Preseason football is finally here with each of the team’s in the AFC East getting their seasons underway. This week on the AFC East roundup, we will be selecting an MVP from each of the teams that made the most impact in their team’s first game of the season. Some of these players showed that they deserved just a spot on the roster while others reaffirmed their position in the starting lineup.
Buffalo Bills: Marcus Murphy
With the Bills already having running backs LeSean McCoy and Chris Ivory, Murphy was starting camp on the outside looking in, trying to show that he belonged on the roster. He did just that against the Panthers. Murphy had 65 total yards in the game and a touchdown and looked great while doing it. He ran hard, gaining yards after contact and showed shiftiness making defenders miss all day. If he keeps playing at this level then he has a serious shot to be the third back on the roster.
New York Jets: Neville Hewitt
Linebacker Neville Hewitt had one of the best defensive games in the league for the first week of the preseason. Hewitt recorded eight combined tackles in the game which placed him in the top ten in the league and he intercepted a pass. He is currently listed third on the team’s depth chart entering his fourth NFL season but he showed that he can span a wide area of the field and is looking to get his chances with the second team going forward.
Miami Dolphins: David Fales
One of the main focuses in Dolphin’s camp was determining who the backup quarterback was going to be behind Ryan Tannehill. After the first preseason game, Fales is winning that battle. He went eight of eleven for 115 yards and compiled a quarterback rating over 100. He looked comfortable and efficient in the team’s offense. Fales looked good against the Bills in Week 17 last season and is looking to hold off Brock Osweiler for the backup position.
New England Patriots: Ralph Webb
The Patriots are looking for a new starting running back this season and Webb certainly put himself into the conversation. The rookie from Vanderbilt rushed for two touchdowns and 46 yards in the team’s game against the Redskins. Every year it seems the team finds a new diamond in the rough when it comes to running backs and Webb is hoping that can be him this year. The back showed the speed and versatility that the Patriots love out of their running back position.