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Associated Press 9y

AFC East Free Agency Capsules

NFL, NFL Draft, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, New York Jets

BUFFALO BILLS (9-7)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: DEs Jerry Hughes and Jarius Wynn; RB C.J. Spiller; LBs Brandon Spikes, Larry Dean and Stevenson Sylvester; S Da'Norris Searcy; WR Marcus Easley; TE Lee Smith; OG Erik Pears.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: OT Chris Hairston, WR/KR Marcus Thigpen, WR Deonte Thompson, P Jordan Gay.

NEEDS: The Bills, under new coach Rex Ryan, have already been busy addressing needs by acquiring RB LeSean McCoy in a trade with Philadelphia and QB Matt Cassel in a trade with Minnesota, while also signing free agent OG Richie Incognito. They still have needs in the defensive backfield, at offensive tackle and tight end. And don't rule out Buffalo adding yet another quarterback to compete with Cassel and EJ Manuel for the starting job.

MIAMI DOLPHINS (8-8)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: QB Matt Moore, S Louis Delmas, RB Knowshon Moreno, DT Jared Odrick, G Daryn Colledge, C Samson Satele, TE Charles Clay (transition tagged), S Jimmy Wilson, LB Jason Trusnik, LB Kelvin Sheppard, RB Daniel Thomas, RB LaMichael James, CB T.J. Heath.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: DE Derrick Shelby, LB Jonathan Freeny, S Michael Thomas, S Jordan Kovacs, CB R.J. Stanford.

NEEDS: The Dolphins are expected to make a run at DT Ndamukong Suh, and if they win bidding likely to top $100 million, they might have little cap room left. Other positions needing to be addressed on an aging defense include linebacker, cornerback and safety. To free up cap space, the Dolphins released receivers Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson and might part with Mike Wallace, leaving them short on targets for Ryan Tannehill.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (15-4)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: PK Stephen Gostkowski (franchise tagged), LS Danny Aiken, LB Akeem Ayers, DT Alan Branch, LB Jonathan Casillas, G Dan Connolly, S Devin McCourty, RB Stevan Ridley, RB Shane Vereen, LB Chris White.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.

NEEDS: Pass rusher, linebacker. DEs Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich have been productive getting to the quarterback, but there is little depth behind them. And Jones was sidelined for six games last season. Injuries also forced Jerod Mayo, the Patriots' best linebacker, to miss most of the past two seasons. LB Dont'a Hightower was sidelined for four games in 2014 and could miss the start of next season after having shoulder surgery following the Super Bowl victory.

NEW YORK JETS (4-12)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: LB David Harris, QB Michael Vick, G Willie Colon, RB Bilal Powell, DL Leger Douzable, CB Kyle Wilson, S Dawan Landry, DT Kenrick Ellis, LB Nick Bellore, T Ben Ijalana, CB Phillip Adams, FB John Conner, WR Greg Salas, LS Tanner Purdum, LB Jermaine Cunningham.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: NT Damon Harrison, S Jaiquawn Jarrett.

NEEDS: The Jets have more than $51 million in salary cap space to work with, and figure to be active spenders. Help at cornerback is a top priority for new GM Mike Maccagnan after former GM John Idzik struck out in free agency and the draft. CBs Dee Milliner (Achilles tendon), the team's No. 1 draft pick in 2013, and Dexter McDougle (ACL), third-rounder last year, are coming off major injuries. The Jets could look for a veteran QB to compete with Geno Smith if Vick doesn't return, which is likely. New York could focus on drafting a top prospect -- Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota -- with No. 6 overall pick should they fall. Pass-catching running back could be another spot New York tries to add because Chris Johnson won't be back and Powell could draw attention in free agency. Offensive line depth also is likely to be addressed, and the team might need to replace a starter if RG Colon is not re-signed.

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