Miami Dolphins left guard Laremy Tunsil is the AFC East rookie of the year, as voted on by the four reporters covering the division for ESPN.com.

Mike Rodak, Buffalo Bills reporter: There is not a clear-cut choice here, which is probably the result of the New England Patriots losing their first-round pick because of Deflategate and the Bills losing their first two picks, Shaq Lawson and Reggie Ragland, to injury. To me, this award comes down to four players: Tunsil, Patriots guard Joe Thuney, New York Jets outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins and Patriots wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell. I'll give the edge to Tunsil, who dealt with a shoulder injury and had to play two positions (tackle and guard) because of an injury to Branden Albert.

James Walker, Miami Dolphins reporter: The Dolphins knew they had a good player the moment they drafted Tunsil. The only question was whether Tunsil could steer clear of trouble after having issues at Ole Miss, which included a video of him smoking a substance through a bong that surfaced on social media on draft night and immediately dropped his stock. But Tunsil proved the Dolphins right by staying on the straight and narrow. The football part took care of itself, as Tunsil started 14 regular-season games and one playoff game. He was very good as a rookie playing out of position at left guard and filling in at his natural left tackle position for a few games when Albert was injured. Tunsil has the makings of a 10-year starter for Miami if he avoids injuries and off-field trouble.

Mike Reiss, New England Patriots reporter: Thuney, who was the third-round draft choice from NC State, was the starting left guard from Day 1 of spring practices and hasn’t moved off the spot. He has played 1,114 of 1,118 snaps. Said coach Bill Belichick, “For any player to play a lot of snaps at any position, rookie or anything else, there’s something to be said for that. Just durability and being able to stay out there day after day and week after week is tough in this league. Joe’s done a good job of that.”

Rich Cimini, New York Jets reporter: This wasn’t a great year for rookies in the AFC East, but I think Tunsil stood above the crowd because he switched positions and played at a consistent level throughout the year. He overcame a nightmarish draft-day experience and helped turn a weakness -- the offensive line -- into a strength. Tunsil allowed only one sack, according to Pro Football Focus, and that came at left tackle, his old college position. At some point, Tunsil will go back to left tackle on a permanent basis, and he’ll be good there, too. The Dolphins made an excellent choice in the first round.