1 | NEW ENGLAND

2017 | 13-3, first in East

Last year in playoffs | 2017

THREE PLAYERS WHO MUST COME THROUGH

TE Rob Gronkowski: A first-team All-Pro last year, Gronkowski has recovered from various injuries and looks dominant again. Tom Brady might be the greatest quarterback ever — he’s at least in the discussion — but the Patriots offense runs through Gronkowski, especially with Julian Edelman suspended for the first four weeks.

CB Stephon Gilmore: In his second season with the Patriots, Gilmore is a big and physical lock-down corner. He started slowly last season but came on strong. He had a good year, and now coaches are expecting a great year.

DB Devin McCourty: He plays all over — free safety, slot corner and even linebacker in some schemes. The captain of the defense is essential to a secondary that was frequently torched last season. A ramped-up pass rush would help.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH

WR Phillip Dorsett: The former first-round pick came to New England as part of the Jacoby Brissett trade and has the speed to replace Brandin Cooks, now with the Rams.

RB Rex Burkhead: Durability is an issue with Burkhead, who played only 190 snaps last season but made the most of them, scoring eight touchdowns (five rushing, three receiving).

DE Trey Flowers: Ahead of his fourth season, Flowers hasn’t put up huge sack numbers (13½ in the past two years combined), but he likely would have had more in a different system. The Patriots are ready to take full advantage of his skills.

2 | BUFFALO

2017 | 9-7, second in East

Last year in playoffs | 2017

THREE PLAYERS WHO MUST COME THROUGH

RB LeSean McCoy: No matter who is at quarterback, McCoy is the offense’s centerpiece. Even though he’s 30, when backs often start to decline, he’ll get a ton of work. Coach Sean McDermott says McCoy looks stronger and faster.

DE Jerry Hughes: The Bills struggled to pressure passers last season, and he was their best pass rusher. With defensive tackle Star Lotulelei signed to clog the middle, the expectation is that the edge rusher will hit home more often.

LB Tremaine Edmunds: The Bills have high hopes for this rookie, placing him in the middle of their defense. He didn’t always play the middle in college, so there is a learning curve.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH

WR Kelvin Benjamin: He is the team’s No. 1 receiver, by far, and he’s playing for a contract extension. Other receivers from his 2014 draft class have gotten paid — Sammy Watkins, Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry — and Benjamin could use a 1,000-yard season to join them.

CB Tre’Davious White: Many remember the late hit on White from Rob Gronkowski, but Buffalo fans (and others) know that White was a legitimate Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate, and looks to become one of the NFL’s elite.

T Dion Dawkins: A second-round pick last year, Dawkins looks like a franchise left tackle. The Bills liked him so much, they traded mainstay Cordy Glenn. Dawkins is legit.

3 | JETS

2017 | 5-11, fourth in East

Last year in playoffs | 2010

THREE PLAYERS WHO MUST COME THROUGH

WR Robby Anderson: Although most of the focus has been on who’s going to play quarterback, it’s just as important to know who’ll be on the receiving end. Anderson had 941 receiving yards last season and is clearly talented, but he had multiple brushes with the law.

CB Trumaine Johnson: The Jets need this former Rams standout to be a shutdown corner. He’s looked fine so far but hasn’t really been tested. This is not a great pass-rushing team, so if the corners can lock down the receivers longer, coach Todd Bowles can be more aggressive in his blitzing.

DL Leonard Williams: Williams had lots of quarterback hits last season but only two sacks. He needs to bump up that number and return to the form that got him to the 2016 Pro Bowl.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH

QB Sam Darnold: The Jets have their hopes riding on the rookie who’ll be the youngest QB to start Week 1 in modern NFL history. So far, so good, but no one really knows until the regular season starts.

WR Terrelle Pryor: After a terrific season in Cleveland two years ago, Pryor fizzled in Washington. Can the Jets help this converted quarterback take that next step?

S Jamal Adams: Has yet to grab his first interception, yet he’s already rounding into a leader. He vowed that he won’t miss another Pro Bowl, so he’s not lacking in confidence.

4 | MIAMI

2017 | 6-10, third in East

Last year in playoffs | 2016

THREE PLAYERS WHO MUST COME THROUGH

LB Raekwon McMillan: The Dolphins are expecting a big year out of McMillan, a standout in the middle of their defense. He missed his rookie season after he suffered a knee injury on the first play of the preseason.

WR Danny Amendola: In his 10th season, Amendola has quickly emerged as one of Ryan Tannehill’s favorite targets. The team is about five-deep with solid receivers, but Amendola is a vital fixture in the slot.

DE Robert Quinn: The former first-round pick will help the Dolphins turn up the heat on opposing quarterbacks. He’s a good fit for Miami’s 4-3 defense.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH

S Minkah Fitzpatrick: The rookie from Alabama will roam all over this defense, lining up in multiple positions. He’s a first-round playmaker and one who should make an immediate impact.

DE Charles Harris: A first-round pick last year, Harris had a great training camp and is explosive. Although Cameron Wake and Quinn figure to be the starters, Harris should be in the rotation frequently.

CB Xavien Howard: He had two interceptions against Tom Brady in a Monday night game at New England last season. He has the makings of a true No. 1 corner, even though he’s essentially in his second year, having missed 10 of 16 games as a rookie in 2016.

— Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times