AFC East stock up, down: Patriots CB on rise, Jets HC’s seat gets warmer

A quarter of the way through the 2024 NFL season, we’re assessing who’s trending up and down in each division.

Here’s the AFC East’s stock report from Weeks 1-4.

Stock up: Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen

Despite being held to just 180 passing yards during last week’s deflating 35-10 road loss to Baltimore, Allen — who has guided Buffalo to a 3-1 record — has played like an MVP candidate to begin the season.

After parting ways with WRs Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis in the offseason, the Bills entered 2024 with just one wideout on the roster who’d caught a pass from Allen (Khalil Shakir). Yet, the unfamiliarity between Allen and his new-look receiving corps hasn’t seemed to be much of an issue.

Allen has been effective at spreading the ball around, as six different Bills have caught touchdowns this season. Of those six players, only Shakir has more than one touchdown reception, and he only has two. The general success of the unit suggests that as long as Allen is at quarterback, the Bills offense will always have a chance to put up big numbers.

Overall, Allen has completed 69.3 percent of his passes for 814 yards and seven touchdowns this season while adding 106 yards and two scores on the ground.

Those totals might appear to be a bit lackluster by Allen’s standards. However, it’s worth mentioning that he’s left three games early due to blowouts, still hasn’t turned the ball over and has posted the second-highest passer rating in the NFL (116.5). 

Stock down: New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh 

The Jets have one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, but that doesn’t seem to matter with Saleh as their head coach. Saleh, who has led New York to a 20-35 record since being hired in 2021, is firmly on the hot seat after once again getting outcoached during this past Sunday’s humiliating 10-9 home loss to Denver.

Last week’s loss has brought attention to perhaps the most concerning aspect of Saleh’s coaching tenure, which has been his inability to prepare his team, particularly after getting plenty of rest. As pointed out by TalkJetsRadio on X, New York is just 2-7 under Saleh with extra time to prepare and has been outscored 195-92 in those contests.

It hasn’t helped Saleh or his job security that the Jets have been an undisciplined team either, ranking seventh in penalties (31). Saleh has gotten passes over the years thanks to the Jets having a disastrous quarterback situation. However, considering they still have issues with Aaron Rodgers leading the offense, Saleh will likely need at least a playoff appearance this season if he wants to remain the coach in 2025. 

Stock up: New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez 

The 17th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Gonzalez played in just four games as a rookie before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. Despite that, the Oregon product looked like a budding star and was even named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Month for September.

Now fully healthy, Gonzalez is proving that the promising signs he showed last season were no fluke, as he’s been one of the top shutdown cornerbacks in the league to begin 2024.

Through four games, Gonzalez has allowed 15 receptions in coverage on 25 targets for just 91 yards, the 12th-fewest among cornerbacks who have played at least 200 snaps. Additionally, the 22-year-old is one of just four cornerbacks who have yet to allow a reception of 15 yards or more this season, according to Pro Football Focus.

Gonzalez’s performance is all the more impressive considering he’s faced some of the NFL’s premier wideouts, specifically Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase, Seattle’s DK Metcalf, Garrett Wilson of the Jets and San Francisco’s Brandon Aiyuk.

The 2024 season will likely continue to be a difficult one for New England as it continues to rebuild. Even so, Gonzalez has not only been a bright spot, but he’s also establishing himself as a potential Pro Bowler and someone the team can rely on to be a franchise cornerstone.

Stock down: Miami Dolphins offense 

Although it’s still early, Miami’s season is quickly unraveling, and the team’s offensive woes are the leading factor behind its struggles. Since starting QB Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion during the Dolphins’ 31-10 blowout loss to Buffalo in Week 2, the offense has transformed into the worst unit in the NFL.

Over the last two games, the Dolphins have scored the fewest points (15) and racked up the second-fewest yards of total offense (389), ahead of only the Patriots.

Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and De’Von Achane haven’t been able to produce with backup QBs Skylar Thompson, Tim Boyle and Tyler Huntley at the helm. The trio of star skill position players have combined to amass 231 total yards during this recent skid.

While it’s difficult for any team to win with a backup quarterback, the Dolphins’ problems include a combination of injuries, ineffective play-calling and poor roster construction. While Tagovailoa’s concussion has obviously played a role, GM Chris Grier’s failure to adequately replace key O-linemen Robert Hunt and Connor Williams this offseason is arguably the biggest contributor to the offense’s troubles.

At this point, Miami’s offense might not be able to turn things around until Tagovailoa is back in the lineup, which could come as soon as its Week 8 home matchup against Arizona.