Here’s a rundown of what’s been happening with potential fantasy players in the AFC East:

Buffalo

Just when we thought maybe E.J. Manuel was in the clear to start in Buffalo, Tyrod Taylor rears his head and starts to make things interesting. Though he’s never started a game in the NFL as Joe Flacco’s former backup, Taylor seems to be new head coach Rex Ryan’s guy, and Manuel hasn’t been playing well enough to run away with the job. One thing we know for certain is that Matt Cassel is out of the running.

It’s a sad day when fantasy stalwart RB Fred Jackson is competing for a roster spot, but that’s what’s going on in Buffalo right now, as LeSean McCoy is the indisputable starter and rookie Karlos Williams is practicing very well. Jackson doesn’t play special teams and Anthony Dixon does, making him a possible candidate to be cut. RW fave Bryce Brown is his competition, and though we love Jackson, and always will, we don’t love his chances against Brown.

The Bills have a formidable WR corps this season, with Sammy Watkins, Percy Harvin, Robert Woods, Chris Hogan, and track star Marquise Goodwin back in the fold. Unfortunately for fantasy owners, the Bills are poised to be one of the most run-based offenses in the league under Rex Ryan, whose teams have been 4th, 2nd, and 1st in run attempts over the past three seasons. I’d generally stay away from these guys outside of daily and dynasty leagues.

Miami

QB Ryan Tannehill is improving as a passer and a leader this preseason, according to his teammates and coaches. I don’t know if this is on account of him having a better receiving corps, but it bodes well for fantasy regardless. I was more than happy starting Tannehill for much of last season, and I’m content taking him late after all of the “elite” QBs are gone in drafts. He’s going to be a QB1.

Rookie WR DeVante Parker is on schedule to be ready for week 1, which is great news for Miami. To the chagrin of his fantasy owners, he’s going to come in behind Greg Jennings and Kenny Stills when he returns. He should work his way into more and more action as the season wears on though, so he’s someone to target in trades early on or just hold onto if you already own him. WR Jarvis Landry in turn, should start out fast and then potentially fade a bit as Parker surges.

Someone who should attain and sustain value throughout the season is TE Jordan Cameron. I’m excited to see how productive he can be on a team with a solid QB. I’m not afraid to reach for him once Gronk and Graham are gone in drafts.

New England

Tom Brady is suspended for four games as of now, but the case is going to be appealed sometime in the future and the ensuing legal chaos might leave him under center for Week 1. If not, New England could be in bad shape for the first part of the season as QB Jimmy Garapollo looks far from ready for the big stage. He’s been a turnover machine in OTA’s.

There seems to actually be some stability in the Patriots’ running game with LaGarrette Blount slated to be the starter (following his one-game suspension), but it’s anyone’s guess as to who will be catching passes out of the backfield come game day. James White, Travaris Cadet, and Dion Lewis are all competing for passing-back duties, and the lead seems to change every other day. In any case, I’m not going to own any back other than Blount in fantasy. I’ve had that headache already.

WR Brandon LaFell is enjoying his new lease on football life, but he’s been seen in a walking boot for all of OTA’s. The word is that he’ll be fine for the start of the season though, so his owners can breathe a tentative sigh of relief. He’s going to be a value pick in drafts this year.

New York Jets

It appears people are finally warming up to Geno Smith as the QB of the present (and perhaps future) for the Jets. We at RW have always had a soft spot for Geno, and we’re glad things are looking up for him now that he’s playing under OC Chan Gailey and his familiar spread-style offense. A much-improved Jets receiver group should only help in cementing Smith’s role.

Someone who probably won’t help Geno or the Jets that much this season is TE Jace Amaro. He’s been dropping too many passes and playing without urgency this preseason. He’s going to need to keep his mouth shut about ex-coach Rex Ryan and improve his play drastically for me to take a chance on him in fantasy.

RB Chris Ivory is locked in as the lead back in New York for the moment, while Stevan Ridley stands a good chance of starting the year on the PUP list. Bilal Powell will be the passing-down back by most indications and should retain some value in deeper PPR leagues. Zac Stacy will have to get what he can while Ridley is out.

Jeremy Kerley will make for an intriguing option in return yardage leagues this season. He is going to return punts this season in addition to playing the slot. Sure Devin Smith will steal some of his thunder, but OC Gailey plays a lot of 4-wide sets.