The Miami Dolphins have high hopes for LB Channing Tindall.

The Miami Dolphins have made only eight selections in the last two NFL drafts, so they are relying on several
players to step up in 2023. Channing Tindall, selected with the 102nd pick in the 2022 draft, is one of the top
candidates to do so. However, Tindall had a minimal impact last season, playing only nine defensive snaps and
primarily contributing on special teams. He cited difficulties adjusting to the complexity of an NFL playbook as
the reason behind his struggles. Tindall acknowledged that even now, certain aspects of the playbook are still
confusing to him. This should concern the Dolphins as they transition to Vic Fangio’s defense in 2023. While
it’s possible that Tindall may quickly adapt to Fangio’s system, he currently sits behind Jerome Baker and David
Long Jr. is on the depth chart.

New England Patriots – WR DeVante Parker

The New England Patriots may have made a mistake with WR DeVante Parker.

In a move that didn’t garner much attention, the New England Patriots surprised everyone by giving DeVante Parker
a two-year extension worth $10.8 million. Although the extension provided some cap flexibility, it wasn’t
sufficient to pursue high-profile signings like Dalvin Cook or DeAndre Hopkins. Additionally, keeping Parker on
the roster for two more years seems puzzling given his lackluster performance in his first season with the team.
Parker failed to contribute significantly to the Patriots’ struggling passing game, catching just 31 passes for
539 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games. While there were issues with play-calling and Mac Jones’ development,
Parker’s numbers align with his career statistics. Parker received 515 yards in 40 catches. If things go as
planned for the Patriots, their 2022 second-round pick, Tyquan Thornton, will take over some of Parker’s reps,
and free agent addition Mike Gesicki will also draw targets away from Parker.

New York Jets – OT Mekhi Becton

OT Mekhi Becton struggles to provide sufficient protection for Aaron Rodgers.

The New York Jets heavily rely on Aaron Rodgers’ high-level performance, which necessitates solid pass protection.
Unfortunately, the Jets’ offensive line situation is uncertain heading into training camp. Both Mekhi Becton and
37-year-old Duane Brown, vying for the left tackle spot, is returning from injuries. Becton has played in just
one game over the past two seasons due to knee injuries. He still has much to prove, and it’s far from guaranteed
that he will start at right tackle if he loses the competition to Brown. This being the final year of Becton’s
rookie contract, his inability to secure a starting role in training camp could be the last straw for his tenure
in New York.

By analyzing these potential busts in the AFC East, we gain insights into players who may affect NFL Odds throughout the season.