As you all know, the success of both the quarterback and running back position is largely contingent on the play of the offensive line. With the incredibly stout defensive fronts in the AFC East, the offensive lines will be tested throughout the season, increasing the importance of teams becoming stronger along the offensive front.

Every team in the division has made improvements over the offseason. While I don’t think there is a big gap between No. 1 and No. 4 in my rankings, I still give a slight edge to the New York Jets as the team with the best offensive front in the division.

Despite having inadequate quarterback play over the past few seasons, the Jets were still able to run the ball effectively. That says a lot, as teams rarely feared the ability of Geno Smith and Michael Vick to hurt them with the passing game, so they really geared up to stuff the Jets’ rushing attack. I also liked what the Jets did this offseason to solidify the right side of their line, bringing in former Seattle Seahawks guard James Carpenter to play next to former teammate Breno Giacomini.

Nick Mangold continues to be one of the better pivot men in the league, and while left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson and left guard Willie Colon are beginning to show some decline, they still have enough left for another good season or two. With that likely starting combination, the Jets should continue to be a physically imposing offensive front.

In the second spot are the New England Patriots, who somehow won the Super Bowl with average play along the offensive front. Too often the Pats were unable to create movement up front while also allowing far too much inside pressure in pass protection.

Right tackle Sebastian Vollmer was the only consistently reliable performer in 2014. The Patriots did improve during the season, and especially during the playoffs, but that didn’t stop the Pats from drafting guards Tre’ Jackson and Shaq Mason to challenge for starting roles. Nate Solder, who had an uneven 2014, is still a good left tackle, and Bryan Stork showed promise at center during his rookie campaign. That leads us back to guard, where the Pats hope they can find the right combination with Mason, Jackson and Ryan Wendell competing for starting roles.

I give the Miami Dolphins an extremely slight edge for the third spot, largely due to left tackle Branden Albert returning from injury. Before Albert was injured against the Detroit Lions in Week 10, the Dolphins showed improvement. With Albert out, things fell apart. Center Mike Pouncey joins Albert as a top-line starter. Right tackle Ja’Wuan James showed plenty of promise, but he still has much to prove. The real question marks are at guard with Jamil Douglas, Billy Turner and Dallas Thomas fighting for roles to help improve a line that allowed 46 sacks in 2014.

Having the Buffalo Bills last in the division is mostly based on the fact they managed just 3.7 yards-per-carry average in 2014. That is troubling when there is a question mark at quarterback, because if you can’t run, it puts more pressure on the passing game.

Cordy Glenn is a steady performer at left tackle and Eric Wood is solid at center. Tackle Seantrel Henderson and guard Richie Incognito form a physical right side, but both have struggled with speed and quickness while in pass protection. Third-rounder John Miller is the top option to win the job at left guard, but he will have competition from Cyril Richardson and Chris Williams.

AFC East Positional Rankings
Quarterback
Running Back

Nick Sardina is an NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow Nick onTwitter @nicksardina13, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google