Over the next few weeks, this eight part series will take a look at the best team each division can produce from their respective four participants.

The combined teams are based on the players who we believe are the most talented heading into 2016. No past glories here.

Each offense will feature one QB, one RB, three WRs and one TE, along with five offensive linemen. Defense schemes will vary, based on the players available. No rookies will feature, as they haven’t proven anything yet. Let’s kick things off with the AFC East.

OFFENSE

QB – Tom Brady, New England Patriots

This one isn’t close, and it never really has been. Looking back, it’s arguable that Chad Pennington is the next best quarterback to play in the division since Brady arrived.

RB – LeSean McCoy – Buffalo Bills

Newly signed New York Jet Matt Forte received strong consideration, but Shady’s explosive game-changing ability outweighed the former Chicago Bears’ all around consistency.

TE – Rob Gronkowski – Patriots

If QB was an easy-choice, this was a landslide. Gronkowski is far and away the best tight end in the NFL, meaning the likes of Jordan Cameron, Jace Amaro and Charles Clay never had a chance.

WR1 – Brandon Marshall – New York Jets

Marshall proved last year just how good he is. Playing for his fourth team, Marshall caught 109 passes for 1,509 and 14 touchdowns. Even at the age of 32, B-Marsh is the best wideout in the AFC East.

WR2 – Sammy Watkins – Bills

Watkins demanded more targets after a barren few weeks to start the 2015 season, and when they came, he feasted. Watkins averaged 100 yards a game from week 9 on, catching 7 touchdowns and giving Darrelle Revis nightmares.

WR3 – Jarvis Landry – Miami Dolphins

Eric Decker and Julian Edelman made this a tough decision, but I forecast a huge year for Jarvis Landry. This big-play weapon can turn short passes into long gains, and has the hands to rival his former LSU teammate Odell Beckham.

LT – Cordy Glenn – Bills

The standard of left tackle in the AFC East is decent, but Glenn stands out as the best. After four years, Glenn was rewarded for his good work in Buffalo this off-season with a 5 year, $65 million extension

LG – Richie Incognito – Bills

Rex Ryan brought in Incognito to be a physically imposing presence in the Bills’ offense line, and that’s exactly what he was. He’s not everyone’s cup of rosie, but Incognito is an excellent guard, particularly in the run-game.

C – Nick Mangold – Jets

Eric Wood and Mike Pouncey were serious contenders, but this seven time pro-bowler gets the nod. Mangold has the intelligence and toughness to be a top-level centre for another few years

RG – Mike Pouncey – Dolphins

Pouncey didn’t have the experience to oust Mangold, but has the athleticism to slide over to guard. He spent time there in 2014, and slots in ahead of a weak cast of options in the division.

RT – Ju’Wuan James – Dolphins

This is a gamble that James takes a big leap forward in 2016, but I believe he has what it takes. The 23-year old looked good early last year, before a toe injury ruled him out for the year. One to keep an eye on in 2016.

DEFENSE (4-2-5)

RDE – Jabaal Sheard – Patriots

You probably never heard of Sheard before 2015. You still might not know him now. You will soon. Sheard racked up 8 sacks last year and should see more pass-rushing snaps this year with Chandler Jones gone, even with Chris Long in the mix. Cam Wake missed out on account of him being a 34 year-old coming off an achilles injury

DT – Ndamukong Suh – Dolphins

He may not have lived up to his big contract so far, but Suh is still one of the best interior D-linemen in the league. Size, strength and explosiveness make Suh a wrecking ball against the run and rushing the passer.

DT – Marcel Dareus – Bills

Dareus didn’t get after the passer as well as previous years in 2015, but still proved to be an effective run stuffer. Given who’s our final piece on this D-line, Dareus will need to generate pressure from the inside to create an even front.

LDE – Sheldon Richardson – Jets

Not a fit that screams out at you, but one that could work if Suh and Dareus can take the load off by creating inside pressure. Richardson is a versatile defender who adapted well to Todd Bowles’ efforts to get Leonard Williams, Mo Wilkerson, Damon Harrison and himself on the field at the same time.

LB – Dont’a Hightower – Patriots

After flying under the radar for a while, Dont’a Hightower slowly established himself as one of the best run-stopping linebackers in the NFL last season. His thumping size makes him a nightmare to run at, as well as a wrecking ball when Matt Patricia dials up his beloved inside linebacker blitzes.

LB – Jamie Collins – Patriots

The second half of the Pats’ thunder and lightning linebacker duo, Collins has added finesse to his freakish athleticism. This do-it-all hybrid will end up on the box score in more ways than thought possible, from blocking kicks to picking off quarterbacks.

CB – Ronald Darby – Bills

Darby was hugely impressive in 2015, and should figure to be even better in 2016. Fellow Bill Stephen Gilmore also impressed, but Darby’s lockdown ability, highlighted by 21 passes defended in 2015 make him an easy choice going forward.

CB – Malcolm Butler – Patriots

Butler went into 2015 feeling the need to prove he wasn’t a one pick wonder, and did just that last year, earning a pro-bowl berth. Butler’s ability and determination was on full display in week 10 when he recovered from an early loss to Odell Beckham by locking him down for the remainder of the game.

CB – Darrelle Revis – Jets

Revis had some shaky games in 2015 (cough Sammy Watkins cough), but how could you leave him out? The Island has quietly been extremely effective in the slot for a lot of his career, and this reduced role will suit him while the young guns rise to the outside.

FS – Devin McCourty – Patriots

McCourty has been the most reliable player on the Patriots defense over the past number of years, and has established himself as one of the best safeties in the league, particularly in coverage.

SS – Pat Chung – Patriots

This was the toughest decision of the lot. Dolphins safety Reshad Jones is an extremely talented player, but the ability Pat Chung has to lock up tight ends, while also remaining a thumping run-stopper gives him the spot.

Punter – Matt Darr – Dolphins

There wasn’t a stand out option, but Darr had the highest average punt distance and second most that landed inside the 20, one behind Ryan Allen.

Kicker – Stephen Gostkowski – Patriots

Gostkowski may have cost his team in the AFC Title game, but is still the best kicker in the AFC East, and maybe the NFL.