With Tom Brady in the division, having a stingy secondary is of utmost importance if there is any hope of derailing the  New England Patriots‘ run of dominance in the AFC East.

The New York Jets didn’t waste any time in free agency, stealing Darrelle Revis away from the Patriots. The move greatly improved the Jets’ secondary, while taking away one of the game’s best from New England’s defensive backfield. The addition of Revis alone would make any team immediately better, but the Jets continued to add quality talent, bringing in cornerbacks Antonio Cromartie and Buster Skrine, as well as safety Marcus Gilchrist.

The reunion of Revis and Cromartie give the Jets one of the best duos in the NFL. Skrine is underrated and should settle in nicely in the slot. Having Revis and Cromartie could also help 2013 first-rounder Dee Milliner finally reach his potential. Gilchrist is a physical safety, and should team with 2014 first-rounder Calvin Pryor to make an improved tandem at safety. The additions in the secondary give the Jets all the ingredients to be a great defense. Now, they must prove it on the field.

The Buffalo Bills are a distant second to the Jets in this ranking, but have quality starters and should be helped by having Rex Ryan running the defense. Leodis McKelvin and Stephon Gilmore are playmaking cornerbacks with good speed and instincts. Gilmore has top-level talent, but has missed time in each of the past two seasons with injuries. McKelvin is a sturdy, tough player who also made an impact by picking off four passes in just 10 games in 2014.

Nickell Robey is slated as the slot corner, while rookie Ronald Darby has the necessary short-area quickness and speed to earn early playing time on the outside or in the slot. Aaron Williams and Duke Williams provide a steady but not spectacular tandem at safety. Bacarri Rambo has showed flashes and could join the fray at safety.

Behind Revis, the Miami Dolphins’ Brent Grimes is the next best corner in the division. Despite being just 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, Grimes is a fierce competitor who shows no fear or hesitance when matching up with the game’s bigger and better wideouts. The problem Miami has struggled with is finding a capable complement to Grimes. Jamar Taylor, Zack Bowman and Will Davis will all get looks to fill that role. Brice McCain and rookie Bobby McCain will have first shot at filling the duties as slot/nickel corner.

At safety, the Dolphins have a talented duo in Reshad Jones and Louis Delmas. Jones made 80 tackles, three interceptions and seven passes defensed in 2014. In his first season with the Dolphins, Delmas had an average year, posting 61 tackles and a pick in 13 games. The signing of Ndamukong Suh should improve the defensive front, which should make the secondary more effective, especially if the Dolphins can get some production on the corner opposite Grimes.

As the Patriots being their quest for a repeat, their biggest issue entering training camp is how will the secondary recover after losing Revis, Brandon Browner, Kyle Arrington and Alfonzo Dennard in free agency. After losing Revis, head coach Bill Belichick decided to start over at the position.

The Patriots will turn to youngsters Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan, Justin Green and rookie Darryl Roberts to battle veterans Bradley Fletcher, Derek Cox and Tarell Brown, who was acquired today, in what should be an interesting and competitive training camp.

Free safety Devin McCourty returns to lead the secondary. McCourty is one of the best free safeties in the NFL, and with uncertainty at cornerback, his leadership has never been more important. At strong safety, veteran Patrick Chung will compete with rookie Jordan Richards. Duron Harmon and Tavon Wilson provide depth at both safety spots. If the Pats can find the right combinations at corner and strong safety, they should be a solid defense with a chance at repeating.

Other AFC East Positional Rankings

Quarterback
Running Back
Offensive Line
Tight End
Wide Receiver
Defensive Line
Linebacker

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