The one position group that the AFC East definitely reigns supreme in is the defensive line. The Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and New York Jets all could lay claim to having the best defensive line in the entire NFL, and the New England Patriots, despite being fourth in this ranking, still potentially possess their best front since the mid-2000s.

The Bills and Dolphins have very similar fronts, but I give edge to the team from Western New York because they proved how dominant they can be last season by posting a league-leading 54 sacks and ranking fourth in total defense last season. Mario Williams and Marcell Dareus are at, or near to top of the league at their respective positions.Williams had 14.5 sacks last season and is a true disruptive force.

Dareus is very difficult to handle and is one of the better inside pass rushers in the game. While Kyle Williams and Jerry Hughes don’t get the same publicity as their heralded teammates, they are both high-level performers who make impact plays on a weekly basis. Jarius Wynn adds depth and can contribute either in sub-package situations or to give Mario Williams or Hughes a breather.

The Dolphins went all-in by signing Ndamukong Suh in free agency, immediately upgrading the entire defensive front by adding one of the top few difference-making defensive tackles in the game. The Dolphins could be first on this list, but I need to see it first before I put them ahead of Buffalo. Suh’s ability to stop the run and push the pocket should greatly benefit defensive ends Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon.

That tandem notched 18 sacks in 2014 and could be in for even more over the next few seasons. Wake has been one of the best rushers in the league over the past five seasons, and Vernon is an up-and-coming talent. Playing next to Suh at tackle will be Earl Mitchell or C.J. Mosley, who provide depth and are proven players in the NFL. It could be a special season in Miami.

If this ranking was merely based on physicality and ability to hold the point of attack, the Jets would be the runaway winners. Muhammad Wilkerson  is one of the best in the game. Nose tackle Damon Harrison is massive and eats up blockers, while defensive end Sheldon Richardson has quickly become one of the rising stars in the league at his position, but faces a four-game suspension for violating the league’s drug policy.

The Jets didn’t stand pat, taking uber-talented Leonard Williams with the No. 6 overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. Williams, at 6-foot-5, 300 pounds, has a chance to be a special player and could make the Jets even more dominant up front this season. Richardson’s suspension and Williams’ inexperience drops the Jets slightly behind the Bills and Dolphins.

The Patriots have some certain question marks at defensive tackle after deciding to cut ties with the beloved Vince Wilfork after 11 seasons with the team. Rookie Malcom Brown and Dominique Easley, who enters his second season, will battle with veterans Alan Branch and Sealver Siliga in training camp as the Patriots try to find a solid rotation.

Where the Patriots stand out is at defensive end. Chandler Jones has a lot of talent and teams with the steady Rob Ninkovich to provide a solid starting unit. The Patriots’ best offseason move was signing defensive end Jabaal Sheard, who will be used as an end, as an inside rusher from the tackle position and possibly even at outside linebacker. The Patriots should be better getting after the passer, but they must get better play on the inside.

Other AFC East Positional Rankings
Offensive Line
Tight End
Wide Receiver

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