AFC East stock up, down: Bills settle key position battles, while Jets cut 'Hard Knocks' star

With the 2023 NFL season finally upon us, here's a look at whose stock is up and down in the AFC East. 

Stock up

Terrel Bernard, Buffalo Bills linebacker: The Bills' most heated position battle during camp was at middle linebacker, with multiple potential candidates vying to fill the void left by Tremaine Edmunds. Despite missing nearly two weeks of practice and all three preseason games due to a hamstring injury, Bernard emerged as the best option for Buffalo. The 2022 third-round pick will act as the leader of the defense, wearing the green dot. Since he primarily played on special teams as a rookie, Bernard will be learning on the fly for the most part. In his lone start last season, which coincidentally came against Buffalo’s upcoming opponent, the New York Jets, Bernard recorded seven combined tackles and allowed a seven-yard reception in coverage. 

Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins running back: With the recent news that Jeff Wilson Jr. will miss at least the first four games of the season, Mostert is in line to be the workhorse back in an explosive Miami offense. Before Miami acquired Wilson last season, Mostert showed he could be effective when receiving the bulk of the carries. Per Roto Street Journal's Matt Duckworth, Mostert was on pace for 250 touches and 1,332 total yards from scrimmage prior to the Wilson trade. Facing a Los Angeles Chargers defense that allowed 2,478 rushing yards last season, the fifth-most among teams, Mostert is well-positioned to have a productive season opener. 

O’Cyrus Torrence, Buffalo Bills offensive guard: While it may not be much of a surprise considering how the preseason played out, the rookie second-round pick won another key position battle in Buffalo, beating out Ryan Bates for the starting right guard job. HC Sean McDermott told reporters after making the decision that Bates, who started 15 games last season, didn't do anything to lose the job, as Torrence was simply that impressive. Torrence started all three preseason games for Buffalo, taking every snap with the first-team offense and didn't surrender a sack, which is a norm for him. Across four seasons at Louisiana and Florida, Torrence didn't allow a sack and surrendered just one QB hit. In his regular-season debut, Torrence will face a tough test, taking on All-Pro DT Quinnen Williams and the rest of the Jets' imposing defensive line. 

Stock down

Bailey Zappe and Malik Cunningham, New England Patriots quarterbacks: The preseason unfolded differently for the backup signal-callers as Zappe underwhelmed while Cunningham flashed potential, yet their stories ended in a similar fashion. New England shockingly waived both passers, which left Mac Jones as the lone quarterback on the roster for a brief moment. Ultimately, Zappe and Cunningham cleared waivers and were signed back to the practice squad, but HC Bill Belichick had another unexpected move in the works. New England signed quarterback Matt Corral, a former third-rounder cut by Carolina this offseason, and he'll likely compete for the backup job with Zappe, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Corral didn't impress this preseason, completing 59.6% of his passes for 249 yards while throwing one interception. However, Corral could be an interesting project, as he showed dual-threat ability at Ole Miss, totaling 7,806 all-purpose yards over his last two collegiate seasons. 

Tanzel Smart, New York Jets defensive tackle: A member of the practice squad for most of his Jets tenure, Smart's quest to make this year's 53-man roster became one of the main plotlines on this season’s “Hard Knocks.” The 28-year-old played well during the preseason, recording six solo tackles, four assists and three pressures, but it wasn't enough to survive final cuts. New York did bring back Smart on a practice squad deal, but it might not be the best route for him to eventually crack an active roster. The Jets defensive line is the deepest unit in the league, with their two most recent first-round picks listed as reserves. Although he'll have more opportunities to make charcuterie boards with his teammates, Smart is unlikely to be promoted to the Jets’ active roster anytime soon.

Miami Dolphins offensive line: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's health will continue to be a major topic of discussion for the Dolphins this season after the 25-year-old suffered multiple concussions in 2022. Unfortunately, the offensive line isn't where it needs to be to start the season in order to feel confident about the protection that is being provided for Tagovailoa. Starting left tackle Terron Armstead hasn't practiced since suffering an ankle injury on Aug. 17 and is dealing with additional back and knee issues, putting his Week 1 status in doubt. If Armstead misses time, the left side of Miami's offensive line is a serious concern. Even though many hoped free-agent signing Isaiah Wynn could assume the left guard role, Liam Eichenberg is penciled in atop the depth chart. Eichenberg was one of the worst offensive linemen in the NFL last season, being graded as Pro Football Focus' 75th-highest-rated guard among 77 qualified players at the position last season.