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DAVIE, Fla. -- Dannell Ellerbe had to travel more than 1,100 miles south to escape Ray Lewis' large and overwhelming shadow.

Coming off a Super Bowl victory, Ellerbe had a tough decision to make in free agency: He could either be heir apparent to Lewis -- the legendary Baltimore Ravens middle linebacker who retired in February -- or aim to build his own legacy at middle linebacker with the Miami Dolphins.

Ellerbe opted not to spend the rest of his NFL career trying to fill Lewis' shoes in Baltimore. Instead, he signed a five-year, $35 million contract with up-and-coming Miami, where he believes he can make a bigger impact on the field and in the locker room.

“I wanted to come to a team where I can be a leader, where they needed me, and I can be a voice on the team,” Ellerbe told ESPN.com’s AFC East blog this week. “Basically, [the Dolphins] showed me that they really wanted me. ... They want me to be a leader of this defense.”

Ellerbe, 27, is entering the prime of his career and brings much-needed championship experience to the Dolphins. Although he chose not to replace Lewis in Baltimore, Ellerbe learned a lot from the future Hall of Famer and plans to bring that knowledge and leadership to Miami.

He is already making a good first impression with the Dolphins' coaching staff during the start of organized team activities.

“I like a lot of things that I see. He’s a bright guy,” Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin said. “He’s very business-like in the building. He comes in, gets his work done and very, very attentive. You’ve got to be strong down the middle, offensively and defensively, and he’s a guy that we’re looking for to help coordinate that front seven. We like what we’ve seen thus far.”

The Dolphins had a near-complete makeover at linebacker this offseason. Miami spent a combined $61 million on Ellerbe and former Oakland Raiders linebacker Philip Wheeler, 28. They will replace aging veterans Karlos Dansby and Kevin Burnett, who were released. Miami’s 2010 second-round pick Koa Misi, 26, is the other starting linebacker. He's playing out the final year of his rookie contract.

The Dolphins had the NFL’s 27th-rated pass defense in 2012 and struggled defending tight ends and slot receivers over the middle. Linebackers Ellerbe, Wheeler and Misi are much more athletic and have the potential to grow together.

According to ESPN.com NFL analyst Matt Williamson, the Dolphins certainly got “younger and faster” in the middle by replacing Dansby with Ellerbe.

“He can play 4-3 middle linebacker or 3-4 inside linebacker with [rookie first-round pick] Dion Jordan on board,” Williamson explained. “Ellerbe is best coming downhill. He’s a good blitzer and runs well in a straight line.”

Ellerbe is part of a strong free-agent class for the Dolphins that also includes Wheeler, former Pro Bowl cornerback Brent Grimes, tight end Dustin Keller, and receivers Brandon Gibson and Mike Wallace, who was a former rival of Ellerbe.

Wallace and Ellerbe had some heated battles the past four years as members of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Ravens. Pittsburgh-Baltimore is one of the league's most intense rivalries. Wallace joked during his introductory news conference that he doesn’t like too many Ravens but must get along with Ellerbe now that they are teammates.

“I’m with him every day and we speak every day -- it’s not anything personal,” Ellerbe said with a smile. “It’s a business. The only way it would be a problem is if we were still with the Ravens and Steelers. As long as he didn’t go to Georgia Tech, I don’t have any problems with him.” (Ellerbe starred at Georgia.)

This is an important year for the Dolphins, who haven’t made the playoffs or won the AFC East since the 2008 season. On paper, this is the strongest roster Miami has had in recent memory.

It is also a good year for the Dolphins to try to make a push in the AFC East. The New England Patriots are the perennial favorites but may have taken a step back, particularly on offense with the loss of 2012 starters Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd and injuries at tight end. The Buffalo Bills and New York Jets also have significant changes on their rosters and coaching staffs. It could take another year or two for the Bills and Jets to get their franchises back on track.

Ellerbe will be an important factor in the Dolphins' success this season. He never missed the playoffs in four years in Baltimore and does not want his streak to end in Miami.

“The sky is the limit,” Ellerbe said of Miami’s potential. “I haven’t been around here long enough to see exactly what’s going on. But from what I see in the film room and the statistics the coaches are putting up in the first week of OTAs, I feel like the sky is the limit for us. ... It’s a lot of good things we have to build on around here.”

DAVIE, Fla. -- The new-look Miami Dolphins held their first practice of organized team activities on Tuesday. The AFC East blog was there to take in all the action.

Here are some notes and observations:

• One very good sign for Miami is new cornerback Brent Grimes looked solid in practice. Grimes showed flashes of why he made the Pro Bowl two years ago by staying around the football and batting down several passes. Coming off season-ending Achilles surgery, Grimes looked healthy and fluid. He worked with the first-team defense most of the day along with veteran cornerback Richard Marshall, who is also coming off a back injury. “It looks like they’ve been moving well,” Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin said of his two corners. “They feel good physically and I’m excited about watching the tape and getting to look at it.” Philbin also described the cornerback competition as “real wide open.”
• Two additional players who I thought had a good practice today were tight end Dustin Keller and backup receiver Armon Binns. Keller, a free-agent pickup from the Jets, got open several times in team drills and had good separation over the middle. Binns made several nice catches, including one play where Binns ran past Grimes for a deep touchdown pass.
• Dolphins second-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill also was sharp on Tuesday. He had several big throws to Brian Hartline and Mike Wallace and also made routine plays underneath. It’s early, but I’m seeing a difference in the command of the offense and the speed of Tannehill’s progressions. He knows where to go with the football. At least two times in team drills, Tannehill’s reads weren’t open and he quickly threw the ball away. Last year he may have thrown an interception in that scenario. Keller was impressed with Tannehill’s first practice. “You would think a guy who used to play wide receiver, the best thing he does is run the ball,” Keller said. “But he puts the ball right on the money and he’s a good decision-maker, as well.”
• Dolphins starting left tackle Jonathan Martin is noticeably bigger. His arms are better defined and his shoulders are broader than last season. It's clear that Martin has been attacking the weight room. Strength was one of his biggest weaknesses last year. Martin was pushed around too often and needs to do a better job holding the point of attack while protecting Tannehill's blind side.
• As expected, Dolphins starting safety Reshad Jones showed up for practice. He initially considered not showing because he’s in the final year of his rookie contract and wants a long-term extension. Jones said he’s keeping the focus on football and plans to attend OTAs for the remainder of the week. Miami defensive tackle Randy Starks was a no-show, displeased after getting a franchise tag instead of a multi-year contract.
• With Starks out, the Dolphins moved Jared Odrick from defensive end to defensive tackle on the first team. Olivier Vernon worked with the first team at defensive end. All of this is subject to change on Starks' return. Miami first-round pick Dion Jordan will also push Odrick for the starting job at defensive end. “This is a time to experiment,” Philbin said of Odrick. “It’s a time to look at guys in different spots and different groups.”
• In a bit of a surprise, Hartline is getting a look at punt returner this spring. The job is vacant after last year’s punt returners -- Davone Bess and Reggie Bush -- are no longer with Miami. Hartline never returned a punt in four seasons in the NFL and will be competing with Marcus Thigpen. “Possibly, but in what situations, I couldn’t tell you,” Hartline said of potentially returning kicks. “But they [coaching staff] made a point to tell me to go and catch punts every day.”

» NFC Eight in the Box: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

A look at key players for each AFC East team who are coming back from injuries:

New England Patriots: There is no bigger injury concern in the AFC East this offseason than Rob Gronkowski. The Pro Bowl tight end has had three surgeries within the past year to fix his broken arm, and he is scheduled to have a fourth surgery next week. The timeline for Gronkowski’s return is approximately 10 weeks. That will put Gronkowski on pace for training camp if there are no setbacks. Gronkowski is arguably the best tight end in the NFL when healthy, and he’s certainly New England’s best red zone threat. After losing starting receivers Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd this offseason, the Patriots really need a healthy and productive Gronkowski to thrive on offense this year.

New York Jets: It’s easy to forget about Santonio Holmes. Due to a serious foot injury, the former Super Bowl MVP was virtually nonexistent last season after playing just four games. The Jets’ passing game was in shambles as a result. But Holmes returns this season as New York’s No. 1 receiver and has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. The Jets are rebuilding and don't have much talent on offense. There will also be a four-way quarterback competition between Mark Sanchez, rookie Geno Smith, Greg McElroy and Matt Simms. Holmes is one of the few players the Jets have on offense who has consistently produced throughout his career. It’s unknown if Holmes will return to his pre-injury form, but he should be better than any receiving threat the Jets have.

Miami Dolphins: One year ago, cornerback Brent Grimes was coming off a Pro Bowl season and viewed as one of the up-and-coming stars at his position. But a season-ending Achilles injury in 2012 dropped his stock, and now Grimes is trying to get back to his Pro Bowl form in Miami. The Dolphins signed Grimes to a one-year “show me” contract this offseason. No team was willing to make a multiyear commitment while Grimes still recovers from his torn Achilles. The Dolphins are taking a risk that Grimes will be 100 percent before the start of the regular season. He’s projected to be Miami’s No. 1 cornerback. The Dolphins were ranked 27th against the pass in 2012 and desperately need him. He also will provide veteran leadership to Miami’s two rookie corners: Jamar Taylor and Will Davis.

Buffalo Bills: Mark Anderson has become the forgotten defensive player in Buffalo. Just one year ago, the Bills made Anderson one of their big free-agent signings. But a knee injury forced Anderson to miss 11 games, and he recorded just 12 tackles and one sack. The Bills brought in Anderson to add a pass rush. He had 10 sacks with the Patriots in 2011 and aims to get healthy and return to form under new Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. Buffalo needs as many pass-rushers as possible to assist Mario Williams, who led the Bills with 10.5 sacks last season.

 

It was not a very good year for AFC East defenses in 2012. Three teams in the division finished with rankings in the 20s.

But there have been a lot of changes for the division via free agency and the draft. Let’s take a look at updated defensive rankings for the AFC East entering the regular season.

No. 1: Miami Dolphins

Analysis: The Dolphins ranked 21st in total defense in 2012. But Miami was decent against the run and only allowed 19.8 points per game, good for seventh in the NFL. The Dolphins’ biggest issue was their inconsistent pass defense. Miami gave up too many big passing plays and it cost the Dolphins some games. The Dolphins aggressively attacked their cornerback position by signing former Pro Bowler Brent Grimes and drafting Jamar Taylor and Will Davis in the second and third rounds, respectively. The Dolphins also added another pass-rushing threat with No. 3 overall pick Dion Jordan. If Miami stops allowing big passing plays, the Dolphins’ defense will be tough to beat.

No. 2: New England Patriots

Analysis: The Patriots were 25th in total defense in 2012. But I project New England to make a sizable jump in 2013. The Patriots made solid strides last year in red-zone defense and points allowed. But New England gave up too many chunk passing plays in between the 20s. The Patriots were 29th in pass defense last season. The return of No. 1 cornerback Aqib Talib to the secondary is huge, in addition to starting corner Alfonzo Dennard overcoming his legal issues and the Patriots signing hard-hitting safety Adrian Wilson. New England’s pass rush should also improve, led by a healthy Chandler Jones. There is a lot to like about the Patriots’ defense this season, especially with head coach Bill Belichick calling the shots. I wouldn’t be surprised to see New England move up 10 spots or more from last year’s ranking.

No. 3: New York Jets

Analysis: Here is one thing you can count on with the Jets under head coach Rex Ryan: He will field a very good defense. New York has been in the top 10 in total defense since Ryan took over in 2009. The Jets, despite their ugly 6-10 record, was ranked No. 8 in total defense last season. But look for the unit to take a step back in 2013. New York’s scheme remains strong, but this is the least amount of talent Ryan has had in his five seasons with the Jets. New York traded the best cornerback in the NFL -- Darrelle Revis -- to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and lost Pro Bowl safety LaRon Landry, linebacker Bart Scott and defensive linemen Sione Po'uha and Mike DeVito. The Jets will try to replace these established veterans with younger players, many of whom are rookies or players with just one year of experience. Defense will still be the Jets' strength, but they won’t be as strong on that side of the ball than in previous years.

No. 4: Buffalo Bills

Analysis: I had a hard time ranking the Bills’ defense. This group has talent on paper, but Buffalo never came close to putting it all together last season. The Bills ranked No. 22 in total defense in 2012, 31st against the run. It will be the job of new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine to get the most out of his talent. Buffalo has some quality players on defense. Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd, defensive tackle Kyle Williams, defensive end Mario Williams and former first-round picks Marcell Dareus and Stephon Gilmore are all talented. But collectively, the Bills’ defense grossly underachieved. The linebacker play must improve dramatically. I’m also concerned about two major holes at cornerback and safety.

I'm sure there will be plenty of debate about these rankings -- and really, the AFC East is wide open on defense this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if any of these teams lead the division defensively; all four have a chance to be competitive. It most likely will come down to which team can consistently execute defensively and stay healthy over a 16-game season.

DAVIE, Fla. -- Miami Dolphins second-round pick Jamar Taylor fluidly went into his backpedal Friday, the first day of rookie minicamp. Taylor watched both the receiver and quarterback. When the ball was thrown, Taylor jumped the route and made a perfectly timed deflection.

It was the kind of play we didn't see much of from Miami's cornerbacks last season. The Dolphins are hoping Taylor and third-round pick Will Davis can infuse youth and playmaking ability into the secondary. Miami was rated No. 27 against the pass in 2012 and gave up a lot of big plays through the air.

With former No. 1 cornerback Sean Smith leaving in free agency, the Dolphins are seeing some turnover at the position in 2013. Miami signed former Pro Bowler Brent Grimes to take over one side. But the opposite cornerback spot is wide open, where Taylor and Davis will compete with veterans Dimitri Patterson and Richard Marshall.

“I like the fact that those guys were communicating,” Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said of his two rookies. "I watched some of their fundamental drills and they both look like they have good knee bend and move their feet pretty well, but obviously it was just a quick glance.”

Cornerback was a big need for Miami entering the draft -- making it no surprise that the Dolphins invested a second- and a third-round pick to stock the position.

The interesting part is that with those early-round picks, Miami drafted both cornerbacks from small schools. Taylor played at Boise State, Davis at Utah State. Both must prove they can make the immediate jump to the NFL.

“No, we don’t worry about that,” Taylor said. “We just worry about getting better and continue to just compete. As long as we compete, everything else will take care of itself.”

Patterson and Marshall both have fairly high salaries this season. If both rookies show they’re ready to play, it’s not out of the question that Miami could cut at least one veteran to save on salary and cap space. Keep an eye on the progress of Taylor and Davis during the spring camps and training camp this summer.

The NFC South second-round picks just wrapped up.

I’ll do a quick analysis on each of the three (the New Orleans Saints didn’t have a pick in the road). And I’ll be back later with a column on what I think is the division’s best story of the night and quick analysis of what transpires in the third round.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Mississippi State cornerback Johnthan Banks with the 43^rd overall pick. Banks was once viewed as an early first-round pick, but a slow time in the 40-yard dash at the scouting combine caused his stock to fall. Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano and general manager Mark Dominik just talked to the media and they’re not concerned about how fast Banks ran in Indianapolis. They think he can step right in and play with Darrelle Revis and Eric Wright and make a position that was a problem last season a strength.

The Carolina Panthers used the 44^th pick on Purdue defensive tackle Kawann Short. That might seem like excessive attention on the defensive tackle position after the Panthers used their first-round pick on Star Lotulelei. But, like the Bucs at cornerback, the Panthers are trying to turn a weakness into a strength. Carolina also likes incumbent starter Dwan Edwards, but he’s nearing the end of his career and the Panthers now should be strong at defensive tackle for years to come.

At No. 60, the Atlanta Falcons continued the division-wide trend of loading up on one position by taking Southeast Louisiana cornerback Robert Alford. The Falcons used their first-round pick on cornerback Desmond Trufant. After the departures of Brent Grimes and Dunta Robinson, the Falcons now are back to full strength at cornerback.

Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland has a lot to feel good about. He’s in the process of completing arguably the most successful free-agent period in team history, and there is a significant buzz in South Florida regarding its pro football team again.

Optimism is running high with the Dolphins, and Ireland is leading the charge. He has 11 draft picks at his disposal, which is tied for the third most in the NFL. Miami also is a popular sleeper pick by some, including the AFC East blog, to push for a playoff spot next season.

As surprising as it may seem, the once-embattled Ireland's stock clearly is on the rise. But his job is only half complete. In order for the Dolphins to make a complete turnaround in 2013, Ireland cannot botch the upcoming draft.

“Obviously, we like the progress,” Ireland said during his pre-draft news conference this week. “We felt like we’ve made some progress. There’s been a lot of work that went into it obviously. I’ve got a lot of people to thank.”

Things were not so rosy for Ireland one year ago. After three straight losing seasons from 2009-2011, Ireland became the second biggest villain in South Florida sports, after Miami Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria.

Last year, Dolphins fans picketed outside the team’s training facility to send a message. The “Fire-land” movement was prevalent heading into the 2012 season.

But Ireland quieted critics by nailing last year’s draft. He landed a potential franchise quarterback (Ryan Tannehill) in the first round, a starting offensive tackle (Jonathan Martin) in the second round, a pass-rusher off the bench (Olivier Vernon) in the third round and an eventual starting tailback (Lamar Miller) in the fourth round. That set the foundation for last year’s 7-9 campaign. It was Miami's fourth straight losing season, but the team finally appeared to be going in the right direction.

This is a make-or-break year for Ireland, and the general manager is doing all he can to ensure the Dolphins take the next step in 2013. That partially explains why Ireland spared no expense to land top free agents on the open market, such as receiver Mike Wallace, linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, tight end Dustin Keller and cornerback Brent Grimes. Miami’s win-now approach to free agency not only reflects the team's attitude, but also Ireland's sense of job security.

Part of the turnaround is linked to the decision to hire head coach Joe Philbin. Many believed Ireland should have been fired with former coach Tony Sparano last year. However, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross trusted Ireland to find the right head coach.

The first year of Philbin and Ireland teaming up together went smoothly. The two are much more on the same page than Ireland and Sparano were.

“One of the things I liked about Joe in the interview process was that he and I see players pretty much the same,” Ireland said. “Schematically is where maybe it’s changed. Character and makeup, those things, we see very much eye-to-eye on. I’m probably a little bit more of a risk-taker than maybe Joe, but we certainly see eye-to-eye.

“We want guys that are highly competitive. We want guys that have a specific combination of intangible ingredients that form a desired football personality. That’s absolutely what we’re trying to look for.”

Ireland signed off on approximately $200 million worth of contracts to land free agents and keep in-house players such as defensive tackle Randy Starks, receiver Brian Hartline and backup quarterback Matt Moore. It’s rare for NFL teams to have immense cap room and so many draft picks in the same year. Ireland was afforded that luxury, and this offseason will be the most important of his career. What he does now will set the tone for the franchise for many years.

Free agency strengthened Miami’s roster to the point where Ireland doesn't need all 11 of his draft picks. Miami has five picks in the first three rounds, which could be valuable as trade chips with other teams.

“I’ve got enough ammunition to get to the first pick if I wanted to,” Ireland explained. “But I don’t see myself doing that personally. I don’t know. It depends on what’s there and we haven’t gone through the process of [figuring that out] and talking to other teams at this point and seeing where we would go up or back. Right now, we’re trying to get the board right and we’re kind of grinding through the process.”

Free agency is pretty much in the books, and the Dolphins certainly did well in that phase of the offseason. If Ireland finishes strong with a quality draft in two weeks, Miami will be poised to contend in the AFC East.

As optimism rises for the Dolphins, so does the perception of Ireland in South Florida. Who would have thought the general manager many Dolphins fans recently wanted fired would spearhead the team's resurgence just one year later?

» NFC Eight in the Box: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

A look at the top under-the-radar move made by each NFC West team thus far this offseason:

Arizona Cardinals: A soft market for cornerbacks helped the Cardinals sign former San Diego Chargers starter Antoine Cason to a one-year, $1.5 million contract. Scouts Inc. gave Cason a 79 grade, tied with Chris Gamble, Brent Grimes, DeAngelo Hall and Quentin Jammer for highest among corners on the market this offseason. Arizona has rotated corners through its lineup with moderate success in recent seasons. There's no sense in overpaying when Patrick Peterson is anchoring the other side as a top-five overall selection. Cason has good size at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds. He is on the younger side (turns 27 in July). He has never missed a game in five NFL seasons. He has started 45 of 48 games the past three years. Cason should provide an upgrade from 2012 starter William Gay.

St. Louis Rams: The Rams made waves by signing Jake Long and Jared Cook to deals with a combined $35 million in guaranteed money. Their move to bring back defensive end William Hayes on a three-year deal was important, too, even though it went under the radar. St. Louis led the NFL in sacks last season. Hayes had seven of them while playing 34.2 percent of the defensive snaps. He combines with Chris Long (11.5 sacks in 2012) and Robert Quinn (10.5) to give St. Louis a strong pass-rushing combination at defensive end.

San Francisco 49ers: Glenn Dorsey is too big to go under the radar, but anyone familiar with his time in Kansas City wouldn't think much of his signing in San Francisco. The 49ers seem to have big plans for Dorsey, however. They gave him a modest deal totaling $6 million over two seasons, a reflection of how far Dorsey's stock has fallen since the Chiefs made him the fifth overall choice in 2008. Dorsey wasn't to blame for the scheme change in Kansas City that made him less valuable to the defense. The 49ers run a base 3-4 defense that wouldn't seem to suit Dorsey's strengths as an up-the-field tackle, at least on the surface. I do think San Francisco has a specific role in mind for Dorsey, increasing the chances he makes a positive impact as a low-cost player with obvious talent.

Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks made high-profile moves almost exclusively this offseason. They landed Percy Harvin, Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett before trading away quarterback Matt Flynn. There isn't much from which to choose in the under-the-radar category. Defensive tackle Tony McDaniel, signed from the Miami Dolphins as a cheaper alternative to Alan Branch, will have to suffice. McDaniel has been mostly a backup and rotational player during his seven NFL seasons. "He has great length with good power and plays with good pad level," Scouts Inc. wrote in its review of him. "He isn't a quick-twitch athlete and is inconsistent to get off blocks and show range to the pile. He has limited pass-rush skills and hasn't made great progress given his time in the NFL." How's that for under the radar?

» NFC Eight in the Box: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

A look at the top under-the-radar move made by each AFC East team thus far this offseason:

Buffalo Bills: The Bills have been quiet in free agency, especially compared to last year. But the signing of defensive tackle Alan Branch should pay off. Branch, who started for the Seattle Seahawks the past two seasons, is a massive run-stopper added to Buffalo’s defensive line rotation, which already includes tackles Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus. Branch is versatile enough to play the nose and defensive tackle in Mike Pettine’s defense, which will have 3-4 and 4-3 looks. The Bills were 31st against the run last season but are now a lot tougher up the middle after signing Branch. He’s also durable, missing just one game the past four seasons.

Miami Dolphins: It has been a whirlwind free agency period for Miami. General manager Jeff Ireland was busy spending the Dolphins’ immense cap room this offseason, adding big names such as receiver Mike Wallace, linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, and tight end Dustin Keller. But the Dolphins' latest signing, cornerback Brent Grimes, is an under-the-radar move that could pay off huge. Grimes was a Pro Bowl cornerback two seasons ago. He suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in 2012 and signed a one-year contract with Miami this season. The Dolphins are banking on Grimes' returning to his pre-injury form. It’s a calculated risk. But if rehab goes well, Grimes easily will be Miami’s most talented cornerback.

New England Patriots: The Patriots made a few big-name moves this offseason, signing safety Adrian Wilson, receiver Danny Amendola and re-signing corner Aqib Talib and right tackle Sebastian Vollmer. But the signing of wide receiver Michael Jenkins could also could pay dividends. Jenkins, 30, has been a consistent producer throughout his 10-year career. He’s averaged 45 receptions a year over the past six seasons. That number could increase playing with future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady. Jenkins will not have a major role in the offense considering New England has other players like Amendola and tight end Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. But Jenkins has a track record of producing when his number is called.

New York Jets: The Jets did a lot of bargain-basement shopping in free agency. They were hamstrung by the salary cap this year and were not going to be major players in free agency. However, the Jets did several smart signings. Perhaps their best value of the group was Mike Goodson, who is the favorite to be New York’s starting running back next season. Goodson signed a three-year, $6.9 million contract with the Jets. He finally gets a chance to start after backing up running backs like Darren McFadden in Oakland and Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams in Carolina. Goodson has averaged 4.5 yards per carry in his career and should get plenty of carries in New York for the first time.

The Miami Dolphins met with former Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner this week, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Milliner is considered the top cornerback prospect in this year’s draft, and that is a position of need for Miami.

The Dolphins have a slim chance at landing Milliner with their No. 12 overall pick. If they’re interested in the Alabama cornerback, the Dolphins most likely would have to trade into the top five or six picks to get him. Miami has 11 draft picks total, including five picks in the first three rounds. That offers the Dolphins a lot of flexibility to move up in exchange for extra picks.

Miami recently signed free-agent cornerback Brent Grimes, who will be one of the starters. The Dolphins also have Richard Marshall and Dimitri Patterson currently on the roster. One or both players may be on the chopping block if Miami wants to save additional cap room.

Let's take a look at whose stock is rising and falling this offseason in the AFC East.

Falling

1. Buffalo Bills first-round quarterback: The Bills made a risky move to sign former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb to a two-year, $13 million contract. Buffalo is counting on Kolb to turn his career around after unsuccessful stints with the Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles. But the most pertinent aspect of this signing is it reduces the chances of Buffalo taking a quarterback at No. 8 overall. The Bills were often projected for first-round quarterbacks such as West Virginia’s Geno Smith and USC’s Matt Barkley. But with Kolb in the fold, the Bills are more likely to draft another need position early, such as wide receiver, linebacker, guard, or safety.

2. New York Jets, Tim Tebow: It’s hard to understand why the Jets wouldn’t cut bait with their backup quarterback. The Jets are still holding out hope that Tebow has trade value before the NFL draft, but the market appears nonexistent. Quarterbacks like Kolb, Matt Flynn, Carson Palmer and Jason Campbell are switching teams all over the place. But there has been virtually no interest in Tebow, who is definitely available. New York’s one-year experiment with Tebow was a disaster, and the Jets and Tebow are better off going their separate ways sooner than later. Holding out for a seventh-round pick isn't worth it.

3. Patriots tailback Jeff Demps: The Patriots took a flier on Demps last year due to his speed and athleticism. But New England knew the 2012 Olympian’s first love was track, not football. Demps recently said on a Florida radio station that he will focus on track this offseason and probably miss the start of the football season. It’s not surprising, but it does put Demps’ future with the Patriots in doubt. New England must decide whether to stick with a player whose focus is not completely on football.

Rising

1. Miami Dolphins cornerbacks: Miami desperately needed a boost at cornerback and signed former Pro Bowler Brent Grimes, who could be one of the biggest steals of the offseason. Grimes was a top-end corner before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in 2012. Miami signed Grimes to a one-year, $5.5 million contract. He has to prove he's still the same player he was before the injury. The Dolphins still have to decide whether they want to keep Richard Marshall and Dimitri Patterson. But they could save money by releasing at least one of the players and adding depth in the NFL draft.

2. USC WR Robert Woods: Woods is a fast-rising prospect who could be drafted in the 20s later this month. Woods is getting plenty of interest in the AFC East and recently had a private workout with Buffalo, where he displayed solid routes, hands and quickness. Woods could be a strong target for the Bills if they trade up from their 40th pick in the second round. Buffalo needs a reliable threat opposite Steve Johnson, and Woods has the all-around game to complement Johnson well. Woods is scheduled to meet with approximately 10 teams before the NFL draft, including the New York Jets, who also need help at receiver.

3. Tom Brady and Danny Amendola: Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and wide receiver Danny Amendola made a wise move this week. Both are already working out together at USC in preparation for next season. The Patriots are moving on from the Wes Welker debacle, and a lot of pressure will be on Amendola to replace that immense production in the slot. Brady and Amendola are already working to build chemistry. This combination will be vital to New England's success this upcoming season.

This week, the AFC East blog will run a series on three top draft possibilities for each team. We start Monday with the Miami Dolphins, who hold the No. 12 overall pick.

Option No. 1: OT Lane Johnson, Oklahoma

Analysis: The Dolphins did a solid job of filling many of their holes in free agency. Miami plugged needs at wide receiver, tight end and guard. This puts Miami in a good position to take the best available player or draft for need. Johnson, if he's still on the board at No. 12, could be both. Johnson is the third-rated offensive tackle behind Luke Joeckel and Eric Fisher. But Johnson has a high ceiling and is capable of playing left or right tackle at the next level. The Dolphins lost left tackle Jake Long in free agency and are still looking for a replacement. Options include Jonathan Martin, signing a veteran free agent (Eric Winston?) or considering a player like Johnson in the draft.

Options No. 2: CB Xavier Rhodes, Florida State

Analysis: Personally, I think Rhodes is more of a top-20 or top-25 pick. But Miami needs corners and Rhodes could be the best one on the board at No. 12. Rhodes is big and physical, which would fit in well in Miami. The Dolphins are in the process of remaking their cornerback position. Rhodes and free-agent signing Brent Grimes, if healthy, would be a solid one-two punch and a good mix of youth and experience at corner for Miami.

Options No. 3: S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas

Analysis: The Dolphins re-signed Chris Clemons this offseason. But it's still enticing for Miami to take the best safety in this draft. Vaccaro can do it all. Vaccaro can cover, he's good in run support and he can drop down in the slot, which Miami needs. Clemons and Reshad Jones are a decent tandem, but Vaccaro and Jones together would be more dangerous long-term.

In some ways, the Miami Dolphins are not exactly sure what they are getting with free-agent cornerback Brent Grimes. He is coming off a season-ending Achilles injury, and is still in the process of rehab and recovery.

However, if Grimes is 100 percent by the end of the summer and reverts back to the top- player he was a couple seasons ago, Miami could have one of the biggest steals in free agency.

The Dolphins agreed to a one-year contract with Grimes, the team announced Saturday. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the contract is worth $5.5 million. This is pretty much a "show me" agreement for Miami. The Dolphins have the cap room to pay a solid salary, but they are only willing to do it for one year. If Grimes is still the same player post-injury, Miami could look to keep him long-term in 2014.

Grimes spoke about his injury and recovery time on a conference call Saturday.

“I am not going to do timeframes. I just know the surgeon (said) six to eight months or something like that, but I feel great,” Grimes said. “Like I said, I don’t have any restrictions right now. I am running and everything. It’s just building up your strength and everything. That’s part of the process, but I have plenty of time.”

If healthy, Grimes instantly becomes Miami's best cornerback. The Dolphins lost Sean Smith to the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency. Richard Marshall, a 2012 free-agent signing, was a bust. Miami also traded Vontae Davis last summer to the Indianapolis Colts.

Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland deserves a lot of credit for putting together a stellar free-agent class. In addition to Grimes, Miami also added tight end Dustin Keller, receivers Mike Wallace and Brandon Gibson, and linebackers Dannell Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler.

The offseason goal for Miami was to close the gap with the defending AFC East champion New England Patriots. Grimes is another step for the Dolphins in the right direction.

The Miami Dolphins have been snooping around free-agent cornerback Brent Grimes for weeks this offseason. But it appears the are preparing to make their hardest push yet to bring Grimes to South Florida.

According to Jason LaCanfora of CBSSports.com, the Dolphins are zeroing in to sign Grimes, and a contract could be completed “soon.” This would be a solid move for Miami, which has done extremely well in free agency.

Grimes, 29, was developing into one of the better corners in the NFL before he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury last September. If Grimes can return to his old form, he would be an immediate starter in Miami.

Cornerback is the Dolphins’ biggest remaining need. They lost No. 1 corner Sean Smith in free agency to the Kansas City Chiefs. Richard Marshall also had an injury-plagued year, and Miami also traded former starter Vontae Davis last season. Look for the Dolphins to also add depth at corner in the NFL draft even if Grimes is signed.

The Browns wanted to lure Brent Grimes to Cleveland so much they sent a private jet to collect him for his free-agent visit March 16. Now, there's a report that the cornerback could land somewhere else.

Grimes, who also visited Miami, could reach a deal there "soon," according to CBS Sports. If Grimes checks out medically -- he tore his Achilles tendon in last season's opener -- he is the best cornerback left in free agency. The Browns could team him with Joe Haden, giving them one of the best corner tandems in the league. If Grimes signs with the Dolphins or elsewhere, the Browns will have a major hole at that spot.

It's surprising that Cleveland hasn't been more aggressive in trying to replace last season's starter, Sheldon Brown, who isn't expected to be re-signed. The other top free-agent corners -- Sean Smith (Kansas City), Aqib Talib (New England) and Chris Houston (Detroit) -- are gone. There is a dropoff from Grimes to the other defenders still on the market.

Here are some of the corners left in free agency (and it's not a promising group):

Antoine Winfield, Minnesota: He could accept an offer from another team before making a visit to the Redskins. Winfield, who will turn 36 in June, has reportedly drawn interest from two other teams (which haven't been identified). While his play is on the decline, Winfield had a strong season in 2012 and has enough athleticism to be an effective starter.

Nnamdi Asomugha, Philadelphia: The one-time best corner in the game is reportedly torn between playing for the 49ers and the Saints. It looks like he'll be off the market soon.

DeAngelo Hall, Washington: There were reports that he had signed with Detroit, but the Lions aren't interested in him. Hall has received very little attention. He sometimes takes too many risks to make a play, but he is a solid tackler and is very experienced.

Quentin Jammer, San Diego: He is a physical, durable corner who has drawn no interest and could be signed for cheap. The drawback with Jammer is his lack of speed. He's at his best in press coverage and likes to deliver big hits.

Mike Jenkins, Dallas: He has been linked to the Raiders and is scheduled to visit the Jaguars on Thursday. Jenkins was relegated to being Dallas' dime back last season, and it would be a surprise to see him become a starter again.

Tracy Porter, Denver: Porter visited the Saints and Raiders this week and should make a decision soon. He is only 26 and has a good feel for the game. But there is some concern after seizures and a concussion ruined his 2012 season.

If the Browns don't address cornerback in free agency, they'll be forced to take one in the early rounds of the draft. Alabama's Dee Milliner could drop to the Browns at the No. 6 overall pick. Boise State's Jamar Taylor, Mississippi State's Johnthan Banks and Oregon State's Jordan Poyer might be available at the top of the second round.