With Free Agency pretty much wrapped up, the NFL Draft is quickly approaching once again. As we have done in the past, we’re going to take a quick look at the other teams in the league and preview their team needs and how they will likely approach the Draft. Today we take a look at the AFC East.
For reference, we compiled the draft picks each team currently has. Compensatory picks are listed in parentheses.
Another year, another slew of draft picks for the Patriots. New England might be better than anyone else in the league and making draft-day trades to acquire more high draft picks the next season. New England has 4 picks in the first two rounds this year but none after the 4th round. Due to this, they might be looking to trade back out of their picks in order to acquire some more later round picks. It’s no secret the Pats need some help on defense, particularly in the pass rushing department where they lost the team-leader in sacks Mark Anderson to Buffalo and free agent Andre Carter remains unsigned.
After Mark Sanchez regressed to a high school quarterback throughout the season, the Jets went out and traded for the only QB who was worse than Sanchez – Tim Tebow. Maybe their logic is that two guys who can complete about 50% of their passes means they will get 100% completions because 50 + 50 = 100. No clue what’s going on here. Antonio Cromartie just had his 10th kid or something. That’s enough for a full game of pick-up basketball. Santonio Holmes is running his mouth. This team is a mess. Rex Ryan, if you can believe anything he says, has stated that he loves Courtney Upshaw (LB-Alabama). It’s a pretty safe bet to predict that the Jets will either take someone from Alabama (Upshaw or Mark Barron) or another pass-rushing OLB/DE.
If you’re looking for a team to take a big step forward this year, look no further than the Buffalo Bills. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is now entrenched as the starter after signing a monster contract halfway through last season. The Bills re-signed WR Stevie Johnson so Fitzpatrick will have his main target back. The Bills could use some more receivers for Fitzpatrick to get the ball to, making Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd a very real possibility at #10. On defense, the Bills addressed their needs in free agency, adding Mario Williams and Mark Anderson as bookend pass-rushers. The Bills could also use some help along the offensive line and at linebacker.
The Dolphins have tried and failed at landing every major free agent quarterback in recent memory. They did sign David Garrard, who could very well be the starter come opening day. Or at least, he’ll battle Matt Moore. Um…what? The Dolphins running game is Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas, who missed much of his rookie year due to injury. The Fins traded away their best receiver, Brandon Marshall. On defense, they are pretty good up front, ranking 3rd against the run and 13th in sacks. But the Fins were dreadful in the secondary, finishing 25th in the league in pass defense. They will probably draft Ryan Tannehill (QB-Texas A&M), lest the fan base riot, but this is a team that has a lot of needs and might be in the “Blow for Barkley” race next year anyways.
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