AFC East
The AFC East is constantly playing catch up to one team, the Patriots. The Dolphins have switched their uniform design up and spending big time money; wonder if that will work as good as it did with their baseball team? They are trying to get back to the good ole days. Buffalo brought in Kevin Kolb, will he be their quarterback? Maybe the draft will breed competition. They have a solid core of players, CJ Spiller and Stevie Johnson are explosive. The contract fail of Ryan Fitzpatrick really set this team back. And, the Jets. Gosh, the Jets. Is this the most dysfunctional team in football? Back to back AFC Championships and 3 failed Super Bowl predictions later, we have a team on the verge of a 5 win season. And that would be successful. They brought in Tim Tebow last year and effectively killed the guys career. Goes from playoff victory over Pittsburgh to a clipboard jockey. They have a lot of work to go. The Patriots are the team they are all chasing. But not even the Pats are looking clean right now. Gronk may miss the entire season, at least a good chunk and Wes Welker is now with Bradys' arch nemesis, Manning. Their answer was to bring in an injury prone Danny Amendola. The AFC East should be fun, lets look at the draft. Patriots- RD 2 Jamie Collins (OLB), RD 2 Aaron Dobson (WR), RD 3 Logan Ryan (CB), RD 3 Duron Harmon (S), RD 4 Josh Boyce (WR), RD 7 Michael Buchanan (DE), RD 7 Steve Beauharnais (ILB) The Patriots wanted defense with their first pick, which was in the second round. Jamie Collins, from So. Miss, is a big and fast linebacker. He has trouble with big linemen, but, as an edge rusher he figures in nicely. Aaron Dobson, out of Marshall, isn't a burner. He is a big receiver that will be difficult to bring down. He is a receiver, so Tom Brady will most likely make him great. Two defensive backs came off the board next in an effort to sure up the defensive backfield. They then went and got the burner in round 4, Boyce is fast and has good hands. The Patriots get a grade of C. The Pats will not gain too much at first look, they filled some depth needs, but, no big name players that should make much of an impact. They did however, load up for future drafts. That is what the Patriots do, they must not have seen anything they needed this year. Load up for future drafts, that is why they didn't receive a much lower grade. Dolphins- RD 1 Dion Jordan (OLB), RD 2 Jamaar Taylor (CB), RD 3 Dallas Thomas (OG), RD 3 Will Davis (CB), RD 4 Jelani Jenkins (OLB), RD 4 Dion Sims (TE), RD 5 Mike Gillislee (RB), RD 5 Caleb Sturgis (K), RD 7 Don Jones (S) The Dolphins went out and brought in Mike Wallace and Dannell Ellerbe to fix their offense and defense, then they brought in Dion Jordan. This was a surprise pick and could be a good one. Dion was without a doubt the best linebacker in the draft, if he pans out. He has high upside and a rock bottom downside. They needed some more DBs to help with Tom Brady, so they took two early. They also went out and got a guard to stick on that offensive line, that saw Jake Long leave in the offseason. They then switch to offensive mode to bring in a big tight end, he may not be the burner, but, he can make plays. After the departure of Bush, they will bring Gillislee in, in hopes that he can be that type of player. The Dolphins get a B- from me. The pick of Dion Jordan was a big pick for me. They did a lot in the off season to improve their team. Jamaar Taylor and Dallas Thomas will start in year one. Jelani Jenkins will most likely start in the future and Caleb Sturgis (Yes a kicker) will be an impact kicker for some time. Not the best draft, but, they did do some good things. Bills- RD 1 E.J. Manuel (QB), RD 2 Robert Woods (WR), RD 2 Kiko Alonso (ILB), RD 3 Marquise Goodwin (WR), RD 4 Duke Williams (S), RD 5 Johnathan Meeks (S), RD 6 Dustin Hopkins (K), RD 7 Chris Gragg (TE) E.J. Manuel was the biggest surprise of round 1. They were able to get their guy, at the same time by-passing Ryan Nassib. Then it became clear that they wanted more offensive help, Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin are two WR that are burners, both run 4.4s. Robert Woods can get separation and Goodwin will be used as a quick slot reciever. Kiko Alonso was in between the two and grades out as a smart backer, he isn't going to miss on tackles and has a nose to find a big play. They were able to get Duke Williams, off-field troubles dropped him from a late 1 or 2 pick to a 4th round steal. They went back to back safety with Meeks out of Clemson. The Bills get an A from me. The reason it is an A and not an A+ is because we just do not know how E.J. will do in the NFL. He was my favorite QB this draft. I believe he will turn out very nice, size and speed are two benefits to him. Throw in his super strong arm and he could be great. Robert Woods, Kiko Alonso and Marquise Goodwin are some super picks. Robert Woods can be a fantastic receiver in the NFL, same with Goodwin. And Alonso, he has an attitude problem, but, if he controls it watch out. Great draft Buffalo! Jets- RD 1 Dee Milliner (CB), RD 1 Sheldon Richardson (DT), RD 2 Geno Smith (QB), RD 3 Brian Winters (OG), RD 5 Oday Aboushi (OG), RD 6 William Campbell (OG), RD 7 Tommy Bohanon (FB) The Jets had two first round picks. With the first pick they brought in Darrelle Reviss' replacement. Milliner was the typical Alabama defender, big plays and smarts on the field. That was a fine pick, Sheldon Richardson, however, was not. This team needs to help their offense out. Getting a DT while good offensive players are on the board is just a typical JET move, that is why they lose. Then, to compound on a dumb draft, they take Geno Smith. They already have QB problems, so why not add to it. If anything this signals that Rex Ryan most likely will not be fired. He gets his second early draft pick at QB. A new coach would more than likely, want his own QB to build. They then went out and brought in some line help with three consecutive picks, good move Jets... The Jets get a C from me... Dee Milliner was a good pick, Sheldon Richardson was an okay pick, Geno Smith was a terrible pick. Sheldon Richardson was essentially a wasted pick, you needed to help the QB (Whoever it is) out with some weapons, they have nobody in New York. And Geno Smith was brought in, I guess it means that Rex is going to get a few more years. If you fire Rex at the end of this year, the new coach will want to draft his own project at QB. The draft wasn't terrible. But, I just don't understand why they do some things. Milliner also has tough shoes to fit into this season.