AFC East Draft Grades

Buffalo Bills

In most years the Bills often reach for needs, but this year they got great value and several players that should be able to come in and make an impact early. Buffalo really made out when Marcel Dareus was available at #3. He was the best player in the draft in my opinion and he'll really help their poor rush defense. Aaron Williams really reminds me a lot of Malcolm Jenkins. He'll start out at cornerback, but look for Williams to eventually be a stand out safety. Kelvin Sheppard and Chris Hairston are two picks that are really going to pay out. Sheppeard is a physical inside linebacker that will be able to hold his own and become an eventual starter. Hairston is a massive tackle who has surprisingly good footwork. He'll have a shot at left tackle, but look for him to take over at right side too. Da'Norris Searcy is another underrated pick that has the shot to become a starter. Buffalo ended up with one of the best drafts in the league.

Best Pick: Marcel Dareus DT Alabama

Worst Pick: Justin Rodgers CB Richmond

Overall Grade: A+

Miami Dolphins

I found it a little comical that people actually thought that Miami was going to take a quarterback at #15. All the Ryan Mallett projections really panned out....heck they passed on him twice. Instead they went with instant impact and took Mike Pouncey to become their new starter at center. Miami has been looking for a big physical center to bang with the top nose tackles in their league and found one here. With no second round pick the Dolphins traded up to get Daniel Thomas who will try to help fill the void at running back with both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams being free agents. Thomas also can help the Dolphins in their Wildcat package. Thomas was a JUCO quarterback before being moved to runningback at Kansas State. Miami is also hoping that Emmanuel Gates will give them the field stretching receiver they need to complement Brandon Marshall and Devon Bess. After those three it was a pretty unspectacular draft.

Best Pick: Mike Pouncey C Florida

Worst Pick: Jimmy Wilson CB Montana

Overall Grade: C

New England Patriots

One thing is always true come draft day. The New England Pariots will be very active. It seems like a yearly tradition for the Patriots to make smart moves to accumulate picks. This year they traded their 28th selection and acquired a 1st and a 2nd for next year. Having all these picks allows the Patriots to move around and take the players they really want. New England really did a good job this year with their first pick. Nate Solder may be a little raw, but he is the only player that I know will be a left tackle. He has great size and athletic ability and will do very well. Ras-I Dowling when healthy is a good cover corner that fits into their scheme but that's when he is healthy. Shane Vereen is another solid pick that could become their new Kevin Faulk. The Marcus Cannon pick was just flat out highway robbery. Teams were scared away by his cancer diagnosis, but Cannon will be fine in due time and the Patriots have a solid developmental player. Ryan Mallett is the most NFL ready quarterback in this draft but his attitude just scares teams. Being in New England might have been the best thing for him. He'll be able to learn from the organization how to be a pro and he'll eventually get traded away for a 1st round pick. I just don't understand the Steven Ridley pick. Even if they loved him, the 3rd round was way too early. Plus they already have BenJarvis Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead and then add Vereen? How many backs do they need?

Best Pick: Marcus Cannon G/T TCU

Worst Pick: Steven Ridley RB LSU

Overall Grade: B-

New York Jets

The Jets went into this draft needing to address their defensive line which was razor thin. In the first they were able to take Muhammad Wilkerson who could have easily gone in the top 15 and nobody would have flinched. Wilkerson is a tackle that moves like a defensive end. He's use to playing against double teams game in and game out at Temple, so moving to the defensive end spot in the 3-4 should be an easy transition. In the third round the Jets took Kendric Ellis who has a ton of talent but many question his character. If Ellis can behave off the field he'll become a starter at nose tackle and lock down a spot that they've been missing the past two seasons. With their three remaining picks the Jets went after depth. Greg McElroy was taken to be Mark Sanchez's back up, Bilal Powell is LT's eventual replacement, and Jeremy Kerley and Scott McKnight will battle for Brad Smith's old spot. Nothing flashy here, but addresses some key needs.

Best Pick: Muhammad Wilkerson DT/DE Temple

Worst Pick: Scotty McKnight WR Colorado

Overall Grade: B

What do you think? Have any issues? Let me know what you think. Leave a comment or email me at brianajohannes@gmail.com.